Description
Mini Pumpkin Cheese Balls are a delightful and festive appetizer perfect for fall gatherings. Creamy and cheesy with a hint of spice, these bite-sized treats are rolled in crunchy coatings to mimic mini pumpkins, complete with pretzel stick stems and parsley leaf garnish for a charming presentation.
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
- Crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos
- Paprika
- Black sesame seeds
Garnish
- 20 pretzel sticks
- Fresh flat-leaf parsley
- Assorted crackers for serving
Instructions
- Mix the cheese base: In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, grated cheddar cheese, finely chopped roasted red peppers, green onions, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Stir thoroughly with a wooden spoon until all ingredients are evenly incorporated. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Chill the mixture: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and place it in the refrigerator for about one hour to let the flavors meld and to firm up the mixture for easier shaping.
- Prepare coatings and form balls: Arrange your selected coatings—crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos, paprika, and black sesame seeds—each on separate small plates. Using a tablespoon, scoop portions of the chilled mixture and roll each into a small ball using your hands. Continue until all the mixture is formed into balls.
- Coat the cheese balls: Roll each cheese ball in one of the prepared coatings, ensuring an even layer covers the surface, then place them on a serving plate or tray.
- Create pumpkin shape and garnish: Using a wooden skewer, gently press vertical and horizontal lines into the surface of each coated ball to simulate the grooves of a pumpkin. Insert half of a pretzel stick vertically into the top center of each ball to resemble the pumpkin stem. Garnish by placing a small leaf of fresh flat-leaf parsley beside or attached near the pretzel stick.
- Refrigerate and serve: Chill the pumpkin cheese balls in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Present them alongside an assortment of crackers for a festive appetizer.
Notes
- Ensure the roasted red peppers are well-drained and patted dry to avoid excess moisture in the cheese mixture.
- You can substitute the coatings with other crunchy or colorful toppings, such as crushed nuts or herbs, to customize the look and flavor.
- The cheese balls can be made a day in advance and refrigerated to save time on the day of serving.
- For easier shaping, keep your hands slightly damp to prevent the cheese from sticking.
- These cheese balls are excellent for fall parties, Halloween, Thanksgiving, or any festive occasion.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mini cheese ball
- Calories: ninety-five
- Sugar: 0.5g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0.3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
