Spicy and Savory Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball Appetizer Recipe

A cheese ball is a classic for a reason. They’re they perfect appetizer. Though they can be basic, this jalapeno popper cheese ball will exceed your expectations and be your new favorite party food from now on. Now only did we fill it with the best cheese, bacon, and jalapeno peppers, but we coated it with them too for bonus flavor.

Now let’s get right to the good stuff…

how to make jalapeno popper cheese ball

INGREDIENTS:

Gather your ingredients and get ready to make this amazing dip, good enough to eat as a meal. This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 2-8 oz packages cream cheese (softened)
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup diced jalapeno peppers
• ½ cup bacon crumbles
• Splash hot sauce
• 1 oz package Ranch dry mix
• ½ small shallot finely minced
• Salt to taste

Coating: 1/2 cup each

• Toasted pecans
• Jalapeno peppers
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Bacon crumbles

ingredient information:

• Cream cheese: We prefer using Philadelphia brand cream cheese for this dip, though any brand will work. If you haven’t had a chance to leave it out to soften, just pop it in the microwave for about 20 to 30 seconds.
• Sour cream: Our favorite brand of sour cream is Daisy for both the flavor and texture. You should use your favorite. This can also be swapped out for Greek yogurt.
• Cheddar cheese: There’s a reason why cheddar cheese is so popular…it’s freakin’ delicious! Choose your level of sharpness for this recipe. You can buy pre-shredded, but grating it yourself is really the way to go. It will combine with the other ingredients better and has a better flavor since it doesn’t include anti-caking agents.
• Jalapeno peppers: We chose jarred jalapeno peppers for this dip, but you could also be fresh. Just be aware that fresh are going to be hotter. You can also opt for sweet heat jalapeno peppers.
• Bacon: Thick cut apple wood smoked bacon is recommended for this recipe, though you can use any bacon that you have on hand. If using a thinner bacon, add a couple of extra strips to the recipe.
• Hot sauce: Choose your favorite hot sauce. We used Frank’s red hot. Just a few dashes are perfect, but you can add more if you like an increased spice level.
• Shallot: The mild flavor of a shallot pairs perfectly with this dip, but you can also use sweet onion if it’s diced very finely.
• Toasted pecans: This is really just a neutral flavor to help fill out the coating. You can also substitute it with other crushed walnuts or almonds or extra bacon crumbles.

instructions:

Stick around to the end, and I’ll tell you what equipment makes this cheese ball easier to make.

1. Finely mince the shallot and add it to a mixing bowl.
2. Drain and dry the jalapeno peppers with a paper towel. Then very finely dice the peppers, either by hand or in a mini food processor. Add to the bowl.
3. Add the cream cheese, Ranch seasoning and sour cream to the bowl and combine the ingredients well.
4. Shred your cheddar cheese and add it to the bowl. Mix it in thoroughly.
5. Lay out some cling wrap on your work surface and pour the mixture out onto the wrap.
6. Cover the mixture in the cling wrap, doubling if needed and form it into a ball. Place it in the fridge overnight.
7. Prepare the coating by placing all of the ingredients into a food processor and pulsing until fine. Pour onto a flat surface.
8. Remove the prepared cheese ball from the fridge and roll it in the coating.

my recipe tips

• Adjust the heat: The simple way to adjust the heat in this cheese spread is to increase or decrease the amount of jalapeno peppers. It’s that simple.
• Add some sweetness: If you like sweet heat, change out the regular jalapeno peppers for sweet heat jalapenos. They’re so good!
• Change the shape: Instead of forming this into a cheese bowl, you can simply place the base into a serving dish and skip the refrigerating stage. You won’t need the coating, but still make a coating mixture, without the nuts, and use it to garnish the top of the dip.

recipe video

🍽️ serving ideas

There are lots of things that you can dip into this delicious jalapeno popper cheese ball, but our favorite is simple crackers, whichever are your favorite. You can also just use chunks of rustic bread, pretzels, bagel chips, tortilla chips or even some veggies.

If you’re having a get together with lots of appetizers, this dip recipe is great alongside this Mexican street corn dip or this strawberry pretzel salad dip. Then there will be a little something for everyone.

equipment you’ll need

It’s not impossible to make this dip without a food processor, but it certainly does make life a bit easier. We grabbed this inexpensive mini food processor and have been so happy with it. This won’t be the last dip that’s made using this little miracle tool. And did I mention that it comes in almost any color you can think of? It’s so darn cute!

what if i don’t have a food processor?

If you don’t have a food processor or mini food processor like we used (I highly recommend this KitchenAid mini food processor), you can still make this roasted red pepper whip. Just pull your blender or Bullet smoothie maker out and use that instead. Follow the recipe as is.

recipe notes

• Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you get the best results for this super yummy dip.
• Storage: Keep leftovers (if you even have any) covered in plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 to 5 days. I don’t recommend freezing this dip, as it may affect the texture.
• Dip prep: You will want to prepare this cheese ball ahead of time. Overnight in the fridge helps the cheeseball to firm up and lets the flavors meld.