Description
These Mini Pumpkin Cheese Balls are a delightful and festive appetizer perfect for fall gatherings. Made with a creamy blend of cream cheese, sharp cheddar, and flavorful roasted red peppers, these bite-sized treats are coated in colorful toppings and finished with pretzel stems and parsley leaves to resemble mini pumpkins. Easy to prepare and visually charming, they are sure to impress guests at any party.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 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 Cheeses and Flavors: 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. Use a wooden spoon to mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Chill the Mixture: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the cheese mixture for about an hour. This chilling step firms up the mixture, making it easier to handle for shaping into balls.
- Prepare the Coatings: On small plates, spread out the crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos, paprika, and black sesame seeds. These coatings add both texture and flavor to the cheese balls.
- Form Cheese Balls: Using a tablespoon measuring scoop, portion out the chilled cheese mixture and roll each portion into a small ball. Place the formed balls on a plate as you go.
- Coat the Cheese Balls: Roll each ball in your choice of coatings, covering them evenly. Set the coated balls aside on a serving plate or tray.
- Create the Pumpkin Design: Use a wooden skewer to gently make vertical and horizontal incisions on each coated ball to mimic the ridges of a pumpkin.
- Add the Pretzel Stem and Garnish: Insert half of a pretzel stick into the top center of each mini cheese ball to represent the stem. Garnish by placing a small leaf of fresh flat-leaf parsley beside the stick to complete the pumpkin look.
- Chill Until Serving: Refrigerate the mini pumpkin cheese balls until ready to serve. Serve with assorted crackers as a festive appetizer.
Notes
- You can customize the coatings to suit your taste and presentation. Using multiple coatings adds color and texture contrast; however, a single coating like crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos works well for great flavor and vibrant pumpkin color.
- To crush Doritos evenly, place them in a plastic bag and smash with a rolling pin until fine crumbs are achieved.
- The pretzel sticks act as pumpkin stems and add a fun edible decoration, but can be omitted if desired.
- This recipe yields about 28 mini cheese balls, ideal for serving at parties or gatherings.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mini cheese ball
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0.3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
