Jalapeño Cheeseball With Crispy Bacon

5 from 3 ratings

Jalapeño Cheeseball With Crispy Bacon

This jalapeño cheeseball with bacon is a delicious make-ahead game day treat or snack. It's a tasty blend of creamy cheese, spicy, and then it's topped off with crispy bacon in a fun and perfect appetizer.

Prep Time15

Cook Time15

Resting Time12

Total Time12 30

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Keyword: jalapeno cheese ball, jalapeno popper cheese ball, jalapeno popper cheeseball

Servings:

Author: Sarah Cook

Equipment

Ingredients

16 oz cream cheese, softened {2, 8 oz boxes}
1/4 cup sour cream
2 tsp garlic powder
8 oz bacon {chopped}
2/3 cup jalapeños {finely diced, seeds and ribs removed}{~3 medium jalapeños}
1/3 cup green onions {sliced thinly, green and white parts}

Instructions

Line a plate with a paper towel. Set aside.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, and garlic powder with a silicone spatula or spoon until smooth.
16 oz cream cheese, softened, 1/4 cup sour cream, 2 tsp garlic powder
Cook chopped bacon in a skillet over medium heat until it is ~75% cooked through.
8 oz bacon
Add to diced jalapeño with the bacon in the skillet and cook until the peppers are softened and bacon is crispy. Pro tip: if the bacon is greasy, spoon out grease before adding the jalapeño.
2/3 cup jalapeños
Transfer cooked bacon and jalapeño to the paper towel-lined plate. Allow to cool for 5 minutes.
Reserve 1/4 cup of the bacon/jalapeño mixture on the plate, and add the rest to the cream cheese mixture.
Add the sliced green onions to the cream cheese mixture.
1/3 cup green onions
Use a silicone spatula to combine all the ingredients. Place the bowl in the fridge for 2 hours.
After 2 hours, shape the mixture into a softball-sized sphere. Refrigerate in a covered container for up to 48 hours.
Store the extra bacon/jalapeño mixture in an airtight container in the fridge.
Just prior to serving, microwave the reserved bacon/jalapeño mixture for 20 seconds.
Roll the cheese ball in the crispy bacon/jalapeño mixture. Top with additional sliced green onions if desired.

Notes

If you need to quickly soften the sour cream, cut each brick into 4 pieces and add to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 15-second increments until the cream cheese is pliable.
If you're not a fan of spice, try using 1/2 cup of diced jalapeño (~2 jalapeños) instead of the full 2/3 cup.
For full flavor, allow the cheeseball to rest in the fridge for 12-24 hours. If you're pressed for time, try to wait at least two hours before serving.
Throw in some shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese to take this to the next level.

Nutrition