Get ready to wow your guests with these irresistible Bacon Jalapeño Popper Cheese Balls! This mouthwatering appetizer combines the best flavors of a classic jalapeño popper – creamy, spicy, and savory – all wrapped up in a bite-sized ball coated in crispy bacon and fresh chives. Whether you’re hosting a game day gathering, a holiday party, or just craving a delicious snack, these Bacon Jalapeño Popper Cheese Balls are sure to be a hit.
Table of Contents
Ingredients for Bacon Jalapeño Popper Cheese Balls
- 16 oz (450g) cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2–3 fresh jalapeños, seeded and finely diced
- 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 1/2 cups cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1/2 cup fresh chives, finely chopped
How to Make Bacon Jalapeño Popper Cheese Balls
Creating these Bacon Jalapeño Popper Cheese Balls is a breeze, and the end result is a delightful blend of creamy, spicy, and savory flavors that will have your guests coming back for more.
Mix the Base
In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, shredded cheddar, diced jalapeños, red onion (if using), black pepper, and a pinch of cayenne (if you want an extra kick). Mix everything together until it’s smooth and well combined.
Form the Balls
Scoop the cheese mixture and shape it into 1–2 inch balls using your hands. This part is where you can have some fun and get creative with the size and shape of your cheese balls.
Coat and Chill
Roll each cheese ball in the crumbled bacon and chopped chives until it’s fully coated. Once they’re all coated, place the cheese balls on a plate or tray and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow them to firm up.
Serve and Enjoy
After the cheese balls have chilled, remove them from the fridge and serve them as a delicious appetizer or party snack. Your guests will love the creamy, spicy, and bacon-packed flavor in every bite!

More Related Recipes You Might Enjoy
- Cream Cheese and Cheddar Jalapeño Poppers
- Bacon-Wrapped Mozzarella Sticks
- Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed Mushrooms
- Bacon-Wrapped Cheesy Jalapeño Stuffed Meatloaf
FAQs About Bacon Jalapeño Popper Cheese Balls
How to eat a jalapeño popper?
To enjoy a jalapeño popper, simply pop the entire bite-sized ball into your mouth and savor the creamy, spicy, and savory flavors. The combination of the crispy bacon coating, the gooey cheese center, and the kick of the jalapeños creates a delightful explosion of taste in every bite.
How long does it take to smoke a jalapeño popper?
Smoking jalapeño poppers typically takes around 1-2 hours, depending on the temperature of your smoker and the size of the poppers. The key is to smoke them at a low temperature (around 225-250°F) until the cheese is melted and the bacon is crispy.
How spicy is a jalapeño popper?
The spiciness of a jalapeño popper can vary depending on the size and ripeness of the jalapeños used. Generally, jalapeño poppers have a moderate level of heat, with a Scoville rating of 2,500-8,000 units. You can adjust the spiciness by using fewer or milder jalapeños, or by adding a pinch of cayenne pepper for an extra kick.
What goes inside a jalapeño popper?
The classic fillings for a jalapeño popper include cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and sometimes other ingredients like bacon, sausage, or spices. In the case of these Bacon Jalapeño Popper Cheese Balls, the center is a creamy mixture of cream cheese, cheddar, jalapeños, and seasonings, all wrapped in a crispy bacon coating.
Conclusion
Get ready to wow your guests with these irresistible Bacon Jalapeño Popper Cheese Balls! The perfect balance of creamy, spicy, and savory flavors in a bite-sized package will have everyone reaching for more. Whether you’re hosting a party or just looking for a delicious snack, these cheese balls are sure to be a hit. Give this recipe a try and let us know how it turns out in the comments below!
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Discover the Irresistible Bacon Jalapeño Popper Cheese Balls Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cheese balls 1x
Description
Get ready to wow your guests with these irresistible Bacon Jalapeño Popper Cheese Balls! This mouthwatering appetizer combines the best flavors of a classic jalapeño popper – creamy, spicy, and savory – all wrapped up in a bite-sized ball coated in crispy bacon and fresh chives.
Ingredients
- 16 ounce cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2–3 fresh jalapeños, seeded and finely diced
- 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 1/2 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1/2 cup fresh chives, finely chopped
Instructions
1. In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, shredded cheddar, diced jalapeños, red onion (if using), black pepper, and a pinch of cayenne (if you want an extra kick). Mix everything together until it’s smooth and well combined.
2. Scoop the cheese mixture and shape it into 1-2 inch balls using your hands. This part is where you can have some fun and get creative with the size and shape of your cheese balls.
3. Roll each cheese ball in the crumbled bacon and chopped chives until it’s fully coated. Once they’re all coated, place the cheese balls on a plate or tray and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow them to firm up.
4. After the cheese balls have chilled, remove them from the fridge and serve them as a delicious appetizer or party snack. Your guests will love the creamy, spicy, and bacon-packed flavor in every bite!
Notes
Serve as a delicious appetizer or party snack.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Mixing and Chilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 cheese balls
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 30mg