Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball
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!
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 oven baked 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
Calories: 158kcal, Carbohydrates: 3g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 38mg, Sodium: 283mg, Potassium: 64mg, Fiber: 0.3g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 509IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 84mg, Iron: 0.1mg
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
