Jalapeño Popper Cheese Ball – A Spicy and Cheesy Party Appetizer

Jalapeño Popper Cheese Ball is the ultimate party appetizer. With a smooth blend of cream cheese, sour cream, and sharp cheddar cheese, this cheese ball is bursting with flavor. Finely chopped jalapeños give it a spicy kick, while the coating of extra cheddar cheese, green onions, and pecans adds crunch and flavor. Whether you’re serving it at a holiday party, game day, or any celebration, this cheese ball is sure to impress. Serve it with low-carb dippers like celery, peppers, or pork rinds for a keto-friendly snack, or enjoy it with crackers or chips for a more indulgent option.
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Updated on Monday 25 November 2024
Jalapeño Popper Cheese Ball
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Jalapeño Popper Cheese Ball | Myhomemaderecipe.com

Jalapeño Popper Cheese Ball is a creamy, cheesy, and slightly spicy appetizer that’s perfect for parties, gatherings, or even game days. This easy-to-make cheese ball combines the flavors of jalapeño poppers into one delicious and crowd-pleasing dish. Whether you’re a fan of spicy food or just love cheese, this appetizer will be a hit!

Let’s explore the ingredients that make this Jalapeño Popper Cheese Ball so irresistible.

INGREDIENTS

  • Cream Cheese: The base of this cheese ball, providing a rich and creamy texture. Be sure to soften the cream cheese for easy mixing and a smooth consistency.
  • Sour Cream: Adds an extra layer of creaminess and helps balance the flavors in the cheese ball.
  • Jalapeños: Freshly chopped jalapeños give this cheese ball its signature spicy kick. You can adjust the amount based on your spice preference.
  • Shredded Sharp Cheddar: The sharpness of the cheddar cheese complements the creaminess of the base, adding a bold, cheesy flavor to every bite.
  • Garlic Powder: Enhances the savory flavor of the cheese ball with a subtle hint of garlic.
  • Salt and Pepper: Simple seasonings that enhance the overall taste of the cheese ball, balancing the creaminess with a touch of saltiness.

For the coating, you’ll use a combination of chopped jalapeños, shredded cheddar cheese, green onions, and chopped pecans to add crunch and extra flavor to the outer layer of the cheese ball.

INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1:
In a large bowl, use a hand mixer to blend the softened cream cheese and sour cream until smooth and fluffy. This creates the creamy base for the cheese ball.
Step 2:
Add the garlic powder, finely chopped jalapeños, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper to the cream cheese mixture. Mix everything together until the ingredients are evenly combined.
Step 3:
Lay two long strips of plastic wrap in an ‘X’ shape on a flat surface. Spoon the cream cheese mixture into the center of the plastic wrap. Bring up the edges of the plastic wrap and twist the top tightly to form a ball shape. Place the wrapped cheese ball in the refrigerator and chill for at least 1 hour, or until firm.
Step 4:
On a flat surface, spread the chopped jalapeño, shredded cheddar cheese, sliced green onions, and chopped pecans in an even layer. Once the cheese ball has firmed, unwrap it from the plastic wrap and roll it over the coating ingredients, pressing gently to ensure the coating sticks to the surface.
Step 5:
Transfer the coated cheese ball to a serving platter. Serve it with your choice of low-carb dippers such as celery, bell peppers, or pork rinds. You can also serve it with crackers or chips for a more indulgent option.
Step 6:
Enjoy the creamy, spicy, and cheesy flavors of the Jalapeño Popper Cheese Ball at your next gathering!

Serving and Storage Tips

  • Serving: Jalapeño Popper Cheese Ball is best served chilled with a variety of dippers. Low-carb options like celery sticks, bell peppers, and pork rinds are great choices, but you can also serve it with crackers, tortilla chips, or even toasted baguette slices for a more indulgent snack. This cheese ball makes a perfect addition to a party spread or appetizer table, and it's sure to be a crowd-pleaser at any gathering.
  • Storage: Store any leftover cheese ball in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The coating may lose some of its crunch, but the flavors will remain delicious. To refresh the texture, you can add more freshly chopped jalapeños, cheese, or pecans before serving again.
  • Freezing: You can freeze the cheese ball before adding the coating. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil, and store it in the freezer for up to 1 month. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and roll it in the fresh coating ingredients before serving.

Helpful Notes

  • Customizing the Heat Level: If you prefer a milder flavor, reduce the amount of jalapeños or remove all the seeds. For extra heat, leave some seeds in or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the cheese mixture.
  • Cheese Options: You can experiment with different cheeses to create unique flavors. Try using a mix of cheddar and pepper jack for an extra spicy kick, or swap out the cheddar for gouda for a creamier, smokier flavor.
  • Make-Ahead Option: The cheese ball can be made a day in advance and kept chilled until ready to serve. This makes it a convenient option for parties where you want to prepare in advance.

Tips from well-known chefs

  • Chef Andrea suggests adding a drizzle of honey on top of the cheese ball for a sweet contrast to the spicy jalapeños, creating a perfect balance of flavors.
  • Chef Tom recommends using roasted jalapeños for a deeper, smoky flavor. Roasting the jalapeños before chopping them will add an extra layer of complexity to the cheese ball.
  • Chef Lisa advises serving the cheese ball with bacon bits for an extra savory touch that pairs wonderfully with the creamy, cheesy texture.

Jalapeño Popper Cheese Ball

Jalapeño Popper Cheese Ball is a creamy blend of cream cheese, sour cream, jalapeños, and cheddar, coated with green onions, pecans, and extra cheddar. A party favorite!

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
60 Minutes
Total Time
75 Minutes
By: Zaho


Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 8 Servings (1 cheese ball)

Dietary: Low-Carb, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

01 16 ounces cream cheese, softened.
02 4 tablespoons sour cream.
03 ½ teaspoon garlic powder.
04 2 large jalapeños, seeds and stems removed, finely chopped.
05 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese.
06 Salt and pepper, to taste.
07 1 jalapeño, seeds and stems removed, finely chopped.
08 ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese, chopped.
09 2 green onions, sliced thin.
10 ⅓ cup pecans, finely chopped.

Instructions

Step 01

Using a hand mixer, blend the softened cream cheese and sour cream until smooth and fluffy.

Step 02

Add garlic powder, finely chopped jalapeños, shredded cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper. Mix until all ingredients are well combined.

Step 03

Lay two long strips of plastic wrap in an 'X' shape on a flat surface. Spoon the cream cheese mixture into the center of the plastic wrap. Bring up the edges of the plastic wrap and twist the top to form a cheese ball shape. Tighten it well and transfer the cheese ball to the refrigerator. Chill for at least 1 hour to firm.

Step 04

On a flat surface, spread the prepared coating ingredients: chopped jalapeño, shredded cheddar, green onions, and chopped pecans in an even layer.

Step 05

Unwrap the chilled cheese ball and roll it onto the coating ingredients, pressing gently to ensure the coating sticks to any uncovered spots.

Step 06

Transfer the coated cheese ball to a serving platter and serve with celery, peppers, pork rinds, or any other low-carb dippers.

Notes

  1. This Jalapeño Popper Cheese Ball is perfect for parties or gatherings as a low-carb appetizer option. It’s creamy, cheesy, and packs a slight kick from the jalapeños.
  2. You can adjust the spice level by adding more or fewer jalapeños.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 200
  • Total Fat: 18g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 3g
  • Protein: 6g