Jalapeno Bacon Cheese Ball is a creamy, soft cream cheese ball mixed with a little spice from jalapeños and added spices rolled in crunchy bacon, chopped green onions and salty pecans. This is the perfect holiday appetizer!
The perfect combination of spice and creaminess from this cheeseball. If you love the spice from a jalapeño try this Jalapeno Poppers Recipe with Bacon, Cheeseburger Stuffed Jalapeno Poppers or Jalapeno Popper Dip.
Jalapeno Bacon Cheese Ball
Jalapeño Bacon Cheese Ball is loaded with cheese, bacon, and jalapeños. This is always the biggest hit at any party! I have had this secret obsession lately with jalapeños since I made this Jalapeno Cornbread.
I have always been a wuss when it comes to things that are spicy, so I have been afraid to always give anything with jalapeños a try. Boy have I been missing out! The cream cheese helps to cool down the jalapeños and gives it just enough of a kick to give it amazing flavor. This is a true holiday appetizer that is prefect for your holiday parties this season!
What You Need To Make A Jalapeño Bacon Cheese Ball
This Jalapeño Bacon Cheese Ball was hands down one of the best cheese balls I have ever had! All of the things that I loved about that dip were packed inside and out of this cheeseball. Cream cheese, cheddar cheese, jalapeños, all came together to make this yummy cheese ball that you won’t be able to get enough of. Oh but let’s not forget the bacon! Everything’s better with bacon and this cheese ball not only had them inside, but it is rolled in bacon! This is the ultimate cheese ball and I know it will be a hit wherever you take it!
- Cream cheese: softened
- Jalapeños: seeded and finely chopped, divided
- Cheddar cheese: shredded
- Bacon: cooked and chopped, divided
- Green onions: chopped
- Seasoning salt: added seasoning
- Garlic: minced
- Worcestershire sauce: extra flavoring
- Cumin: seasoning with a little earthy spice
- Pecans: coarsely chopped
How to Make Jalapeño and Bacon Cheese Ball
A delicious cheese ball packed with bacon and jalapeños. The cream cheese cools down the jalapeños combining it all into one amazing cheeseball.
- Mix together the cheese ball: In a medium sized bowl, stir together cream cheese, half of the jalapeños, shredded cheddar cheese, half of the bacon, green onions, seasoning salt, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and cumin until fully incorporated.
- Coat the cheese ball: On a large plate combine other half of the bacon, jalapeños, and pecans. Shape the cream cheese mixture into a ball and roll it onto the plate to coat well.
- Chill and serve: Cover with saran wrap and chill for an hour before serving. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Forming A Cheese Ball
When rolling Cheese Balls I find it easiest to transfer the mixture onto a section of Saran Wrap. Next take and pull the corners together and twisting it to easily form a ball with minimal mess. Then by either cutting the wrap at the base of the twist, or by simply untwisting it to transfer it to a serving dish.
Tips on Making a Perfect Cheese Ball
- Leave your cream cheese on the counter to soften. This will take about one hour leaving it in its container. Once your cream cheese feels cool to the touch then wait another 20 to 30 minutes.
- Mix in different variations of ingredients: walnuts, sliced almonds, crushed crackers or Chex mix and candied pecans or other cheese variations.
- When shredding cheese make sure to not use pre-shredded cheese. Pre-shredded cheese does not work well to stick to things.
- Roll your cheese ball on the counter to help form the shape. Then finish shaping it with your hands.
- Be sure to double to recipe for a larger party or make multiple smaller cheese balls for around the table.
What Goes with The Best Jalapeño Bacon Cheese Ball
Vegetables, crackers and bread are my go-to dipping food. They add some sweet, salty and the perfect texture when dipping into this jalapeño bacon cheese ball.
- Bell peppers: all colors are great and sliced.
- Bread: Usually a harder bread that is sliced and chunked.
- Carrots: baby carrots are perfect for this.
- Crackers: salty crackers are best.
- Cucumbers: sliced in chunks
- Pita chips: buy them by the bag
- Pretzels: go with the bigger, flatter ones that are easier to dip.
