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Mini Pumpkin Cheese Balls Recipe

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4.7 from 68 reviews

These Mini Pumpkin Cheese Balls are a festive and flavorful appetizer perfect for fall gatherings. Cream cheese and sharp cheddar combine with roasted red peppers and spices, then rolled into bite-sized balls coated with crunchy crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos, paprika, and black sesame seeds for texture and color. Pretzel sticks and parsley garnish complete the pumpkin look, making them a fun and savory treat that’s easy to prepare ahead.

Ingredients

Scale

Cheese Ball 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 leaves
  • Assorted crackers, for serving

Instructions

  1. Mix the Cheese Base: In a medium bowl, combine softened cream cheese, grated cheddar cheese, finely chopped roasted red peppers, chopped green onions, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Stir well using a wooden spoon until all ingredients are evenly incorporated. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  2. Chill the Mixture: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the mixture for about one hour. This helps the mixture firm up, making it easier to shape into balls.
  3. Prepare Coatings: Arrange your chosen coatings—crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos, paprika, and black sesame seeds—onto small separate plates. To crush the Doritos, place them in a plastic bag and use a rolling pin or similar tool to smash them into fine crumbs.
  4. Shape the Cheese Balls: Using a tablespoon measuring scoop, portion out the chilled cheese mixture. Roll each portion between your palms to form small, even balls. Place them on a plate.
  5. Coat the Cheese Balls: Roll each cheese ball in one of the prepared coatings until fully coated. Set aside on a clean plate.
  6. Create Pumpkin Details: Use a wooden skewer to press indentations on the sides and top of each ball, mimicking the ridges of a pumpkin. Insert half of a pretzel stick into the top center of each ball to serve as the pumpkin stem.
  7. Garnish and Serve: Add a small leaf of fresh flat-leaf parsley next to the pretzel stem on each cheese ball for a leafy accent. Refrigerate the finished cheese balls until ready to serve alongside assorted crackers.

Notes

  • You can customize the coatings by using as many or as few as you prefer. Using the crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos alone is recommended for the best flavor and authentic pumpkin color.
  • To crush Doritos effectively, place them in a sealed plastic bag and gently crush them with a rolling pin until fine crumbs are formed.
  • These cheese balls can be made a day ahead and kept refrigerated, making them great for party prep.
  • For a spicier kick, adjust the cayenne pepper amount to suit your taste.

Keywords: mini cheese balls, pumpkin cheese balls, fall appetizer, cream cheese appetizer, party bites, Halloween appetizer

Find it online: https://mixitwitjoe.com/mini-pumpkin-cheese-balls-recipe/