Make this easy Pumpkin Cheese Ball for your holiday gathering! Don't worry, it is a fun pumpkin shaped cheese ball. It's not flavored like pumpkin. A cute centerpiece to a cheeseboard or appetizer spread for Thanksgiving dinner or a Halloween party!
This easy to make festive Pumpkin Cheese Ball is a perfect recipe for any fall gathering. Make one of these autumn inspired cheese balls for Halloween, Sunday Football, Thanksgiving or just a to add a little seasonal fun to any get together. This easy fall appetizer recipe does not have any pumpkin flavor to it, just the iconic shape, so if you have a few friends or family that just don't care for pumpkin or are "all pumpkin'd out" this is a great way to stay festive while including them.
How to Make a Pumpkin Cheese Ball Appetizer
Let's make this pumpkin shaped cheeseball! It's easy.
Start by gathering your ingredients for the homemade cheese ball:
- 8 oz package of cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ⅛ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Onion Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
- ¼ teaspoon Cumin
- ¼ cup Salsa
- 2 cups Nacho Cheese Chips crushed
- Stem: Bell Pepper Stem or sink a jalapeno with stem into the ball
Directions:
Set aside the nacho chips and pepper stem, then mix the softened cream cheese with shredded cheddar cheese, salsa and spices together.
Use cling wrap to help form the cheese ball mixture into the rough shape of a pumpkin shape. Chill the wrapped cheese ball for a couple hours.
Pulse nacho tortilla chips in a food processor until broken into small pieces, creating nacho crumbs.
Remove the cheese ball from the plastic wrap and roll the ball in the crushed tortilla chips , top with pepper stem to create the pumpkin stem.
Use a chopstick or spoon edge to dent the ribs in your Pumpkin Cheese Ball. (Alternately, the ribbing can be formed prior to coating the cheeseball by wrapping the plastic wrap covered cheese ball with kitchen twine or elastics.)
Serve with crackers.
It's the perfect appetizer for Halloween parties, Thanksgiving or any autumn gathering. More great fall appetizer choices would be Salmon Mousse canapes, air fryer pierogies and cranberry meatballs.
Pumpkin Cheese Ball
Ingredients
- 8 oz package of cream cheese
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ⅛ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Onion Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
- ¼ teaspoon Cumin
- ¼ cup Salsa
- 2 cups Nacho Cheese Chips crushed
- Stem: Bell Pepper Stem or sink a jalapeno with stem into the ball
Instructions
- Mix the cream cheese, shredded cheese, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin and salsa until smooth and blended.
- Form the spread mixture into a ball. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- Roll the cheese ball in crushed nacho tortilla chips.
- Top off with a bell pepper stem or jalapeno and create indented ribs to look like pumpkin.
Nutrition
Jennifer says
You're a genius...love this! Pinned!
Melanie Goad says
Love this! Easy and beautiful--just the kind of thing I'm always looking for. I've pinned this one for Thanksgiving.
Birdiebee says
I have to tell you that this is really an awesome recipe. I am going to a Thanksgiving party and will be taking this to feed the people.
Julie says
Was a huge hit