Ghost Pepper Cheese Ball
For those that like a little extra spice in their life, this Ghost Pepper Cheese Ball is made for you! Tangy cream cheese combined with ghost pepper powder and a savory blend of spices make the perfect spicy addition to your spread!
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Looking for a spicy snack for heat-seeking guests? This Ghost Pepper Cheese Ball is the perfect fiery appetizer!
This cheese ball is full of well-balanced flavor because the spicy ghost pepper powder perfectly complements the cream cheese and spices in this recipe.
If you have been subscribed to Flavorful Eats for a while now, I’m sure you’ve noticed that my family and I really enjoy spicy food!
If you clicked on the Ghost Pepper Cheese Ball title and didn’t run for the hills, welcome home!
This ball of cheesy, spicy goodness is not just spicy; it’s also savory, smoky, and super flavorful.
It’s exploding with amazing flavors, that when combined with the richness of cream cheese, creates a perfect bite!
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Ingredients needed for this recipe (scroll down to recipe card for complete recipe):
- Cream cheese
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Chili powder
- Smoked paprika
- Ghost pepper powder
- Optional exterior: minced jalapeno, shredded cheese, nuts, etc.
How spicy is this cheese ball?
I would say that if you like your chicken wings above just “hot” and want your hot sauce to have more of a kick than traditional Tabasco or Cholula, this shouldn’t be too spicy for you.
Furthermore, according to an online Scoville Scale, a jalapeno has a range of 2,500-8,000, a habanero 100,000-350,000, and a ghost pepper is 855,000-1,041,427.
That being said, the amount of ghost pepper powder you choose to use affects how spicy the end result will be.
Looking for more spicy recipes? Here are some favorites:
- Habanero Garlic Pickles
- Spicy Baked Chicken Legs
- Fiery Habanero Hot Sauce (pictured below)
- Spicy Chipotle Hummus
- Roasted Tomato Habanero Salsa
- Habanero Garlic Rice
Looking for more cheese balls?
Lemon Cheesecake Cheese Ball is great for those wanting a dessert cheese ball.
Jalapeno Bacon Swiss Cheese Ball is a less-spicy option if the ghost pepper is too hot.
How to store leftover cheese ball?
Keep leftover cheese ball in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can also wrap it securely in plastic wrap.
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NOTES:
- Ghost pepper powder can be hard to find. You can get it HERE from Amazon.
- I usually roll my cheese balls in shredded cheese, minced jalapeno, and/or bacon, but I really wanted the flavors of this cheese ball to shine, so I went with a simple shredded cheese exterior. Feel free to replace it with a traditional nut coating, or if you prefer, let it go naked with no outside coating!
- Smoked paprika is what gives this cheese ball its wonderful smoky flavor that really goes hand-in-hand with the other spices, so please don’t skip it!
Ghost Pepper Cheese Ball
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/8 tsp ghost pepper powder
- 1/4 cup Optional exterior: minced jalapeno, shredded cheese, chopped nuts
Instructions
- Add cream cheese and spices to a medium bowl. Use the hand mixer to mix everything together until it's combined very well, being sure to scrape the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula.
- Refrigerate for 30-45 minutes so the flavors can develop and infuse the cream cheese.
- Take the cream cheese mixture out of the fridge and form it into a ball. I like to use my hands and roll it like a giant meatball. When you like the shape of your cheese ball you can leave it as is, or press some minced jalapeno, nuts, or shredded cheese to the exterior. Refrigerate until you're ready to eat. Serve with your favorite crackers and a cheese knife to make serving easier. Enjoy!
Did you make this recipe? Let me know in the comments below! ♥
I also have a fun Facebook group for us foodies to share recipes and talk about food. I’d love to have you! Request to join HERE. Cheers!
Flavorful Eats is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
