Bacon Jalapeño Cheese Ball (2024)

This crowd-pleasing Bacon Jalapeño Cheese Ball makes a perfect party appetizer! It tastes like jalapeño poppers and is great on crackers, pretzels, apple slices, and veggies!

I love a good cheese ball!

This bacon jalapeño ball-o-deliciousness is a twist on the classic, with all the fantastic flavors of jalapeño poppers in a shareable, spreadable form.

This recipe is perfect for parties since its great chilled or at room temperature and it’s crazy versatile too! Make it vegetarian by using veggie bacon bits or toasted panko breadcrumbs. Nuts like toasted pecans or walnuts can be added to the outside of the cheese ball or keep it nut-free as written. For tailgating and game day you can even shape it into a football!

However you make it, this Bacon Jalapeño Cheese Ball recipe is ready to rock your next party or potluck!

Cheese Ball Ingredients

1. cream cheese
2. sharp cheddar cheese
3. jalapeños
4. pickled jalapeños
5. garlic powder
6. sweet paprika or spicy cayenne pepper
7. sea salt
8. bacon
9. parsley

Let’s dive into the details and help answer some of those burning questions I know y’all are going to ask!

Cream Cheese

For the base of the cheese ball we’ll be using one 8 ounce block of cream cheese, softened to room temp for easy blending. Full-fat cream cheese works best here but 1/3 fat Neufchatel cream cheese may be used if preferred. Skip using fat-free as it’s very runny and less flavorful.

Cheddar Cheese

For best flavor, freshly grate sharp cheddar cheese of the block using the coarse side of your cheese grater. I like to add 5 ounces to this cheese ball which, if you’re eyeballing it, is a little over half of an 8 ounce block of cheddar cheese.

Jalapeños + Pickled Jalapeños

Using jarred diced jalapeños (I love this kind in the glass jar as it’s packed in vinegar for extra flavor) as well as fresh jalapeños is the perfect way to add flavor and texture! I use this combination in all my jalapeño popper themed recipes (like my irresistible Jalapeño Popper Bites) and everyone raves about the taste.

In the summer months i’ll use my Quick Fridge Pickled Jalapeño Peppers and chop them up nice and fine.

Spices

The seasoning blend for this cheese ball is super simple! I use a combination of garlic powder, sea salt, and either sweet paprika (mild) or ground cayenne pepper (spicy).

Bacon

I used 2 slices of thin-cut bacon cooked until nice and crispy and chopped into small bacon bits to coat the cheese ball. If using thick-cut bacon you may only need 1 slice.

Vegetarian? Grab shelf stable vegan bacon bits or skip in favor of using chopped toasted pecans.

Fresh Parsley

I love the burst of green that this fresh herb gives the cheese ball. If this is the only ingredient you’re missing and you still want to make the cheese ball – go for it! You can absolutely skip it if desired. A gorgeous green swap would be finely minced kale or chopped chives.

Q: Is this cheese ball spicy?

I went medium on the spice for this recipe. Some of my friends don’t like things too spicy and they found this recipe perfect!

Feel free to go extra spicy by amping the heat factor up with some extra jalapeño and including the seeds from the pepper as well. You could even opt for serrano peppers which are spicier. Some extra ground cayenne pepper in the cream cheese mixture is also a nice way to heat things up.

Q: Can I make my cheese ball in advance?

Want to prep your party eats the day before? Perfecto! Make the cheese ball (minus the toppings) and refrigerate. 15-30 minutes before you’re ready to top it, allow it to come to room temperature a bit (this will help the toppings stick) and then roll the cheese ball into the toppings, pressing as you help it keep its globular shape. Commence faceplant!

Adding the toppings before refrigerating will yield softer bacon *but* it’s still crazy good.

I like saving any leftover cheese ball to spread on a toasted bagel or crackers the next day. Delish!

Bacon Jalapeño Cheese Ball

Today’s rockin’ recipe is on the smaller size, yielding about 15 servings. To serve a larger crowd simply double or triple the recipe as needed!

Cheese balls a fantastic addition to cheese boards or charcuterie boards and you can even make a trio of cheese balls all rolled in different toppings or make them mini so everyone can grab their own little snack-sized ball to spread on crackers and pretzels. For the minis, stick a pretzel stick in them for easy serving.

Ready to get ballin’? Here’s the printable recipe card!

Crazy for cheese balls? Try these next!

1. Baked Goat Cheese Balls – love these as an appetizer or salad topper!
2. Love the flavors in my Buffalo Ranch Cheese Ball
3. Cranberry Walnut Holiday Cheese Ball – great for all the winter holidays
4. Bacon Cheddar Football Cheese Ball is a total touchdown of a game day snack!
5. Another holiday fav: Mini Candied Pecan Cranberry Goat Cheese Balls
6. Taco Cheese Ball via Holly at Spend with Pennies
7. Brunch-Worthy Cheese Ball to serve on bagels, bagel chips, etc…

If you get a chance to try this Bacon Jalapeño Cheese Ball recipe, let me know!

Leave me a comment here (LOVE checking those daily!) or tag @PEASandCRAYONS on Instagram so I can happy dance over your tasty cheese ball creations.