The Best Pumpkin Cheese Ball Recipe
Try our delightful pumpkin cheese ball recipe! A savory blend of cheddar cheese and roasted red pepper cream cheese, shaped into a pumpkin, this is such a cute idea for fall gatherings.
This cheese ball recipe makes the perfect appetizer for your next Halloween party! It’s so much fun, with its darling pumpkin shape, pretzel stem, and rosemary leaves.
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Pumpkin Cheese Ball Recipe
This is one of those go-to recipes that is a must-make fall appetizer! I have given you a few tricks to getting the pumpkin shape right and really nailing this cute design.
We like to add a dash of cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or hot sauce to the recipe to give it an added kick!
What is a cheese ball made of?
A cheeseball is a mixture of cream cheese, grated cheese and other seasonings. They are often rolled in a sweet or savoury coating and served with crackers.
The best cheese for creating a cheese ball is original Philadelphia cream cheese because of its rich, creamy texture. Cheese balls can be made up to a week in advance, making them awesome for party planning.
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Cheese Ball Supplies
- Stand mixer with paddle attachment or
- Electric mixer
- Large bowl
- Small bowl
- Serving platter
- Rubber spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Plastic wrap
Ingredients
- Roasted red pepper cream cheese, room temperature – Creamy and flavorful, it adds a smoky, tangy kick.
- Cheddar cheese, finely shredded – Bold and cheesy, it enhances every bite.
- Chili pepper flakes – Just a pinch for a little heat that makes everything pop.
- Pretzel rod or bell pepper stem – Perfect for adding the stem details.
- Sprig of rosemary – Fresh and fragrant, it adds a lovely herbal touch.
Instructions
1. Combine cream cheese, shredded cheese, and chili flakes in a large bowl.
2. Stir the cheese mixture until well combined.
3. Place a large piece of plastic wrap on the counter.
4. Drop the cream cheese mixture into the center of the cling wrap and wrap to form a ball shape.
5. Use kitchen twine to tie tight lines around the ball of cheese to create vertical grooves and give it that pumpkin look. Rubber bands work for this as well.
6. Place the wrapped cheese ball in the fridge for at least one hour to firm up.
Tip: Place it in the freezer for a faster flash freeze.
7. Unwrap the pumpkin-shaped cheese ball from the plastic and twine.
If the twine indents are not as deep as you like, use a butter knife to carve pumpkin lines.
8. Press the pretzel rod into the top of the cheese ball to create a pumpkin stem.
9. Garnish with a spring of rosemary to create a pumpkin leaf.
10. Place on a large platter and serve with your favorite crackers or sliced vegetables.
How to Store?
This easy cheese ball recipe is just as good the next day. In fact, it’s the perfect make-ahead appetizer for the holiday season! Simply store leftovers in an airtight container for up to a week in the refrigerator.
If you are like me and enjoy experimenting in the kitchen, try these recipe variations! The options are basically limitless when making cheese balls.
Recipe Ideas to Try:
- Coat the outside of the cheese ball pumpkin in everything bagel seasoning or black sesame seeds.
- Add crushed up nacho cheese Doritos or crushed crackers to the outside of the pumpkin for more orange color, added texture, and a great flavor.
- Use sharp cheddar cheese, white cheddar, or Tex Mex cheese instead of medium cheddar.
- Switch up the flavor with herb and garlic, garden vegetable, or chive and onion cream cheese.
- Divide this recipe up into smaller portions to make mini pumpkin cheese balls.
- Try adding green onion, garlic powder, or onion powder to the cream cheese mixture.
What to Serve with a Homemade Cheese Ball
- Pretzel sticks
- Ritz crackers
- Tortilla chips
- Pita chips
- Celery sticks
- Sliced green pepper
- Carrot sticks
Whenever we go to a holiday party or host a gathering, I love to have a few snacks to share. Cheese balls are seriously one of the easiest!
I love that you only need a few simple ingredients from the grocery store for this recipe. I try to keep them on hand, so that I’m always ready for Halloween parties and Thanksgiving get-togethers!
Pumpkin Cheese Ball Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 oz roasted red pepper cream cheese room temperature
- 1 cup cheddar cheese finely shredded
- ¼ tsp chili pepper flakes
- Pretzel rod or bell pepper stem
- Sprig of rosemary
Instructions
- Combine cream cheese, shredded cheese and chili flakes in a large bowl.
- Stir the cheese mixture until well combined.
- Place a large piece of plastic wrap on the counter.
- Drop the cream cheese mixture into the center of the cling wrap and wrap to form a ball shape.
- Use kitchen twine to tie tight lines around the ball of cheese to give it a pumpkin look with vertical grooves. Rubber bands work for this as well.
- Place the wrapped cheese ball in the refrigerator for at least one hour to firm up.
- Unwrap the pumpkin-shaped cheese ball from the plastic.
- Press the pretzel rod into the top of the cheese ball to create a pumpkin stem.
- Add a spring of rosemary to create a pumpkin leaf.
- Place on a large platter and serve with your favorite crackers or sliced vegetables.
Nutrition
this recipe sucks!! they don’t sell rep pepper cream cheese anywhere lady!
Simply use a different cream cheese lol
I made mine with plain spreadable cream cheese and a jar of roasted red peppers. Easy Peasy. 😋
Love that, yum!