Pumpkin Cheese Ball

I think my husband loves this time of year as he walked in on me making this today and got really excited to see my newest food creation. Yes, September just started, and I can’t help but make ALL THE FALL RECIPES! My four-year-old thought that the “pumpkin” cheese ball was super cool because she’s obsessed with all things Halloween—but aren’t all toddlers absolutely obsessed with ALL holidays?! Toddlers love all the festivities.

This cheese ball is great if you’re hosting a DIY Halloween party, a classroom, or daycare party! It’s pretty low carb considering it’s a cheese ball rolled in nacho cheese Doritos. This is one filling appetizer as each serving contains more than 8 grams of protein. If you’re looking for a gluten free recipe, use orange chips without gluten. Nacho cheese Doritos are not gluten free.

This addicting pumpkin cheese ball contains cream cheese (make sure to use full fat and not whipped for the best outcome), freshly grated cheddar cheese, salsa, paprika, garlic powder, freshly cracked black pepper, crushed orange tortilla chips (we like these nacho cheese Doritos best), and the stem from a bell pepper. This festive appetizer recipe takes just 10 minutes to make, making it one quick Halloween snack recipe!

Ingredients in Pumpkin Cheese Ball

Cream cheese. Be sure to use full-fat cream cheese, avoiding any low fat or whipped varieties as they will not work in this recipe.

Cheddar cheese. Freshly grate cheddar cheese for the best taste.

Salsa. Pick any salsa you like for your cheese ball.

Paprika. Paprika provides spice and seasoning.

Garlic powder. Garlic powder provides aroma, flavor, and a garlicy taste.

Pepper. Freshly cracked black pepper offers the best taste and flavor for the cheese ball.

Tortilla chips. These Nacho cheese Dorito tortilla chips work best to turn the pumpkin cheese ball into an orange color.

Bell pepper. As an optional ingredient, use the stem from a bell pepper as the pumpkin’s stem.

How to make the best Pumpkin Cheese Ball

STEP 1: In a large bowl, mix the cream cheese, cheddar, salsa, paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper until smooth and creamy.

STEP 2: Line a plate with plastic wrap and place the cheese mixture on the plastic wrap, forming a round ball. Cover the ball with foil, and if necessary, form into a round ball again. Refrigerate for 2-3 hours.

STEP 3: While it’s refrigerating, crush the tortilla chips and set aside.

STEP 4: Before serving, add the crushed tortilla chips to the cheese ball. Top with the bell pepper stem.

STEP 5: If you make this recipe, don’t forget to leave a rating and comment!

You’ll love these fun Halloween recipes!

Caramel Apple Pretzel Bites

13 Easy Halloween Recipes

Halloween Jack-o’-Lantern Bean Dip

Halloween Bloody Finger Hot Dogs

Chocolate Halloween Bats

Mozzarella Witches’ Fingers

Halloween Jack-o’-Lantern Fanta Floats

Oreo Dirt Cups

Easy Chocolate Witch Hats

Chocolate Pretzel Spider Webs

Skeleton Bones

Pretzel Ghosts

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins

Final Thoughts

Finally, if you make this pumpkin cheese ball recipe, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I love to hear from everyone who makes this recipe and always try my best to respond to all comments.

If you do make this cheese ball recipe, don’t forget to tag #elisemccollister on Instagram! It makes me so happy to see your recipe photos!

Pumpkin Cheese Ball

Elise McCollister

This festive and delicious pumpkin cheese ball is perfect if you're hosting a Halloween or fall party, classroom party, or just want a mouthwatering cheese ball rolled in insanely delicious nacho cheese tortilla chips such as Doritos! It takes less than 10 minutes to make and always disappears fast when I make it.

No ratings yet

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Add to Collection Go to Collections

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Refrigerate 2 hours hrs

Total Time 2 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Course Appetizers, Snacks

Cuisine American

Servings 15

Calories 334 kcal

Equipment

• Large bowl

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x4x

• 16 oz. cream cheese softened to room temperature; this includes two 8 oz. packages
• 2 c cheddar cheese freshly grated
• ½ c salsa
• ¼ tsp paprika
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp pepper freshly cracked
• 2 c crushed orange tortilla chips I use nacho cheese Doritos, crushed
• 1 bell pepper stem optional

Instructions

 

• In a large bowl, mix the cream cheese, cheddar, salsa, paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper until smooth and creamy.
• Line a plate with plastic wrap and place the cheese mixture on the plastic wrap, forming a round ball. Cover the ball with foil, and if necessary, form into a round ball again. Refrigerate for 2-3 hours.
• While it’s refrigerating, crush the tortilla chips and set aside.
• Before serving, add the crushed tortilla chips to the cheese ball. Top with the bell pepper stem.
• If you make this appetizer recipe, don’t forget to leave a rating and comment!

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 334kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 8gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 46mgSodium: 468mgPotassium: 148mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 616IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 182mgIron: 0.5mg

Did you try this recipe?Mention @elisemccollister or tag #elisemccollister!