Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball Recipe

This jalapeno popper cheese ball recipe comes together in just minutes and is the perfect party appetizer for your next get together. It’s loaded with classic jalapeno popper flavors – cream cheese, sharp cheddar, and crispy bacon – and can be made well in advance!

Easy Cheese Ball Recipe

• This cheese ball recipe is the perfect make ahead appetizer for your next holiday party or family dinner.
• If cooking is not your calling or you don’t have time to make asparagus puff pastry bundles, fried goat cheese balls, or garlic soy sauce meatballs – this cheese ball recipe will become your new best friend.
• The only thing you have to cook is the bacon and the rest is just chopping a few ingredients up and mixing everything together.
• It really could not be easier to make but the jalapeno popper flavors are amazing.

Ingredients to Make Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball

• Cream Cheese: Cream cheese is the base of this cheese ball recipe. Stick with full-fat cream cheese for the best flavor and texture. And make sure it’s at room temperature before mixing everything together.
• Sour Cream: Sour cream adds to the creaminess of the cheese ball and makes it a little more spreadable. Use full-fat sour cream for the best flavor and texture.
• Pickled Jalapenos: Pickled jalapenos add that classic jalapeno flavor to this cheese ball. The juice from the pickled jalapenos mixed throughout infuses every bite with the jalapeno flavor.
• Fresh Jalapenos: Freshly diced jalapenos add texture and more jalapeno flavor. Remove the ribs and seeds if you want the dip to be mild. Leave some of the ribs and a few seeds in if you want the cheese ball to be spicy.
• Spices: Garlic powder and onion powder add an extra layer of flavor to the cheese ball and blend seamlessly into the smooth, creamy mixture. You can also use half a packet of ranch dressing seasoning instead of these spices for some extra flavor.
• Green Onion: Sliced green onion adds a bright, fresh flavor. Substitute with freshly chopped parsley if you prefer.
• Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheddar is my favorite way to get that signature cheesy jalapeno popper flavor. You can also use mild cheddar but sharp will give you more oomph. I recommend shredding a block of cheese yourself for the best flavor and texture.
• Bacon: Bacon is one of the key ingredients that rounds out this jalapeno popper cheese ball. Use your favorite and make sure to cook it nice and crispy.

How to Make a Homemade Cheese Ball

Add cream cheese, sour cream, pickled jalapeno juice, garlic powder, onion powder, and a couple large pinches of salt and pepper to a large bowl.

Mix until smooth and creamy. You can also use a food processor or electric mixer to do this.

Add half of the green onion, diced pickled jalapenos, diced fresh jalapenos, half the shredded cheese, and half the bacon to the bowl. 

Mix until well combined.

Transfer cheese ball mixture to saran wrap and wrap tightly, forming it into a ball.

Refrigerate for about 1-2 hours. Add remaining green onion, sharp cheddar, and bacon to a wide shallow bowl. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours with the cheese ball.

Form cheese ball into a more round ball.

Then roll it in the green onion, cheese, and bacon mixture. Gently press the coating into the cheese ball.

Transfer to a platter, serve with Ritz crackers, and enjoy!

Tips for Making the Best Cheese Ball Recipe

• Let the cream cheese come to room temperature. Let it sit out on the counter for about 1-2 hours before mixing it with the other ingredients. This will make it much easier to combine the ingredients and make for a super smooth and creamy texture in your cheese ball.
• You can also use a food processor to combine the cream cheese, sour cream, pickled jalapeno juice, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to make it super smooth and creamy. Then fold in the remaining ingredients so that there are pieces of green onion, jalapeno, cheddar, and bacon throughout the cheese ball.
• Turn up the heat on this jalapeno popper cheese ball by leaving some of the ribs and seeds in the fresh jalapenos. You can also add a pinch or two of cayenne pepper when you add the garlic powder and onion powder.
• To easily wrap the cheeseball, add a large piece of saran wrap to a medium-sized bowl. Scoop the cheese ball mixture into the bowl and then wrap saran wrap around it and form it into a ball.
• This cheese ball tastes great after it’s been refrigerated for 8-24 hours. While it will still taste delicious when served right away, if you refrigerate it overnight or for a full day, the flavors will have a chance to marry and the cheese ball will get nice and firm.
• If you’re looking for a snack for a smaller group – like 2-3 people – you can halve the ingredients in this cheese ball recipe to make a small cheese ball. Or just divide the larger cheeseball into 2 and save one for another day!

The Best Crackers to Serve with a Cheese Ball

Anything crispy, crunchy, and salty will pair perfectly with this cheese ball recipe but here are my favorites:

• Ritz crackers
• homemade crostini
• Triscuits
• Wheat Thins
• pretzel thins
• Toasteds
• pita chips
• butter crackers

Make a Cheese Ball Ahead of Time

This cheese ball recipe tastes delicious after it’s had a chance to sit in the fridge for a bit which makes it a wonderful make-ahead appetizer! Make the cheese ball according to the instructions, then wrap it tightly with saran wrap and pop it in the fridge overnight or for up to 24 hours. This will give the cheese ball a chance to firm up while the flavors marry together.

Storing Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball

This jalapeno popper cheese ball will stay good in the fridge for 3-4 days.

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