This Pumpkin Cheese Ball is a super fun appetizer to create in fall! It is made of a pumpkin-shaped cheese ball that is created with cream cheese and ranch seasonings, coated in a layer of spicy tortilla chip crumbles.
It's perfect to serve as an appetizer or as part of a cheese board and delicious to dig into with crackers, chopped veggies and Co. It's a cute idea for halloween parties, for your next fall party and amazing as part of your thanksgiving appetizers!
To go next-level with the pumpkin cheese ball decoration, you can even use a bell pepper stem - to give it that ultimate pumpkin look! This recipe is so much fun to make - also with kids!
If you've been looking for a perfect fall appetizer, let this be it! This pumpkin cheese ball recipe is definitely an eye-catcher when you serve it at the dinner table. So if you're planning a dinner party, try creating this recipe and wow your guests.
This recipe is:
- beautiful in pumpkin shape
- the perfect appetizer for your Halloween party
- fantastic on a cheese board
- perfect for fall
- a delicious Thanksgiving appetizer
- made with (vegan) cream cheese
- easy and fun to create with the family
- it's the hit of the party
- an eye catcher on the dinner table!
Jump to:
Ingredients
Here's everything you need for this recipe:
- cream cheese - as I am vegan, I personally used 2 packages of vegan Violife cream cheese. You can use whichever brand you have to hand, just make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature before you mix it with the rest of the ingredients.
- shredded cheese - I used a smoked cheddar-style vegan cheese for this recipe. Any sharp cheddar cheese style shreds would work best, but you can use your favorite shredded cheese.
- seasoning - I used a mix of dried parsley, dried fill, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper to create a ranch seasoning
- crushed doritos - I've used those crushed in the decoration of the pumpkin cheese ball. Chilli heatwave doritos are vegan-friendly. The coating is completely optional of course, but it adds a delicious kick!
- pepper stem - this is optional, but to make the cheese ball look like a pumpkin, you can use the stem of a bell pepper to create a pumpkin stem.
Contrary to what the name might suggest, there's no actual pumpkin in the recipe - the name mainly refers to the pumpkin shape.
See recipe card at the end of this post for quantities.
Possible Substitutions
In case you don't have everything to hand, here a few ideas and notes for possible substitutions:
- shredded cheese - you can leave the shredded cheese out in theory, but I find it adds texture and flavor to the cheese ball, so I wouldn't skip it. Instead of the smoked vegan cheese I used, you can swap this for your favorite shredded cheese. Anything cheddar-style works best with the recipe seasoning, but feel free to get creative!
- Doritos- the coating is completely optional for the pumpkin cheese ball, but it adds a delicious spicy kick and makes the cheese ball look like an actual pumpkin. Leave it out if you prefer, or coat your pumpkin cheese all in crumbs from other types of crisps or even cheese shreds. Fresh chives, red pepper flakes or dill will also work well.
- Bell pepper stem - to give it the ultimate pumpkin-look you can also use a pickle as pumpkin stem or try a small broccoli stalk. In addition, you could use 1-2 sage leaves and place them next to the stem to make it look like pumpkin leaves.
Equipment
Here's everything you need for this recipe:
- mixing bowl
- electric hand mixer
- cling film / kitchen plastic wrap - one large piece of plastic wrap to cover the ball
- small bowl - roughly of the size of your pumpkin cheese ball
- 3-4 rubber bands - alternatively, you can use kitchen twine
Instructions (Step-by-Step)
Here's how you can make this pumpkin cheese ball in just a few simple steps:
Whip the cream cheese in a mixing bowl until softened.
Add the shredded cheese and mix again until combined.
Add all of the seasonings and whip a final time to thoroughly combine all ingredients.
Line a small bowl with large sheet of plastic wrap and transfer the cheese ball mixture into bowl.
Wrap in the plastic warp and shape a firm ball.
Place the rubber bands around the cheese ball to create the pumpkin shape.
Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to set.
