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Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball Recipe

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This jalapeno popper cheese ball 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!

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 16 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
  • 3 tablespoons sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon pickled jalapeno juice
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 cup sliced green onion
  • 1/4 cup finely diced tamed pickled jalapenos
  • 2 jalapenos, ribs and seeds removed, finely diced
  • 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 12 ounces cooked bacon, crumbled
  • Kosher salt
  • fresh cracked pepper
  • Ritz crackers for serving

Instructions

  1. Combine cream cheese, sour cream, pickled jalapeno juice, garlic powder, onion powder, and a couple large pinches of salt and pepper in a large bowl until smooth and creamy. You can also use a food processor or electric mixer to do this. 
  2. 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.
  3. Transfer cheese ball mixture to saran wrap and wrap the mixture up tightly, forming it into a ball. 
  4. Refrigerate for about 1-2 hours.
  5. Add remaining green onion, sharp cheddar, and bacon to a wide shallow bowl. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours with the cheese ball.
  6. 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. 
  7. Transfer to a platter, serve with Ritz crackers, and enjoy!
  8. If you loved this recipe, please leave a 5-star rating and review below!

Equipment

Notes

  • 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!

Nutrition

Find it online: https://midwestfoodieblog.com/cheese-ball-recipe/