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Creamy jalapeño popper cheese ball coated in a crunchy bacon-nut mixture, garnished with fresh jalapeño slices and served with crackers.

Jalapeño Popper Cheese Ball

A creamy, spicy, crunchy cheese ball inspired by classic jalapeño poppers—perfect for parties, holidays, or any gathering!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Calories: 210
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cheese Ball Mixture
  • 16 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 3 jalapeños seeded and finely diced
  • 4 green onions thinly sliced
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup turkey bacon cooked and chopped, optional
Coating
  • 3/4 cup chopped pecans or roasted almonds
  • 2 tbsp minced parsley
Serving
  • crackers or veggie sticks for serving

Equipment

  • Mixing Bowl
  • Spatula
  • Plastic wrap

Method
 

  1. In a large mixing bowl, add the cream cheese, cheddar, mozzarella, jalapeños, green onions, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and salt.
  2. Mix thoroughly with a spatula until fully combined. Fold in turkey bacon if using.
  3. Shape the mixture into a ball using hands or plastic wrap.
  4. In a shallow dish, mix chopped pecans or almonds with parsley.
  5. Roll the cheese ball in the nut–parsley mixture until fully coated.
  6. Wrap again in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up.
  7. Remove from the fridge 10 minutes before serving for easier spreading.
  8. Serve with crackers, toasted baguette slices, or crisp vegetable sticks.

Notes

For a spicier kick, leave some seeds in the jalapeños or add a pinch of cayenne.