This spicy cheese ball recipe is a perfect party appetizer. It’s one of those yummy appetizers that’s perfect for holiday parties, Halloween parties, and whenever you need easy appetizer recipes.
This cream cheese ball recipe is not a boring cheeseball. Three key ingredients give is a spicy punch of flavor: hot sauce, pepper jack cheese and the outside is rolled in Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.
It’s not crazy spicy but has just the right amount of flavor to make it the favorite thing to serve at gatherings. Always a crowd pleaser.
Cheese balls are an old school appetizer that’s perfect for gatherings. Softened cream cheese is mixed with other tasty ingredients, formed into a ball shape, chilled and served with anything from pita chips to your favorite crackers.
It’s a crowd favorite and definitely one for the holiday appetizers list. A great addition to a fall charcuterie board too!
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Recipe Ingredients Notes
For the complete ingredient list and amounts, refer to the printable recipe card at the end of the post.
Cream cheese. You’ll need one 8-ounce block of cream cheese. It will need to be softened or at room temperature before starting the recipe to ensure all the ingredients mix well together. Use full fat cream cheese.
Sour cream. This adds more creamy consistency and tangy flavor to the cheese ball.
Hot sauce. You’ll use a tablespoon of your favorite hot sauce. This may seem like alot but once mixed with the other ingredients it’s just right!
Garlic powder and Onion Powder. Adds more flavor and complements the spicy notes.
Shredded sharp cheddar cheese. When using cheese for melting I always recommend grating your own cheese. In this case you can grate it yourself or use store-bought shredded cheese. I love Tillamook Farmstyle shredded cheese which has no anti-caking agent added. One cup will be used.
Shredded Pepper Jack cheese. I don’t think this is available already shredded from the store so you’ll need to shred this yourself. You’ll need 1 cup.
Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. This is pulverized and the cream cheese ball is rolled in it before serving. You’ll need 2 cups of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos (before being crushed) that will then be made into crumbs.
We recommend using a food processor for finer crumbs. If you want more texture on the outside of the cheese ball place the Cheetos in a gallon Ziploc bag, cover with a kitchen towel and use a rolling pin to breakdown the Cheetos into crumbs (photo 1 below).
How to make it
STEP 1. Combine ingredients
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment or in a large mixing bowl with an electric hand mixer, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, hot sauce, garlic powder and onion powder. Beat to fully combine (photo 2).
Fold in the shredded cheeses (photo 3).
STEP 2. Make a ball
Spoon the cheese ball mixture onto a sheet of plastic wrap (photo 4). Shape into a ball and wrap snuggly with the plastic wrap (photo 5).
STEP 3. Chill
Place in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours (better longer or overnight). This allows the ingredients blend together, to firm up and the cheese ball to develop a more firm consistency.
STEP 4. Coat and serve
When ready to serve, remove the cheese ball from the refrigerator and roll in the Flamin’ Hot Cheetos crumbs to coat (photo 6). Serve with crackers of your choice and a cheese spreader for adding some to crackers.
Variations
Cheese ball recipes are very easy to change up. Take our Mexican Cheese Ball or Dill Green Onion Cheese Ball as examples.
Change the outside coating. You can coat the outside with different crushed chips, finely chopped pecans, sesame seeds, crushed potato chips, crushed Ritz crackers and more.
Make mini cream cheese balls. Instead of rolling the ingredients into one large cheese ball, roll it into several 1-inch diameter small balls and add a pretzel stick. Great individual appetizers (think finger foods) for your next gathering.
Change the filling ingredients. Choose a different type (or types) or pre-shredded cheese to swap in to make this delicious cheeseball your own homemade cheeseball blend!
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover cheese ball in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
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Recipe
Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Cream Cheese Ball
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese (full fat) softened
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
- 2 cups Flamin’ Hot Cheetos crushed (see NOTES)
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment or in a large mixing bowl with an electric hand mixer, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, hot sauce, garlic powder and onion powder. Beat to fully combine.8 ounces cream cheese (full fat), ½ cup sour cream, 1 tablespoon hot sauce, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Fold in the shredded cheeses to fully combine.1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
- Spoon the cheese ball mixture onto a sheet of plastic wrap. Shape into a ball and wrap snuggly with the plastic wrap.
- Place in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours (better longer or overnight). This allows the ingredients blend together, to firm up and the cheese ball to develop a more firm consistency.
- When ready to serve, remove the cheese ball from the refrigerator and roll in the Flamin' Hot Cheetos crumbs to coat. Serve with crackers of your choice and a cheese spreader for adding to crackers.2 cups Flamin’ Hot Cheetos
Notes
- Change the outside coating. You can coat the outside with different crushed chips, finely chopped pecans, sesame seeds, crushed potato chips, crushed Ritz crackers and more.
- Make mini cream cheese balls. Instead of rolling the ingredients into one large cheese ball, roll it into several 1-inch diameter small balls and add a pretzel stick. Great individual appetizers (think finger foods) for your next gathering.
- Change the filling ingredients. Choose a different type (or types) or pre-shredded cheese to swap in to make this delicious cheeseball your own homemade cheeseball blend!
Michi says
Hi, and thank you for sharing such an easy well blended recipe that is so versatile. I have made this a variety of ways since the first time using your recipe as written, and honestly they have all been a hit! For those that love the spicer side of life, I did add some Cowgirl candy to the mix of this original recipe as an after. Thought I would share just in case anyone loves that sweet and spicy! I have the guest add it to their own after spreading it on their own piece of numminess since I know that not everyone loves that spiciness. It just adds a lil something something, you know?
Again, my thanks to you for sharing this recipe that helps me look like a rockstar in my kitchen!
Toni Dash says
Thank you Michi for your kind words and sharing your variations! I looked up Cowgirl Candy and it sounds like a great addition! Thanks again for sharing.
Kristyn says
My kids are all over this!! They love hot Cheetos, so you better believe this was a hit!! This will be great for all the upcoming holiday parties!
Pam says
My teens were obsessed with this!!
Casey says
This has become a family favorite and a ‘required’ recipe for Sunday football watching. It’s so good!
Chenee says
This was incredible! I made it for movie night and it was gone before the movie was even half over!
Kelley says
I made this the other day for a snack for movie night and wow this was so good! My guest devoured this!
Janine says
I LOVE flamin hotcheetos, so this cheese ball was right up my alley! Made it for a Halloween gathering last night and it was a hit!
Andrea says
The addition of flaming hot Cheetos takes this cheeseball over the top in the best way. My family has requested this every Sunday for football watching.
Sarah Skaggs says
Made this for a get-together and everyone loved it. Especially the teenagers. It was all gone.