Jalapeño Bacon Cheese Ball

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Disclaimer: This post is in partnership with McCormick Grill Mates Marinated Bacon.

This Jalapeño Bacon Cheese Ball is creamy and a little spicy and the perfect addition to any party, potluck, or holiday meal. Loads of cheddar cheese, bacon, jalapeños and a little green onion make it absolutely delicious.

Jalapeño Bacon Cheese Ball

Oh my heavens! Y’all! You have to make this cheese ball! It’s my new favorite thing in the whole world! The flavors are absolutely delicious together and I couldn’t stop eating it. I wasn’t the only one either!

I came up with this cheese ball for our annual potluck block party. And it was literally the hit of the party! Not a single piece of cheese or cracker made it home. I saw some of neighbors going back for 3rds, 4ths, and even 5ths. Yes 5ths!

It’s not super spicy because I removed the seeds and veins from the jalapenos….it literally just gives it flavor and a hint of heat. Plus all that cream cheese cools it down.

National Bacon Month

Did you know November is National Bacon Month? Well, it is! And I’ve partnered with new McCormick Grill Mates Marinated Bacon to tell y’all about their 4 new marinated thick cut bacon products:

• Montreal Steak
• Ultimate Bacon
• Smoky Applewood
• Brown Sugar Bourbon

McCormick Grill Mates Marinated Bacon uses an innovative 3-step process to make their delicious new bacon products. In Arizona, you can find them at Bashas and other independent grocery retailers in the area. Ask your grocer to order them if you can’t find them.

How to Mix Cheese Ball

The key to mixing a cheese ball is ensure the cream cheese is completely soft and at room temperature. Otherwise it just won’t completely combine with the other ingredients and you’ll end up with big chunks of cream cheese in your ball. Which is definitely not a good thing.

I like to use my stand mixer to get it really creamy and mixed well; however it’s totally doable in a large bowl, a large spoon, and some strong arms. So if you don’t have a mixer, just mix it by hand and you’ll be totally fine.

How to Shape Cheese Ball

After the cream cheese and cheddar are thoroughly mixed, add in crumbled bacon, diced jalapenos, and chopped green onions (use the whites and the greens). Mix by hand until well combined. Seriously, y’all…how yummy does this look. I’m drooling as I write this up wishing I still had some.

After everything is mixed, pull out a large piece of plastic wrap and lay it flat on the counter. Add the mixture to the center of the plastic and use the plastic to shape it into a ball as you completely wrap it up. Make sure you wrap it as tight as you can, maininging the ball shape and then place in the refrigerator for several hours or up to 2 days.

Can I Make a Cheese Ball a Day Ahead

Heck yeah! Cheese balls area almost better the next day! I always make mine a day in advance, shape it, and let it hang out for at least 24 hours. Just don’t add the outside coating until ready to serve.

I just chop everything at once and save it in an airtight container until I’m ready to press it on the outside of the cheese ball. 

How Long Will A Cheese Ball Last in the Fridge

The cheese ball will last a few days in the fridge, but once I set it out I’ve never had leftovers. It’s that good! Just wrap up the leftover cheese ball tightly with plastic wrap. The issue with the cheese ball is that in order to eat it, it needs to come to room temperature, so it’s just not safe to do this too many times.

How amazing and colorful does this Jalapeno Bacon Cheese Ball look?!?!? And the Smoky Applewood bacon from McCormick Grill Mates is THE PERFECT bacon for the cheese ball. It really gives it a delicious smoky flavor which pairs nicely with the sharp cheddar and jalapenos.

How to Make Cheese Ball with Bacon

To make a good cheese ball with bacon, like this Jalapeno Bacon Cheese Ball, use a good quality thick cut bacon. If the cheese ball will be savory, choose a bacon that’s not sugar coated. Use a good hickory or apple wood smoked bacon. Of course, for this recipe give the McCormick Grill Mates Smoky Applewood Bacon a try. It gives so much flavor.

Are you a cheese ball fan? Check out my Fresh Cherry Cheese Ball or Herb Goat Cheese Ball. Plus I have a collection of over 30 cheese ball recipes that you are sure to love.

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Jalapeño Bacon Cheese Ball

Yield: 1 ball

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Additional Time: 1 days 12 hours

Total Time: 1 days 12 hours 15 minutes

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Ingredients

• 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 jalapenos, seeded and finely chopped
• 3 green onions, sliced (whites and greens)
• 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

Instructions

1. In a medium bowl of a stand mixer, combine softened cream cheese, cheddar cheese and garlic powder and mix on low until well blended. Add 1/3 of the jalapenos, green onions and crumbled bacon. Mix well with a wooden spoon.
2. Shape mixture into a ball and place on a piece of plastic wrap. Wrap the plastic around the cheese ball and use it to shape the ball evenly.
3. Refrigerate cheese ball for at several hours and up to 2 days.
4. Before serving, unwrap cheese ball and press it into a mixture of remaining crumbled bacon, jalapenos, and green onions.
5. Serve with crackers, sliced vegetables, or both.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 124 Total Fat: 10g Saturated Fat: 5g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 4g Cholesterol: 29mg Sodium: 259mg Carbohydrates: 1g Net Carbohydrates: 0g Fiber: 0g Sugar: 0g Sugar Alcohols: 0g Protein: 7g

This nutritional information is an estimate may vary, depending on brand and type of ingredients used. It is not intended to replace the advice of a licensed dietician or physician.