Score a flavor touchdown at your game day party with this irresistible football jalapeno popper cheese ball recipe.
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This post was originally published on February 10, 2024. Last updated on February 5, 2025
Easy Game Day Appetizer: Football Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball
Kick off the festivities at your Super Bowl watch party or backyard tailgate with a simple and delicious jalapeno popper cheese ball shaped like a football.
Perfect for game day snacking, backyard cookouts, or any time you’re hanging out with friends and family, this easy appetizer is always a hit!
Why You’ll Love this Bacon Jalapeno Cheese Ball Recipe
Get ready to huddle around the table (or the TV!) for a game day snack that’s as delicious as it is festive.
With a winning combination of creamy cheese, diced jalapeno, and bacon, this football-shaped cheese ball is the ultimate easy game day appetizer.
And if you’re not a huge fan of spicy food, don’t worry!
This bacon jalapeno popper cheese ball has just the right kick—enough to add a little flavor without being overwhelming.
The creamy cheese balances out the heat, while the crispy bacon adds a salty, savory crunch.
So join me in the kitchen to whip up this easy jalapeno popper cheese ball recipe.
Table of Contents
- Easy Game Day Appetizer: Football Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball
- Why You’ll Love this Bacon Jalapeno Cheese Ball Recipe
- How to Make a Jalepeno Popper Cheese Ball
- What to Serve with Your Jalapeno Bacon Cheese Ball
- Frequently Asked Questions About Making a Cheese Ball
- More Cheese Ball Recipes from Midwest Life and Style
- Shop The Post
- Printable Recipe Card for Football Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball
- Did You Enjoy This Recipe? PIN It for Later!
Ingredients for Football Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball
- 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded (plus some extra to make the football laces)
- 3 fresh jalapenos, deseeded and finely diced; divided
- 1/4 cup green onion, chopped (optional)
- 8-10 slices of cooked bacon, crumbled; divided
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon season salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 cup pecans, finely chopped
*Note: I’ve made this cheese ball with and without green onions. Personally, I enjoy it both ways, but my husband prefers it without.
How to Make a Jalepeno Popper Cheese Ball
Step 1: Cook Your Bacon
Use a microwavable 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 softened 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.
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, then 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
In a separate mixing bowl, combine the other half of the diced jalapenos, crumbled bacon, and the chopped pecans.
Pour the mixture on the bottom of your serving tray.
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.
What to Serve with Your Jalapeno Bacon Cheese Ball
Usually, I like to serve my cheese balls with different types of crackers, but, if you want to mix things up a bit, you can also try these crunchy and tasty options:
- Crostini: Homemade or store-bought crostinis offer a rustic and more upscale dipping option.
- Pretzels: Mini pretzels or pretzel crisps provide a salty and crunchy contrast to the creamy cheese ball.
- Bagel Chips: Bagel chips are another crunchy bite-sized snack that’s perfect for dipping.
- Pita Chips: Toasted pita chips, either plain or seasoned, are an excellent choice and ideal for scooping.
Frequently Asked Questions About Making a Cheese Ball
Q: How should I store my leftover cheese ball?
A: If you have any cheese ball left over, just remove it from your serving tray and place it in an air-tight food storage container.
You can keep it chilled in the fridge for 3-5 days.
(Although experience tells me it won’t last that long!)
Q: Can I make this cheese ball ahead of time?
A: You can prepare the cheese ball a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Just add the cheese laces right before serving for the perfect finishing touch.
More Cheese Ball Recipes from Midwest Life and Style
If you love this recipe, you might also enjoy some of my other favorite cheese ball appetizers.
Shop The Post
Want to recreate this look at home? I’ve linked all the finds I used in this post below! Please note, that sometimes things sell out quickly, so if something isn’t available anymore, I’ve linked a similar item that you might love just as much. Happy shopping!
Mixing bowls / Electric handheld mixer / Rubber spatula / Cutting board / Paring knife / Jalapeno pepper corer / Measuring cups / Measuring spoons / Microwavable bacon grill / Serving Tray
And that’s it!
This jalapeno 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!
As always, feel free to leave any questions or comments below, and don’t forget to pin this post to save it for later.
And, if you try this recipe, remember to leave your feedback by leaving a rating on the recipe card below to let other readers know what you think.
You can also check out more great game day party food recipes here.
Cheers!
Printable Recipe Card for Football Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball
Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball
Ingredients
- 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 your bacon until it is crispy. Once cooked, drain off any excess grease, let cool, then crumble and set aside.
- Combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, and shredded Monterey jack cheese.
- 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.
- Place a large piece of plastic wrap on your counter and dump out the cream cheese cheese ball mixture. Wrap the mixture and carefully formit inot th shape of a football. Chill and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- In a separate mixing bowl, combine the other half of the diced jalapenos, crumbled bacon, and chopped pecans.
- Pour the mixture on the bottom of a serving tray. Remove the plastic wrap from your football cheese ball and place it on top of the coating. Press the mixture onto your jalapeño popper cheese ball, completely coating the outside.
- Cut long, thin slices of Monterey Jack cheese and palce them on top of your cheese ball to resemble football laces.
- Serve with chips, crackers, crostini, pita bread, or fresh veggies.
I would love to see what you make! If you try any of my recipes, be sure to tag me in your photos!
IG: @midwestlifeandstyle + #midwestlifeandstyle
Did You Enjoy This Recipe? PIN It for Later!
Oh my gosh! Your cheese balls look incredible! Can’t wait to make the football one tomorrow for the AZ Cardinals game and the pumpkin one for entertaining next month.
I’m a new subscriber and I’m really enjoying visiting your site. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Jan! Thanks so much for stopping by and I’m so glad to have you as a member of the community. Cheese balls are one of my favorite appetizers. They are so versatile and perfect for a party. Enjoy!