This pumpkin cheese ball is a blend of cheeses and seasonings that is shaped like a pumpkin and coated with crunchy cheese cracker crumbs. A fun and festive appetizer option for fall gatherings!
When I’m entertaining in the fall, I turn to appetizer recipes such as cranberry jalapeno dip, pumpkin dip, cranberry meatballs and this adorable pumpkin shaped cheese ball.
You can never go wrong with a classic cheese ball recipe, but it’s also fun to create new ones based on the holidays. I serve this pumpkin cheese ball at my annual Halloween party and at Thanksgiving, and there are never any leftovers!
Table of Contents
Pumpkin Cheese Ball Ingredients
To make this recipe, you will need cream cheese, butter, sharp cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, smoked paprika, cheese crackers and a bell pepper stem.
How Do You Make A Pumpkin Cheese Ball?
Place the cream cheese, butter, cheddar and spices in a bowl, then stir to thoroughly combine. Lay out a large sheet of plastic wrap and place the cream cheese mixture on top. Form a squat ball to make the pumpkin shape, then wrap the ball up with the plastic wrap. Add a second layer of plastic wrap tightly over the ball. Next, wrap rubber bands around the cheeseball. This will make your ball look like a pumpkin with vertical grooves! Chill the ball in the fridge for at least two hours, then remove the plastic wrap and rubber bands. Coat the ball in cheese cracker crumbs, add the bell pepper pumpkin stem on top, then serve and enjoy.
Tips For The Perfect Appetizer
- It’s important to grate your own cheese for this recipe. Choose a high quality sharp cheddar cheese, and grate it finely so that it incorporates nicely with the butter and cream cheese.
- I find that using wide, long rubber bands works best to make the ribs on your “pumpkin”. If you don’t have these rubber bands, you can also tie some kitchen twine tightly around the ball for a similar effect. Add a second layer of rubber bands for deeper ridges if you prefer that look.
- Cheese cracker crumbs make a fun orange and crunchy coating to complete our pumpkin look. Measure out two cups of whole cheese crackers, then pulse them in a food processor to get coarse crumbs. This should give you the correct amount of crumbs for the coating.
- Look for a bright green, shiny and firm pepper stem for the nicest presentation.
Quick Tip
Serve your pumpkin cheese ball with assorted crackers. You can also decorate your platter with some fall fruit, nuts and herbs for a beautiful presentation.
Recipe FAQs
Cheese balls typically contain cream cheese and cheddar cheese. There are many other types of cheese that work well such as parmesan, mascarpone, fontina or Monterey jack.
This cheese ball will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to one week. I recommend leaving it in the plastic wrap until you’re ready to eat, and then adding the cheese puff coating just before serving.
I like to offer an assortment of crackers. Some great options include Ritz crackers, stone ground wheat crackers, water crackers or crackers that contain dried fruit and nuts for a sweet and savory pairing. You can also serve pita chips, pretzels or tortilla chips.
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Flavor Variations
While I love this recipe as it is, you can change up some of the ingredients to make your own creation.
- Add-Ins: Feel free to add up to 1/2 cup of extra ingredients to the cream cheese, cheddar and spices. Some great options include finely chopped pecans, minced celery, ranch seasonings, diced bell peppers, green onions, bacon, minced jalapeno or fresh dill.
- Coatings: Instead of cheese crackers, try coating your ball with crushed nacho cheese Doritos, cheese puff crumbs, or simply roll it in more finely grated cheddar cheese before you wrap it in plastic and add the rubber bands.
This pumpkin-shaped cheese ball is as delicious as it is adorable! Both kids and adults will love this party snack.
More Fall Appetizer Ideas
Cranberry Salsa
1 hr 10 mins
Halloween Charcuterie Board
21 mins
Cheese Ball Bites
11 mins
Homemade Chex Mix
10 mins
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Pumpkin Cheese Ball
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 2 tablespoons butter softened
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese finely grated
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 cup crushed cheese crackers such as Cheez-Its
- 1 bell pepper stem
Instructions
- Place the cream cheese, butter, cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper and smoked paprika in a bowl.
- Stir until thoroughly combined.
- Place the cheese mixture on a large piece of plastic wrap. Wrap the plastic around the cheese mixture, shaping it into a ball. Add a second layer of plastic wrap, then wrap 2 wide rubber bands tightly around the cheese ball on opposite sides. Add two more rubber bands to create the ribbed look of a pumpkin.
- Chill the cheese ball for at least two hours. Remove the rubber bands and plastic wrap. Place the cheese cracker crumbs on a plate and roll the cheese ball in the crumbs.
- Press the bell pepper stem into the top of the cheese ball. Serve with crackers.
I haven’t tried this yet. It looks yummy. What kind of crackers are being served with the cheese ball? They look really good also – recipe? They look homemade.
All of the crackers came from the charcuterie/cheese area at Whole Foods!
I am going to make this for snacking on in between handing out treats on Halloween! What kind of crackers do you have around your pumpkin cheese ball? They look delicious!