Jalapeño Pimento Cheese Balls are made with cheddar cheese, cream cheese and chopped pecans. They are such a great party appetizer for the holidays. They’ve got the same classic cheese ball flavor, in bite sized form.
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These jalapeño pimento cheese balls are served “on a stick” with a pretzel stick stuck in the middle of them. They have the same great flavor of a classic cheese ball, but this way they’re even easier for guests to enjoy. These little mini cheese balls are not only cute, they’re totally practical.
They are an ideal party snack or appetizer because they are made in advance and you don't need to heat them up.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- These cheese balls make the perfect holiday appetizer for any occasion! It is sure to be a crowd pleaser.
- Perfectly seasoned and so easy to make!
- Perfect to share with your friends and family at all of your holiday parties!
- Made with cheddar cheese, cream cheese, jalapeños and chopped pecans.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Reduced Fat Cheddar Cheese: I like sharp cheddar the best.
- Light Cream Cheese: The key ingredient to a good cheese ball.
- Light Mayo: Use a good quality brand since it is the base of the spread.
- Garlic Powder, Cayenne Pepper, Onion Powder, Salt and Pepper: For added seasoning.
- Jalapeños: Seeded and finely chopped.
- Pimentos: Usually found in the condiment isle.
- Bacon: Cooked and chopped.
- Pecans: Chop them finely so the cheeseball is easier to serve.
- Pretzel Sticks: Makes a great handle for the cheese balls.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: In a large bowl mix cheese, cream cheese, mayo, all seasonings, jalapeño, and pimentos until well combined. Cover and chill in refrigerator for 1 hour.
Step 2: In a shallow dish, combine bacon and pecans and mix well.
Step 3: Roll cheese mixture into a ball and roll in the bacon pecan mixture until well coated.
Step 4: Insert a pretzel stick in the center just before serving.
NOTE: You can print the FULL recipe with all ingredients & detailed instructions below!
Expert Tips
- If you don't like mayo, you can substitute for sour cream.
- Be sure the cream cheese is at room temperature or you’ll have a really hard time mixing.
- Purchase a block of cheese and shred it for better flavor without additives.
- Chop the pecans into small bits, that way they’ll coat better.
- Don’t skip the chill step or you likely won’t be able to shape the mixture into a ball.
- Keep the cheese balls uniform in size is by scooping them with a cookie scoop.
- Be gentle pushing in the pretzel sticks or they'll snap in half.
Variations
- Add a dash or two of hot sauce or sriracha for a kick if you enjoy spice.
- Try changing up the types of cheese. Mild cheddar, sharp cheddar, Mexican, Colby Jack or Monterey Jack cheese are all great options.
- Adding scallions, cranberries and bell pepper give extra flavor.
- Try rolling the balls in a variety of topping like finely chopped parsley, chives, dried cranberries, or crumbled bacon.
Storing & Freezing
Storing: Place covered cheese balls in the refrigerator. They should last up to a week.
Freezing: Wrap the cheese balls well in plastic wrap (without pretzels) and place it in a freezer safe zip top bags. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and add pretzel sticks once completely thawed.
Recipe FAQ's
Since there is dairy in this it shouldn’t be left sitting unrefrigerated for longer than two hours.
Absolutely! Follow the first two steps, then mold the cream cheese mixture into one big ball. Then cover the whole thing in the pecan bacon mixture.
Different nuts, like walnuts, almonds, or pistachios, or even chives.
Absolutely! Use your favorite cheeses!
More Appetizer Recipes
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Jalapeño Pimento Cheese Balls
Ingredients
- 2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 8 ounces light cream cheese room temperature
- ⅓ cup light mayonnaise
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1-2 jalapeños seeded and minced
- 4 ounces pimentos
- 4 slices bacon cooked and finely diced
- 1 cup pecans finely diced
- 18 pretzel sticks
Instructions
- In a large bowl mix cheese, cream cheese, mayo, all seasonings, jalapeño, and pimentos until well combined. Cover and chill in refrigerator for 1 hour.
- In a shallow dish combine bacon and pecans and mix well.
- Roll cheese mixture into ball and roll in bacon pecan mixture until well coated.
- Insert a pretzel stick in the center just before serving.
Notes
- If you don’t like mayo, you can substitute for sour cream.
- Be sure the cream cheese is at room temperature or you’ll have a really hard time mixing.
- Purchase a block of cheese and shred it for better flavor without additives.
- Chop the pecans into small bits, that way they’ll coat better.
- Don’t skip the chill step or you likely won’t be able to shape the mixture into a ball.
- Keep the cheese balls uniform in size is by scooping them with a cookie scoop.Be gentle pushing in the pretzel sticks or they’ll snap in half.
- cheese balls in the refrigerator. They should last up to a week.
- Freezing: Wrap the cheese balls well in plastic wrap (without pretzels) and place it in a freezer safe zip top bags. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and add pretzel sticks once completely thawed.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
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