Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball
User Reviews
5
Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball
Description
The Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball features a rich cream cheese base blended with sharp cheddar and pepper jack cheeses, bacon for smokiness, and diced jalapenos for heat. Green onions and spices enhance the flavor profile. After mixing thoroughly, the cheese mixture is formed into a ball and refrigerated to solidify the shape and develop the flavors.
Just before serving, the ball is rolled in a coating of chopped toasted nuts, Italian-style seasoned bread crumbs, extra bacon bits, diced jalapenos, and shredded pepper jack cheese, adding a crunchy, spicy, and savory layer that contrasts with the smooth filling inside. This contrast of textures and flavors makes it well-suited as an appetizer or party dip.
The recipe includes tips about refrigeration to maintain firmness and how to freeze the cheese ball for later use. Coating the cheese ball close to serving time keeps the crunchy outer layer crisp and prevents sogginess.
Ingredients
For cream cheese mixture:
- 16 ounces cream cheese softened (2 packs
- ¼ cup cheddar cheese shredded
- ¼ cup pepper jack cheese shredded
- 2 TBS Bacon chopped, cooked or bacon bits
- 2 small jalapeno pepper seeded and diced finely
- 2 talks green onions chopped, or chives
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ tsp salt
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
For the coating:
- ⅓ cup nuts cashews/almonds/walnuts/pine nuts will all work, chopped, toasted
- ⅓ cup seasoned bread crumbs Italian style
- 2 TBS Bacon bacon bits or chopped cooked
- 1 small jalapeno pepper seeded and diced finely
- 2 TBS pepper jack cheese roughly chopped, shredded
Instructions
For the cream cheese filling:
For the coating:
Notes
- The cream cheese mixture should be refrigerated for at least 2 hours after forming the ball to firm it up.
- Coat the cheese ball with the crunchy topping right before serving to prevent sogginess.
- You can freeze the wrapped cheese ball for up to 6 months; thaw in the fridge overnight before coating and serving.
- The prepared cheese ball keeps in the refrigerator for up to 5 days before serving.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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