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Home » Recipes » Appetizers

Jalapeño Cheese Ball

Modified: Jun 3, 2025 · Published: May 16, 2021 by Heather · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 763 words. · About 4 minutes to read this article.

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Jalapeño cheese ball recipe.
Jalapeño cheese ball recipe.
Jalapeño cheese ball recipe.

Make a crowd pleasing jalapeño cheese ball for your next party. This flavorful cheese spread is made with cream cheese, jalapeños, and a dash of hot sauce, then rolled in crunchy toasted bread crumbs.

Jalapeño cheese ball spread onto a cracker.

Recipe summary

Flavor/texture: Love jalapeno poppers? Try this jalapeno cheese ball. Cream cheese and cheddar cheese are mixed with jalapenos, green onion, and hot sauce, then rolled in toasted panko bread crumbs.

Easy make-ahead appetizer: Make your cheese ball 2-3 days ahead and store in the refrigerator. Roll in panko bread crumbs just before serving.

Serve with: Crackers and sliced veggies

Similar to: Everything Bagel Cheese Ball and Jalapeño Popper Dip

Jump to:
  • Recipe summary
  • Ingredients and substitutions
  • How to make a jalapeno cheese ball
  • Tips and tricks
  • Frequently asked questions
  • Recommended
  • 📖 Recipe
  • Comments

Ingredients and substitutions

Ingredients on a counter top.
  • Cream cheese - Regular block-style cream cheese or light cream cheese can be used in this recipe.
  • Sharp cheddar - Can be substituted with pepper jack or monterey jack cheeses.
  • Jalapeños - Leave the seeds and membranes in your jalapeños for more heat, or remove them for a mild flavor.
  • Flavor - Hot sauce, salt, and garlic powder enhance the flavor of your cheese ball. Use as much hot sauce as you'd like for extra heat.
  • Green onion - Can be substituted with a small amount of diced red onion.
  • Panko bread crumbs - You'll be toasting your bread crumbs and using them to coat the outside of your cheese ball. These can be omitted if desired, or substituted with crumbled bacon pieces.

How to make a jalapeno cheese ball

Assembling a jalapeno cheese ball.
  1. Add cheese ball ingredients to a large bowl and mash together until combined.
  2. Turn out onto a sheet of plastic wrap or wax paper and form into a ball. Wrap and refrigerate until firm.
  3. In a skillet over medium heat, add bread crumbs and toast until golden brown.
  4. Store bread crumbs until ready to serve, then roll cheese ball in bread crumbs just before serving.

Tips and tricks

Don't walk away - Your bread crumbs can go from golden brown to burnt in a few seconds on the stovetop. The entire process only takes about 3-4 minutes, so don't walk away during this time.

Make ahead - Your cheese ball can be made and stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days ahead of an event. If you'd like to make it a day or more ahead of time, store your cheese ball in the refrigerator and the bread crumbs separately at room temperature. Bread crumbs will lose their crunchy texture in the refrigerator, so plan on rolling the cheese ball just before serving.

What to serve with a cheese ball - Fresh vegetables like carrots, celery, and bell pepper slices, crackers, pretzel chips, pretzels, bagel chips, or apple slices.

Jalapeño cheese ball with crackers and veggies on a serving plate.

Frequently asked questions

How long do leftovers last?

Leftovers will keep for 3-4 days in the refrigerators, but bread crumbs will soften and lose their crunchy texture.

Do I need to toast my bread crumbs?

Yes, toasting adds flavor, color, and a crunchy texture to your bread crumbs.

Can I roll my cheese ball in other toppings?

Yes, other common cheese ball toppings include chopped walnuts or pecans, bacon bits, sliced almonds, or shredded cheese.

Recommended

  • A scoop taken from a cheese ball on a tray with crackers.
    Everything Bagel Cheese Ball
  • A tortilla chip in a dish of jalapeno popper dip.
    Jalapeño Popper Dip
  • Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip
  • Jalapeno poppers on a white plate.
    Bacon Jalapeño Poppers

📖 Recipe

Jalapeño cheese ball spread onto a cracker.
Pin Print Rate
5 from 4 reviews

Jalapeño Cheese Ball

Make a crowd pleasing jalapeño cheese ball for your next party. This flavorful cheese spread is made with cream cheese, jalapeños, and a dash of hot sauce, then rolled in crunchy toasted bread crumbs.
Prep Time10 minutes minutes
Resting Time2 hours hours
Total Time2 hours hours 10 minutes minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 165kcal
Author: Heather

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
  • 1 jalapeño, diced
  • 1 green onion, diced
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ⅓ cup panko bread crumbs
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Instructions

  • In a bowl, add cream cheese, sharp cheddar, jalapeño, onion, hot sauce, salt, and garlic powder. Mash ingredients together until evenly incorporated. Add more hot sauce as desired.
  • Form cheese mixture into a ball using plastic wrap or wax paper. Refrigerate for about 2 hours, or until firm.
  • In a skillet over medium heat, add bread crumbs. Stir frequently until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes.
  • Unwrap cheese ball and gently roll in bread crumbs until evenly coated. Serve with crackers and sliced vegetables. Or, refrigerate until ready to serve.

Equipment Recommendations

  • Pyrex Glass Mixing Bowls
  • Measuring Spoons
  • Stainless Steel Skillet
  • Zwilling Pro Chef's Knife

Notes

  • Make ahead: Cheese ball can be made ahead and refrigerated for 2-3 days before serving. Seal tightly in plastic wrap and place in a sealed container until ready to serve. 
  • Storage tip: If refrigerating cheese ball for more than 1 day, refrain from rolling in bread crumbs until day of serving. 
  • Serving tip: Remove cheese ball and allow to set at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving - this will make it easier for guests to spread onto crackers. 

Nutrition Estimate

Calories: 165kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 46mg | Sodium: 283mg | Potassium: 68mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 557IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 136mg | Iron: 1mg
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American

More Appetizer Recipes

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    Garlic Bread Dip
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    Brownie Batter Dip
  • The gooey inside of garlic baked brie.
    Garlic Baked Brie
  • A layered vanilla cookie dipping into a bowl of grinch dip.
    Grinch Dip

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Heather of The Toasty Kitchen

Hi, I'm Heather!

I love cooking with simple, everyday ingredients and want to help you make homemade meals with ease.

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