Once set, carefully remove rubber bands and plastic wrap;
In a freezer bag, crush the doritos with a rolling pin.
Coat the pumpkin cheese ball in the dorito crumbs.
Place a bell pepper stem on top of the cheese ball to get that pumpkin-look as a final touch!
Serving
Serve the pumpkin cheese ball on a large serving platter and surround it with your favorite crackers and sliced veggies to dip into the cheese. Crunchy pretzel bites, ritz crackers, nacho chips, crisps (chips) and breadsticks are also a fun option!
Storage
The pumpkin cheese ball is best enjoyed right away, but you can store it in the fridge for up to 3 days before removing it from the cling film and coating it in spicy dorito crumbs.
Variations
If you want to shake things up, so next time why not try taking this recipe to the next level:
- Spicy - you can use a spicy shredded cheese inside the pumpkin cheese ball instead of a smoked version. You can also add a kick by mixing red pepper flakes or finely diced jalapeños into the cream cheese. As for the coating, for a spicy kick, use some cayenne pepper or chili powder.
- Green Onion - try adding finely chopped green onion to the cream cheese mixture.
- Coating - experiment with the pumpkin ball coating! Instead of the crushed Doritos I used, try bagel seasoning, fresh herbs, black sesame seeds or even shredded cheese.
Related Recipes
If you're looking for more fun fall or Halloween recipes or treats for your Halloween party, try these spooky cute Sweet Potato Mummies and give any of these treats a go:
📌 If you love Pinterest you can pin any of the images to your boards!
📖 Recipe Card
Pumpkin Cheese Ball
Equipment
- 1 electric mixer
- 1 mixing bowl
- 1 small bowl
- plastic wrap cling film
- 3 rubber bands
- 1 freezer bag
- 1 Rolling Pin
Ingredients
- 14 oz cream cheese (400 g) I used Violife
- ½ cup shredded cheddar-style cheese (80 g)
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 small bag chilli heatwave doritos or similar
- 1 bell pepper stem optional
Instructions
- Place the cream cheese into a mixing bowl and mix with an electric hand mixer until soft. Add in the shredded cheese and briefly mix to combine.
- Next, add the seasoning to the bowl: parsley, dill, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and black pepper.
- Whip all ingredients in the bowl until soft and well combined.
- Line a small bowl with plastic wrap (cling film) and transfer the cheese mix into the bowl. Wrap tightly with the plastic wrap and shape into a firm ball with your hands.
- Use 3 rubber bands and secure them around the cheese ball to create the pumpkin shape.
- Place the pumpkin ball back into the bowl and place it into the fridge for at least 2 hours or longer to firm up. Once firm, carefully remove the cheese ball from the plastic wrap and place it onto a serving dish.
- Add the doritos (tortilla chips) into a freezer bag and crumble them with a rolling pin to crush them into small pieces and dust. Use your hands to carefully press the dorito crumbles onto the pumpkin cheese ball until completely coated.
- To take the pumpkin look to the next level, press a bell pepper stem into the top of the pumpkin shape and serve your cheese ball alongside crackers, crisps and Co for dipping into the cheese.
Notes
- Coating - experiment with the pumpkin ball coating! Instead of the crushed Doritos I used, try bagel seasoning, fresh herbs, black sesame seeds or even shredded cheese.
- Storage - the pumpkin cheese ball is best enjoyed right away, but you can store it in the fridge for up to 3 days before removing it from the cling film and coating it in spicy dorito crumbs.
- Serving - serve the pumpkin cheese ball on a large serving platter and surround it with your favorite crackers and sliced veggies to dip into the cheese. Crunchy pretzel bites, ritz crackers, nacho chips, crisps (chips) and breadsticks are also a fun option!
- shredded cheese - you can leave the shredded cheese out, but I find it adds texture and great flavor to the cheese ball, so I wouldn't skip it.
- bell pepper stem - as pumpkin stem or try a small broccoli stalk. In addition, you could use 1-2 sage leaves and place them next to the stem to make it look like pumpkin leaves.
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