Cute and tasty pumpkin cheese balls are a fun and easy appetizer for any holiday table.
Holly’s Recipe Highlights
- Flavor: The cream cheese base makes it rich, creamy, and slightly tangy. Smoky bacon and sharp cheddar add the perfect salty crunch and flavor.
- Difficulty: Pumpkin cheese balls are fun to make, easy to prep ahead, and perfect for on-the-go!
- Serving Suggestions: Shape pumpkin cheese balls into any size you like! Arrange mini pumpkin balls across a Halloween or Thanksgiving table with other festive appetizers.
Ingredients and Creative Combos
- Cream Cheese: Full-fat cream cheese tastes best, but low-fat works too. Mix in some blue cheese or feta crumbles for a bright, tangy flavor.
- Cheddar Cheese: Cheddar adds color and sharp flavor to pumpkin cheese balls, but a mix of shredded white cheddar and Parmesan cheese is also a good option.
- Ranch Seasoning: Buy or make a ranch seasoning mix and adjust the ingredients any way you like.
- Bacon: Real crumbled bacon will taste better than a package of bacon bits, but if time is short, feel free to use them! Fried pepperoni can be cooled and crushed in place of bacon bits if desired.
- Variations: For an extra Fall-infused flavor, blend in some pumpkin pie spice and chopped pecans. For a Tex-Mex-themed menu, mix in some zesty adobo seasoning with some green chiles.
How to Make a Pumpkin Cheese Ball
- Dice bell pepper, reserving the stem.
- Beat cream cheese and mix in other ingredients (full recipe below).
- Shape the cream cheese mixture into a ball.
- Seal with plastic wrap and 4 elastic bands wrapped vertically into the cheese. Refrigerate.
- Unwrap and press the bell pepper stem into the top before serving.
Helpful Hints
- Let the cream cheese come to room temperature for faster blending.
- An electric mixer will create the best texture and consistency for cheese balls.
- Lightly wet your hands to prevent the cheese from sticking as you shape the ball, and be sure to shape it with a flattened bottom so the cheese ball stays upright.
Serving and Storage
- Pumpkin-shaped cheese balls are best served chilled to stay cold and keep their shape longer.
- Serve with sturdy scoops like bagel chips, corn chips, celery sticks, or chunks of colorful bell peppers and carrots.
- Keep your leftover pumpkin ball wrapped tightly in plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and enjoy with crackers, chips, or veggies.
- Leftover pumpkin cheese balls can also be used as a spread for burgers and wraps.
- Freeze by wrapping in plastic and placing in a zippered bag for up to two months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight so it’s cold when serving.
Party Appetizers and Dips
Did you enjoy this Pumpkin Cheese Ball recipe? Leave a rating and comment below!
Pumpkin Cheese Ball
This pumpkin cheese ball is a fun and festive treat for any Halloween party!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 small red bell pepper
- 2 (8 ounces each) blocks cream cheese room temperature
- ½ cup bacon bits
- 1 (1 ounce) packet ranch mix
- 1 green onion sliced, optional
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
Instructions
- Finely dice the red pepper, reserving the stem for serving.
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese with a mixer until fluffy.
- Stir in bacon bits, ranch mix, red pepper, green onion, and ½ cup shredded cheese.
- On a sheet of plastic wrap, spread half of the remaining cheese. Place the cream cheese mixture on top of the cheese and shape into a ball. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top, and spread to coat the sides.
- Seal the cream cheese ball with the plastic wrap and wrap 4 elastic bands around the ball to create the grooves of the pumpkin. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours or overnight.
- When ready to serve, unwrap the cheese ball and press the bell pepper stem firmly into the top. Serve with crackers.
Notes
Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4 days and in the freezer for 2 months.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 214kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 61mg | Sodium: 464mg | Potassium: 89mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 650IU | Calcium: 139mg | Iron: 0.3mg
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
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REPIN this Pumpkin Cheese Ball Recipe
Just discovered your site. Can’t wait to make those soups. Just started my Xmas menu. Do just have any Xmas sugguestion for your trick or treat cheese ball? Thx
Thank you Eileen! You could make it into a Christmas tree ornament shape and it would be adorable!
I have always been to chicken to try and make them but I love to eat them