Description
These festive Mini Pumpkin Cheese Balls are a fun and flavorful appetizer for fall gatherings, Halloween parties, or Thanksgiving. Creamy, cheesy, and shaped like little pumpkins — they’re as cute as they are delicious!
Ingredients
Cheese Ball:
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (plus extra for dusting)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Decorations:
- Pretzel sticks (for stems)
- Fresh parsley or green onion tops (for leaves)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix until well blended. Divide the mixture into 10–12 small portions. Roll each portion into a ball. Use a knife or toothpick to gently press vertical lines around each ball to resemble a pumpkin. Sprinkle lightly with extra paprika for color.
- Insert a pretzel stick in the top of each ball to form the stem. Add a small parsley leaf or green onion top as the “pumpkin leaf.” Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Serve with crackers, pretzels, or fresh veggie sticks.
- For extra flavor, mix in finely chopped chives, jalapeños, or crumbled bacon.
- Make ahead: Cheese balls can be refrigerated up to 2 days before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mini cheese ball
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
