This jalapeno cheddar cheese ball is full of zesty Mexican flavor and takes just minutes to make. The perfect snack for game day!
This is no ordinary cheese ball! It’s a cream cheese base loaded with cheddar cheese, jalapenos and salsa. The whole thing is rolled in crushed tortilla chips for a unique appetizer.
We love a good cheese ball in my house – back in the day we used to buy those shrink wrapped almond coated cheese balls that they sell in the deli section of most grocery stores. One day I stumbled across a recipe for a homemade cheese ball and I’ve been making different varieties ever since. It’s so much more delicious than the store bought kind and surprisingly easy to make! One of my favorites is this jalapeno cheddar cheese ball .
This cheese ball is absolutely perfect for game day. For more ideas on how to make game day special, check out my lists of 30 Game Day Recipes and 45 Super Bowl Appetizer Recipes .
How do you make a jalapeno cheddar cheese ball?
This cheese ball couldn’t be any simpler to make – cream cheese and cheddar cheese are mixed with Picante Sauce, fresh cilantro and minced jalapenos. I remove the ribs and seeds from the jalapenos to tone down the heat a bit, but if you don’t like things spicy you can substitute green bell pepper. You can also use jarred pickled jalapenos if you prefer the flavor.
This cheese ball is delicious as is, but you can add other ingredients if you like, such as bacon, red bell pepper or corn.
This jalapeno cheddar cheese ball is the ultimate snack for any party, especially a football party. There’s nothing better than watching the game with some fun appetizers and this recipe definitely fits the bill. I like to serve the cheese ball with assorted crackers, chips, pretzels and vegetables. This one is definitely going on the menu for the big game coming up!
More delicious game day snacks
- Baked Buffalo Wings
- Cuban Sliders
- Pizza Muffins
- Irish Nachos
- Taco Cups
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 8 ounces of cream cheese softened
- ▢ 1/4 cup Medium Pace® Picante Sauce
- ▢ 2 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ▢ 2 tablespoons of minced jalapenos seeds and ribs removed. Alternatively you can use 1/4 cup of minced green bell pepper for less heat.
- ▢ 1/2 cup minced cilantro divided use
- ▢ 1 cup of crushed tortilla chips
- ▢ Chopped tomatoes for garnish optional
Instructions
- Place the cream cheese and Picante Sauce in a bowl and mix until thoroughly combined. You can use a spoon or a mixer for this step.
- Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, jalapeno and 1/4 cup cilantro.
- Place the cheese mixture onto a large sheet of plastic wrap and shape it into a ball with your hands.
- Wrap the plastic wrap around the ball of cheese and refrigerate for at least one hour or up to one day.
- Just before serving, combine the crushed tortilla chips and remaining 1/4 cup cilantro on a plate.
- Remove the plastic wrap from the cheese ball and roll it in the tortilla chip mixture.
- Serve immediately, garnished with chopped tomatoes if desired.
Nutrition
Jalapeno Cheddar Cheese Ball
Ingredients
- 8 ounces of cream cheese softened
- 1/4 cup Medium Pace® Picante Sauce
- 2 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons of minced jalapenos seeds and ribs removed. Alternatively you can use 1/4 cup of minced green bell pepper for less heat.
- 1/2 cup minced cilantro divided use
- 1 cup of crushed tortilla chips
- Chopped tomatoes for garnish optional
Instructions
- Place the cream cheese and Picante Sauce in a bowl and mix until thoroughly combined. You can use a spoon or a mixer for this step.
- Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, jalapeno and 1/4 cup cilantro.
- Place the cheese mixture onto a large sheet of plastic wrap and shape it into a ball with your hands.
- Wrap the plastic wrap around the ball of cheese and refrigerate for at least one hour or up to one day.
- Just before serving, combine the crushed tortilla chips and remaining 1/4 cup cilantro on a plate.
- Remove the plastic wrap from the cheese ball and roll it in the tortilla chip mixture.
- Serve immediately, garnished with chopped tomatoes if desired.
