Description
This Jalapeño Popper Cheese Ball is a creamy, spicy, and savory appetizer perfect for any gathering. Packed with cream cheese, cheddar, bacon, and jalapeños, it’s a crowd-pleaser!
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Ball:
- 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 3 fresh jalapeños, seeded and finely diced
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup green onions, thinly sliced
Coating:
- 1 cup chopped pecans or crushed tortilla chips
Serving:
- Crackers and vegetables for serving
Instructions
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, cheddar, most of the bacon, jalapeños, spices, salt, pepper, and green onions until smooth.
- Shape and Chill: Form the mixture into a ball, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 2 hours.
- Coat and Serve: Combine remaining bacon, jalapeños, green onions, and pecans. Roll the cheese ball in the mixture, coat evenly, and serve with crackers or vegetables.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, keep some jalapeño seeds or add cayenne pepper.
- The cheese ball can be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated.
- For a nut-free option, use crushed tortilla chips or panko crumbs.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook, Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 260 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
