Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball

If you are looking for a great appetizer, this Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball is so delicious. A tasty mix of cream cheese, sharp cheddar, ranch, crispy bacon and spicy jalapenos.

A classic cheese ball is always an amazing holiday appetizer and we are kicking our favorite recipe up a notch with one of our favorite flavor combos using ranch dressing, bacon and jalapenos.

Why You Should Make this Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball

• Make Ahead Appetizer: Cheese balls are the best thing to make in advance and are perfect for any occasion like holidays, cookouts or any game day gathering.
• Best Flavor Combination: All of the flavors of jalapeño poppers appetizers made into a cheese ball along with ranch dressing mix and crunchy pecans. If you are a fan of jalapeno poppers, this is an easier version that is sure to satisfy. 
• Easy to Serve: Cheese ball appetizers are easy to add to an appetizer buffet that can be made ahead and guests can serve themselves.

Ingredients for Jalapeño Popper Cheese Ball Recipe

• Crispy Bacon – Try our Oven Baked Bacon, it’s so easy!
• Green Onions
• Sharp Cheddar Cheese – Shredded
• Fresh Jalapeños – Diced, fresh, pickled jalapenos or candied jalapenos
• Cream Cheese – Softened to room temperature
• Sour Cream – Makes the cheese ball soft enough to serve easily.
• Worcestershire Sauce
• Ranch Dressing Mix – Use the dry seasoning mix, not the salad dressing in a bottle.
• Granulated Garlic
• Kosher Salt
• Toasted Pecans
• Fresh Parsley
• Smoked Paprika

Step-By-Step Directions for Cheese Ball Appetizer

1. Add softened cream cheese, sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, ranch dressing mix, garlic and salt to a large mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer until smooth and well combined.
2. Chop 6 slices of bacon and slice green onions.
3. Add 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese, diced jalapenos, bacon and green onions and combine with cream cheese. Mixing at low speed with electric mixer until well combined.

4. Grab a large piece of plastic wrap. Place cream cheese mixture onto the center of the plastic wrap. Cover completely with the plastic wrap, pressing into a ball shape. Refrigerate for at least one hour or overnight. 

5. Chop remaining 2 slices of bacon, pecans and parsley. Combine with cheddar cheese and smoked paprika. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
6. When cheese ball is chilled, remove from plastic wrap. Spread bacon, pecan and cheese mixture onto a piece of parchment paper or a clean cutting board. Roll the cheese ball into mixture, lightly pressing the coating into the cheese ball.

7. Place on a serving platter with crackers or chips.

Recipe Notes and Variations for Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball Recipe

• Cheese: Use pepper jack cheese, colby-jack, mild cheddar or parmesan.
• Nuts: Toasted walnuts work well or skip the nuts if preferred. Substitute panko bread crumbs or for a low-carb version, pork rinds make a crunchy coating.
• Herbs: Fresh cilantro, parsley or dill are all delicious with this flavor combination.
• Mini Cheese Ball Bites: When shaping the cheeseball mixture, use a small cookie scoop to form into mini cheese balls. Place on a lined cookie sheet and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate one hour or overnight. Roll each mini cheese ball into bacon and pecan mixture and serve on a large plate or serving platter.
• Storage: Store cheese ball wrapped tightly with plastic wrap in the refrigerator up to 4 days.
• Occasions: Christmas parties, holiday gatherings, Super Bowl parties, cookouts and potlucks.

Tip for Toasting Pecans

After baking the bacon in the oven. Place pecans on a baking sheet in a single layer and place into the hot oven. Turn the oven off and leave the pecans in the oven for 15- 20 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool. Store in an airtight container up to 1 month.

More Delicious Appetizers for Parties

• Blooming Onion with Blooming Onion Sauce is always one of our family’s favorite appetizers and a guaranteed crowd pleaser. 
• Fried Shrimp is a crowd pleasing recipe for parties and game day gatherings. It is so crispy and delicious.
• Knorr Spinach Dip is another delicious make ahead appetizer that everyone loves. The classic cold spinach dip is an easy appetizer for any occasion.
• Lil Smokies Pigs in a Blanket is one of our favorite bite-size appetizers, easy to make and everyone loves them.
• Spicy Chex Mix is a great make-ahead snack mix that is crunchy and full of spicy garlic and ranch flavors that everyone will love.

Add this Jalapeño Cheese Ball to your next appetizer menu for the perfect appetizer that will please everyone at the party.

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Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball

If you are looking for a great appetizer, this Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball is so delicious. A tasty mix of cream cheese, sharp cheddar, ranch crispy bacon and spicy jalapenos.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Additional Time1 hour hr

Total Time1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Course: Appetizers

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Cheese ball, cream cheese dip, easy appetizer, jalapeno cheese ball

Servings: 8 Servings

Calories: 352kcal

Author: Milisa

Ingredients

• 8 slices cooked bacon divided
• 2 cups cheddar – divided
• 2- 3 fresh jalapenos
• 3/4 cup green onions – divided
• 8 ounces cream cheese
• 3 tablespoons sour cream
• 3 tablespoons ranch dressing mix
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 teaspoons granulated garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 cup toasted pecans
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
• Crackers or chips for serving

Instructions

• Add softened cream cheese, sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, ranch dressing mix, garlic and salt to a large mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer until smooth and well combined.
• Chop 6 slices of bacon and slice green onions.
• Add 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese, diced jalapenos, bacon and green onions and combine with cream cheese. Mixing at low speed with electric mixer until well combined.
• Grab a large piece of plastic wrap. Place cream cheese mixture onto the center of the plastic wrap. Cover completely with the plastic wrap, pressing into a ball shape. Refrigerate for at least one hour or overnight. 
• Chop remaining 2 slices of bacon, pecans and parsley. Combine with cheddar cheese and smoked paprika. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
• When cheese ball is chilled, remove from plastic wrap. Spread bacon, pecan and cheese mixture onto a piece of parchment paper or a clean cutting board. Roll the cheese ball into mixture, lightly pressing the coating into the cheese ball.
• Place on a serving platter with crackers or chips.

Notes

Cheese: Use pepper jack cheese, colby-jack, mild cheddar or parmesan.

Nuts: Toasted walnuts work well or skip the nuts if preferred. Substitute panko bread crumbs or for a low-carb version, pork rinds make a crunchy coating.

Herbs: Fresh cilantro, parsley or dill are all delicious with this flavor combination.

Mini Cheese Ball Bites: When shaping the cheeseball mixture, use a small cookie scoop to form into mini cheese balls. Place on a lined cookie sheet and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate one hour or overnight. Roll each mini cheese ball into bacon and pecan mixture and serve on a large plate or serving platter.

Storage: Store cheese ball wrapped tightly with plastic wrap in the refrigerator up to 4 days.

Occasions: Christmas parties, holiday gatherings, Super Bowl parties, cookouts and potlucks.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 352kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 900mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g