Looking for a delicious, easy-to-make appetizer that’s guaranteed to add a little festive fun to your fall gatherings? This Pumpkin Cheese Ball is a crowd-pleaser that’s not only cute but also packed with flavor, thanks to the creamy chive & onion cheese and sharp cheddar. Shaped to look just like a mini pumpkin, this recipe brings a playful touch to any table, making it a great fit for Halloween parties, cozy fall gatherings, or any celebration that could use a little seasonal cheer.
Plus, kids and adults alike will love digging into this creamy treat with their favorite crackers or chips on the side!
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Now, I don’t know about you, but as a mom, I don’t have time for fancy, hours-long recipes to impress friends or family at a fall party. So, normally I pick up my appetizers from the grocery store and serve them up. This time, I had seen another person bring one of these cute cheese balls shaped as a pumpkin to a gathering and I just had to attempt it on my own.
I used a blend of three recipes I had found online, one omitted the cheddar cheese, the other omitted the flavored cheese dip, and the third didn’t add any additional seasonings into the mix. Unlike most recipes you’ll find online, I did not have any rubber bands on hand so I used a thick string instead.
Overall, this cheese ball mixture was very easy to mix, shape, and turn into a pumpkin. So, let’s get to it!
How to Make a Pumpkin Cheese Ball
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 12 oz full-fat cream cheese, softened
- 7.5 oz chive & onion cream cheese
- salt
- pepper
- garlic powder
- 1 orange bell pepper (or mini sweet pepper)
- 3/4 block of freshly shredded sharp cheddar
- Sturdy crackers, pita chips, or tortilla chips for serving
You can get as creative with the ingredients as you’d like. This was my creativity this time around, but next time I think I will make a separate cheese ball using the honey pecan cream cheese instead of chive & onion and then I’ll also replace the cheddar cheese with crushed honey roasted pecans or peanuts. It’ll obviously be a sweeter cream cheese dip, but I think it’ll taste amazing!
Instructions to Make a Pumpkin Shaped Cheese Ball:
*Make sure your cream cheese has softened to make mixing and shaping easier*
1. Mix everything together — In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese, chive & onion cream cheese, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Dice the bell pepper into tiny pieces making sure to set aside the stem for later, and add it, along with 1/2 to 1 cup of the shredded cheddar to the bowl. Mix with a spoon or fork until all ingredients are well combined.
2. Make a Cheese Ball — Place a large piece of plastic wrap on a flat surface (you’re going to want to make sure it’s set up for double wrapping). Sprinkle about 1/3 cup of the shredded cheddar in the center of the wrap. Spoon the cream cheese mixture onto the cheese-covered area, and gently shape it into a ball with your hands. Sprinkle the rest of the shredded cheddar on top, pressing lightly to help it stick to the outside of the cheese ball. Cover the entire outside of your cheese ball.
3. Wrap and Shape into a Pumpkin — Wrap the cheese ball tightly in the plastic wrap. Using kitchen twine, thick string, or rubber bands, wrap around the outside to create an adorable pumpkin shape with vertical grooves—just like an actual pumpkin! Place in the refrigerator to chill for at least 2-4 hours or ideally, overnight.
4. Serve and Garnish — Just before serving or heading out to your gathering, remove the cheese ball from the fridge and carefully take off the plastic wrap and kitchen twine. Place on a serving tray and stick the reserved bell pepper stem on top of the cheese ball for the cutest pumpkin look! Lay out crackers, charcuterie meats, or chips around the pumpkin-shaped cheese ball, and watch as everyone digs into this favorite fall treat.
Why This Pumpkin Cheese Ball Is the Perfect Appetizer
This pumpkin cheese ball isn’t just delicious—it’s an absolute showstopper on any party spread. The creamy blend of cream cheese and sharp cheddar gives it a great flavor, while the orange cheese coating gives it that nice pumpkin color we all love this time of year.
And with just a few simple ingredients, it’s one of those appetizers you can quickly whip up and still impress every guest. Plus, it’s fun for little hands to help shape, making it a cute idea for moms and kids to make together!
Tips for Customizing Your Cheese Ball
This recipe is incredibly versatile, so feel free to get creative! Try adding some of these delicious extras for a fun twist:
- Coating Alternatives: Swap the cheddar with crushed honey-glazed pecans or even nacho cheese Doritos for added crunch and flavor.
- Flavor Enhancements: A dash of cayenne pepper or ranch seasoning can add a little zing. Fresh herbs like green onion or chives also add an excellent taste to the outside of the cheese ball
- Fun Shape Ideas: Try shaping your cheese ball into little ghosts with olives for eyes or making mini pumpkin cheese balls for individual servings—great for kids’ parties or any get-together that calls for some extra festivity.
Whether you’re hosting a Halloween party, fall family gathering, or just treating yourself to a little seasonal fun, this Pumpkin Cheese Ball recipe is sure to become one of your favorite things to make each year!
How to Store Your Pumpkin Cheese Ball
To keep your cheese ball fresh, wrap any leftovers in cling wrap and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. It’s best enjoyed within a few days, but if you want to get ahead, you can even prepare this cheese ball a day in advance to save time! Due to the different cheeses used, we don’t recommend freezing.
Plan to try this recipe for your next fall event? Don’t forget to tag us on social media (IG @mom.afterbaby) if you make this recipe—we’d love to see your pumpkin-shaped cheese ball creations!
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