Description
These Mini Pumpkin Cheese Balls are a festive and delicious appetizer perfect for fall and Halloween gatherings. Creamy and cheesy with a hint of spice from cayenne and garlic powder, they are coated in crunchy textures like crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos, paprika, and black sesame seeds, then decorated to resemble cute pumpkins with pretzel stems and parsley leaves.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Mixture
- 2 packages (16 ounces total) cream cheese, softened
- 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
Garnishes
- 20 pretzel sticks
- Fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
- Assorted crackers for serving
Instructions
- Mix the cheese base. In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, finely chopped roasted red peppers, green onions, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Stir thoroughly with a wooden spoon until all ingredients are evenly mixed. Season with salt and pepper to your taste.
- Chill the mixture. Cover the bowl and refrigerate it for about an hour to allow the flavors to meld and the mixture to firm up, making it easier to shape.
- Prepare coatings and shape balls. Arrange the crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos, paprika, and black sesame seeds into separate small plates. Using a tablespoon measuring scoop, portion the cheese mixture and roll into small balls, setting them on a plate until all mixture is shaped.
- Coat the cheese balls. Roll each ball in one of the prepared coatings, ensuring an even layer covers each ball. Place the coated balls aside on a serving tray or plate.
- Create pumpkin details. Use a wooden skewer to gently score vertical lines around the sides and crosswise on the tops of each ball to mimic pumpkin ridges. Insert half a pretzel stick into the top center of each ball to create a pumpkin stem, then place a fresh small parsley leaf beside or at the stem for a leaf garnish.
- Chill before serving. Refrigerate the mini pumpkin cheese balls until ready to serve, ideally keeping them cold to maintain shape and freshness.
Notes
- For best results, ensure the roasted red peppers are well drained and patted dry to prevent excess moisture in the cheese balls.
- You can customize the coatings with your favorite crushed chips or seeds to change texture and flavor.
- These cheese balls pair wonderfully with assorted crackers for a crowd-pleasing appetizer.
- They can be prepared a day in advance and kept refrigerated to save time on the day of your event.
- Use fresh parsley leaves for garnish for the best visual appeal and freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mini cheese ball
- Calories: 91 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 141 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 26 mg
