Description
These Mini Pumpkin Cheese Balls are a festive and flavorful appetizer perfect for fall gatherings. Cream cheese and sharp cheddar blend with roasted red peppers and spices, shaped into bite-sized balls and coated with colorful toppings to resemble pumpkins. Each is topped with a pretzel ‘stem’ and parsley garnish, making them both delicious and visually appealing.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Mixture
- 16 ounces 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
Garnish
- 20 pretzel sticks
- fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
- assorted crackers for serving
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a medium bowl, add the softened cream cheese, grated cheddar cheese, finely chopped roasted red peppers, green onions, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Mix thoroughly with a wooden spoon until the mixture is evenly blended. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Chill Mixture: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the mixture to firm up for easier shaping.
- Prepare Coatings: Place the crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos, paprika, and black sesame seeds each on separate small plates. Use a tablespoon to scoop portions of the cheese mixture.
- Shape Cheese Balls: Roll each tablespoon of cheese mixture into a small ball and place it on a plate. Continue the process until all the mixture is formed into balls.
- Coat Cheese Balls: Roll each ball in one of the prepared coatings to give color, texture, and flavor contrast. Set aside after coating.
- Create Pumpkin Design: Use a wooden skewer to gently press lines vertically on the side and horizontally across the top of each cheese ball to simulate the ridges of a pumpkin.
- Add Pretzel Stems and Garnish: Insert half of a pretzel stick into the top center of each cheese ball to represent the pumpkin stem. Place a small leaf of fresh parsley next to or attached to the stem as a pumpkin leaf garnish.
- Refrigerate Before Serving: Return the decorated cheese balls to the refrigerator to chill until ready to serve. Serve with assorted crackers for a delightful appetizer experience.
Notes
- You can use as many or as few coatings as you like to create different textures and colors; the Nacho Cheese Doritos provide a great flavor and perfect pumpkin color.
- To crush Doritos, place them in a sealed plastic bag and smash with a rolling pin until they become a fine crumb consistency.
- If desired, substitute roasted red peppers with pimentos for a milder flavor.
- These cheese balls can be made a day ahead for convenience; just keep them refrigerated well covered.
- For a spicier version, increase the cayenne pepper slightly, but do so cautiously to keep balance.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cheese ball
- Calories: 90 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
