Description
This pumpkin cheese ball is a savory, festive appetizer shaped like a pumpkin and packed with creamy cheese, spices, and tangy flavor. Rolled in crushed chips or cheese for a bright orange finish, it’s perfect for fall parties, Halloween gatherings, or Thanksgiving spreads.
Ingredients
16 oz cream cheese, softened
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika or smoked paprika
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons chopped chives or green onions (optional)
1 cup crushed nacho cheese chips or finely shredded cheddar (for coating)
1 bell pepper stem (for garnish)
Plastic wrap and kitchen twine (for shaping)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix cream cheese, cheddar, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, and chives until smooth and well combined.
- Scoop mixture onto plastic wrap and shape into a ball.
- Wrap tightly in plastic and tie with kitchen twine around the ball to form grooves like a pumpkin. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight to firm.
- Remove twine and plastic wrap, then roll cheese ball in crushed chips or shredded cheese until fully coated.
- Press a bell pepper stem into the top for decoration.
- Serve with crackers, pretzels, or fresh veggies.
Notes
Make ahead the day before for best flavor and easy party prep.
Use crushed chips, shredded cheddar, or cheese crackers for the orange pumpkin look.
Shape with twine for clean grooves, or use a spoon handle for indentations if twine isn’t available.
Don’t freeze—store in fridge for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/12 of cheese ball
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 310mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
