Description
Jalapeno popper cheese ball delivers zesty southwestern charm with creamy Philadelphia cream cheese and sharp cheddar blended into a spicy, crunchy appetizer. Crisp bacon bits and green onions provide perfect crunch while panko breadcrumbs create an irresistible exterior you’ll love serving at parties.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Base:
- 16 oz cream cheese
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup monterey jack cheese
Peppers and Spices:
- 3 jalapeno peppers, diced
- 2 tbsp diced green onions
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Coating and Garnish:
- 1 cup crispy bacon bits
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Soften cream cheese at room temperature for 30 minutes to ensure smooth blending and easy mixing.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, shredded cheddar, and monterey jack cheese, stirring until uniformly integrated and creamy.
- Carefully dice jalapeno peppers, removing seeds for milder heat, and finely chop green onions to distribute flavors evenly throughout the cheese mixture.
- Incorporate diced jalapenos, green onions, garlic powder, and black pepper into the cheese blend, mixing thoroughly to create a well-seasoned base.
- Cover the cheese mixture and refrigerate for 15-20 minutes to allow flavors to meld and mixture to slightly firm up.
- Meanwhile, prepare the exterior coating by combining crispy bacon bits, panko breadcrumbs, and chopped parsley in a shallow dish.
- Remove cheese mixture from refrigerator and shape into a compact ball using clean hands, ensuring a smooth, rounded surface.
- Gently roll the cheese ball in the bacon-breadcrumb mixture, pressing lightly to create an even, crunchy exterior coating.
- Wrap the coated cheese ball in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to set and enhance flavor development.
- Before serving, let the cheese ball sit at room temperature for 15 minutes to soften slightly and allow flavors to bloom.
- Serve with crackers, vegetable sticks, or toasted baguette slices for a crowd-pleasing appetizer.
Notes
- Customize heat levels by adjusting jalapeno seed removal, keeping some seeds for extra spiciness or removing all for a milder experience.
- Transform into a vegetarian version by substituting bacon with smoked paprika or roasted nuts for similar depth and crunch.
- Prep ahead by making the cheese ball 1-2 days in advance, allowing flavors to intensify and simplifying party planning.
- Experiment with alternative cheese combinations like pepper jack, gouda, or blue cheese to create unique flavor profiles that match personal taste preferences.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Rolling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg