Pumpkin Cheese Ball
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
This Pumpkin Cheese Ball recipe is super easy to make and loaded with flavor! Coated in crushed Doritos to look like a real pumpkin, it’s the perfect appetizer for any fall gathering or Halloween party!
Originally published August 2023 – Updated September 2024
I love a good cheese ball as a party appetizer. They’re easy to make and always a big hit. Plus, there are so many fun ways to switch them up!
That’s what makes this pumpkin cheese ball so much fun. Sure, I could’ve just made a regular cheese ball for Halloween, but where’s the fun in that! This one, covered in Doritos to give it a real pumpkin look, will take your appetizer table to a whole new level.
With a mix of cream cheese, cheddar, bacon, corned beef and seasonings, it’s as delicious as it is fun. Serve it alongside this Hocus Pocus charcuterie board and you will definitely win Halloween!
Why We Love This Recipe
It’s a Party Favorite – Everyone loves a homemade cheese ball, and this is our favorite Halloween parties. It’s a simple appetizer that you can serve with crackers, pita chips, pretzels, veggies and more.
Make Ahead – You can make this recipe a day ahead so it’s ready to go whenever your party starts!
It’s Easy – Next time you need a quick and delicious party treat, just mix everything together, roll it into a ball and put it in the fridge. The hardest part is waiting for your guest to arrive to eat it!
Ingredients
- Cream cheese
- Corned beef (we used Buddig Beef)
- Green onions
- Shredded mild cheddar
- Bacon bits or pieces
- Dill weed
- Garlic powder
- Ranch seasoning
- Doritos (finely processed)
- Pumpkin stem
- Rosemary sprigs (optional)
- Assorted crackers, chips and bakery bread (for dipping)
How to Make a Halloween Cheeseball
Step 1. Place cream cheese, beef, green onions, shredded cheese and bacon bits into a large mixing bowl. Add the dill weed, garlic powder, and ranch seasoning.
Step 2. Mix ingredients until well combined. (I found that it’s easiest to knead it by hand like you would a meatloaf).
Step 3. Roll the cream cheese mixture into a tight ball and wrap in a large piece of plastic wrap. Press down gently, making the top and bottom flat for a pumpkin shape. Using a pencil, kitchen twine or the dull side of a knife, make indents all the way around, then refrigerate for half an hour.
Step 4. Pour the crushed Doritos onto a plate. Unwrap the cheeseball and roll it in the Doritos until well coated. You may need to redefine the indents afterwards. Place your pumpkin on a serving plate and top it with your stem and rosemary sprigs.
Step 5. Add crackers, serve and enjoy!
If you don’t want to buy a pumpkin just for the stem, you can use a bell pepper stem, a piece of celery, a gherkin pickle or even a large pretzel stick cut in half. You could replace the rosemary by adding a couple of basil leaves or sage leaves around the bottom of the stem.
Tips & Tricks
- You can substitute other flavors of Doritos or just about any kind of any kind of tortilla chips to make the crunchy coating. You could also skip the chips altogether and cover the outside of the cheese ball in shredded cheddar cheese instead.
- Add even more flavor by replacing the mild cheddar with sharp cheddar.
- When forming the cheese mixture into a pumpkin-shaped ball, spray your hands with a little bit of non-stick cooking spray. It’ll ensure that the mixture shapes easily and doesn’t stick to your fingers.
- Be sure to start with room temperature cream cheese. Cold cream cheese won’t blend as well and you’re more likely to get lumpy cheese ball. If you forget to set it out ahead of time (which I often do), mix it with your stand mixer until you get a creamy consistency.
How Do I Store This?
You can refrigerate your leftovers for 2-3 days. For best results, wrap the cheese ball in plastic wrap, then place it in a Ziplock bag or airtight container.
How Long Can My Pumpkin Cheese Ball Sit Out?
For best results, you’ll want to keep the cheese ball out no more than about two hours. Since most parties last a little longer than that, you may want to make a couple of smaller mini pumpkins and keep the second one in the fridge until it’s needed.
More Fun Fall Appetizer Ideas
You can never go wrong with a cheeseball recipe but if you’re looking more appetizer ideas, you’ll want to check out these delicious recipes too…
- Halloween Charcuterie Board Ideas
- Ground Beef Taco Dip
- Baked Jalapeno Poppers
- Sausage Cheese Dip
- Bacon Wrapped Meatballs
- Mini Cheese Balls
- Maple Bacon Crack
Pumpkin Cheese Ball
Equipment
- mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 16 ounces cream cheese
- 4 ounces Buddig Beef 2 packages, finely chopped
- 1 bundle green onions chopped
- 3/4 cup shredded mild cheddar
- 3/4 cup real bacon bits or pieces
- 1 teaspoon dill weed
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning
- 2 cups Doritos finely processed
- 1 pumpkin stem
- 2 rosemary sprigs
Instructions
- Place cream cheese, beef, green onions, shredded cheese and bacon bits into a large mixing bowl. Add the dill weed, garlic powder, and ranch seasoning.16 ounces cream cheese, 4 ounces Buddig Beef, 1 bundle green onions, 3/4 cup shredded mild cheddar, 3/4 cup real bacon bits or pieces, 1 teaspoon dill weed, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning
- Mix ingredients until well combined. (I found that it’s easiest to knead it by hand like you would a meatloaf).
- Roll the cream cheese mixture into a tight ball and wrap in a large piece of plastic wrap. Press down gently, making the top and bottom flat for a pumpkin shape.
- Using a pencil, kitchen twine or the dull side of a knife, make indents all the way around, then refrigerate for half an hour.
- Pour the crushed Doritos onto a plate. Unwrap the cheeseball and roll it in the Doritos until well coated. You may need to redefine the indents afterwards.2 cups Doritos
- Place your pumpkin on a serving platter and top it with your stem and rosemary sprigs. Add crackers and other dippers, then serve and enjoy!1 pumpkin stem, 2 rosemary sprigs
Notes
- When forming the cheese mixture into a ball, spray your hands with a little non-stick cooking spray so that the mixture shapes easily and doesn’t stick.
- If you don’t want to buy a pumpkin just for the stem, you can use a bell pepper stem, a piece of celery, a gherkin pickle or even a large pretzel stick cut in half as your stem.
- Serve with pretzel sticks, crackers, veggies or anything else you like!
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?
Share it with me on Instagram @funmoneymom and follow on Pinterest @funmoneymom for more!
Let’s be friends!
Did you love this post? Make sure to comment below and let me know your thoughts! And don’t forget to follow on your favorite social network below!
Love this…❣️ My school kids & I will be making a bunch of these Cheese Balls❣️
I hope you enjoyed it!