Spicy Jalapeño Cheese Ball
User Reviews
4.8
Spicy Jalapeño Cheese Ball
Description
This cheese ball recipe starts by thoroughly softening cream cheese to ease mixing with grated cheddar, finely diced red bell pepper, jalapeño, and minced garlic, distributing spicy and savory flavors evenly. Optional chopped chives or other flavor additions can be mixed in for variety. The mixture is shaped into a ball and wrapped to chill in the refrigerator for at least three hours or overnight, allowing it to firm up.
Before serving, the cheese ball is rolled in a mix of chopped walnuts and almond slices, giving a crunchy outer texture that contrasts with the creamy interior. This combination creates layered flavors: spicy jalapeño heat, sharp cheddar tang, and nutty coating.
This is a make-ahead appetizer that can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week, though rolling in nuts is best done just before serving to maintain crispness and presentation.
Ingredients
- cream cheese very well softened (lite is okay, brick-style, two 8-ounce packages
- 8- ounces cheddar cheese grated, sharp or extra-sharp
- ½ cup red bell pepper about 1/2 of a medium/large pepper, finely diced, seeds and stem removed
- ⅓ cup jalapeno pepper about 1 medium/large pepper; if you want spread extra-spicy keep some or all of the seeds, finely diced, seeds and stem removed
- 2 garlic finely minced cloves, peeled
- chive green or red onion, corn, or bacon bits, optional, 1/3 cup
- ½ cup walnut or as necessary to fully cover cheese ball, chopped, Fisher brand
- ½ cup almond slices or as necessary to fully cover cheese ball, Fisher Natural brand
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add all ingredients except nuts, and stir to combine or use a handheld electric mixer and beat on low speed to combine. Make sure cream cheese is very well softened before beginning or it will be unnecessarily difficult to combine the ingredients.
- Using a spatula (or your hands), pat mixture into a ball inside bowl; it’s okay if it’s not perfectly round.
- Turn ball out onto a large piece of plasticwrap and wrap it up. Gently pat it into a nice smooth ball, and place ball inside a ziptop bag to prevent fridge smells.
- Refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or overnight, to chill and firm up.
- Prior to serving, combine the walnuts and almonds in a medium bowl and gently roll the ball in nuts until it’s completely covered.
Notes
- Ensure cream cheese is very well softened prior to mixing for easier blending.
- Chill the cheese ball for at least 3 hours or overnight to allow it to firm up.
- Roll the cheese ball in nuts just before serving to keep the coating crisp.
- The cheese ball can be stored airtight in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 10Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 713 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 | |
| Calories | 713kcal | 36% |
| Carbohydrates | 17g | 6% |
| Protein | 22g | 44% |
| Fat | 64g | 98% |
| Saturated Fat | 31g | 155% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 26g | 153% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 152mg | 51% |
| Sodium | 740mg | 31% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.8
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