More Easy Cheeseball Ideas
There are so many fun ways to make a cheese ball. We love making them and having them apart of our holiday parties. Making a cheese ball recipe is effortless and tastes so good. Not only is it addicting and delicious these cheese ball recipes look even better on your table.
- Cannoli Cheeseball
- Cheddar Bacon Pistachio Cheeseball
- Easy Chipped Beef Cheese Ball
- Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball
- Best Ever Pineapple Cheese Ball
- Smokey Bacon Cheddar Cheese Ball
- Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball
Storing Homemade Cheese Ball
- How to store a jalapeño bacon cheese ball: this cheese ball recipe will last in an airtight container for up to one week in the refrigerator. Make sure your cream cheese ball does not get smashed in the container or roll it again when ready to serve.
- Can you make a jalapeño bacon cheese ball ahead of time? Yes, this is a great make ahead appetizer. Prepare and make your cheeseball as instructed. Right before you add the rolled ingredients refrigerate for up to one week. When you are ready to serve, roll and add the outside ingredients on the cheese ball mixture. Serve and enjoy!
- Can you freeze a jalapeño bacon cheese ball? Yes, you can freeze a cheese ball. It makes it easy to plan ahead for the holidays or other occasions. To prepare them for the freezer, make the cheese ball and wrapt them tightly in plastic and place them in a freezer safe bag. If you are adding a coating, then add that before serving.
More Holiday Appetizers
- Cranberry Pecan Brie Bite (4 Ingredients!)
- Shrimp Cocktail
- Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms
- Raspberry Baked Brie
- Insanely Delicious Hot Crab Dip
Jalapeño Bacon Cheeseball
Description
Jalapeno Bacon Cheese Ball is a creamy, soft cream cheese ball mixed with a little spice from jalapeños and added spices rolled in crunchy bacon, chopped green onions and salty pecans. This is the perfect holiday appetizer!
Ingredients
- 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese softened
- 3 jalapeños seeded and finely chopped, divided
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 8 slices of bacon cooked and chopped, divided
- 1/4 cup green onions chopped
- 1 teaspoon seasoning salt
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 cup pecans coarsely chopped
Instructions
-
In a medium sized bowl, stir together cream cheese, half of the jalapeños, shredded cheddar cheese, half of the bacon, green onions, seasoning salt, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and cumin until fully incorporated.
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On a large plate combine other half of the bacon, jalapeños, and pecans. Shape the cream cheese mixture into a ball and roll it onto the plate to coat well.
-
Cover with seran wrap and chill for an hour before serving. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Recipe Notes
Updated on December 22, 2020
Updated on November 30, 2019
Original Post on December 8, 2014
Nutrition Facts
Serves: 12
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods and portion sizes per household.
Jalapeno + cream cheese + bacon, just yes! How can you NOT love it?!
Must try this one, thanks
At this time I am going away to do my breakfast, after having
my breakfast coming again to read further news.
I’m so excited to try this recipe! This looks delicious, and it’s perfect for holiday gatherings. Thank you for sharing!
This looks great. I had a coworker from the Philippines ask me if we ate cheese balls in America, and I almost laughed because I realized it seemed like something my gramma would have made for her own Christmas spread. So old-fashioned! But this sounds pretty awesome: I am staunchly pro-bacon, pro-jalapeno, and pro-cream cheese. I bet this could even be made into a dip a la the Buffalo chicken wing dip that everyone loves so much, or even reworked as a fondue. It would be great for Superbowl parties. I’ll let you know if I try it out. Thanks for the inspiration!
Just made this for Christmas day….. very easy to put together and looks great!!
What an excellent cheese ball! Made this and put it out Christmas Day this year and it was soooo good! Exactly what I was looking for! This will become a tradition in our family. Thank you for the recipe!
Did you used fresh jalapenos or can ones
I would only use fresh. Have made several times and it’s delicious! !
