Jalapeno Cheese Ball Bites Recipe

Introduction

These Jalapeno Cheese Ball Bites are a delightful, spicy appetizer perfect for any gathering. Creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavor, they offer a satisfying crunch from the pecan and bacon coating. Quick to prepare and sure to impress, they’re a crowd-pleaser every time.

Ingredients

• 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 and minced
• 4 oz pimentos, diced and drained
• 6 slices bacon, cooked & chopped small
• 1 cup pecans, chopped small
• Pretzel sticks

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, mix together the grated cheddar cheese, cream cheese, mayonnaise, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, onion powder, salt, pepper, minced jalapenos, and diced pimentos until well combined.
2. Step 2: Cover the mixture and chill it in the refrigerator for 1 hour to firm up and allow flavors to meld.
3. Step 3: In a shallow dish, combine the chopped bacon and pecans, mixing well.
4. Step 4: Roll the chilled cheese mixture into small bite-sized balls.
5. Step 5: Roll each cheese ball in the bacon and pecan mixture until well coated.
6. Step 6: Just before serving, insert a pretzel stick into the center of each bite for easy handling and a tasty crunch.

Tips & Variations

• You can make one large cheese ball instead of bites by rolling the entire mixture into a ball and coating it with the bacon-pecan mix; serve with crackers, pita chips, or veggies.
• Substitute sour cream for mayonnaise for a slightly tangier taste.
• Add hot sauce to the cream cheese mixture for an extra kick of heat.

Storage

Store the cheese ball bites covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep them chilled until ready to serve. To reheat, allow them to come to room temperature for about 10 minutes; avoid microwaving to preserve texture and flavor.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare the cheese ball bites ahead of time?

Yes, the mixture can be made and chilled overnight. Roll them and coat with bacon and pecan right before serving to keep the coating crisp.

What can I use instead of jalapenos if I want less heat?

You can use mild green bell peppers or omit the jalapenos entirely for a milder flavor while keeping the texture and color.

Jalapeno Cheese Ball Bites Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 124 reviews

These Jalapeno Cheese Ball Bites are a perfect party appetizer combining sharp cheddar, cream cheese, and spicy jalapenos, coated with a crunchy bacon and pecan mixture. Served on pretzel sticks, they deliver a delightful mix of creamy, spicy, and savory flavors in a bite-sized treat.

• Author: Clara
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes (for bacon cooking)
• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 24 bite-sized cheese balls 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: No-Cook
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

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

Serving

• Pretzel sticks

Instructions

1. Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a large bowl, combine freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese, softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, onion powder, salt, pepper, minced jalapenos, and diced pimentos. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
2. Chill Mixture: Cover the cheese mixture bowl and refrigerate for 1 hour. This step helps the mixture firm up, making it easier to shape into balls.
3. Prepare Coating: In a shallow dish, mix together the cooked and chopped bacon with chopped pecans to create the crunchy coating.
4. Form Cheese Balls: Remove the chilled cheese mixture from the fridge. Roll the mixture into small bite-sized balls, about 1 inch in diameter.
5. Coat Cheese Balls: Roll each cheese ball thoroughly in the bacon and pecan mixture until fully coated, ensuring an even crunchy layer around the cheese.
6. Insert Pretzel Sticks: Just before serving, insert a pretzel stick into the center of each cheese ball to create bite-sized, easy-to-handle appetizers.

Notes

• You can choose to make one large cheese ball instead of multiple bites. Roll the entire cheese mixture into a larger ball and coat it with the bacon and pecan mixture, then serve sliced with crackers, pita chips, or veggies.
• Sour cream can be used as a substitute for mayonnaise for a slightly tangier flavor.
• For extra heat, add hot sauce to the cream cheese filling before mixing.

Keywords: jalapeno cheese ball bites, jalapeno appetizers, bacon pecan cheese balls, party snacks, easy cheese bites