This Pumpkin Cheese Ball is the perfect, festive addition to your next Fall or Halloween party! This 5 ingredient appetizer is made with pumpkin spice cream cheese, sharp cheddar, dried cranberries, and pistachios!
This pumpkin cheese ball recipe is so easy that even this non-Pinterest-y mom can handle it! 😉 The secret ingredients to making this ultra festive? Pumpkin spice cream cheese, rubber bands, and a bell pepper stem!
Ingredients
This savory cheese ball only requires 5 ingredients!
- Cream Cheese – you’ll need 2 (7.5 oz) tubs pumpkin spice cream cheese. I used the Philadelphia brand, but any brand should be just fine. Not a fan of pumpkin/pumpkin spice? Make any cheese ball recipe (I love this potato chip cheese ball recipe), then follow the directions below for how to make a cheese ball look like a pumpkin.
- Cheese – shred 1 (8 oz) block sharp white cheddar cheese, before pulsing it into the cream cheese mixture. Pre-shredded cheese will work in a pinch, but shredding your own is always preferred, because it doesn’t contain anti-caking agents, which can make the cheese feel dry. Yellow cheddar cheese may also be used.
- Dried Cranberries – craisins add a tart, sweet flavor that compliments the cozy, earthy pumpkin flavor so well. What’s more fall than cranberries and pumpkin?!
- Pistachios – roasted, salted pistachios balance out the tanginess of the cream cheese and the sweetness of the craisins. They also provide a much needed crunch. Roasted, salted pecans may also be used.
- Cheez-Its – once the cheese ball has been shaped and chilled, it gets rolled in finely crushed crackers. I love using cheez-its for the salty flavor and bright orange color, but if cheez-its aren’t your thing, try rolling the pumpkin in crushed pecans or finely shredded cheddar instead.
Pro tip
I love this recipe, because it looks AND tastes like pumpkin, but if that’s not your thing, don’t forget, you can make a cheese ball any flavor!
How to make
This easy fall appetizer comes together in a matter of minutes!
- Place cream cheese into a food processor and process until smooth, then pulse in the cheese, cranberries, pistachios, and salt until combined.* Set aside.
- Wrap the cheese mixture in the saran wrap until fully covered (use another piece of saran wrap if it’s not fully covered), use your hands to shape the mixture into a ball, then use rubber bands to create the pumpkin shape.
- Chill in the fridge until firm, unwrap the pumpkin, then press the crushed crackers until the cheese ball is fully covered.
- Top the cheese ball with the bell pepper stem, serve with crackers of choice, and enjoy!
Pro tip
No food processor? No problem! Simply chop the craisins and pistachios until the desired texture is reached, then stir everything together until combined.
How to make a cheese ball look like a pumpkin
Rubber bands, a leftover bell pepper stem, and some crushed cheez-its are all you need to turn a cheese ball into a pumpkin!
- Once the cheese ball has been fully covered in the saran wrap, use 4 thick rubber bands to create 8 wedges in the ball (see photo above for visuals).
- After the pumpkin cheese ball has been chilled and unwrapped, roll the pumpkin in crushed cheez-its. The bright orange color really makes it look more pumpkin-like.
- Gently press a bell pepper stem into the top of the cheese ball; it looks just like a pumpkin stem!
Pro tip
Don’t forget to chill overnight! The cream cheese needs to be firm to hold its shape.
What to serve with a pumpkin cheese ball
Although this cheese ball uses pumpkin spice cream cheese, it is NOT sweet. This savory cheese ball is best served with a cheese knife, crackers of choice, crostini, bagel chips, pretzel crisps, or pita chips.
Pro tip
If you’re looking for something a little lighter, try apple slices, celery, and/or carrot sticks!
How to store
Leftovers will last at room temperature for up to 2 hours or in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. I do not recommend freezing.
– Jennifer
Pumpkin Cheese Ball
This Pumpkin Cheese Ball is the perfect, festive addition to your next Fall or Halloween party! This 5 ingredient appetizer is made with pumpkin spice cream cheese, sharp cheddar, dried cranberries, and pistachios!
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Yield: 16 people
Equipment for this recipe
(equipment shown are affiliate links)
Ingredients
- 2 (7.5 oz) tubs pumpkin spice cream cheese I used the Philadelphia brand
- 1 (8 oz) block sharp white cheddar cheese shredded
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup roasted and salted pistachios
- salt to taste (I did 1/2 teaspoon)
- 1 cup cheez-its crushed into a fine crumb
- Bell pepper stem
- Crackers for serving
Instructions
- Place cream cheese into a food processor and process until smooth, then pulse in the cheese, cranberries, pistachios, and salt until combined.* Set aside.
- Place a large piece of saran wrap onto a clean work surface, then scoop the cheese mixture into the middle.
- Wrap the cheese mixture in the saran wrap until fully covered (use another piece of saran wrap if it’s not fully covered), then use your hands to shape the mixture into a ball.
- Use 4 thick rubber bands to create 8 wedges in the ball; this is what gives the ball a pumpkin shape.**
- Place the cheese ball into the fridge to set, at least 6 hours, but preferably overnight.
- Remove the rubber bands and saran wrap, then gently press the crushed cheez-its to cover the cheese ball.
- Top the cheese ball with the bell pepper stem, serve with crackers of choice, and enjoy!
- Take 5 seconds to either rate this recipe below and/or PIN it. We greatly appreciate it!
STORING
Room Temp:2 Hours
Refrigerator:3-4 Days
Freezer:N/A
Reheat:N/A
*Storage times may vary based on temperature and conditions
Notes
*It’s ok if there are chunks of cranberries/pistachios, it gives the cheese ball texture! **See photo under How to Make a Cheese Ball Look like a Pumpkin for visuals.
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Nutrition Information
Nutrition Facts
Pumpkin Cheese Ball
Amount Per Serving (0.5 wedge)
Calories 137 Calories from Fat 72
% Daily Value*
Fat 8g12%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Trans Fat 1g
Cholesterol 17mg6%
Sodium 313mg14%
Potassium 131mg4%
Carbohydrates 9g3%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 5g6%
Protein 9g18%
Vitamin A 172IU3%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 204mg20%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
*Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on products used.
Keywords: fall appetizer, halloween appetizer, pumpkin cream cheese, pumpkin spice, thanksgiving appetizer, thanksgiving cheese ball