What party isn’t complete without cheese, bacon, and spice? Mini Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball Bites are spicy little appetizers perfect for entertaining.

It’s not often that I entertain people at my place. It’s not that I don’t enjoy having people over; it’s usually because someone else is hosting. Being the good invitee that I am, I rarely show up empty-handed. Sometimes it’s planned that everyone brings food. Other times I just want to make something to share. Although I’m usually the dessert queen, there are times I bring something savory. Most of the time it’s buffalo chicken dip, but that recipe is so popular, everybody else brings it too. Not that there’s anything wrong with that (and there are never, ever any leftovers no matter how much you bring), but sometimes you just want to add a little more variety to the table.
When I think of entertaining appetizers, I think of jalapeno poppers. And although I don’t like to eat actual stuffed jalapenos (bad experience – did you know some jalapenos are much spicier than others?), I do love to take chopped jalapenos, bacon, cream cheese, and cheddar cheese and turn them into other recipes – Jalapeno Popper Dip. Jalapeno Popper Fettuccine Alfredo. Jalapeno Popper Corn Chowder. The idea for these Mini Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball Bites happened when I started thinking of cheesy appetizer ideas. My family loves to eat cheese ball on crackers and thought, why not do a jalapeno popper version? It’s almost like an inside out jalapeno popper if you think about it. Instead of the peppers holding the cheese, the cheese holds the peppers. I thought about doing a big cheese ball, but when you have one hand holding a plate full of food, it’s a little clunky to grab a knife and spread it onto crackers. Mini cheese balls make it much easier to serve. Not only are they portioned out into cracker-sized bites, you aren’t holding up the line fighting with the spreader. And nobody likes to wait in line for food while you are fighting with the spreader. Just trust me on that.

I was quite excited to make these Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball Bites for the first time. I don’t know about you, but I always make an extra slice of bacon to snack on while I crumble up the remaining for the recipe. Otherwise I tend to never have enough. I was a little hesitant on adding the seeds from the jalapeno. Like I mentioned earlier, I had a bad experience with super ridiculously hot peppers. My advice is you can always add the seeds but can’t really take them out. Make the mixture, taste test, then add more heat if necessary.

If there’s one thing I’m certain of, it’s that no party is complete without cheese. Can you honestly think of a time where a party didn’t have cheese (unless it was a vegan party)? In this recipe I used Boar’s Head Vermont Cheddar Cheese as it was a natural pairing for jalapeno poppers. What makes Boar’s Head a great cheese to use is that their premium products contain no fillers, no by-products, no artificial colors or flavors, no gluten, and zero grams of trans fat per serving. They have been around for more than 100 years and have been unwilling to compromise on quality and on profits before excellence.

The best way to serve these mini cheese balls is with crackers. Put one ball on top of a cracker and squish it down. Or just pop them into your mouth, one by one. They are quite addicting so if you don’t have enough willpower while making them, you may need to double the recipe. Just in case.

If you’re a huge cheese fanatic, be sure to stop by Boar’s Head website to discover new cheeses and build your ideal cheese board. Then you can print a shopping list to recreate your cheese board at home.

Mini Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball Bites
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (I used Boar's Head Vermont Cheddar)
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 cup minced jalapeno (seeds and membrane optional for heat)
- 1/4 cup crumbled bacon
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together 1 cup cheddar cheese, cream cheese, onion powder, garlic powder, jalapeno, and bacon. Using a #60 small cookie scoop or by hand, roll the mixture into 1-inch balls.
- In another bowl, add the remaining 1 cup cheese. Roll each ball into the cheese, covering as much as you can. Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving with crackers.
Want More Cheesy Recipes?

Bacon Cheddar Cheese Ball

Jalapeno Popper Dip
Jalapeno Popper Fettuccine Alfredo
Goat Cheese, Bacon, and Pistachio Truffles
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Boar’s Head. As always, thank you for reading and supporting brands I work with, which helps keep Chocolate Moosey running.
Suzie says
Are the chips and coconut in the instructions a typo?
Carla Cardello says
Oops, good catch! I was copying and pasting text so I didn’t have to retype some of the instructions.
ashley - baker by nature says
Oh these look SO good! Love all the spicy/cheesy goodness going on in these bites :)
Kate @ Diethood says
Such perfect bites! Cheesy, spicy and bacony – YES, please!
Cathy Pollak ~ Noble Pig says
I am seriously in LOVE and lust with these little bites. My favorite flavors all balled up together!! Pinning!!
Carol at Wild Goose Tea says
I think you have a winner here. Cheese and crackers are ALWAYS popular. You added some snap! I don’t have people over often either. I like people to come over. Like you I am the invitee. No complaints about that of course.
Becca from It's Yummi! says
This is the perfect snack for football game food! LOVE!
Jenny Flake says
Best snacks ever! Love these flavors!
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says
Yum! This is an amazing way to enjoy jalapeno poppers without having to assemble and bake them. And of course mini cheese balls are always awesome.
Karly says
I would be the weirdo shoving all of these little balls of goodness in my mouth at once. No shame.
Diane {Created by Diane} says
OMG I want to come right over and eat them all!!! I would LOVE these. It’s a MUST MAKE :)
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
I am seriously obsessed with Boar’s Head. Their Havarti is amazeballs. I can’t wait to give this recipe a go. Pinned.
Nutmeg Nanny says
I love these little cheeseballs! So spicy and delicious.
Jen @ Jen's Favorite Cookies says
These look so yummy!! I’m considering holding a party, and inviting you, just so you’ll bring some of these!
Lindsey | Cafe Johnsonia says
Those are darling! Filing it away for the holiday season when I’m always looking for great appetizer recipes to take to parties and such. Love this so much, Carla!
Stacy says
Never mind the crackers. Just pass me those spicy cheese balls, please. What a great idea, Carla, and I have to agree, no party is complete without cheese.
Kate @FramedCooks says
These are DEFINITELY going on my football-to-make list – it might even persuade me to sit in there with the game on! As long as these babies last, anyway. Pinned!