Football Shaped Cheese Ball Recipe (Dairy-Free)
This Dairy-Free Football Shaped Cheese Ball is the perfect appetizer for game day! Not only is it creamy and delicious, but it's also made with simple & healthy ingredients like chickpeas, cashews, dairy-free cream cheese, and buffalo sauce.
Equipment
- 1 Food Processor
- Plastic Wrap or Reusable Wrap
Ingredients
Football Cheese Ball
- 8 Ounces Dairy-Free Cream Cheese I used the brand Miyokos.
- 1 Cup Raw Cashews Soaked in boiling water for 1 hour.
- 1 Cup Chickpeas
- 3 Tablespoons Buffalo Sauce I used Primal Kitchen Dairy-Free Buffalo Sauce.
- ½ Teaspoon Salt
Toppings
- 6 Ounces Bacon, Cooked & Chopped
- 2-3 Tablespoons Chopped Green Onion
Instructions
Football Cheese Ball
- Start by soaking the cashews in boiling water for 1 hour then drain out the water.
- Add the soaked cashews into a food processor with the cream cheese, buffalo sauce, chickpeas, and salt. Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Transfer the "cheese" mixture onto a piece of plastic wrap. Fold the wrap over the cheese mixture to prevent it from sticking. Use your hands to gently press it into a football shape. Place in the refrigerator for 5-6 hours or overnight.
- Next, remove the football shaped cheese ball from the refrigerator and carefully take off the plastic wrap. Place on a large serving plate or wood cutting board. Use the back of a spoon or spatula to fix the shape or any imperfections if needed.
Toppings
- For the toppings, you'll need finely chopped green onion and finely chopped crispy cooked bacon. I suggest letting the bacon cool completely on paper towels to absorb excess oil before chopping.
Assemble Football
- To assemble the football, press the crispy bacon into the chilled cheese ball. (It should be firm!) Add green onion to give color, flavor, and fill in any gaps.
- Top the football with thinly sliced apple pieces to create the laces on the top. You can also use a slice of dairy-free cheese!
- Serve with firm crackers, pretzels, or carrot sticks!
Notes
Expert Tips
- Don't worry if it's not the perfect football shape when it's soft. You can perfect the shape after it chills, and it will be covered in bacon which will hide any imperfections.
- Make sure the cheese ball has set completely in the refrigerator before serving. It should be very firm and easy to remove from the plastic wrap.
- Use a spatula to scrape out all of the creamy filling from the food processor.
- If you don't have a food processor, use a high-speed blender to make the filling.
- To make realistic laces, cut one long strip of apple or cheese and add 3-6 smaller strips across the top.
How To Store Leftovers
Transfer whatever is left over into an airtight container. Place in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. I would not suggest freezing leftovers. For leftover crackers or pretzels, store separately in an airtight bag at room temperature. ** For more information and step by step photos, see full post!Nutrition
Serving: 1ServingCalories: 118kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 4gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 229mgPotassium: 85mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 11IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 1mg
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