Description
A fun and flavorful Jalapeño Popper Football Cheese Ball, perfect for game day. This creamy, spicy, and smoky appetizer is coated in crunchy pecans and shaped like a football.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz Cream Cheese
- 1 cup Cheddar Cheese
- 1 cup Monterey Jack Cheese
- 1/2 cup Pickled Jalapeños
- 1 Fresh Jalapeño
- 2 Green Onions
- 6 oz Bacon
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 cup Pecans
- Monterey Jack cheese strips for laces
Instructions
- Cook bacon until crispy, then cool and chop.
- Mix chopped pecans, fresh jalapeño, and half the bacon in a bowl. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine softened cream cheese, cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, pickled jalapeños, green onion, garlic powder, and remaining bacon. Mix well.
- Shape the cheese mixture into a football on a serving tray.
- Press the pecan mixture onto the cheese ball, covering it completely.
- Cut strips of Monterey Jack cheese to form football laces on top.
- Serve immediately with crackers or chips.
Notes
- For a milder flavor, deseed the fresh jalapeño.
- You can substitute pecans with walnuts or almonds.
- Garnish with extra chopped green onions for added color.
- This cheese ball is gluten-free.
- Ensure cream cheese is softened for a smooth mixture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 16 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Cheese Ball
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g Polyunsaturated Fat, 10 g Monounsaturated Fat
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg