Fresh, fun and flavorful these salsa cheese ball pops bring life to the party with their creamy-crunchy texture and sweet-heat taste.

½ package (4 oz.) cream cheese, softened

½ cup packed Sam’s Fresh Mango Pineapple Salsa, drained of excess liquid

½ cup shredded pepper Jack cheese

½ teaspoon ground cumin

½ to ¾ cup crushed tortilla chips (I like hint of lime flavor)

30 thin pretzel sticks*

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In a bowl, blend cream cheese, salsa, cumin and shredded cheese until well mixed.
Using a small cookie scoop or tablespoon drop 1-inch balls of cheese mixture onto a parchment lined baking sheet. Chill cheese balls in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to firm up a bit.
Roll cheese balls in crushed tortilla chips to coat and place on a serving platter. Insert 1 pretzel stick into each cheese ball and serve.

To keep it crunchy it’s best to roll cheese balls in crushed chips and insert pretzel stick just prior to serving.

If pretzel sticks are too long feel free to snap them in half and insert into cheese balls.

Keywords: cheese ball, salsa, party food, easy appetizers