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Mini Pumpkin Cheese Balls

Mini Pumpkin Cheese Balls: Cute, Creamy Bites for Fall Fun

These Mini Pumpkin Cheese Balls are cute, creamy bites perfect for fall gatherings.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Chill Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 12 balls
Course: Appetizers
Cuisine: American
Calories: 120

Ingredients
  

For the Cheese Mixture
  • 8 oz Cream Cheese Full-fat for best texture
  • 1 cup Grated Cheddar Cheese Substitute with pepper jack for a spicy kick
  • 1/2 cup Roasted Red Peppers Drained and chopped
  • 1/4 cup Green Onions Sliced, can substitute with chives
  • 1 tsp Garlic Powder Fresh minced garlic can be used
  • 1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper Omit for a milder version
  • 1/2 tsp Salt Adjust to taste
  • 1/4 tsp Pepper Adjust to taste
For the Coatings
  • 1 cup Crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos For a zesty crunch
  • 1 tbsp Paprika For warm color and flavor
  • 1/4 cup Black Sesame Seeds Can substitute with any seeds
For Serving
  • 12 pieces Pretzel Sticks For whimsical stems
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley Optional, for garnish
  • 1 box Assorted Crackers For serving alongside

Equipment

  • mixing bowl
  • Fork or Spatula
  • Plastic wrap
  • Platter
  • Wooden Skewer or Fork

Method
 

Preparation Steps
  1. In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, grated cheddar, roasted red peppers, green onions, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Blend until fully incorporated.
  2. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about one hour to firm up the mixture.
  3. Set up your coating stations with small plates of crushed Doritos, paprika, and sesame seeds.
  4. Once firm, scoop portions and roll into small balls resembling pumpkins. Place on a platter.
  5. Roll each ball in your chosen coating until fully covered.
  6. Using a skewer or fork, press lines into each cheese ball to create a pumpkin appearance.
  7. Insert half of a pretzel stick into each cheese ball to simulate a pumpkin stem.
  8. Refrigerate until ready to serve, and serve alongside assorted crackers.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ballCalories: 120kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 3gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 150mgPotassium: 50mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 0.5mg

Notes

Chilling the cheese mixture first helps achieve the best consistency for shaping. Prepare the cheese mixture a day in advance for enhanced flavor.

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