Description

This festive pumpkin shaped cheese ball is creamy, tangy, and coated in crunchy nacho cheese chips for a vibrant Halloween centerpiece. Quick to prepare and always a crowd-pleaser, it’s perfect for parties and easy to customize for different tastes and diets.

Ingredients

Scale

16 oz cream cheese, softened
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/4 tsp salt (or to taste)
1/4 tsp black pepper (or to taste)
2 tbsp green onion, finely chopped
1/3 cup red bell pepper, finely chopped
1 cup crushed nacho cheese tortilla chips (such as Doritos)
1 bell pepper stem (reserved from a whole pepper, for decoration)
Crackers, pretzels, or veggies for serving

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese and shredded sharp cheddar. Blend with a hand mixer or sturdy spoon until smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes.
Add smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
Stir in chopped green onion and red bell pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.
Place a large piece of plastic wrap on the counter. Transfer the cheese mixture to the center, gather the edges, and form into a ball. Twist tightly and gently press to compact. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or up to overnight.
Crush nacho cheese tortilla chips in a zip-top bag with a rolling pin or pulse in a food processor until fine. Pour crumbs onto a plate.
Unwrap the chilled cheese ball and roll it in the crushed chips until fully coated. Shape into a squat pumpkin form using your hands or a knife. Create vertical grooves around the sides with fingers or a butter knife.
Insert the reserved bell pepper stem into the top center for the pumpkin stem. Substitute with celery or a pretzel rod if needed.
Optional: Chill the finished cheese ball for another 30 minutes to set the shape and keep the coating crisp.
Transfer to a serving platter and surround with crackers, pretzels, or veggies. Garnish with extra bell pepper strips or parsley leaves if desired.

Notes

For gluten-free, use gluten-free chips and crackers. Make ahead for deeper flavor; add coating and stem just before serving. Double-coat for extra crunch. If mixture is too soft, chill longer. Customize with herbs, spices, or nuts for different flavors. For vegan, use dairy-free cream cheese and cheddar.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: About 2 tablespoons per serving
Calories: 110
Sugar: 1
Sodium: 220
Fat: 9
Saturated Fat: 5
Carbohydrates: 4
Fiber: 0.5
Protein: 3

Keywords: cheese ball, Halloween snack, pumpkin shaped appetizer, party food, easy cheese ball, festive appetizer, fall recipes, holiday entertaining