Description
A savory French Onion Cheese Ball combining caramelized onions, crispy bacon, cream cheese, and Swiss cheese, seasoned with thyme and cajun spices, perfect for entertaining and serving as a flavorful appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 large onion, diced
- 1/2 lb (6-8 strips) bacon, cooked and chopped
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 1/4 cups Swiss cheese, grated
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon Cajun spice
- 1 1/2 cups French’s Crispy Fried Onions, chopped
- Olive oil (for cooking onions)
- Salt and pepper (to season onions)
Instructions
- Cook bacon: Cut raw bacon into small chunks. Cook over medium-high heat in a frying pan until thoroughly cooked and crispy.
- Drain bacon grease: Remove bacon from pan and place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease. Allow to cool.
- Sauté onions: Add olive oil to the same bacon frying pan. Add diced onions and season with salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until onions become translucent and caramelized, about 15-20 minutes.
- Cool onions: Remove the cooked onions from heat and allow to cool completely.
- Combine ingredients: In a large bowl or stand mixer, add the cooked bacon, cream cheese, sour cream, grated Swiss cheese, dried thyme, red pepper flakes, and Cajun spice. Mix until well combined.
- Add onions: Add the cooled caramelized onions to the mixture, and mix thoroughly until evenly incorporated.
- Form cheese ball: Place the cheese mixture in the center of a sheet of plastic wrap. Gently pull the plastic wrap edges together to form the mixture into a smooth ball. Wrap tightly and chill overnight in the refrigerator.
- Coat with fried onions: When ready to serve, remove the cheese ball from the fridge and roll it in the chopped French’s Crispy Fried Onions so it is evenly coated.
- Serve: Place on a serving platter and enjoy as a flavorful appetizer with crackers or bread.
Notes
- Chilling the cheese ball overnight helps meld the flavors and firm up the shape for easy handling.
- You can prepare the cheese ball up to two days in advance for convenience.
- For less spicy version, reduce or omit the red pepper flakes and Cajun spice.
- Serve with an assortment of crackers, sliced baguette, or fresh vegetables.
- To make cleanup easier, use the same pan to cook onions after bacon for added flavor.
