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Jalapeño Popper Football Cheese Ball

A fun and delicious cheese ball shaped like a football, packed with the flavors of creamy cheeses and spicy jalapeños, perfect for parties or game nights.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 250
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cheese Ball Ingredients
  • 16 oz cream cheese, softened Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature for easy mixing.
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
  • ½ cup Monterey jack cheese, shredded Plus extra for the laces.
  • ½ cup pickled jalapeños, chopped
  • 1 fresh jalapeño, deseeded & finely diced Adjust spiciness as desired.
  • ¼ cup green onion, sliced Use both green & white parts.
  • 8-10 slices bacon, cooked & cooled Reserve half for the coating.
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ¼ cup pecans, finely chopped For the outer coating.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Mix the chopped pecans, fresh jalapeño, and half of your cooked bacon together in a bowl, then set it aside.
  2. In a large bowl, mix the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, Monterey jack cheese, pickled jalapeños, green onion, garlic powder, and the remaining bacon.
  3. Roll the mixture into a big ball and shape it into a football.
  4. Sprinkle the pecan coating over the cheese ball, pressing it slightly to ensure it sticks.
  5. Cut one long strip and four smaller strips from the leftover Monterey jack cheese, and arrange them on top of your cheese ball to create the laces.
Serving
  1. Serve immediately with your favorite crackers or chips.

Notes

If you have leftovers, wrap the cheese ball tightly and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. Ensure it's well-covered to prevent drying out. Adjust spice levels by varying jalapeño amounts.