This Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball is an easy no bake party appetizer that is guaranteed to be a total hit. It’s got all of the delicious flavors of jalapeño poppers, like cream cheese, bacon, minced jalapeños and cheddar cheese, all mixed into one smooth and creamy cheese ball.
If you are hosting a holiday party or game day get together, this cheese ball with bacon and jalapeños is sure to be a total hit. Serve with crackers, crostini, and fresh veggies – yum.
Jalapeño Popper Cheese Ball
This jalapeño popper cheese ball has all of the flavors of a jalapeño popper that you love, rolled up into a smooth and creamy cheese ball and covered in crispy bits of bacon. The combo of bacon, jalapeños and cheese is truly a match made in heaven, making this a super popular party appetizer.
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The level of spiciness in this recipe isn’t crazy since there is so much cream cheese to cut through some of the heat. However, if you are concerned at all about spiciness, you can always cut back on the amount of jalapeños that you add, or give this Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball a try.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- All your favorite jalapeño popper flavors: Creamy cheese, crispy bacon, cheddar, and jalapeños come together in one irresistible appetizer.
- Easy, no-bake appetizer: Just mix, shape, and chill—no oven required, and it can be made ahead of time.
- Perfect for parties: This crowd-pleasing cheese ball makes plenty to share and is delicious served with crackers, crostini, or fresh veggies.
Ingredients You Will Need
- Bacon – you can easily make your own bacon bits using the instructions below. Or take an easy shortcut and buy them. I like to use the bacon bits from Costco. Just before using you can put them on a paper plate and microwave for 30 seconds until the bacon bits are sizzling and crispy. No one will know they aren’t homemade!
- Cream Cheese – you can use full-fat or light cream cheese. Just make sure your cream cheese is soft before you mix the ingredients. If you forget to take it out ahead of time, transfer it to a microwave-safe container and warm it in 10-second intervals until softened.
- Green Onions – you want to slice them pretty thin.
- Cheddar Cheese – finely shredded cheddar cheese works great. Any kind of cheddar mix will also work well.
- Jalapeños – for this recipe, we use canned jalapeños. They are slightly milder and much easier to use!
- Ranch Seasoning Mix – you can use either bulk ranch seasoning or ranch seasoning packets. You can also find cheese ball packets with various seasonings.
How to Make a Jalapeño Cheese Ball
- Make bacon bits. Cut bacon into 1/3″ strips and add to a saute pan over medium heat. Saute for 5-8 minutes, then transfer the bacon bits to a plate lined with paper towel to cool.
- Mix cheese ball ingredients. In the bowl of a stand mixer (or a large mixing bowl), add the room temperature cream cheese, 1/2 cup of the bacon bits, thinly sliced green onions, shredded cheddar, jalapenos, and ranch seasoning. Using the paddle attachment, mix on low speed until combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Form the cheese ball. Roll the cream cheese mixture into a ball shape, then carefully lift the cheese ball out of the mixing bowl and onto a serving platter. Press the remaining bacon bits evenly around the entire sides of the cheese ball.
- Chill. Chill for 1-2 hours before serving. Store in the refrigerator until needed, or up to 5 days.
- Serve. Garnish with green onions and serve with a variety of crackers and fresh vegetables. Enjoy!
Variations
This jalapeño popper cheese ball is easy to make your own. Here are a few ideas:
- Fresh jalapeños. Swap the canned jalapeños for 2 to 3 fresh jalapeños, seeded and finely diced. Leave some seeds in for extra heat.
- Extra spicy. Use pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar, and add a pinch of cayenne or a few dashes of hot sauce.
- Pecan coating. Roll the cheese ball in a mix of crumbled bacon and chopped toasted pecans for extra crunch.
- Mini cheese balls. Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls, coat in bacon, and serve on pretzel sticks for easy grab-and-go bites. So cute!
- Cheese log. Shape the mixture into a log instead of a ball for easier slicing on a holiday appetizer board.
