Football Cheese Ball
This easy to make, 7-ingredient Football Cheese Ball will elevate your entertaining on game day! With cream cheese, sour cream, ranch seasoning and shredded Colby Jack cheese, this incredibly tasty sports-themed appetizer will be gone from the party tray before halftime--especially when it's decorated with pretzels, nuts and American cheese.
Why We Love It
One of the best parts about football season is the party food--especially when we're talking about the postseason and Super Bowl. You don't have to be a fan of the game (or even watch it!) to enjoy all the tasty snacks and appetizers, like Garlic Ranch Pretzels, Pepperoni Pizza Dip (which is required at every get together I host or attend), and Ham and Swiss Cheese Sliders.
The most talked about appetizer at every football watch party here though is this MVP worthy Football Cheese Ball, which is my Zesty Ranch Cheese Ball recipe with a fun sports-themed twist. I make the same delicious ranch-seasoned cheese ball that everyone always devours, shape it into a football (so easy!) and then decorate it with crushed walnuts and Pretzel Crisps. The football stiches on top are from one slice of American cheese.
The end result? An eye-catching, super delicious, ranch-seasoned, football shaped cheese ball that pairs well with everyone's savory and crunchy favorites--from a variety of tasty crackers, to cheddar cheese wedges, ring bologna, pepperoni, crudités and more!
No game day gathering is complete without a charcuterie board featuring this easy to make Football Cheese Ball!
Why You'll Love It
| Easy, make ahead recipe: Mix the 4 simple base ingredients together with a hand mixer or food processor. Then shape it into a football, let it solidify in the fridge (4 hours minimum, but overnight is recommended for better taste and easier shaping), and then the cheese ball is ready to be decorated for gametime. Awaits your personal touch: Take my suggestions, or feel free to create the cheese ball's outer "leather" as you wish. You can't go wrong with a variety of nuts, bacon, pepperoni, etc.--anything that's darker in color to make your football shaped cheese ball stand out in a crowd! Crowd pleaser: This ranch-seasoned cheese ball pairs so well with crackers, cheese, cured meats and veggies and is always the star of the charcuterie board or party tray on game day. |
Football Cheese Ball Ingredients
For a full list of ingredients and measurements, please see the printable recipe card below.
- Cream cheese, softened--Philadelphia brand--I recommend full fat for easier shaping
- Sour cream--Daisy's or Breakstone's are creamy and have a nice tang--even when you use reduced fat
- Dry ranch seasoning mix--you may use one envelope/sleeve OR measure from a shaker tub to choose your zest level (I like Hidden Valley Ranch for both of these options)
- Shredded Colby Jack cheese --I typically use Kraft's 2%; Monterey Jack cheese is a good alternative
--Feel free to spice it up by adding diced jalapeño, green onions and/or red pepper flakes!--
Decorative Exterior Add-ons (Listed below is what I use. Feel free to change it up!)
- broken Pretzel Crisps--add them just before serving because they will get a little soggy
- crushed walnuts--these are also best added just before serving
- American cheese slice, cut into strips--place this on last
Optional/additional extras to cover the cheese ball could include: bacon bits, mini pepperoni slices, or crushed pecans
How to Make Football Cheese Ball
Click here for a list of equipment needed for this recipe.
- hand mixer or food processor
- large mixing bowl
- mixing spoon
- measuring cups
- measuring spoons
- plastic wrap
Getting Started
Kitchen Ready Betty tip: Allow the cream cheese to soften on your counter for easier mixing, or place in the microwave for 30 seconds..
Make your Football Cheese Ball in just a few simple steps:
Get your hand mixer and large mixing bowl. Place the softened cream cheese and sour cream in the bowl. Set the hand mixer to medium speed and blend until contents are fully incorporated, usually 1-2 minutes. (This step can also be done in a food processor.)
Choose your zest. Big ranch fan? Use 3 tablespoons of ranch mix. Like it, but not totally gaga over it? Use 2 tablespoons (or 1 packet). Place your desired amount in the bowl/food processor and blend on low speed until smooth.
You can also take up the spice level in this step by adding diced jalapeños, green onions or your own favorite spice!
Add the shredded cheese. Mix on medium speed until well blended, usually 1-2 minutes.
Wrap the cheese ball up like a mummy. Sort of.
Follow these simple steps:
- Place one large piece of plastic wrap on your counter. Put the entire cheese mixture in the center.
- Fold the plastic wrap in toward the center, with the goal of getting the corners to meet in the middle.
- Twist the plastic wrap until the cheese mixture is entirely encased in the center and is fully wrapped.
- Using your hands, form a football shape out of the mixture; pinching the corners on both ends.
- Continue to mold until you have a decent looking football shape.
