Bacon-Jalapeño Cheese Ball
It’s Super Bowl week, which means it’s time to talk party food! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Dessert is my favorite meal of the day, with appetizers coming in a close second. Dips, chips, spreads, little bites… I love it all. Which naturally makes this one of my favorite weeks of the year. To get you ready for the big game, I’ll be sharing some new favorite appetizers this week, starting with this amazing cheese ball. You may remember that I broke my cheese ball dry spell last year with a recipe I got from my grandma, the world’s best pimento cheese ball. Later on in the year, I came across this bacon and jalapeño-loaded cheese ball and have been dying to try it ever since. I finally got around to it and realized that I had waited much, much too long to make it. In order to make up for lost time, I proceeded to eat almost the entire thing in one sitting. True story.
Even though I’ve been seeing more recipes for cheese balls recently, I still feel like they give off a little bit of a retro vibe. They remind me of my parents having company over in the 80’s. I am all for making the cheese ball the coolest thing since sliced bread once again. Seriously, what’s not to love? You mix together a ton of cream cheese, shredded cheese, then an assortment of other add-ins and seasonings. Chill, then slather on cracker after cracker, after cracker. You might call it an appetizer. I might call it lunch. Tomato, tomahto.
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This particular cheese ball is what I’d refer to as the ultimate cheese ball. In addition to the cream cheese and cheddar cheese, it’s also packed with bacon, chopped jalapeños and seasonings and spices like cumin, cayenne and Worcestershire sauce that make it the crème de la crème of cheese balls… if there were such a thing. It is most definitely a cheese ball that is perfectly fitting for your Super Bowl get together!
One year ago: White Russian Winter Milkshake
Two years ago: Cream Cheese-Stuffed, Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeños
Three years ago: Mushroom-Herb Macaroni and Cheese
Five years ago: Lemon Meringue Pie
Bacon-Jalapeño Cheese Ball
Ingredients
- 8 ounces (226.8 g) cream cheese, at room temperature
- 2 ounces (56.7 g) Cheddar cheese, shredded (about ½ cup)
- 6 slices bacon, cooked crisp and chopped, divided
- 2 jalapeños, seeded and finely chopped, divided
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
- ½ teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ teaspoon (0.25 teaspoon) ground cumin
- Pinch cayenne pepper
- ¼ cup (24.75 g) chopped pecans, toasted
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, stir together the cream cheese, Cheddar cheese, half of the bacon, half of the jalapeños, the garlic, parsley, lime juice, Worcestershire sauce, ground cumin and cayenne pepper until well combined.
- On a large plate, stir together the remaining bacon, the remaining jalapeños and the toasted pecans until evenly combined. Shape the cream cheese mixture into a ball. Roll the ball in the pecan mixture until coated on all sides.
- Wrap the ball in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving. Serve with your favorite crackers. Leftovers should be wrapped tightly and can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!
These look simple and perfect!!
This cheese balls looks so colourful. I really want to have it Do you think it would be tasty with chopped dry fruits?
I personally am not a huge fan of fruit with savory unless it’s a salad, but it’s totally a personal preference! You can add it if you’d like!
Can i make it a head of time and freeze it
Hi John, Yes definitely!
I tried the bacon-jalapeno cheese ball recipe at Christmas time, our families just loved it they said it was spicy, and addicting, and they could not stop eating it.
Made this for a work Christmas potluck last year and it was devoured in no time! Delicious! It was so good, I’m making it for another potluck next week!
I’ve never seen a whole jalapeno where I live (rural Ireland) and have no idea what size they are. Jars of sliced ones are available, though, so I wonder what the equivalent of a whole jalapeno might be in those slices? Cheers.
Hi Cynthia, The jarred jalapeños tend to be spicier since they include seeds. Depending on how spicy you like things, I might only use five or so slices.
Thanks. I’m impressed that you keep track of comments on old posts. In that case I think I’ll start with half a dozen and after that taste & add.
I made this for the boys to snack on while I was making dinner. They INHALED it and asked if I had another one. Thank you for the recipe!
Just made this for the Superbowl tomorrow and it is incredible!!!!!!! Doubled the recipe. And so glad I did because it’s amazing. Omaha! Eat! Go Broncos!!!!!!!!
Just finished making this, was easy to put together. Looks too pretty to eat. I’m sure our guest will love it.
I’ve made this three times this month alone for tailgating & it is a HUGE hit. I’ve tweaked the recipe a little to increase the heat because, we’ll, I’m a guy and we do stuff like that, and it’s better every time. What a great recipe. My friends thank you.
Fabulous! Suggest chilling the cheeseball a bit before rolling in the coating. Doubled the recipe with no problem. Devoured deliciously!! And sharing…
Made this for daughter’s graduation party. Everyone raved about it and wanted the recipe. It was the hit of the buffet. Be sure to use fresh jalapenos. Made cheese ball a day ahead, wrapped in plastic and it worked just fine. Serve with a basic water or wheat cracker–nothing seasoned. You don’t want to take away from all of the delicious flavors in this fantastic cheese ball.
This cheese ball looks amazing! The unqiue blend of flavors sounds like the perfect Superbowl treat! We’re sure it’s a crowd-pleaser! We recommend trying Sargento Medium Cheddar Cheese for the perfect Superbowl recipe kick! For a spicier flavor, try Sharp Cheddar – or Pepper Jack! – to enhance the jalapeno flavor!