Easy Bacon and Jalapeño Cheese Ball

Bacon and Jalapeño Cheese Ball on a plate with pizza bites.

Easy Bacon and Jalapeño Cheese Ball

This Easy Bacon and Jalapeño Cheese Ball is the ultimateeasy appetizer and is a true crowd-pleaser! It’s creamy, full of flavor, and comestogether in 15 minutes. It also looks impressive, which is a total bonus.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 5

Total Time 15

Servings

Calories 238kcal

Author Oriana Romero

Equipment

Ingredients

8 bacon slices, finely chopped
16 ounces (453 g) cream cheese, at room temperature
2 cup (2236 g) shredded Monterey Jack cheese with jalapeños
2 green onions, finely chopped
1/2 cup (120 g) sour cream
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 tablespoons ranch seasoning (optional)
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
½ cup sliced almonds, finely chopped (see notes)
2 jalapeños washed, deseeded, and finely cubed

Instructions

Cut bacon into small pieces and sauté over medium-high heat until cooked. Set on a paper towel-lined plate to remove excess grease.
In a bowl, mix the cream cheese, Monterey cheese, green onions, sour cream, garlic powder, ranch seasoning,
Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper. Mix until all ingredients all fully combined.
In a medium-sized bowl, combine the crisp bacon, almonds, and jalapeño. Spread this mixture onto a cutting board or clean surface.
Form one large ball with the cheese mixture. Roll it around in the bacon mixture until the entire surface is fully coated, and shape it into an even ball as it's coated. Serve right away or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes

Store the cheese ball in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Make sure it is well-wrapped with plastic wrap.

Nut-Free Cheese Ball: If you want to make a cheese ball but you, or someone you love, cannot consume nuts, I recommend substituting nuts for sunflowers or pumpkin seeds.

Ranch Seasoning: I like adding ranch seasoning for extra flavor, but if it's unavailable, you can skip it.

Recipe Tips:

Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature, or you’ll have a really hard time mixing.
Take the cheese ball out of the refrigerator a few minutes before serving, so it’s soft and easier to spread or dip.
For a little extra kick, use cayenne pepper instead of black pepper. You can also add 1-2 teaspoons of hot pepper sauce.
For a nut-free version, use sunflowers or pumpkin seeds.

Nutrition