Author

Heatstrokesbbq

Nick Keith Aka Heatstroke is the creator behind @heatstrokesbbq — known for bold BBQ recipes, unique food mashups, and real BBQ event coverage. From backyard smoke to restaurant spotlights, he’s all about big flavors, good vibes, and keeping it authentic. Every dish tells a story and every bite creates a memory..

A hand wearing a black glove presses a round cracker into a large, red-coated cheese ball on a plate, surrounded by more crackers. Recipe for: Spicy Pickleball Cheese Ball

There’s something about a cheese ball that just screams party time, right? It’s like the ultimate crowd-pleaser, and when you throw in some spice and crunch, you’ve got a winner on your hands. That’s exactly what inspired me to whip up this Spicy Pickleball Cheese Ball.

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Trust me, once you try it, you’ll be hooked!

Now, if you’re anything like me, you love a good snack that’s simple yet packs a punch. This cheese ball is not just easy to make but also brings together some fantastic flavors. With cream cheese, shredded cheese, pickles, jalapeños, and a little crispy bacon, we’re creating a masterpiece that’ll have your friends and family coming back for seconds-maybe even thirds.

Plus, it’s perfect for game nights, potlucks, or just a cozy evening at home.

So, let’s dive into why this cheesy delight is going to become your new favorite appetizer. It’s creamy, tangy, and oh-so-savory-each bite gives you that spicy kick you didn’t know you needed. And let’s not forget those crushed hot Cheetos on the outside.

They add an extra layer of flavor and crunch that takes this cheese ball to a whole new level. You’ll be the star of your next gathering, and I can’t wait for you to try it!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

First off, the flavors here are a match made in heaven. The creaminess of the cheese blends beautifully with the tangy crunch of pickles and the fiery kick from the jalapeños. It’s a flavor explosion that keeps your taste buds dancing.

And let’s be real-who doesn’t love a little bacon in their life? It adds a savory depth that makes this cheese ball irresistible.

A hand holds a vacuum sealer over a pile of Flamin Hot Cheetos wrapped in plastic wrap on a wooden surface.

What’s even better is how simple it is to whip up. You can throw everything together in a matter of minutes, and then let it chill in the fridge while you kick back and relax. With minimal prep and a gorgeous presentation, it’s perfect for both seasoned cooks and newbies alike.

And trust me, once you serve this to your guests, they’ll be singing your praises all night long.

Lastly, this Spicy Pickleball Cheese Ball is super versatile. You can serve it with Ritz crackers, fresh veggies, or even some tortilla chips for a fun twist. Plus, feel free to customize it according to your taste-add more spice if you’re feeling adventurous or throw in some herbs for an extra kick.

It’s all about making it your own, and I can’t wait for you to get started!

Ingredients & Tools You’ll Need

Alright, let’s talk about what you’ll need to make this cheese ball come to life. For starters, you’ll need some cream cheese-make sure to let it soften a bit before you start mixing. We’re also going to load up on shredded cheese; I usually go heavy on the cheese here because, let’s be honest, more cheese is always better.

You’ll also need pickles and jalapeños-chop them up nice and fine, so they blend into the cheese mix perfectly. And don’t forget the bacon; it’s crispy, savory, and just plain awesome. Finally, grab a bag of hot Cheetos for that crunchy exterior that’ll have everyone asking for your secret ingredient.

You’ll also want some plastic wrap to shape the cheese ball and a bowl for mixing.

A person wearing black gloves is pressing a large ball of cheese or dip into a pile of bright orange crushed chips on a wooden board.

How To Make It

Making this Spicy Pickleball Cheese Ball is as fun as it is delicious. We’ll start by prepping everything, and then we’ll mix it all together to form our cheesy masterpiece. So, roll up your sleeves and let’s get to it!

Preparation

First things first, let’s get that cream cheese nice and soft. I usually take it out of the fridge about an hour before I start so it’s easy to mix. While that’s softening, go ahead and shred your cheeses.

I recommend using a mix of cheddar and pepper jack for that spicy kick, but you can use whatever you have on hand.

Next, chop up your pickles, jalapeños, and crispy bacon. Aim for a fine chop, so you get all those flavors in every bite. Once everything is prepped, it’s time to mix!

Grab a large bowl and toss in the cream cheese, shredded cheese, pickles, jalapeños, and bacon. Mix it all together until it’s well combined. It’s a little messy, but that’s the fun part!

A gloved hand holds a cracker topped with a creamy cheese spread and crushed bright red chips, in front of a large cheese ball coated in the same crushed chips.

Once the cheese ball has chilled, it’s time for the fun part. Smash up some hot Cheetos in a bag until they’re nice and crumbly. Unwrap your cheese ball and roll it around in the crushed Cheetos until it’s completely coated.

A metal mixing bowl containing cream cheese, chopped pickles, and crumbled bacon sits on a wooden surface, ready to be mixed together.

This adds that crunch we’re all craving. After that, you’re ready to serve!

Serving & Variations

When it comes to serving this Spicy Pickleball Cheese Ball, I like to keep it simple. A platter of Ritz crackers is a classic choice, but feel free to get creative! Fresh veggies like carrots and celery make for a healthy option, and tortilla chips add a fun twist.

A person chopping cooked bacon into small pieces on a white cutting board with a black knife.

You could even serve it with some spicy salsa for an extra kick.

If you’re feeling adventurous, try adding different ingredients to customize your cheese ball. Swap out the jalapeños for diced green chiles or mix in some chopped herbs like dill or chives. You could also play around with the types of cheese you use for different flavors.

And don’t worry about leftovers; this cheese ball stores well in the fridge for a few days, so you can enjoy it for snacking later!

So there you have it-your new go-to appetizer for any occasion! This Spicy Pickleball Cheese Ball is bound to impress your friends and family, and it’s so easy to make that you’ll want to whip it up again and again. I can already see it disappearing faster than a cold beer in July!

Recipe created by Nick Keith for Trust Me Try It.

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A gloved hand presses a round cracker into a large, dome-shaped cheese ball coated with bright red crumbs, with more crackers arranged around it on a plate.

Spicy Pickleball Cheese Ball

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 20

Total Time: 20

Servings:

Ingredients

16 oz Cream Cheese softened
1 1/2 C Pepper Jack Cheese shredded
1/2 C Cheddar Cheese shredded
1/2 C Dill Pickles finely chopped
1/2 C Pickled Jalapeños finely chopped
2 TBSP Pickle Juice
2 TBSP Ranch Powder
6 slices Bacon cooked and finely chopped
1/4 bag Hot Cheetos crushed
Ritz Crackers for serving

Instructions

Let cream cheese soften and shred your cheeses
Chop pickles, jalapeños and bacon
Mix together all ingredients excluding the hot Cheetos, form it into a ball, wrap in plastic wrap and put in the fridge for 2 hours
Smash up some Cheetos and roll the ball around
Serve with Ritz