Jalapeño Popper Football Cheese Ball
This jalapeño popper cheese ball brings cream cheese, cheddar, bacon, and fresh peppers together in an easy make-ahead party appetizer.
Prep
: 10
Total
: 25 minutes
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 2 jalapeño peppers seeded and finely diced
- 2 tablespoons green onion thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups finely chopped pecans divided
- 2 tablespoons sliced black olives for the football laces
Instructions
Instructions
- Beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add the cheddar, half of the bacon, jalapeños, green onion, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper.
- Mix until evenly combined, scraping the bowl so the seasonings and vegetables are distributed throughout.
- Chill the mixture for 30 minutes, then shape it into a compact football on a sheet of parchment.
- Press the remaining chopped pecans over the surface, covering the football evenly. Chill for at least 90 minutes, or until firm.
- Arrange the black olive slices on top as football laces. Transfer to a serving board and let stand for 10 minutes before serving with crackers and cut vegetables.