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Bacon Jalapeño Popper Cheese Balls

Bacon Jalapeño Popper Cheese Balls: Irresistibly Crunchy Bites

Bacon Jalapeño Popper Cheese Balls are a delightful blend of crispy bacon, zesty jalapeños, and creamy cheese that makes for irresistible appetizers.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Chilling Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 12 balls
Course: Appetizers
Cuisine: American
Calories: 120
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Cheese Mixture
  • 8 oz Cream Cheese softened; optional: Neufchâtel for lighter version
  • 1 cup Cheddar Cheese shredded; can substitute with Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack
  • ½ cup Bacon cooked and chopped; omit for vegetarian option
  • ½ cup Jalapeños diced; increase for more heat
  • 1 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1 tsp Onion Powder
For the Coating
  • 1 cup Panko Breadcrumbs regular breadcrumbs can be used if necessary
Optional Garnishes
  • Fresh Herbs or Additional Jalapeños for garnish; adds color and flavor

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • Cookie Scoop
  • Baking sheet
  • plastic wrap
  • shallow bowl

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine 8 ounces of softened cream cheese, 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, ½ cup of cooked bacon (chopped), ½ cup of diced jalapeños, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon of onion powder. Mix until well incorporated.
  2. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for about 1 hour.
  3. Use a cookie scoop or your hands to form the mixture into 1-inch balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  4. Roll each cheese ball in 1 cup of Panko breadcrumbs until fully coated.
  5. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and bake the cheese balls for 15 to 20 minutes until golden brown.
  6. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ballCalories: 120kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 5gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 3.5gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 200mgPotassium: 120mgSugar: 1gVitamin A: 200IUCalcium: 100mgIron: 1mg

Notes

Chill the cheese mixture for at least one hour to ensure firmness when forming the balls. You can prepare these cheese balls up to 24 hours in advance.

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