Description
An impressive yet easy-to-make appetizer shaped like a football, featuring a creamy base of cream cheese, sharp cheddar, bacon, and jalapeños, coated in green-crushed crackers to resemble grass.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces softened cream cheese
- 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup crispy bacon bits (cooked and crumbled)
- 1/2 cup diced jalapeños, drained
- 3 stalks green onions, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers
- 2–3 drops green food coloring (gel)
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- 2 tablespoons plain cream cheese (for laces)
Instructions
- Crush Ritz crackers into fine crumbs and mix with green food coloring in a shallow bowl.
- In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, cheddar, bacon, jalapeños, green onions, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth.
- Shape the mixture into an oblong football (8-9 inches long) on parchment paper. Wrap tightly and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- Remove cheese ball from fridge and brush lightly with melted butter.
- Roll the chilled football in the green crumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
- Pipe laces and yard lines onto the football using plain cream cheese in a piping bag or ziplock bag with the corner snipped.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to set the details before serving.
Notes
Drain jalapeños thoroughly to prevent a runny texture. Use gel food coloring for better results. The cheese ball is best made the night before to allow flavors to meld and to firm up. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 oz portion
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 320
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Protein: 6
Keywords: game day snacks, football cheese ball, party appetizer, bacon cheese ball, jalapeño cheese ball, easy party food, super bowl snacks