Made this for New Years Eve party, & it was a big hit! Was gone w/in 15 minutes. Everyb I d u asked for the recipe. It you like it spicy, leave the seeds on the chopped jalapeños! Already been requested to make it again for Superbowl Party tomorrow! Great recipe, thanks for sharing!
Love the combo but what can I do with leftover dip? Casserole? Any ideas?
I use it like pimento cheese
Leftover???? That would never happen in our house. If there was any leftover, we’d eat it for a TV snack.
I just made this for some ladies and everyone loved it, including myself! SO incredibly ADDICTING!!!!! thanks for sharing!
I first found this on The Homesick Texan blog and I have made this every Thanksgiving and Christmas since. I double it and add about 6 good shakes of Tabasco sauce to it since winter jalapenos are pretty mild and I got a lot of feedback that it needed more heat. I’m not a huge fan of HOT stuff, but the cream cheese really does tame it down. I also omit the pecans ever since I forgot to add them once and never missed them in the finished ball. To those who have never tried it, Make it, you won’t regret it!
I made the cheese ball and it’s delicious instead of rolling it into one big ball I made 2 balls instead. Everyone loved it!
Can you make this without jalolpino pepper?
Yes, it just won’t have that kick of flavor.
Yes you could use dried beef
looks good
Any substitutions for Worcestershire? It isn’t a Keto option since it has soy.
Soy sauce or wine vinegar are a couple choices. I hope that helps! XOXO
I used coconut aminos. I also added bacon to the mix since people were picking the bacon from the ball!
Have you ever put together a cookbook with your recipes? You should!! If you do have one out….let me know!!! Love your site & recipes!!
I haven’t yet. It is still in the plans just not sure when I will be preparing it. Thank you so much for following along! I really appreciate it! XOXO
I can’t print your recipes. When I click on Print, I only get Save!!. What am I doing wrong?
I am not sure why it won’t let you print. I have been printing a few recipes today and had great luck. If needed you can copy and paste the recipe into a word document and print from there if that works better. Thanks for following along with me! XOXO
This will certainly be loved by my friends and family.. Anything with bacon, peppers, and cheese is always a hit. Thank you so much for sharing.
That is great to hear! Thank you for sharing with me! XOXO
BEST cheeseball I have ever made and tasted! Outstanding recipe, easy to make and looks as good as it tastes. Thank you for sharing and posting your recipe. I am anxious to share with co-workers for our Christmas luncheon. This cheeseball will also be on our family Christmas eve appetizer menu.
Can I use jarred jalapenos if I pat them dry??? I never seem to find fresh jalapenos hot enough. Thanks! Looks awesome!
Yes, of course! It may be a bit hot but it sounds like you are okay with that. Enjoy your cheese ball! XOXO
Hi Alyssa,
what kind of season salt should I use on the bacon cheeseball?
I like to use the local brand of season salt but you are welcome to use any other brand or type of season salt that you prefer. You can find it in the seasoning isle. Hope that helps! XOXO
Looks wonderful. I f you made this a day ahead, do you think it would make the bacon weird?
No, it should still taste great! Enjoy! XOXO
The Best!!!! Love It!!!!
Made this recipe and it’s as good as it sounds. I added cayenne but it still could have used more heat for us. We didn’t notice the heat at all. Will make this again. Can it be frozen?
It can be frozen but it may be more crumbly when you thaw it out. I would recommend eating it fresh or left in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days if needing time. Enjoy your cheese ball! XOXO
Just prepared this for a “Day of the Dead” celebration, and THIS was a HUGE hit! I’m emailing your recipe from your blog to all that asked for it. I’m certain you will have many more followers once they find you! Thank you for all the inspiration you give!
I made this recipe last Christmas and it was wonderful. Everybody raved about it. It’s on the menu this year, too! Can’t wait. Yum!
I am very excited to try this
If you wanted to substitute garlic powder for the minced garlic, what would you recommend the quantity to be? I have some family members that complain about raw garlic…
I am not sure why it won’t let you print. I have been printing a few recipes today and had great luck. If needed you can copy and paste the recipe into a word document and print from there if that works better. Thanks for following along with me! XOXO