- Without ranch. Skip the ranch seasoning and add ½ teaspoon of garlic powder and ½ teaspoon of onion powder instead.
- Cheese ball dip. Skip the shaping and spread it into a shallow dish topped with bacon for a quick dip. Or try my Jalapeño Popper Dip.
- Milder. Use half the jalapeños, or swap in a 4-ounce can of mild diced green chiles. Prefer no heat at all? Try my Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball.
Yes! Use 2 to 3 fresh jalapeños, seeded and finely diced. Fresh jalapeños are a little crunchier and spicier than canned, so start with less and add more to taste.
It has a mild to medium kick. The cream cheese balances out much of the heat. Keep in mind that it gets a little spicier the longer it sits, so if you’re making it a day ahead, you may want to use fewer jalapeños.
Yes! Mix and shape the cheese ball, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate. For the crispiest coating, roll it in the bacon just before serving.
Wrapped tightly, this cheese ball will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days. Once it’s been sitting out at a party for 2 hours, it’s best to toss any leftovers.
I don’t recommend it. The jalapeños and green onions release moisture as they thaw and make the cheese ball watery and mushy.
Yes! Real bacon bits from the store are a great shortcut. Microwave them on a paper plate for about 30 seconds to crisp them up before using.
Serve it with buttery crackers, pita chips, pretzel crisps, crostini, celery sticks, bell pepper strips, or cucumber slices.
The cream cheese was probably too warm. Chill the mixture in the fridge for 20 to 30 minutes until it’s firm enough to roll into a ball, then add the bacon coating.
Recipe Notes and Tips
- I like to use my KitchenAid mixer to mix up the cream cheese mixture. It makes it quick and easy to clean up. You can also use a hand mixer or even just mix it by hand in a large mixing bowl.
- Using a rubber spatula to shape the bacon jalapeño cheese ball is an easy way to keep your hands clean while you form it. No need to get your hands dirty if you don’t want to.
- The longer this cheese ball sits, the spicier it gets. If you make this a day ahead, you may want to cut back on the amount of jalapeños slightly, unless you love them as much as we do.
- I do not recommend trying to freeze this cheese ball. The jalapeños and green onions will break down and turn it into a mushy mess after you thaw it.
- If your cheese ball is very soft when you go to add the bacon bits, put it in the cooler for 20 minutes or so. Once it’s slightly firm, remove the ball and roll it in the bacon bits.
Storing Instructions
- Refrigerator: wrap your jalapeño bacon cheese ball tightly in plastic wrap, then cover completely in aluminum foil and store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Jalapeño Popper Cheese Ball with Bacon
Ingredients
- 1 pound bacon
- 16 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/3 cup green onions, sliced thin
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 4-ounce can jalapeños, drained
- 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning mix
- 1 Tablespoon sliced green onions , for garnish
- Crackers or Veggie Dippers to serve it with
Instructions
- Cut bacon into 1/3" strips and add to a saute pan over medium heat. Saute the bacon for 5-8 minutes, or until sizzling and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon bits to a plate lined with paper towel to cool.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer (or a large mixing bowl), add the room temperature cream cheese, 1/2 cup of the bacon bits, thinly sliced green onions, shredded cheddar, jalapeños, and ranch seasoning. Using the paddle attachment, mix on low speed until combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Using a rubber spatula (or your hands), shape the cream cheese mixture into a ball, then carefully lift the cheese ball out of the mixing bowl and onto a serving platter. Press the remaining bacon bits evenly around the entire sides of the cheese ball.
- Chill in the fridge for 1-2 hours before serving, then store in the refrigerator until needed, or up to 5 days. Garnish with green onions and serve with a variety of crackers and fresh vegetables. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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This jalapeño cheese ball with bacon is an easy appetizer made with cream cheese and flavored with green onions and ranch seasoning. It is guaranteed to be a hit at your next party.
