Description
These Mini Pumpkin Cheese Balls are a festive and flavorful appetizer perfect for fall gatherings and parties. Cream cheese and cheddar combine with roasted red peppers, green onions, and spices to create a tangy cheese mixture rolled in crunchy coatings like crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos, paprika, and black sesame seeds. Decorated to look like little pumpkins with pretzel stems and parsley leaves, these bite-sized treats are as charming as they are delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Mixture
- 2 packages (16 ounces total) 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 and Garnish
- Crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos
- Paprika
- Black sesame seeds
- 20 pretzel sticks
- Fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
- Assorted crackers, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, grated cheddar cheese, finely chopped roasted red peppers, chopped 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 the cheese mixture for about one hour to firm up, making it easier to shape.
- Prepare Coatings: On small plates, spread out your chosen coatings such as crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos, paprika, and black sesame seeds. If using Doritos, crush them finely using a rolling pin inside a sealed plastic bag for a fine crumb texture.
- Shape Cheese Balls: Using a tablespoon measuring scoop, portion out the chilled cheese mixture and roll each portion into a ball with your hands. Place each ball on a plate as you form them.
- Coat Cheese Balls: Roll each cheese ball in one of the prepared coatings, pressing gently to adhere, then set aside on a serving plate.
- Create Pumpkin Design: Use a wooden skewer to make vertical and horizontal marks on the surface of each coated cheese ball to create the look of pumpkin ribs and segments.
- Add Pretzel Stems and Garnish: Insert half of a pretzel stick into the top center of each cheese ball to mimic a pumpkin stem. Garnish with a small fresh flat-leaf parsley leaf for a decorative touch.
- Chill Until Serving: Refrigerate the completed mini pumpkin cheese balls until ready to serve. Serve with assorted crackers for a delightful appetizer presentation.
Notes
- You can use as many or as few coatings as you prefer. Using multiple coatings provides texture and visual interest.
- If using only one coating, crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos are recommended for their great flavor and vibrant pumpkin color.
- To crush Doritos, place them in a sealed plastic bag and smash with a rolling pin until you achieve a fine crumb texture.
- These cheese balls can be prepared a day in advance and kept refrigerated to allow the flavors to meld.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mini cheese ball (approx. 25g)
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 0.5g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0.3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
