Name: Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 3 min
Total time: 8 min
Yield: 8
Ingredients: ½ cup panko breadcrumbs; ½ cup almonds (chopped); 8 ounces cream cheese (softened); 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese (shredded); ½ tsp onion powder; ½ tsp garlic powder; ½ tsp ground cumin; ¼ tsp salt; 1 jalapeno (large, diced); 1/2 cup cooked bacon (crumbled ); ¼ cup cilantro (fresh , minced); Crackers (you choose!)

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Make this easy Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball for your next party or gathering, and watch it disappear fast! This is a great make-ahead appetizer!

jalapeno popper cheese ball on a white platter, with crackers

Update: This was originally posted in 2018, and has been updated to improve reader experience, and now includes video!

We LOVE jalapeno poppers, so I decided to create this cheese ball to resemble those! It’s bacon, jalapenos, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, bacon… I mean…

Obviously, there’s salt, pepper, and a few other spices in it too – but man, it’s so easy to make (and needs zero oven time). Perfect when you’re craving these flavors, and SUPER easy to make ahead and bring out when needed.

I love to have this cheese ball hanging out in the fridge ready for whenever the mood strikes. It’s a wonderful party appetizers, and never lasts long – it is devoured fast!

I also make a DELICIOUS ham and pineapple cheese ball, if you are looking for an alternative!

Finished jalapeno popper cheese ball with crackers on wooden cutting board.

Cheese Ball Recipe ingredients:

PANKO BREADCRUMBS – Japanese breadcrumbs, known for their crispy crunchy texture when cooked!
ALMONDS – finely chopped
CREAM CHEESE – this is easier to work with if it’s softened a little. You can use low fat, or fat free if that floats your boat.
CHEESE – I use freshly grated sharp cheddar.
ONION POWDER
GARLIC POWDER – fresh garlic is a great sub, if you wish!
GROUND CUMIN – Rich and earthy, and perfect for deepening the flavor
SALT
JALAPENO – deseeded and chopped finely (leave in some seeds if you love heat)
BACON – cooked until crisp, then crumbled.
CILANTRO

How to make a Cheese Ball

Full, printable recipe below – just scroll down to the recipe card!

Finely chop the almonds.
In a large non-stick skillet, toast the panko and almonds over medium-high heat, moving constantly so the breadcrumbs and nuts do not burn. They’re done when they’re golden brown! Set aside to cool.

Toasting Panko and Nuts for a Cheese Ball

In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin and salt.
Fold in the jalapeno, bacon and cilantro.
Form the cheese mixture into a ball and wrap in plastic wrap.

Refrigerate for an hour.
Remove from the fridge and roll in the toasted panko and almonds.
Refrigerate until needed.
Remove from the fridge about 15 minutes before serving, so it’s somewhere between room temperature and super chilled (you want it to be easy to scoop!!)
Serve with crackers.
Devour.

Kylee’s Notes for Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball Recipe:

Roll the cheese ball in crushed cashews, or chopped pecans
Add a little hot sauce to make it extra spicy
Mix up the types of crackers you serve – something for everyone!
Want more appetizer recipes?
- Baked Southwestern Egg Rolls – sweet corn, black beans, spinach, and cilantro. These are as tasty as they sound!
- Chicken Taquitos – Baked in the oven, not fried – easy to make, super delicious, and freezer friendly.
- Ham & Cheese Savory Palmiers – Easy to make, and fast to disappear, these Savory Palmiers will be the star of any table!
- Mexcian Street Corn Empanadas from Take Two Tapas
- Italian Pinwheels from Tornadough Alli

jalapeno popper cheese ball with a cracker scooping out

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