Spicy Jalapeño Cheese Ball — Just spicy enough that the more you have, the more you want!! A fast, easy, and foolproof hit!!
Table of Contents
Spicy Cheese Ball Recipe
This is Super Bowl food all the way. Or game day food, easy party food, or cheese-spread-as-your-dinner food. If you can make meals out of appetizers and dips like I can, especially of the cheesy variety, you’re going to love this cream cheese ball recipe.
Simply combine cheddar cheese, cream cheese, garlic, red bell pepper, jalapeño pepper, and stir. In less than 5 minutes, you’re done. The best kind of recipe and it’s naturally gluten-free.
The tiny bits of peppers add nice color, great texture and big, bold flavor to the cheese ball.
Jalapeño Cheese Ball Ingredients
To make this easy cheese ball with jalapeño, all you’ll need is:
- Cream cheese
- Sharp cheddar cheese
- Red bell pepper
- Jalapeño pepper
- Garlic
- Fisher Chopped Walnuts
- Fisher Natural Sliced Almonds
Note: Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for the ingredients with amounts included and for more complete directions.
Tip
I used 1/2 cup each of Fisher Chopped Walnuts and Fisher Natural Sliced Almonds. There’s no added salt, sugar, preservatives, or anything you don’t want in Fisher Nuts which is why they’re such a great choice for cooking. I especially loved the buttery crunch of the walnuts contrasted against the smooth, creamy cheese. So good.
How to Make a Jalapeño Cheese Ball
Cream cheese balls are one of the easiest appetizers you can make! Here’s an overview of how this hot cheese ball is prepared:
- Mix together all of the ingredients except the nuts.
- Pat the mixture into a ball. Carefully transfer the cheese ball to a piece of plastic wrap and wrap it up.
- Chill the cheese ball in the fridge for at least 3 hours before serving it.
- When ready to serve, roll it in the nut mixture.
Tips for Making the Best Cheese Ball
Make sure the cream cheese is very well softened before beginning this recipe, or it will be unnecessarily difficult to combine the ingredients.
I de-seeded the jalapeño because not everyone likes things quite as spicy and hurts-so-good as I do, but if your friends and family can handle the heat, keep some or all of the seeds in.
You can optionally incorporate chives, green or red onion, corn, or bacon bits in the outer coating if you wanted to really go all out.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! This jalapeño cheese ball will last up to 1 week in the fridge and can be made two or three days before you plan on serving it. Wait to roll it in nuts until you’re ready to serve.
Yes, you can freeze the cheese ball before coating it in nuts. Wrap it in a few layers of plastic wrap and a layer or two of foil, then freeze for up to three months. To thaw, place in the fridge overnight.
Of course! If you have jarred jalapeño slices on hand, use those instead of a fresh pepper. I recommend patting the jalapeño slices with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture before adding to the cheese ball mixture.
Definitely! To make more of a jalapeño popper cheese ball, add up to 1/3 cup of cooked and crumbled bacon to the cream cheese mixture.
Use cream cheese that’s sold in a brick, NOT whipped cream cheese. I used lite cream cheese in an effort to reduce some of the decadence.
What to Serve with a Jalapeño Cheese Ball
Cream cheese balls pair well with anything carb-y. Some of my favorite things to dip into a cheese ball are:
- Pita chips
- Crackers
- Tortilla chips
- Baguette slices
- Veggie sticks
- Pretzels
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Spicy Jalapeño Cheese Ball
Ingredients
- two 8-ounce packages brick-style cream cheese, very well softened (lite is okay)
- 8- ounces grated sharp or extra-sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup finely diced red bell pepper with seeds and stem removed, about 1/2 of a medium/large pepper
- ⅓ cup finely diced jalapeño pepper with seeds and stem removed, about 1 medium/large pepper; if you want spread extra-spicy keep some or all of the seeds
- 2 finely minced cloves of peeled garlic
- optional 1/3 cup of chives, green or red onion, corn, or bacon bits
- ½ cup Fisher Chopped Walnuts, or as necessary to fully cover cheese ball
- ½ cup Fisher Natural Sliced Almonds, or as necessary to fully cover cheese ball
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
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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More Cheese Ball Recipes:
Pineapple Cheese Ball – An EASY holiday appetizer recipe that’s a party favorite! Made with tangy cream cheese, juicy pineapple, green bell peppers, green onions, and plenty of nuts for lovely crunch and texture!
