Mini Pumpkin Cheese Balls

Recipe: Mini Pumpkin Cheese Balls

Mini Pumpkin Cheese Balls are deliciously creamy, easy to make and super cute. Perfect for Halloween or Thanksgiving parties. These pretty little pumpkin shaped cheese balls come together within 15 minutes. Seriously, wondering why till now I haven’t made these easy peasy and versatile cheeseballs. Instead of serving cheese dip shaping them into a big or mini balls makes it look so beautiful.

 

Sharing Mini Pumpkin Cheese Balls Recipe With Sunday Funday

This weekend theme is Thanksgiving Appetizers suggested by Amy. She wrote ” Share your favorite Thanksgiving appetizers to munch while you wait for turkey!” Well, Canadian Thanksgiving Day was on 13th October this year while the US is coming up on 27th November. I had come across mini pumpkin cheese balls on Instagram. I liked the idea and tried making them for 13th October. They were a hit!

 

Why Make Cheese Balls?

• First of all it is the easiest appetizer to put together.
• Make a huge cheese ball or mini ones a couple of days ahead. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge. If you are using pretzel sticks, stick them into the balls just before serving as they turn soft.
• Versatile – add any vegetables, spices, herbs, dried fruits, sweeteners, nuts, cheese, fresh fruits, etc.  The main ingredient is cream cheese.
• Can be served with crackers of your choice, pretzels, chips, carrot sticks (baby carrots), celery sticks, cookies (for sweet cheese balls)

 

Some Add In Suggestions

Fresh Fruit – crushed pineapple, pomegranate, lemon juice, apple, olives,

Dried Fruit – Cranberries, apricots, blueberries, strawberries,

Nuts – Popular choices are walnuts, pecans, pistachios. Try some roasted peanuts, macadamia, almonds,  cashew nuts.

Veggies – chives, sweet peppers, spring onion, steamed spinach, pickled dill, pickled radish, jalapeño, celery,

Spices – paprika, chilli flakes, garlic powder, onion powder, turmeric, pepper, cayenne pepper, seasonings (taco, pumpkin, apple pie, )

Herbs– parsley, coriander (cilantro), oregano, mixed herbs, thyme, dill

Meat – crispy bacon, pepperoni, dried meat,

Cheese – parmesan, mozzarella, strong cheddar, goat cheese, white cheddar,

Sauces – Worcestershire sauce, chilli sauce, chilli oil, bbq sauce,

Sweet – sprinkles, chopped chocolates of your choice, confectioners sugar, M&M, honey, maple syrup, brown sugar

Seeds – sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, poppy seeds

 

 

Some More Appetizer | Starter Recipes You May Like

 

Thanksgiving Appetizer Recipes By Members Of Sunday Funday

• • • Baby Corn Rumaki by Palatable Pastime
    • Baked Brie with Dried Cranberries, Apples, and Walnuts by A Day in the Life on the Farm
    • Charcuterie Bites Pumpkin Centerpiece by Our Good Life
    • Cranberry-Chevre Twice Baked Potato Skins by Culinary Cam
    • Creamy Duck Liver Mousse by Food Lust People Love
    • Date and Walnut Bites by Sid’s Sea Palm Cooking
    • Membrillo – Quince Paste with Manchego Cheese by Karen’s Kitchen Stories
    • Mini Bread Cornucopia by Amy’s Cooking Adventures
    • Mini Pumpkin Cheese Balls by Mayuri’s Jikoni
    • Mixed Vegetable Sliders by Sneha’s Recipe

 

 

Ingredients Required For Mini Pumpkin Cheese Balls

Cream Cheese

Any cream cheese of your choice. I don’t like to use the light, reduced fat one for this. As we add other flavours store brand is fine as the Philadelphia has become expensive. I used 1 packet which is about 227g.

Cheddar Cheese

The ready grated cheddar cheese may not mix well with the cream cheese. Best to buy a block and grate or shred  it at home. We will be using 1 cup grated cheddar cheese.

Red Chilli Flakes

Adds a little bit of heat. Don’t go overboard with the amount you add as it will mask the flavours of other ingredients used.

Spring Onion

Finely chopped. I used a bit of the white and green part too, about 2-3 tbsp.

Paprika Powder

I have used smoked paprika powder. Can use normal paprika powder. Add some to the cream cheese mixture. And we will be using some more for coating.

Mixed Dried Herbs

I had Greek Seasoning in my panty and added that. It contains dried garlic flakes so didn’t add any extra garlic.

Salt

Any salt of your choice. Be careful as the cheeses are salty. Also the crushed tortilla chips too contasin salt.

Pepper Powder

Add according to your taste.

Tortilla Chips

I am not adding any to the cream cheese but using the crushed tortilla chips as a coating. For the pumpkin effect best to use tortilla chips that are yellow in colour. I used the cheddar flavour Doritos.

Black Sesame Seeds

For coating. And it tasted so good. I toasted the sesame seeds in the microwave oven for 30-40 seconds.

Pretzel Sticks

Don’t need that many, I had these broken pretzel sticks that I used as the stalk for the mini pumpkins.

 

Note:

Add any seasoning, spices, of your choice. If you like make only one type or all three.

 

 

 

 

 

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A Small Request

If you do try this recipe then please either

• • • add a comment below,
    • send a picture to my email mayuri.ajay.patel62@gmail.com
    •  tag me as #mayuri_jikoni on Instagram
    • or comment on Pinterest @mayuri62