Jalapeno Cheese Ball Bites Recipe
Delicious and savory Jalapeno Cheese Ball Bites combining sharp cheddar, cream cheese, and a kick of fresh jalapenos, coated in a flavorful mix of crispy bacon and crunchy pecans. Perfect as an appetizer or party snack, these bites are easy to prepare and serve with pretzel sticks for effortless dipping and enjoyment.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes (for bacon)
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 20 cheese ball bites 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Mixture
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
- 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1–2 jalapenos, seeded & minced
- 4 oz pimentos, diced and drained
Coating
- 6 slices bacon, cooked & chopped small
- 1 cup pecans, chopped small
For Serving
- Pretzel sticks
Instructions
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese, room temperature cream cheese, mayonnaise, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, onion powder, salt, pepper, minced jalapenos, and diced pimentos. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated, creating a smooth and flavorful cheese mixture.
- Chill Mixture: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the cheese mixture for 1 hour. Chilling allows the flavors to meld and firms up the mixture, making it easier to shape into balls.
- Prepare Coating: In a shallow dish, combine the chopped cooked bacon and finely chopped pecans. Mix these together evenly to create a crunchy and savory coating for the cheese balls.
- Form Cheese Balls & Coat: After chilling, scoop out portions of the cheese mixture and roll each into a ball using your hands. Immediately roll each cheese ball in the bacon and pecan mixture, pressing gently to ensure a thorough and even coating over the entire surface.
- Insert Pretzel Sticks & Serve: Just before serving, insert a pretzel stick into the center of each cheese ball to serve as a convenient handle for eating. Arrange the Jalapeno Cheese Ball Bites on a platter and enjoy as an irresistible snack or appetizer.
Notes
- For less heat, reduce the amount of jalapenos or omit the cayenne pepper.
- Can be made a day ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator.
- Use fresh grated sharp cheddar for the best texture and flavor.
- Serve with additional pretzels or crackers for dipping.
- Ensure bacon is well cooked and crisp for maximum crunch in the coating.
Keywords: jalapeno cheese ball, cheese ball bites, bacon cheese appetizer, party snacks, jalapeno appetizers
Find it online: https://nataliereeve.com/jalapeno-cheese-ball-bites-recipe/
