Taco Cheese Ball is an easy cheesy appetizer rolled in tortilla chips! Taco seasoning and jalapeno transform ordinary cream cheese dip into a crowd pleasing party snack.
You can never have too many good appetizer recipes.Try my Beer Cheese Dip or these Layered Taco Dip next!
Why This Appetizer is Best
Hosting parties and events doesn’t have to mean hours of prep time. I love an appetizer that can be assembled at the last minute, with simple ingredients.
That’s why I’m all about sharing easy appetizer and snack recipes! Super simple dishes like Rotel Dip and crescent roll hot dogs can save the day when you’re not sure what to serve.
This Taco Cheese Ball is high on my list for all time favorite appetizers!
- You can make it ahead of time. Save some stress on the big day!
- Full of Mexican-inspired flavors.
- Rolled in tortilla chips for CRUNCH.
- Vegetarian and gluten free.
- Perfect for a crowd!
Snacks are my jam. And this classic knorr spinach dip is a a staple in my kitchen! Or give these cranberry meatballs a try next for your party!
Ingredient Notes
To make the Taco Cheese Ball, start with these ingredients:
- Cream cheese – Use the full fat kind here for that rich, tangy flavor that makes up the core of the cheese ball.
- Taco seasoning – I love the flavor of my Homemade Taco Seasoning!
- Jalapeños – Cut them in half and scrape out the seeds first to remove any sharpness or bitterness.
- Black olives – These add a salty, savory flavor to the cheese dip.
- Tortilla chips – Adds a crunchy coating to the appetizer. Swap them for Doritos for a fun twist!
For serving, we arranged fresh shredded lettuce and halved cherry tomatoes around the base of the cheese ball. They add so much color, freshness and flavor.
How to Assemble
- To shape the cheese ball: Line a bowl with plastic cling wrap. Put the cheese mixture in the bowl. Shape it into a ball using the cling wrap.
- Chill for 4 hours for best flavor: The longer the chill time, the better the flavors will mingle. The cheese ball will maintain its shape if you keep it wrapped in plastic the entire time! Remove the plastic wrap just before serving.
- Add more cheese: Go ahead and toss a handful of shredded cheddar or Monterey cheese in the dip before shaping for more cheesy goodness!
- Cover with crushed tortilla chips last: Wait to roll the cheese ball in the chips until just before serving. Otherwise, the chips will get mushy.
- Serving suggestions: Serve this dip with chips, crackers or tortilla wedges for dipping. It’s also delicious with celery sticks, carrots and sliced bell peppers.
Recipe FAQs
Taco Cheese Ball needs to chill for at least one hour before serving. This gives the flavors a chance to develop. The chilling time also helps the cheese ball hold its round shape.
Store any leftover taco cheese dip in the refrigerator. You can re-wrap it in cling wrap to return it to a spherical shape, or transfer it to an airtight container if preferred. It keeps well in the refrigerator for about a week.
Absolutely! Feel free to double, or even triple, the recipe if you have a crowd to feed.
To increase the heat, add an extra diced jalapeño or a teaspoon of crushed red pepper to the dip.
More Game Day Snacks
- This zesty taco cheese ball recipe reminds me of my favorite 7 Layer Taco dip. If you haven’t tried it yet, you totally should!
- This savory beef and onion Cheese Ball recipe is a family treasure!
- Hanky Panky’s are served at all our family events! These zesty, cheesy bites are addictive!
- Taco Tortilla Stacks: the delicious inspiration to today’s cheese ball recipe!
Taco Cheese Ball
Ingredients
- 2 packages cream cheese, softened 8 oz each
- ¼ cup taco seasoning
- 2 Tablespoons diced jalapenos seeded
- 1 can diced black olives, drained 4 oz
- 1 cup crushed tortilla chips or Doritos
- 2 cup shredded lettuce
- 1 cup cherry tomato halves
- chips and crackers for serving
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese with taco seasoning until well blended. Add in jalapenos and black olives.
- Line a 4 cup bowl with plastic wrap. Drop cheese ball into bowl and wrap the plastic around the cheese ball. Refrigerate for at least one hour (more is even better to allow the flavors to mingle).
- When ready to serve, place shredded lettuce and tomatoes on a serving platter. Fill a bowl with the crushed chips. Unwrap cheese ball and drop into bowl, pressing the chips gently onto the ball. Place cheese ball on platter and serve with extra chips and crackers ENJOY.
Notes
- To shape the cheese ball: Line a bowl with plastic cling wrap. Put the cheese mixture in the bowl. Shape it into a ball using the cling wrap.
- Chill for 4 hours for best flavor: The longer the chill time, the better the flavors will mingle. The cheese ball will maintain its shape if you keep it wrapped in plastic the entire time! Remove the plastic wrap just before serving.
- Add more cheese: Go ahead and toss a handful of shredded cheddar or Monterey cheese in the dip before shaping for more cheesy goodness!
- Cover with crushed tortilla chips last: Wait to roll the cheese ball in the chips until just before serving. Otherwise, the chips will get mushy.
- Serving suggestions: Serve this dip with chips, crackers or tortilla wedges for dipping. It’s also delicious with celery sticks, carrots and sliced bell peppers.
This looks fantastic and tasty! I can’t wait to give this a try! I’m so excited!
Perfect addition to our movie night! This has great flavor and is super easy to make too. Love it!
Cheese balls are my go to recipe for parties and this is no exception! Looking forward to serving this on New Year’s Eve!
Cheese is my JAM. And this taco take on the classic cheese ball will definitely disappear at my house!
Cheese my jam too 🙂
I couldn’t help myself from snacking if I had such a yummy cheese ball hanging around 🙂 What a great thing to bring to a summer BBQ!
This sounds great!! I am a huge snacker! I could snack all day and be happy with that. This cheese ball is calling my name. Pinned! 😉
I am so suprised you are a snack girl, considering your blog is called shugary sweets and has a cupcake as the logo! This cheese ball looks so good! Cheese balls are the best because they look amazing but aren’t that hard to make 🙂
Point taken 🙂
Already decided! Your taco for this weekend, if only it was already Friday! 🙂
Swipeable is most definitely a description! This looks like a great snack to bring to friends house for the evening!
Thanks Chandra…I’ll keep using it then 🙂
I love Cinco de Mayo since I love Mexican Food. This cheeseball would disappear in no time flat at our house. Thanks for sharing.
Yeah, it sure didn’t last long 🙂
What a great idea for a party! I would not be able to stop eating this.
I have a total love for cheeseballs. They are always so delicious and always a big hit at parties. Love this taco version….so good!
Thanks Brandy! I pretty much am attracted to all cheese balls. LOL