Chill for at least 4 hours-but I recommend 24 hours for optimal shaping and for a better taste.
When ready to assemble, have your serving tray or platter for the cheese ball ready to go. Choose a serving tray with additional room so you can add crackers, other cheeses, pepperoni and veggies of varying colors!
You can't go wrong with a variety of these options. Anything that goes well with ranch and cream cheese will go well with Football Cheese Ball!
Football Cheese Ball Assembly
| Unwrap the cheese ball: Place it on your serving tray (you may choose to put parchment down on the tray first). Leather: Place crushed Pretzel Crisps and walnuts all around the exposed exterior just before serving. Stiches: Using a knife, divide one slice of American cheese into three long and three short strips. Add to the top of the cheese ball as pictured. |
For additional flavoring, decorate the outside of the cheese ball further as desired. You may consider pushing bacon bits, crushed pecans, or mini pepperoni slices onto the outside for added aesthetic appeal.
Enjoy! Football Cheese Ball will be the talk of your tailgate or Super Bowl watch party. It's just that good! Heck, it might even bring your team a little luck!
Storing Football Cheese Ball
Store in an airtight container and refrigerate. Enjoy within 3-5 days. (It's best to remove decorative food add-ons before storing--especially the pretzels--because they will get soggy.)
For other fun cheese balls, check out Zesty Ranch Cheese Ball (the original) and Zesty Turkey Cheese Ball for Thanksgiving!
This easy to make, 7-ingredient Football Cheese Ball will elevate your entertaining on game day! With cream cheese, sour cream, ranch seasoning and shredded Colby Jack cheese, this incredibly tasty sports-themed appetizer will be gone from the party tray before halftime--especially when it's decorated with pretzels, nuts and American cheese.
Whether it's for a tailgate or watch party (especially the Super Bowl), this football shaped cheese ball is a delicious and much loved entertaining option!
- 12 oz cream cheese (1 & 1/2 bricks, Philadelphia brand)
- 1/2 cup reduced fat sour cream (Daisy's or Breakstone's)
- 2-3 tbsp dry ranch seasoning mix (choose your level of zestiness)
- 1 & 1/2 cup reduced fat Colby Jack shredded cheese blend (Kraft's 2% recommended)
- Pretzel Crisps, crushed (leather)
- crushed walnuts (leather)
- 1 slice American cheese, cut into 3 long and 3 short strips (stitches)
Allow cream cheese to soften on counter prior to starting for easier mixing (or microwave for 30 seconds in bowl).
Place the softened cream cheese and sour cream in large mixing bowl. Set the hand mixer to medium speed and blend until contents are fully incorporated, usually 1-2 minutes. (This can also be done with a food processor.)
Add desired amount (2-3T.) of ranch mix to bowl/processor and blend on low speed until smooth.
The more ranch mix you use, the zestier your cheese ball will be! You can also take up the spice level in this step by adding diced jalapeños, green onions or your own favorite spice!Add the shredded cheese. Mix on medium speed until well blended, usually 1-2 minutes.
Place one large piece of plastic wrap on your counter. Put the entire cheese mixture in the center.
Fold the plastic wrap in toward the center, with the goal of getting the corners to meet in the middle.
Twist the plastic wrap so that the cheese ball is entirely encased in the center and is fully wrapped.
Using your hands, form a football shape out of the mixture; pinching the corners on both ends. Continue to mold until you have a decent looking football shape.
Refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours, though 24 is recommended for optimal shaping and for a better taste.
- Unwrap the cheese ball: Place it on your serving tray (you may choose to place parchment paper down first).
- Leather: Place crushed pretzel crisps and walnuts all around the exposed exterior just before serving to avoid sogginess.
- Stiches: Using a knife, divide one slice of American cheese into three long and three short strips. Add to the top of the cheese ball as pictured.
You may choose to also add bacon bits, small pepperoni slices, and/or crushed pecans on the outside of the cheese ball before serving.Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for 3-5 days. Do not freeze.
Before storing, remove any decorative food add-ons (especially the pretzels) in order to prevent sogginess.
Football Cheese Ball is delicious when enjoyed with anything that pairs well with ranch and cream cheese!
I always use Philadelphia brand full fat cream cheese for this recipe because the full fat cream cheese sets better.
This cheese ball is open to your customization. Have fun with it and feel free to be creative with your design!
Hi, I'm Betty! I live in Pennsylvania with my 2 human sons, 2 furry sons and my wonderful and supportive husband, who is my main cooking muse. When I'm not busy cooking or writing, I'm lifting a barbell, answering presidential trivia, thinking about the ocean, or going on long walks with my pups.
Thank you for checking out this recipe! Enjoy!
~Betty