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    Home » Appetizers

    Jalapeño Pimento Cheese Balls

    Published: June 2, 2023 · Modified: July 12, 2023 by Kate · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    jalapeño pimento cheese balls pin.

    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.

    Cheese balls with pretzel sticks stuck in them.
    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients You'll Need
    • Step-By-Step Instructions
    • Expert Tips
    • Variations
    • Storing & Freezing
    • Recipe FAQ's
    • More Appetizer Recipes
    • Jalapeño Pimento Cheese Balls
    • #respond

    Check out my Air Fryer Corn Tortilla Chips and my Blender Salsa with Fresh Tomatoes for more appetizer recipes!

    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.

    Individual cheese balls on a plate.

    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

    Labeled ingredients for the cheese balls.
    • 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

    Steps to make the cheese balls.

    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!

    Bite taken out of a cheese ball.

    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

    How long can the cheese balls sit out?

    Since there is dairy in this it shouldn’t be left sitting unrefrigerated for longer than two hours.

    Can I make this recipe into one big cheese ball?

    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.

    What else can I roll these cheese balls in?

    Different nuts, like walnuts, almonds, or pistachios, or even chives.

    Can I use different cheeses in this recipe?

    Absolutely! Use your favorite cheeses!

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    Thumbnail of jalapeño pimento cheese balls.

    Jalapeño Pimento Cheese Balls

    5 from 2 votes
    By Kate
    Jalapeño pimento cheese balls are made with real 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. 
    Pin Recipe Print Recipe Save RecipeSaved!
    Prep 15 minutes mins
    Chill Time 1 hour hr
    Total 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins
    Servings 18
    Calories 116kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Special Equipment

    • Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
    • Measuring Spoons and Cups

    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

    Calories: 116kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 5gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 231mgPotassium: 5mgSugar: 1g

    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.

    Tried this recipe?Give it a star rating and leave a comment below!

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