Jalapeño Popper Cheese Ball Recipe
This easy and delicious jalapeño popper cheese ball is a show-stopping appetizer. It's cheesy, savory, spicy, creamy, and guaranteed to vanish!
Servings: 2 cups
Calories: 474kcal
Equipment
- plastic wrap
Ingredients
- 8 ounces Cream Cheese softened
- 8 ounces Shredded Cheddar Cheese (about 2 cups)
- 4 strips Bacon crumbled (⅓ cup)
- 1-2 Jalapeño Pepper seeds removed and finely diced
- 2 Tablespoons Fresh Chives or Green Onion chopped
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 Tablespoon Milk as needed
- Salt and Black Pepper to taste
Instructions
Before staring the recipe, assess the spiciness of your jalapeños. To manage the heat level, incorporate them gradually.
- Set aside 2 tablespoons CHEDDAR CHEESE, 1 tablespoon BACON, and a sprinkle of CHIVES for the final coating.
- Place CREAM CHEESE, remaining CHEDDAR CHEESE, BACON, JALAPENOS, CHIVES, and GARLIC POWDER in a mixing bowl. Stir until smooth and well-combined.
- Add splashes of MILK and stir to adjust the texture so that it's slightly creamy, yet still cohesive.
- Season the mixture with SALT and PEPPER to taste.
- Transfer the cheese ball mixture to a piece of plastic wrap. Pull up the sides and wrap it into a ball shape.
- Refrigerate the cheese ball for one hour.
- To prepare for serving, combine the reserved cheese, bacon, and chives in a wide bowl.
- Remove the plastic wrap and roll the cheese ball in the mixture to coat the surface.
- To serve, rest the cheese ball at room temperature for 30 minutes. Pair it with crackers, bread, crostini, pita chips, or pretzels.
- To store, cover and refrigerate the cheese ball up to 3 days.
Notes
- Visit the blog post above for step-by-step photos.
- Avoid touching your face while working with jalapeño peppers and ensure you thoroughly wash your hands and cutting surfaces afterward. For added protection, consider using nitrile gloves.
- Add small amounts of Serrano peppers for an extra kick.
- Make it vegetarian by simply omitting the bacon.
- Use extra sharp white cheddar cheese for a white, sharper-flavored jalapeno cheese ball.
- Experiment with different coatings, such as toasted panko or finely chopped nuts, for added texture.
- To make ahead, follow the recipe up to step 5, cover and refrigerate the cheese ball until 30 minutes before serving, and resume the recipe instructions.
Nutrition
Serving: 0.25cup | Calories: 474kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 43g | Saturated Fat: 26g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 142mg | Sodium: 925mg | Potassium: 192mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1676IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 122mg | Iron: 0.2mg