Jalapeño Popper Cheese Ball for Easy Game Day Entertaining

Score big with this jalapeño popper cheese ball. Made with crispy bacon, cream cheese, and jalapeños for just a hint of heat, this irresistible party appetizer is perfect for game day and always a crowd favorite.

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Jalapeño Popper Cheese Ball

Kick off the festivities at your Super Bowl watch party or backyard tailgate with a simple and delicious jalapeño popper cheese ball.

With a winning combination of creamy cheese, diced jalapeno, and bacon, this football-shaped cheese ball is the ultimate easy appetizer.

Perfect for game day snacking, or any time you’re hanging out with friends and family, this cheese ball is always a hit!

So join me in the kitchen to learn how to whip up this easy jalapeño popper cheese ball recipe.

Ingredients for a Jalapeño Popper Cheese Ball

Cream cheese: Softened to room temperature, cream cheese forms the base of your cheese ball and help everythign come together smoothly.

Shredded sharp cheddar cheese: Adds a bold, savory flavor and plenty of cheesy goodness.

Monterey Jack cheese: The perfect balance to sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack adds a mild, buttery and slightly sweet flavor.

Fresh jalapeños: It wouldn’t be a jalapeño popper cheese ball without jalapeños. Finely diced, they add a pop of fresh color to the recipe and just the right amount of heat.

Green onion: Milder than other onion varieties, green onions bring freshness and a light, zesty bite.

Seasoning and spices: Season salt and ground cumin give added depth and boost the overall flavor.

Minced garlic: Just a little goes al ong way, adding aromotic depth to the cheese ball mixture.

Bacon: Cooked and chopped bacon brings a crispy, salty flavor, and let’s be honest, everything is better with bacon.

Worcestershire sauce: Adds savory complexity and helps round out the flavors.

Pecans: Finely chopped pecans give the outside of the cheese ball a nutty crunch.

How to Make a Jalapeño Popper Cheese Ball

Ready to make this easy Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball recipe? Here are the easy step-by-step directions. There’s also a full printable recipe card with all the ingredients and instructions at the bottom of the post.

Step 1: Cook Your Bacon

Use a microwaveable bacon grill to cook your bacon until it is crispy. (This typically takes around 4 to 6 minutes, depending on your microwave’s wattage)

Once your bacon is cooked, carefully remove the grilling tray from the microwave and place your bacon on a paper towel-lined plate to drain off any excess grease.

After it cools, crumble your bacon and set it aside while you mix up your cheese ball.

Step 2: Mix Your Cheese Ball

In a large mixing bowl, combine the room temperature cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, and shredded Monterey Jack cheese.

Then stir in the chopped green onions, minced garlic, season salt, ground cumin, Worcestershire sauce, half of the diced jalapenos, and half of the cooked and crumbled bacon.

Use a rubber spatula or an electric hand mixer to blend all the ingredients until well combined.

Step 3: Form Your Football Shape

Place a large piece of plastic wrap on your counter or a clean cutting board and scoop the jalapeno popper cream cheese mixture onto the plastic wrap.

Then lift the two long sides of the plastic wrap to cover the jalapeno popper cheese ball, and gently mold it into a football shape.

As you shape the football, simply fold in the short sides of the plastic until the cheese ball is fully covered.

Place the football-shaped cheese ball on a plate. Then place your cheese ball in the refrigerator to chill for two hours.

Step 4: Cover Your Cheese Ball with the Coating

Once your cheese ball is chilled, remove it from the refrigerator. Then, in a separate mixing bowl, combine the other half of the diced jalapenos, chopped bacon, and the chopped pecans.

Pour the mixture on the bottom of your serving tray. Then, carefully remove the plastic wrap from your football cheese ball and place it on top of the coating.

Using your hands, gently press the mixture onto your jalapeño popper cheese ball, completely coating the outside.

Step 5: Make Your Football “Laces”

Using a sharp knife, cut long, thin slices of Monterey Jack cheese to create the laces of the football.

Arrange the cheese strips on top of your cheese ball to resemble football laces.

And you’re done!

You can dive into your football jalapeno popper cheese ball immediately, or carefully cover it with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve.

How to Store Leftovers

Once you start eating this cheese ball it’s really hard to stop, so leftovers would be surprising. But, if you do have any, just store your cheese ball in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days.

After a few days, the bacon and nuts can lose some of their crunch, even though it’s still perfectly fine to eat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I make this cheese ball ahead of time?

A: Yes. You can make it up to 24 hours in advance and store it tightly wrapped in your refrigerator. Then add the coating and cheese football laces just before serving.

Q: Can I make this jalapeño popper cheese ball without bacon?

A: Yes. Just skip the bacon and increase the chopped nuts for the coating. I recommend doubling the pecans to 1 cup, but you can add more depending on your preference.

Q: Is this jalapeño popper cheese ball easy to make?

A: Yes, it’s incredibly easy to make. Prep takes about 30 minutes, then you just mix, shape the cheese ball, chill, and add the coating before serving.

Q: What makes this the best jalapeño popper cheese ball for parties?

A: This cheese ball has all the classic jalapeño popper flavors in an easy, make-ahead appetizer that feeds a crowd and works well for game day and casual entertaining.

Final Thoughts

And that’s it! This jalapeño popper cheese ball recipe is so easy to make and soooo good. I guarantee once you start snacking on it you won’t be able to stop!

And if you’re looking for even more delicious game day ready recipes, check out these football party food recipes here.

Cheers!

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All the items featured in this post are linked below for easy shopping.

Printable Recipe Card for Jalapeño Popper Cheese Ball

5

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Jalapeño Popper Cheese Ball for Easy Game Day Entertaining

Score big with this jalapeño popper cheese ball. Made with crispy bacon, cream cheese, and jalapeños for just a hint of heat, this irresistible party appetizer is perfect for game day and always a crowd favorite.

Prep Time30 minutes mins

Chill Time2 hours hrs

Total Time2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Bacon, Cheese Ball, Jalapeño

Servings: 12

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Equipment

• Glass mixing bowl
• Electric handheld mixer
• Rubber Spatula
• Cutting Board
• Paring Knife
• Jalapeno pepper corer
• Measuring Cups
• Measuring Spoons
• Microwavable bacon grill
• Serving tray

Ingredients

• 16 ounces cream cheese softened
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• ½ cup Monterey Jack cheese shredded (plus some extra to make the football laces)
• 3 fresh jalapenos deseeded and finely diced; divided
• ¼ cup green onion chopped (optional)
• 8-10 slices of cooked bacon crumbled; divided
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon season salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• ½ cup pecans finely chopped

Instructions

• Cook bacon until crispy, drain, crumble, and set aside.
• In a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese and shredded cheeses. Add half the jalapenos and bacon, plus seasonings, and mix until combined.
• Form into a football shape using plastic wrap and chill 2 hours.
• Mix remaining jalapenos, bacon, and pecans; press onto chilled cheese ball.
• Cut thin strips of Monterey Jack cheese for laces and place on top.
• Serve with your favorite crackers or chips and enjoy!

Notes

Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.

This cheese ball can be made up to 24 hours in advance. Add the bacon, nut coating, and cheese laces just before serving for the best freshness.

For easier spreading, remove from the refrigerator 10–15 minutes before serving.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–5 days. The bacon and nuts may lose some of their crunch after a few days, but the cheese ball is still safe to eat.

Nutrition

Calories: 222kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 53mg | Sodium: 429mg | Potassium: 99mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 700IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 145mg | Iron: 0.3mg

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