Cheesy Salad Bars

Transform your appetizer game with these vibrant and irresistible Cheesy Salad Bars, a creative fusion of creamy cheese layers and crisp, colorful vegetables. Perfectly blending indulgence with freshness, this recipe starts with a golden, buttery crust that provides the ideal foundation for a tangy, ranch-flavored cream cheese layer. Topped with shredded cheddar cheese, juicy cherry tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, vibrant carrots, and savory green onions, every bite is packed with flavor and texture. A sprinkle of seasoned breadcrumbs adds the perfect finishing touch for a bit of crunch. Ready in just 35 minutes (plus chilling time), these chilled, no-fuss bars are an excellent choice for parties, picnics, or as a refreshing snack. Your guests will adore this crowd-pleasing recipe that pairs cheesy indulgence with the crisp, refreshing appeal of a garden salad.

Nutriscore Rating: 53/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 0.5 cup salted butter
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 8 ounces cream cheese
• 0.5 cup sour cream
• 1 package ranch dressing mix
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• 1 medium cucumber
• 0.5 bunch green onions
• 1 cup carrots
• 0.25 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease an 8x8-inch baking dish.

Step 2

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and butter. Use a fork or pastry cutter to mix until the dough resembles coarse crumbs.

Step 3

Press the dough evenly into the base of the prepared baking dish to form a flat crust.

Step 4

Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until lightly golden. Remove and let it cool completely.

Step 5

While the crust cools, prepare the cheesy topping. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese, sour cream, and ranch dressing mix until smooth and creamy.

Step 6

Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the cooled crust, ensuring an even layer.

Step 7

Prepare your vegetables: halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, finely slice the green onions, and shred the carrots.

Step 8

In a small bowl, combine the seasoned breadcrumbs with olive oil and mix well.

Step 9

Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the cream cheese layer, followed by the prepared vegetables.

Step 10

Finish by sprinkling the breadcrumb mixture evenly across the top for added texture.

Step 11

Cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 12

Once chilled, cut into bars and serve cold. Enjoy your Cheesy Salad Bars!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1395.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3669.5

Total Fat 299.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 175.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.9g
Cholesterol 787.6mg	0%
Sodium 3552.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 170.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 11.7g	0%
Total Sugars 32.6g
Protein 96.2g	0%

Vitamin D 59.2IU	0%
Calcium 2197.9mg	0%
Iron 9.2mg	0%
Potassium 1685.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 71.7%

Protein: 10.2%

Carbs: 18.1%