Cheesy with a hint of Mexican flavors, Nacho Cheese Ball is loved by everyone. The crunchy nacho chip coating makes it a standout appetizer.
Easy Doritos Cheese Ball
This Easy Nacho Cheese Ball with Doritos totally surpassed my expectations. And, there are so many fun ways you can serve and style this bright orange ball of tasty.
The filling is creamy and dreamy with a little taco flavor. Add taco toppings that you love to make it yours. Green onions and a little jalapeno were tasty in mine. I was wishing I had some black olives to throw in, but...didn't!
Choose your dippers! I love Frito Scoops and cucumber slices with this cheese ball, but my other taste testers also enjoyed red peppers and regular old tortilla chips. You pick!
All I can tell you is that my middle child and I were a little ashamed of how quickly we ate the whole thing. It's that good.
This easy cheese ball recipe is a great appetizer and will be a huge hit for the holiday season or your next game day.
Ingredients
Simple ingredients combine for a taco-rific cheese ball.
- Cream Cheese, softened
- Taco Cheese or Sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded--divided
- Taco Seasoning--or simply use spices including cumin, chili powder, garlic salt, garlic powder, etc
- Green Onion, diced--divided
- Jalapenos, diced (optional)
- Doritos, crushed into fine crumbs--place in baggy and crush with a rolling pin
- More shredded cheese and green onions for outside
- Dippers--veggies, Frito Scoops, tortilla chips, etc.
How to make Taco Cheese Ball Recipe
- In a medium bowl, combine softened cream cheese, shredded cheese (reserve ½ cup for outside of cheese ball), cumin, chili powder, garlic salt, green onions, and jalapenos. Stir with a wooden spoon until well combined.
- Then form the cream cheese mixture into a ball shape. Place two long pieces of plastic wrap in a cross pattern on your countertop. Put the cheese ball in the center of the plastic wrap. Use the sides of the plastic wrap to form a round ball. Wrap and refrigerate for 2 or more hours. Overnight works nicely.
- Shape the cheese ball a bit more by rolling it on a flat surface while it's still cold and wrapped in plastic.
- On a medium plate, spread the reserved shredded cheese, reserved green onions, and crushed chips. Roll the cheese ball into the Dorito and cheese mixture to cover with an even layer on the outside.
- Place the cheese ball on a serving platter and surround it with plenty of different dippers.
TOP TIPS
Room-temperature cream cheese is essential for a smooth dip with no chunks of plain cream cheese.
SUBSTITUTIONS AND VARIATIONS
Nacho Cheese Dip--Skip the steps in making this dip into a ball. Instead spread it into a shallow bowl and garnish with crushed Doritos, green onions, and shredded cheese.
Mix up the Cheese or the Doritos--Mix up your shredded cheese game. Different kinds of cheese add variety. Try Taco Cheese, Colby Jack Cheese, Pepper Jack Cheese, or another favorite in place of the Cheddar cheese. Use any kind of Doritos you like.
Ranch Cheese Ball--Stir ranch seasoning into your cream cheese mixture and use crushed Cool Ranch Doritos to coat.
Pumpkin Cheese Ball --Shape this orange cheese ball into a pumpkin shape and top with a bell pepper stem for a cute fall or Halloween party appetizer.
Mini Cheese Balls--shape into 1 inch balls, roll in cheese and Doritos mixture. Then place a pretzel stick in the top for everyone to have their own cheese ball.
STORAGE
Store leftover Nacho Cheese Ball in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. I've been known to eat any leftovers for breakfast the next day.
CAN CHEESE BALLS BE FROZEN?
Cheese balls freeze well in a freezer-safe container. Or wrap the cheese ball in one plastic wrap layer, then one aluminum foil. Freeze for up to four weeks. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
SOMETHING ELSE TO TRY
If you're looking for other great appetizer recipes consider trying one of these favorites:
Whatever meal you serve this cheese ball with, consider finishing your meal with Rice Pudding with Sweetened Condensed Milk for a dessert with a little Mexican flavor.
DID YOU TRY THIS RECIPE?
Lastly, if you made Nacho Cheese Ball following this recipe, please let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment and/or giving a 5-star rating!
I love hearing from you! I'll do my best to respond to each comment.
And of course, if you do make this recipe, tag @laughingroostereats on Instagram and hashtag it #laughingroostereats! Seeing your photos is our favorite thing!
FOOD SAFETY
- Wash hands before cooking
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
Nacho Cheese Ball
Ingredients
- 8 ounces Cream Cheese softened
- 1 ½ cups Taco Cheese or Sharp Cheddar Cheese shredded, reserve ½ cup for rolling cheese ball
- ½ teaspoon Cumin
- 1 ½ teaspoon Chili Powder
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Salt
- 1 Green Onion chopped
- 2 Tablespoons Jalapenos diced (optional)
- ¾ cup Doritos crushed
- Dippers--veggies Frito Scoops, tortilla chips, etc.
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine soft cream cheese, 1 cup shredded cheese, cumin, chili powder, garlic salt, ¾ of the green onions, and jalapenos. Stir until well combined.
- Then form the cream cheese mixture into a ball shape. Place two long strips of plastic wrap in a cross pattern on your countertop. Put the cheese ball in the center of the plastic wrap. Use the sides of the plastic wrap to form a round ball. Wrap and refrigerate for 2 or more hours. Overnight works nicely.
- Shape the cheese ball a bit more by rolling it on a flat surface while it's still cold and wrapped in plastic.
- On a medium plate, spread the reserved shredded cheese, reserved green onions, and crushed Doritos. Roll the cheese ball into the Dorito mixture to cover with an even layer on the outside.
- Place the cheese ball on a serving platter and surround it with plenty of different dippers.
Charlee
Just made this for a party and have already eaten some of it. Oops! Great recipe!!!
Chuckie
LOL! You sound like me... no one will notice, right?!
Terry T
Good party recipe.