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Beef Bacon Jalapeño Cheese Balls

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These Beef Bacon Jalapeño Cheese Balls are a delightful appetizer that combines rich, creamy textures with the crunch of crispy bacon and the zing of jalapeños. Perfect for gatherings, they are easy to make and sure to impress your guests.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup shredded pepper jack cheese
  • 2 tbsp sour cream
  • 4 strips cooked bacon, crumbled
  • 2 jalapeños, finely chopped (seeds and membranes removed for less heat)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • ½ cup crushed Ritz crackers or panko breadcrumbs
  • ½ cup cooked bacon, crumbled
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tbsp chopped chives
  • Jalapeño slices
  • Extra parsley or chives
  • Crackers, tortilla chips, or fresh vegetable sticks

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures that your cheese balls will have a nice, crispy exterior while remaining gooey inside. While the oven warms up, prepare your mixture.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine 8 oz of softened cream cheese, 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, and ½ cup of shredded pepper jack cheese. Use a spatula to blend them together until smooth and creamy. Make sure there are no lumps for an evenly textured ball.
  3. Add in 2 tbsp of sour cream, 4 strips of crumbled cooked bacon, 2 finely chopped jalapeños (with seeds and membranes removed for less heat), 2 minced cloves of garlic, ½ tsp of smoked paprika, ½ tsp of salt, and ¼ tsp of black pepper. Mix everything thoroughly until well combined; the flavors should be evenly distributed.
  4. Once your mixture is well combined, add ½ cup of crushed Ritz crackers or panko breadcrumbs and stir until the mixture holds together. The breadcrumbs will help bind the cheese balls and give them a crispy texture when baked.
  5. Using your hands, scoop out a tablespoon of the mixture and roll it into a ball shape. Aim for about 1 inch in diameter. Place the formed balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Make sure to leave some space between each ball for even cooking.
  6. Once all the cheese balls are shaped, press a small piece of crumbled bacon into the top of each ball for garnish. This adds an extra touch of flavor and crunch.
  7. Bake the cheese balls in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until they are golden brown and slightly crispy on the outside. Keep an eye on them to avoid over-baking, which can lead to dryness.
  8. After removing them from the oven, let the cheese balls cool for about 5 minutes. This helps them set slightly, making them easier to pick up and serve.
  9. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and chives, and serve with jalapeño slices, crackers, tortilla chips, or fresh vegetable sticks for dipping. Enjoy your flavorful creation!

Nutrition

Keywords: Be mindful of the temperature of your cream cheese. It should be softened to room temperature for easy mixing. If you forget to take it out ahead of time, you can microwave it for 10-15 seconds, but watch closely to avoid melting.

Find it online: https://crumella.com/savory-beef-bacon-jalapeno-cheese-bites/