Description
This Jalapeño Popper Cheese Ball is a creamy, spicy, crunchy appetizer that brings big party flavor with very little effort. Made with cream cheese, cheddar, Monterey Jack, fresh jalapeños, smoky bacon, and a crisp savory coating, it is perfect for game day food, holiday appetizers, party snacks, easy entertaining, and make-ahead appetizer ideas.
Ingredients
16 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup sour cream
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
2 fresh jalapeños, finely chopped
6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
3 green onions, finely sliced
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
3/4 cup crushed tortilla chips or buttery crackers
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
1. Add softened cream cheese, sour cream, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and Worcestershire sauce to a mixing bowl. Stir until smooth and creamy.
2. Fold in cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, chopped jalapeños, half of the bacon, and most of the green onions. Mix until evenly combined.
3. Spoon the mixture onto plastic wrap and shape it into a ball. Wrap tightly.
4. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until firm enough to hold its shape.
5. Combine crushed tortilla chips or crackers, remaining bacon, remaining green onions, and parsley on a plate.
6. Unwrap the cheese ball and roll it in the coating, pressing gently so it sticks.
7. Transfer to a serving platter and serve with tortilla chips, crackers, pretzels, celery, cucumber slices, or mini peppers.
Notes
Make sure the cream cheese is softened before mixing, but do not let it become warm or melted. Overly soft cream cheese can make the cheese ball difficult to shape.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 245
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 360mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 58mg
Keywords: Jalapeño Popper Cheese Ball, cheese ball appetizer, jalapeño popper appetizer, party snack, game day food, holiday appetizer, make-ahead appetizer, easy recipe