Jalapeno Popper Football Cheeseball

This easy cheeseball recipe mixes cream cheese, cheddar, bacon, and fresh jalapenos into a creamy jalapeno popper cheeseball that's full of bold flavor. It works as a classic party dip or can be shaped into a fun Football Cheeseball for game day if you want something extra festive. You'll get simple tips to help you turn it into the best cheeseball recipe ever, whether you keep it round or make it a Football Shaped Cheeseball. Pin this recipe now so you always have a quick, crowd-friendly appetizer ready whenever you need it.

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Why this is the best jalapeno popper football cheeseball recipe

This Jalapeño Popper Football Cheeseball is versatile. It's perfect for any game day, tailgating, or Super Bowl party, but you can easily shape it into a classic round cheeseball for any occasion.

This jalapeno popper cheeseball recipe is absolutely delicious! The combination of creamy whipped cheese with sharp cheddar cheese and bacon with spicy jalapenos is absolutely divine! But the flavors keep coming: you add more chopped bacon to the outside of the cheeseball.

This recipe makes the best appetizer, anytime! Every bite is filled with tasty cream cheesy flavor with a hint of spice that will delight both kids and adults alike. No one will want to stop at a few bites of this bacon-topped cheeseball.

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This is a quick and easy recipe for game day, potluck, or holiday gatherings. Start by making your cheeseball base with softened cream cheese and sour cream, and add a few spices. Mix crumbled bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, and jalapeno peppers into the cheese filling. Form into a football shape (or any shape of your choice!) and chill for an hour, then top with crumbled bacon. That's all there is to it!

The ingredients for the dish are common and easy to find. You likely already have most of the simple ingredients for this easy cheeseball recipe in your pantry. If you need an ingredient or two, you can easily find them in most local grocery stores or on Amazon!

This jalapeno popper football cheeseball recipe tastes amazing! This cheeseball is absolutely delicious! Serve with crackers, baguette slices, or veggie dippers for a delicious appetizer any time!

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What you'll need to make a football cheeseball

Equipment

• Disposable gloves - If you're going to use fresh hot peppers, I suggest wearing disposable gloves and washing your hands well after removing them. Hot peppers contain an oil called capsaicin that is hard to wash off and burns sensitive skin like eyes and lips. If you rub your eyes or use the bathroom before you've washed the capsaicin off, whatever the oil touches will burn for hours. You've been warned.
• Electric mixer - You can make this with a really sturdy whisk, but you will never be able to whip the cream cheese to make it light and fluffy without an electric mixer.
• Plastic wrap - You need plastic wrap to form the football shape and also to prevent the surface from drying out when you chill it.

Ingredients

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See the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page for all measurements and nutritional information.

• Full fat cream cheese - This is the base that holds everything together. It gives the cheeseball that rich, creamy texture and just a hint of tang. Go with full-fat if you can because it makes a big difference in flavor and structure. The cream cheese needs to be softened.
• Sour cream - A little sour cream keeps the mixture smooth and easy to shape. It also adds a nice tangy note that balances out the heat. If you don't have any, plain Greek yogurt works too.
• Garlic powder - This brings subtle, savory depth without taking over the flavor. It rounds everything out perfectly, allowing the cheese and jalapeño to really shine.
• Onion powder - Same as the garlic powder.
• Kosher salt - This brings out the flavor of the other ingredients.
• Black pepper - Grind this fresh, if you can.
• Fresh jalapeños - The jalapeños give this cheeseball its signature popper-style flavor. Use 2 peppers for a milder heat or 3 (or more) for a bolder, spicier kick. I remove the seeds and membranes to reduce the heat level. They'll still be plenty spicy for most people.
• Shredded sharp cheddar cheese - The sharper the better, in my opinion, but you can use any cheddar or really, any shredded cheese.
• Cooked and chopped bacon - Salty and crisp, some is mixed into the cream cheese mixture and some will be pressed on the outside to make the cheeseball football-colored.
• Sliced provolone cheese - This is used for the football laces; its pale color makes the design stand out against the chopped bacon.
• Whole green onions - These are ideal for a fresh garnish and a pop of color on the football.

How to make Football-Shaped Cheeseball

1. In a large bowl, beat two blocks of softened cream cheese and sour cream with a hand mixer on medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 1 minute.
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2. Add garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and ground black pepper, then mix again to combine evenly.
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3. Stir in finely diced jalapeños, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and one-third of the chopped bacon (4 strips pre-chopping). Fold everything together with a rubber spatula until fully incorporated.
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4. Lay out a large piece of plastic wrap on your counter. Place the cheese mixture in the center and wrap with the plastic wrap. Shape it into a football by rounding the sides and tapering the ends. Make sure it is securely wrapped, then chill in the refrigerator for about 1 hour or until it firms up.
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5. Once the cheeseball is chilled and firm, unwrap it and gently press the remaining chopped cooked bacon over the entire surface to create a uniform coating for the football.
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6. On a cutting board, cut the provolone cheese into strips. Slice one long piece for the center lace and four shorter strips to go across it. (See photos.) Then cut two slightly wider strips (about ½ inch thick) for the white stripes on each end of the football.
7. Place the long lace strip down the center of the cheeseball, add the four smaller cross strips evenly across it, and finish by pressing the two wider end stripes near each tip of the football. Press them gently so they stick to the bacon surface.
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8. If desired, sprinkle sliced green onions over the football for a bit of color. Press into the bacon so they don't fall off.
9. Chill again for at least another hour to set the shape and let flavors blend.
10. Before serving, allow the cheeseball to sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes to soften slightly. Serve with crackers, baguette slices, or veggie dippers.
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Substitutions & variations

This recipe for cheeseball is amazing just as it is, but you can always make a few adjustments.

If you don't care about the football look you can coat the cheeseball with crushed crackers, seasoned breadcrumbs, crushed pretzels, or crispy onions.

You can add chopped pecans, almonds, or walnuts for a little crunch, or roll the nuts in hot honey and use them to coat the cheeseball.

If you're looking for an individual serving idea, you can make mini football cheeseball balls instead of a big one.

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Storing leftovers

Any cheeseball is best served within 30 minutes after removing from the refrigerator. Do not leave out for more than 2 hours.

Wrap the cheeseball tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Same process for leftovers.

You can prepare and shape the cheeseball up to 24 hours ahead, and it will taste better the longer it sits. Add the bacon coating and provolone laces just before serving for the freshest look.

The finished cheeseball should be firm enough to hold its football shape but soft enough to spread easily.

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Check out more delicious game day recipes

• 26 Best Easy Super Bowl Appetizers
• Buffalo Cheese Ball
• Mild Frank's RedHot Buffalo Chicken Dip
• Hot Pepperoni Dip
• Loaded Tater Tots Tachos
• Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Taquitos
• Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
• Smoky BBQ Chicken Sliders
• Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers

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