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.

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Jump to:

• Why You'll Love This Recipe
• 🍴Ingredient Notes
• Recipe Variations
• 🍴Step by Step Instructions
• Expert Tips
• Serving Suggestions
• How to store leftovers
• Recipe Card
• Want more recipes?
• 💬 Reviews

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This delicious football shaped cheese ball is one of my husband's favorite appetizers to serve during football season! It's great for Super Bowl parties, tailgates, or any game day events.

Not only is this cheese ball packed with flavor, but it's also made with wholesome ingredients and great for those with food allergies or dietary restrictions!

The base of the recipe is made with dairy-free cream cheese, chickpeas, buffalo sauce, and raw cashews. If you follow my ingredient suggestions, this recipe is dairy-free and gluten-free!

To make, just press the cheese mixture into the shape of a football and chill! Finish by covering in crispy bacon bits and apple slices for laces. It's absolutely delicious and sure to be a crowd pleaser!

🍴Ingredient Notes

• Raw Cashews - To create a thick, cheesy consistency, you'll need raw cashews soaked in boiling water.
• Chickpeas - Rinsed and drained chickpeas will add a thick texture to the "cheese" ball.
• Buffalo Sauce - I used Primal Kitchen Dairy-Free Buffalo Sauce. Any buffalo sauce or hot sauce will work.
• Dairy-Free Cream Cheese - I used Miyokos classic plain cream cheese, but Kite Hill also makes dairy-free cream cheese.
• Salt - It's important to add a little extra salt to give it more of a salty cheese flavor.
• Bacon - Any bacon will work. You'll need to cook it until crispy and let it cool to room temperature before chopping.
• Chopped Green Onion - The fresh green onion adds an extra layer of flavor!
• Apple or Cheese - To create the football laces you'll need a thinly sliced apple or your choice of cheese.

Recipe Variations

• If you're not serving this at football parties, you can press it into a traditional round shape.
• For an extra kick of spice, add ½ teaspoon of paprika or cayenne pepper. You can also fold in diced jalapeno or sprinkle some on top of the cheese ball.
• Use chopped pecans instead of bacon for a vegan option!
• Add dairy-free or regular cheddar cheese to the cream cheese base to give it an extra cheesy flavor.

🍴Step by Step Instructions

Step 1: Soak Cashews

Start by soaking the cashews in boiling water for 1 hour then drain out the water.

Step 2: Blend in Food Processor

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.

Step 3: Shape into Football

Transfer the "cheese" mixture onto a sheet of plastic wrap. Fold the wrap over the cheese mixture to prevent it from sticking.

Use your hands to gently press it into an oval shape. Place in the refrigerator for 5-6 hours or overnight.

Step 4: Fix Imperfections

Next, remove the football shaped cheese ball from the refrigerator and carefully take off the plastic wrap. Place on a large serving platter or wood cutting board.

Use the back of a spoon or spatula to fix the shape or any imperfections if needed.

Step 5: Prepare 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.

Step 6: Add Toppings to Cheese Football

To assemble the football, press the crispy bacon into chilled cheese ball. (It should be firm!) Add green onion to give color, flavor, and fill in any gaps.

Step 7: Serving

Thinly slice apple pieces to create the laces and add them to the top of the cheese ball. You can also use a slice of dairy-free cheese!

Serve with firm crackers, pretzels, or carrot sticks.

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.

Serving Suggestions

Presentation

I suggest serving the cheese ball on a wooden charcuterie board or large serving platter with gluten-free pretzels, carrot sticks, celery sticks, or crackers for dipping.

Because this cheese ball is on the firmer side, I like to leave a small cheese knife on the board. (Especially if you're serving with crackers.)

Dipping & Sides

And what would a spicy buffalo flavored cheese ball be without a side of ranch dressing?! Primal Kitchen Dairy-Free Ranch is my favorite!  You can also add it to the center of a charcuterie board.

My favorite gluten-free & grain-free crackers are by the brand Simple Mills. They have a nice crunch and are made with simple ingredients like almond flour! They also have a variety of flavors to choose from.

My favorite gluten-free pretzels are by the brand Savor by Suzie! They are super crunchy and made with simple ingredients.

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.

More Game Day Recipes!

After you make this Football Cheese Ball Recipe, make sure to leave a comment & rate the recipe!

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