Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball
This Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball is a delicious spin on the classic appetizer. It’s creamy, spicy, and perfect for any gathering or any party!
I love it when creamy, cheesy goodness meets spicy jalapeños. It’s flavor-packed, easy to make, and guaranteed to impress everyone. Whether you’re hosting a game day, a holiday dinner, or a casual get-together, this cheese ball will quickly become everyone’s favorite appetizer.
Do you love Jalapeno recipes? If so, check out this Cranberry Jalapeno Dip, Jalapeno Popper Grilled Cheese Sandwiches or this Jalapeno Popper Pigs in a Blanket.
Table of contents
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Burst of Flavor: Creamy and cheesy on the inside, with just the right kick of heat from the jalapeños.
- Crunchy Coating: A mixture of crispy bacon, pecans, and scallions—because texture is everything!
- Simple & Quick: Just 15 minutes to prep, so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time with your guests.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Prep it the day before and pull it out when it’s party time.
- Customizable Heat: Love the heat? Add extra jalapeños. Prefer it mild? Use less or try pickled jalapeños instead.
🛒Ingredients
We’ve made this list to help you save time on your next trip to the grocery store. You can find the full amounts needed in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Cream cheese
- Mayonnaise
- sour cream
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Smoked paprika
- Black pepper
- Sharp cheddar cheese
- Bacon
- Green onions
- Jalapenos
See the recipe card below for quantities.
🔪 How to Make Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball
This is a quick overview of the steps needed to make this recipe. You can find the full instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Beat the cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika and pepper until creamy.
- Stir in half of the cheese, bacon, jalapenos, and green onions (reserve the other half in a container and store overnight in the refrigerator).
- Place a piece of plastic wrap down, scoop the mixture into the center of the plastic, and wrap it into the shape of a ball. Refrigerate overnight.
- Allow the Ball to site before serving. Remove from the refrigerator and roll the ball in the leftover mixture of cheese, bacon, jalapenos, and green onion, coating the entire outside of the ball.
🥄 Equipment
- Large bowl
- Electric mixer
- Plastic wrap
- Serving platter
🥫 Storage
Refrigeration: Store the cheese ball in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap. It’ll stay fresh for 2-3 days in the fridge.
Freezing: Unfortunately, this recipe doesn’t freeze well. The cream cheese base can become watery when thawed, and the coating will lose its crunch.
Serve With
- Crackers (buttery, Whole Wheat Graham Crackers or flavored options work well)
- Pretzels or pretzel sticks for a salty crunch
- Sliced cucumbers, bell peppers, veggie twist or even some Garlic Parmesan Roasted Potatoes.
- Pita chips or toast up some Homemade Garlic Breadsticks.
💭 Tips
- Fresh Ingredients: Use fresh jalapeños and high-quality cheddar cheese for the best flavor. Pre-shredded cheese can contain anti-caking agents that affect texture.
- Adjust the Spice: For less heat, remove the seeds and membranes from the jalapeños, or use pickled jalapeños for a milder flavor.
- Chill for Easier Rolling: If the mixture feels too soft, pop it in the fridge for 15-20 minutes before shaping.
⁉️ FAQ
Do you have questions about this recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions.
Absolutely! You can prepare the cheese ball up to 24 hours before serving. Simply store it wrapped in plastic wrap in the fridge until ready to serve.
Sure! Just skip the bacon. You can also add extra seasonings or some smoked paprika to maintain that savory kick.
If you have a nut allergy or prefer another option, try crushed pretzels, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds for a satisfying crunch.
🍽 More Recipes
Do you enjoy Cheese Balls? Try these delicious recipes:
🧾Recipe Card
Want to make this recipe? Print the recipe card below, or pin this recipe, so you can find it later.
Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball
Equipment
- large bowl
- Electric mixer
- plastic wrap
- serving platter
Ingredients
- 16 ounces cream cheese softened
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese divided
- 10 slices crispy bacon divided
- ½ cups sliced green onions divided
- 2 minced jalapenos divided
Instructions
- Beat the cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika and pepper until creamy.
- Stir in half of the cheese, bacon, jalapenos, and green onions (reserve the other half in a container and store overnight in the refrigerator).
- Place a piece of plastic wrap down and scoop the mixture into the center of the plastic and wrap it into the shape of a ball. Refrigerate overnight.
- About 20 minutes before ready to serve, remove from the refrigerator and roll the ball in the leftover mixture of cheese, bacon, jalapenos and green onion, coating the entire outside of the ball. Place on a serving plate and serve with your favorite crackers or crisps.
Disclaimer
Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation and actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and proportion sizes.
