Mini Pumpkin Cheese Balls: Your Perfect Fall Appetizer
These festive mini pumpkin cheese balls, made with cream cheese, cheddar, roasted red peppers, and green onions, are the perfect savory appetizer for any fall occasion. Coated in your favorite crushed snacks or spices, they offer a delightful blend of flavors and a charming presentation.
Equipment
- Medium bowl
- Wooden Spoon
- small plates
- tablespoon measuring scoop
- wooden skewer
Ingredients
Cheese Ball Mixture
- 2 packages cream cheese (16 ounces total), softened
- 2 cups grated cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup finely chopped roasted red peppers drained and patted dry
- 3 finely chopped green onions
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- salt and pepper to taste
Coatings & Garnish
- crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos, paprika, and/or black sesame seeds for coating
- 20 pretzel sticks
- fresh flat-leaf parsley for garnish
- assorted crackers for serving
Instructions
Preparation
- In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, grated cheddar, finely chopped roasted red peppers, green onions, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper.
- Mix the ingredients with a wooden spoon until evenly combined, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Cover the mixture and chill in the refrigerator for about an hour to firm up.
- Once chilled, place your chosen coatings, such as crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos, paprika, or black sesame seeds, onto small plates.
- Using a tablespoon measuring scoop, portion the cheese mixture and roll each portion into a small ball.
- Roll each mini cheese ball in one of the prepared coatings until fully covered.
- To create a pumpkin look, use a wooden skewer to make vertical marks along the sides and across the top of each ball.
- Insert half of a pretzel stick into the top center of each mini cheese ball as a stem, and garnish with a small leaf of fresh flat-leaf parsley.
- Refrigerate the finished mini pumpkin cheese balls until you are ready to serve them with assorted crackers.
Notes
These festive mini pumpkin cheese balls are a perfect savory appetizer for fall gatherings. Get creative with your coatings, trying different crushed chips, nuts, or finely chopped herbs for variety. Serve immediately after preparing, or keep refrigerated until ready to enjoy with assorted crackers.