Description
Savory bacon jalapeño popper cheese balls bring zesty southern comfort to party appetizers. Creamy cheese, crispy bacon, and spicy jalapeños combine in bite-sized spheres that promise delicious flavor explosions you’ll crave at every gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 16 ounces (450 g) cream cheese, at room temperature
- 8 ounces (240 ml) jalapenos, seeds removed and finely diced
- 8 ounces (240 ml) bacon, finely crumbled
- 4 ounces (120 ml) sharp cheddar cheese, finely shredded
Complementary Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) mayonnaise
- 4 tablespoons (120 ml) fresh chives, finely minced
- 1/2 medium red onion, finely minced (optional)
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Create a creamy base by blending cream cheese, mayonnaise, sharp cheddar, jalapeños, and half of the bacon crumbles in a large mixing bowl until the mixture becomes smooth and uniform.
- Incorporate finely chopped red onion, black pepper, and cayenne pepper into the cheese mixture, stirring gently to distribute the seasonings evenly.
- Prepare a shallow dish with the remaining bacon crumbles, creating a coating surface for the cheese balls.
- Using clean hands or a cookie scoop, form the cheese mixture into compact, bite-sized spheres approximately one inch in diameter.
- Carefully roll each cheese ball through the bacon crumbles, ensuring complete and even coverage on all sides.
- Transfer the coated cheese balls onto a clean plate or tray, maintaining some space between each ball to prevent sticking.
- Refrigerate the cheese balls for a minimum of 30 minutes, allowing them to solidify and develop a more intense flavor profile.
- Before serving, let the cheese balls sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes to soften slightly and enhance their creamy texture.
- Arrange the chilled bacon jalapeño popper cheese balls on a serving platter alongside crisp crackers or fresh vegetable sticks for an irresistible appetizer.
Notes
- Adjust jalapeño heat by removing seeds for milder flavor or adding more for extra spiciness.
- Use low-fat cream cheese and turkey bacon for a lighter, healthier version of these cheese balls.
- Prepare cheese mixture ahead of time and store in refrigerator for up to 2 days before forming and coating balls.
- For gluten-free option, serve with gluten-free crackers or vegetable sticks instead of traditional crackers.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: None
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 138
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg