This Easy Bacon and Jalapeño Cheese Ball is the ultimate easy appetizer and a real crowd favorite! It’s creamy, full of flavor, and comes together in 15 minutes. It also looks impressive, which is an absolute bonus.
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This Easy Bacon and Jalapeño Cheese Ball is the ultimate easy appetizer and a real crowd favorite!
Recipe Highlights
- Deliciously creamy.
- Easy and fast.
- Full flavor with perfect crunch.
- The addition of crispy bacon, jalapeños, and ranch spices also help make the flavor incredible.
- A real crowd pleaser.
Ingredients you need, substitutions and notes
Please check the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact amounts and detailed instructions (scroll down).
- bacon
- Cream cheese: I recommend using the cream cheese in the block (full fat)
- Cheese: I use shredded Monterey Jack cheese with jalapeños, but you can use cheddar cheese, Colby Jack, or a Mexican blend if you prefer.
- Green Onions: Also known as spring onions.
- sour cream
- garlic powder
- ranch seasoning: I like to add ranch seasoning for extra flavor, but if it’s not available you can skip it.
- Worcester sauce: The Worcestershire sauce adds a tangy touch that helps reduce the richness of the overall cheese.
- Black pepper: Substitute for cayenne pepper for an extra kick.
- Nuts: You can use almonds, pecans, or walnuts. Use sunflower or pumpkin seeds for a nut-free version.
- Fresh jalapeños
How to make cheese balls step by step
Please check the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact amounts and detailed instructions (scroll down).
- Crip the bacon
Cut bacon into small pieces and sauté over medium heat until cooked through. Place on a plate lined with kitchen paper to remove excess fat.
- Prepare the cheese mixture
In a bowl, combine cream cheese, Monterey cheese, sour cream, garlic powder, ranch seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper. Mix until all ingredients are fully combined.
- Prepare the coating
In a medium bowl, combine the crispy bacon, almonds, and jalapeño. Spread this mixture out onto a cutting board or clean surface.
- Form the ball & mantle
Form a large ball with the cheese mixture. Roll it around in the bacon mixture until the entire surface is completely coated, shaping into an even ball while it’s coated. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
recipe tips
Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature, otherwise you’re going to have a really hard time mixing it.
Take the cheese ball out of the fridge a few minutes before serving so it’s soft and easier to spread or dip.
For a little extra kick, use cayenne pepper instead of black pepper. You can also add 1-2 teaspoons of hot pepper sauce.
Use sunflower or pumpkin seeds for a nut-free version.
Nut-free cheese ball
If you want to make a cheese ball but you or someone you love can’t consume nuts, I recommend substituting nuts for sunflower or pumpkin seeds.
serving ideas
Cheese balls can be served with so many different side dishes. Here are some of our most popular serving options:
Storage and Freezing Instructions
Store the cheese ball in the fridge for up to 5 days. Make sure it’s well wrapped with plastic wrap.
frequently asked Questions
A cheese ball can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Make sure it’s tightly wrapped in plastic wrap.
Absolutely! You can prepare the cheese mixture and store it in the fridge. Then shape and coat (my favorite way) just before serving. Or you can shape and spread the cheese mixture, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Yes you can! Replace sunflower or pumpkin seeds with nuts.
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Recipe card 📖
Easy Bacon and Jalapeño Cheese Ball
This Easy Bacon and Jalapeño Cheese Ball is the ultimate easy appetizer and a real crowd favorite! It’s creamy, full of flavor, and comes together in 15 minutes. It also looks impressive, which is an absolute bonus.
instructions
-
Cut bacon into small pieces and sauté over medium heat until cooked through. Place on a plate lined with kitchen paper to remove excess fat.
-
In a bowl, combine cream cheese, Monterey cheese, scallions, sour cream, garlic powder, ranch seasoning,
-
Worcestershire sauce and black pepper. Mix until all ingredients are fully combined.
-
In a medium bowl, combine the crispy bacon, almonds, and jalapeño. Spread this mixture out onto a cutting board or clean surface.
-
Form a large ball with the cheese mixture. Roll it around in the bacon mixture until the entire surface is completely coated, shaping into an even ball while it’s coated. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Nut Free Cheese Ball: If you want to make a cheese ball but you or someone you love can’t consume nuts, I recommend substituting nuts for sunflower or pumpkin seeds.
Ranch Spice: I like to add ranch seasoning for extra flavor, but if it’s not available you can skip it.
Recipe tips:
- Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature, otherwise you’re going to have a really hard time mixing it.
- Take the cheese ball out of the fridge a few minutes before serving so it’s soft and easier to spread or dip.
- For a little extra kick, use cayenne pepper instead of black pepper. You can also add 1-2 teaspoons of hot pepper sauce.
- Use sunflower or pumpkin seeds for a nut-free version.
Nourishment
Calories: 238kcalCarbohydrates: 4GProtein: 8thGFat: 21GSaturated Fatty Acids: 11GPolyunsaturated fat: 2GMonounsaturated fatty acids: 7GTrans fats: 0.02GCholesterol: 53mgSodium: 403mgPotassium: 117mgFiber: 0.5GSugar: 2GVitamin A: 560ieVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 152mgIron: 0.4mg
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