Culinary staffer Grant Melton shares his jalapeno popper-inspired cheese ball that's sure to spice up any party.
In a stand mixer or using an electric hand mixer, combine cream cheese, sour cream, cheddar, Pepper Jack, scallions, jalapenos, pickled peppers and juice, hot sauce, cayenne pepper, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
Form the cheese mixture into a ball and wrap in plastic wrap. Chill until firm.
Place fried onions and dehydrated jalapenos in a bag and smash into small pieces with a rolling pin.
Once cheese ball is firm, remove from plastic wrap and roll in the fried onion-jalapeno mixture to coat.
Serve with crackers, chips and crudité.