Christmas Cheese Ball Wreath — A delectable cheese ball mixture rolled in festive and colorful toppings and arranged into a wreath! A show-stopping presentation of wonderful cheese bites for your holiday parties and entertaining tables! EASY to make and can be made IN ADVANCE! No one can resist the allure of cheese!
Dill Pickle Cheese Ball — Calling all dill pickle fans, this super EASY appetizer recipe is creamy, cheesy and chock full of dill pickles, dill pickle relish, and plenty of fresh dill! When you’re looking for a fan FAVORITE recipe to serve at your next holiday party or event, backyard barbecue, picnic, or potluck, put this quick and simple recipe on the list!
Post is brought to you by Fisher. The recipe, images, text, and opinions expressed are my own. #thinkfisher
This is the MOST requested cheeseball I make. Have been making for four years and its requested by everyone for a family get-together. My 14 year old grand-daughter is now making them for her family get-togethers. Perfect, easy to make, easy to adjust the ingredients and never any left-overs.
Thanks for the 5 star review and I am glad this is the most requested cheeseball you make! And that you’ve been making it for 4 years and it’s a family favorite!
This is the MOST requested cheeseball I make. Have been making for four years and its requested by everyone for a family get-together. My 14 year old grand-daughter is now making them for her family get-togethers. Perfect, easy to make, easy to adjust the ingredients and never any left-overs.
I realize I’m late to the party but just had to add that this is a great basic recipe to play around with! I sometimes make it with crumbled bacon added (Jalapeno Popper!), or diced bacon, pimiento and dry ranch dip mix added (Bacon Ranch). Also really good with other veggies added to change things up. People, cheese balls are the bomb and soooo easy and yummy! (We also make as a spreadable dip by using 1/3 less fat or spreadable cream cheese and omitting nut coating.) Yummy recipe!
Thanks for the 5 star review and I’m glad you are a fan of cheese balls too!
I realize I’m late to the party but just had to add that this is a great basic recipe to play around with! I sometimes make it with crumbled bacon added (Jalapeno Popper!), or diced bacon, pimiento and dry ranch dip mix added (Bacon Ranch). Also really good with other veggies added to change things up. People, cheese balls are the bomb and soooo easy and yummy! (We also make as a spreadable dip by using 1/3 less fat or spreadable cream cheese and omitting nut coating.) Yummy recipe!
Ooooh yum!! These sound amazing! I love the flavor of those smokehouse Jalapeño… and… you really can’t go wrong with cheese ! 😛
Do I need to use fresh peppers or can I used thawed, frozen? Or out of a jar?
I’ve only made it with fresh and fear that jarred or thawed out peppers would be a bit too mushy for my personal preference.
This dip looks great! I may even add a little more cheddar to mine just because.
Can’t go wrong with more cheese!
This looks so good–pinned and adding to my menu list for Sunday. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for pinning and adding it to your menu!
I’ve never had a cheese ball before, but if there is cream cheese and jalapenos involved, I’m in!
Looks yummy :)
This look AMAZING! Ah i have to make it for super bowl!
I’m all about appetizers as meals too! I love jalapenos but only coming around to liking red bell peppers lately. Encased in soft cheese though, I won’t be able to resist!
All of this wonderful CHEESE!!!! I crave now :)
We need wine to go with it :)
Yum! I love cheeseballs, and my husband and I have a movie and app night at least once a month. We will lay out a spread of goodies on the coffee table and snack all evening while catching up on Netflix or Hulu. I may try to make this for the SuperBowl! It looks gorgeous and delicious.