Description
Mini Pumpkin Cheese Balls are a festive and flavorful appetizer perfect for fall gatherings. Made with creamy cheddar and cream cheese blended with roasted red peppers and seasonings, they’re shaped into small pumpkin-inspired balls coated with a mix of crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos, paprika, and black sesame seeds. Each cheese ball is finished with pretzel stick stems and parsley leaves for an adorable autumn look.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Mixture
- 16 ounces cream cheese, softened (2 packages)
- 2 cups grated cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup finely chopped roasted red peppers, drained and patted dry
- 3 green onions, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Salt and pepper to taste
Coatings
- Crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos
- Paprika
- Black sesame seeds
Garnish
- 20 pretzel sticks
- Fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
- Assorted crackers for serving
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a medium bowl, add the softened cream cheese, grated cheddar cheese, finely chopped roasted red peppers, green onions, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Mix thoroughly using a wooden spoon until the ingredients are evenly combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Chill Mixture: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 1 hour to allow the mixture to firm up and the flavors to meld.
- Prepare Coatings and Form Balls: Spread your chosen coatings (crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos, paprika, black sesame seeds) onto separate small plates. Using a tablespoon measuring scoop, portion out the cheese mixture and roll each portion into a small ball. Continue until all mixture is used.
- Coat Cheese Balls: Roll each cheese ball in one of the prepared coatings, pressing gently to ensure an even layer. Set coated balls aside on a plate.
- Create Pumpkin Details: Use a wooden skewer to gently carve vertical and horizontal grooves around each ball to mimic the ridges of a pumpkin. Insert half a pretzel stick into the top center of each ball to serve as a pumpkin stem, and garnish with a small leaf of fresh parsley next to the stem.
- Chill Before Serving: Place the decorated cheese balls in the refrigerator and chill until ready to serve. Serve alongside an assortment of crackers.
Notes
- You can use as many or as few coating varieties as you like; mixing coatings adds texture and visual interest.
- For the best pumpkin color and flavor, crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos are recommended if using only one coating.
- To crush Doritos, place them in a plastic bag and gently smash with a rolling pin or heavy object until fine crumbs form.
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened before mixing to avoid lumps and ensure a smooth texture.
- Chilling the cheese mixture before rolling makes shaping easier and less messy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cheese ball
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0.2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
