This jalapeno popper cheese ball is creamy and cheesy with jalapeno popper flavors like smoky bacon and cheddar cheese. An easy appetizer for game day or the holidays!
Why I Love This Recipe
- Flavorful with texture: This jalapeno bacon cheese ball is the best of both jalapeno poppers and a cheese ball. I love it just as much as this jalapeno popper dip!
- Party pleasing favorite: Jalapeno popper cheese ball is unique twist on bacon ranch cheese ball! It’s a crowd-pleasing party appetizer on game day or at potlucks.
- Make ahead: Cheese ball is perfect to prep in advance! Make up to 24 hours in advance then store in the refrigerator. Add outer toppings until right before serving.
Ingredient Notes
The combination of creamy cheese, spicy jalapenos, smoky bacon and sweet green onions do not disappoint in this easy jalapeno cheese ball!
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Cream cheese: Remember to soften cream cheese to room temperature .
- Sour cream: This helps soften the cheese ball mixture. Also bring to room temperature.
- Ranch dressing dry mix: Instead of a dry ranch mix, use seasoning salt. You can also add garlic powder, onion powder and black pepper.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: For rolling the cheese ball. For an extra cheesy jalapeño popper cheese ball, mix in 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese with the cream cheese. Try pepper jack cheese for extra kick!
- Green onions: Adds savory taste to the cheese ball topping.
- Jalapenos: For less spicy, remember to remove the seeds and stems.
- Bacon: I love to make oven baked bacon.
- Pecans: Nut try, try crushed crackers, Panko bread crumbs, pretzels or additional bacon as the crunchy topping in jalapeno popper cheese ball.
How to Make Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball
Combine softened cream cheese, sour cream and ranch seasoning in a large bowl. Use a hand mixer to mix until smooth.
Combine shredded cheddar cheese, green onions, jalapenos and bacon in a shallow bowl. Pour half the mixture into the cream cheese and stir until combined.
Place cream cheese mixture on a large piece of plastic wrap. Cover and form into ball. Refrigerate for one hour.
Remove cheeseball from fridge, add pecans to the reserved topping then coat cheese ball with mixture and serve.
Tips and Variations
- How to pick mild jalapenos: Pick jalapenos that do not have white lines, blemishes or flecks as these are hotter! Choose young peppers with smooth green skin.
- To soften cheese ball after refrigeration: Let the cheese ball sit out at room temperature for about 20 minutes, do not microwave it!
- Easier. Make ahead a batch of jalapeno pepper jelly and serve over softened cream cheese.
- Softer texture: Just 1/4 cup sour cream helps the cheese ball from being too thick. You can use up to 1/2 cup if you like a softer texture.
- Serving: Serve this jalapeno bacon cheese ball as the centerpiece to any veggie tray with bell peppers and carrots. Other items I include are crackers, pretzels or pita chips.
Make Ahead and Storage
- Make-ahead: Assemble jalapeno popper cheese ball recipe without rolling in topping. Cover and chill in fridge overnight. Before serving, roll in reserved topping mixture with added pecans until well-coated.
- Storage: If covered or stored in an airtight container this cheeseball will keep in the refrigerator for 2 weeks. Toppings may become soft but still be tasty.
- Freeze: Assemble without rolling in toppings and wrap in extra plastic wrap. Store in a freezer safe bag. When ready to serve, thaw in the fridge overnight and then roll in toppings before serving.
More appetizer recipes to try include dill pickle dip, bean dip with cream cheese and hot crab dip.
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Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball
Ingredients
- 16 ounces cream cheese , softened
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 2 Tablespoons ranch dressing dry mix
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese , more if desired
- ¼ cup green onions , sliced
- 2 Jalapenos , seeds/stems removed and finely chopped
- 6 strips cooked bacon , finely chopped
- ⅓ cup pecans , chopped
For serving: Favorite snack crackers or vegetables
Instructions
- Combine 16 ounces cream cheese, 1/4 cup sour cream and 2 Tablespoons ranch seasoning in a large bowl. Mix with an electric mixer until smooth.
- Make jalapeno bacon mixture. Combine 1 cup cheddar cheese, onions, 2 diced jalapenos and 6 strips bacon in a shallow bowl. Then pour half the mixture into the cream cheese bowl and stir until combined. Cover and refrigerate the remaining mixture in the bowl to use as a topping when rolling the cheese ball.
- Place cream cheese mixture on a large piece of plastic wrap. Cover and form into ball. Refrigerate for at least one hour.
- Remove ball from plastic wrap and add 1/3 cup pecans to the reserved topping mixture in the shallow bowl. Roll cheese ball in pecan mixture until well-coated. Press into the ball if needed.
- Place on a platter with crackers and serve.
Notes
- If you don’t want to use nuts, you can use chopped bacon or crushed crackers instead (similar to my bacon ranch cheese ball).
- If you’d like more cheese, you can mix in 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese with the cream cheese.
- Make-ahead: Follow steps 1 & 2, then let chill in fridge overnight. Before serving, roll in reserved topping mixed with pecans until well-coated.
- Storage: Will keep in the refrigerator for about 2 weeks if covered or stored in an airtight container.
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: American, Appetizers, Christmas, Gluten-Free, Snacks, Super Bowl, Thanksgiving
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
My family loves cheese balls around the holidays and this jalalpeno popper twist is such a delicious one!
So glad you enjoyed the jalepeno popper cheese ball!
This was a hit at out holiday party on Saturday! We loved it so much we are making it again for Christmas. Thank you!
This jalapeno popper cheese ball recipe is awesome. It has just the right amount of kick for me. If you like a little spice but not too spicy this is great!