Cute and tasty pumpkin cheese balls are a fun and easy appetizer for any holiday table.
This pumpkin-shaped cheese ball recipe is made with ranch-seasoned cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and bacon bits with a bell pepper stem on the top.
You Will Love This Pumpkin Cheese Ball Recipe Because…
- Pumpkin cheese balls are fun to make, portable, and easy to make ahead.
- The cream cheese base makes it so rich and creamy with a hint of tanginess.
- Smoky and crispy bacon bits compliment the creaminess and the sharp cheddar cheese.
- 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 Variations
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 shredded white cheddar works and parmesan cheese are also good options.
Ranch Seasoning: Buy or make 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 all the other ingredients.
- Shape the cream cheese mixture into a ball (recipe below).
- 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 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 Storing Pumpkin Cheese Ball
- Pumpkin cheese balls are best served uber-chilled or partially frozen to stay cold and keep their shape longer.
- Serve them with sturdy scoops like bagel chips, corn chips, celery sticks, or chunks of colorful bell peppers and thick zucchini slices.
- Keep leftover pumpkin balls 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 them by wrapping them in plastic and placing them in a zippered bag for up to two months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight so they are cold when serving.
Party Appetizers and Dips
Did you enjoy this Pumpkin Cheese Ball Recipe? Leave a comment and rating below!
Pumpkin Cheese Ball
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 small red bell pepper
- 16 ounces cream cheese room temperature
- ½ cup bacon bits
- 1 packet ranch mix (1oz)
- 1 green onions sliced, optional
- 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese shredded, 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
Nutrition Information
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