Spicy Cheese Ball
Get ready to wow your guests with this irresistible Spicy Cheese Ball—a perfect balance of creamy, zesty, and savory flavors! This no-cook appetizer combines velvety cream cheese and sharp cheddar cheese with a fiery kick from minced jalapeño, hot sauce, and crushed red pepper flakes. Infused with smoked paprika, garlic, and onion powder for depth, this cheese ball is rolled in a crunchy coating of chopped pecans, green onions, and fresh parsley for the ultimate burst of texture and color. It’s a crowd-pleasing snack that takes just 15 minutes of prep and pairs beautifully with tortilla chips, crackers, or crisp veggie sticks. Perfect for game days, holiday parties, or anytime entertaining, this spicy cheese ball will be the star of your appetizer spread!
Smart Nutrition Tracking with SnapCalorie
Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 16 oz Cream cheese
- 2 cups Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 large Jalapeño, finely minced
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon Hot sauce
- 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon Crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 cup Pecans, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons Green onions, thinly sliced
- Tortilla chips, crackers, or veggie sticks (for serving)
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese and shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Use a hand mixer or a sturdy spatula to mix thoroughly until smooth.
Add the minced jalapeño, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, hot sauce, and 1 tablespoon of fresh parsley. Mix until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
Place the cheese mixture on a sheet of plastic wrap. Gather the wrap around the mixture to shape it into a ball. Ensure it is tightly wrapped.
Refrigerate the cheese ball for at least 1 hour to firm up.
While the cheese ball is chilling, combine the chopped pecans, remaining parsley, crushed red pepper flakes, and green onions in a shallow dish or on a plate.
After chilling, unwrap the cheese ball and gently roll it in the pecan mixture, pressing lightly to ensure the outer coating adheres evenly.
Transfer to a serving plate and serve immediately with tortilla chips, crackers, or veggie sticks. Alternatively, refrigerate it again until ready to serve.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
430 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 39.9 g | 51% | |
| Saturated Fat | 18.6 g | 93% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 93 mg | 31% | |
| Sodium | 395 mg | 17% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 8.9 g | 3% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.8 g | 7% | |
| Total Sugars | 3.2 g | ||
| Protein | 12.4 g | 25% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 276 mg | 21% | |
| Iron | 1.0 mg | 5% | |
| Potassium | 187 mg | 4% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
