Pumpkin Cheese Ball Recipe

This festive holiday Pumpkin Cheese Ball recipe is perfect for fall and Thanksgiving. It’s super easy to make and has sweet and savory flavors that resemble a pumpkin pie. It even looks like a pumpkin!

Cheese balls are the perfect party appetizers. They require only a handful of ingredients, take minutes to prep, transport easily and are great for sharing. That pretty much checks all my boxes. On top of that, they’re loaded with cheesy goodness and are super yummy.

There are tons of flavor options you can try, but for a holiday feel, there’s nothing better than a Pumpkin Cheese Ball. My cheese ball recipe not only looks like a pumpkin, but it’s also a bit sweet with pumpkin pie flavors.

How is that you ask? Let me start by breaking down the ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe.

Pumpkin Cheese Ball Ingredients

• Cream cheese: Use regular (not low-fat) for best flavor
• Shredded mozzarella cheese: Extra cheesiness and helps create the ideal texture
• Pumpkin puree: Adds flavor and color to the pumpkin cheeseball
• Pumpkin pie spice: Common ingredient in Thanksgiving recipes that punches up the flavor 
• Maple syrup: Add sweetness to create a pumpkin pie flavor
• Chopped pecans: Used to coat the cheeseball 
• Bell pepper stem: Tops the cheese ball to create a pumpkin look

I experimented with a few different ways to make a pumpkin cheese ball, but found this combination of ingredients has the best flavor and texture.

Some pumpkin cheese balls just simply look like a pumpkin. You can have the best of both worlds with pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, and maple syrup mixed right in. It truly has a wonderful, festive holiday flavor.

I love the combination of sweet and savory. Have you ever tried cheddar and apple? It’s the same idea. In fact, try my Caramel Apple Cheese Ball for this same combination. 

Another common way to make pumpkin cheese balls is by coating it with crushed chips such as Doritos or Cheetos. This adds a nice orange color to create a pumpkin look. Or you could use chopped pecans for a healthier and gluten-free option, which is what I prefer. 

How to Make a Pumpkin Cheese Ball

Making a pumpkin cheese ball is easy, but there are a few things you should know for the best cheese ball. Let’s start with a step-by-step, then I’ll cover a few extra tips.

1. Toast chopped pecans over medium heat until fragrant and lightly browned. Remove from pan, spread into a layer on a plate, and cool to room temperature. 
2. Let cream cheese sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes to soften.
3. In a medium bowl, stir together softened cream cheese, shredded Mozzarella, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, and maple syrup until evenly combined. 
4. Use hands to form into an even ball. Roll cheese ball over pecans to coat the outside.
5. Use a butter knife to create indents about 1-inch apart around the outside of the cheeseball to create a pumpkin look. Top with a bell pepper stem and serve with crackers or bread.

How to Create the Pumpkin Look

• Simply use a butter knife to score vertical lines about 1-inch apart along the outside of the cheeseball
• Another method is to wrap it in a couple of layers of plastic wrap, then use a rubber band to create the indents.
• Top it off with a bell pepper stem to finish off the pumpkin look

A Few Tips You Should Know

• Make sure cream cheese is at room temperature. Softened cream cheese is easier to mix with other ingredients
• Toast the chopped nuts for added flavor. Be to cool to room temp before coating the ball, otherwise, it will melt the cheese
• If the cheese ball is too soft and not rolling well, chill covered in the fridge for about 20 minutes to firm up

How to serve and store

• Keep in the fridge until ready to serve. It pairs well with crackers, crostini, bread or vegetables such as cucumber and bell peppers.
• To store leftovers: Stor in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
• Freezing is not recommended as the texture of the cream cheese will be affected once defrosted.

More Cheese Ball Recipes You’ll Like

• Caramel Apple Cheese Ball
• Lemon Herb Goat Cheese Ball
• Craisins White Cheddar Cheese Ball

Other Sides and Appetizers to Serve During the Holidays

• Ricotta Crostini Appetizers
• Phyllo Cup Appetizers
• Stuffed Flank Steak Pinwheels
• Creamy Mashed Potatoes0
• Green Bean Casserole with Candied Bacon
• Au Gratin Potatoes
• Homemade Cranberry Chutney
• Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms
• Keto Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
• Gluten-Free Mac and Cheese

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5 from 5 votes

Pumpkin Cheese Ball Recipe

The festive holiday Pumpkin Cheese Ball is perfect for fall and Thanksgiving. It has sweet and savory flavors that resemble a pumpkin pie. It even looks like a pumpkin!

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

To toast pecans 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 15 minutes minutes

Calories 68kcal

Servings 28 tablespoons

Author: Matt Ivan

Did you know? Servings and ingredient amounts can be adjusted on all my recipes. Click the green number above to change.

Ingredients

• ▢ ¾ cup chopped pecans
• ▢ 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
• ▢ 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ▢ ⅛ cup pumpkin puree
• ▢ 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• ▢ 1 bell pepper stem

Instructions

• Toast chopped pecans over medium heat until fragrant and lightly browned. Remove from pan, spread into a layer on a plate, and cool to room temperature.
• In a medium bowl, stir together softened cream cheese, shredded Mozzarella, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, and maple syrup until evenly combined.
• Use hands to form into an even ball. Roll cheese ball over pecans to coat the outside.
• Use a butter knife to create indents about 1-inch apart around the outside of the cheeseball to create a pumpkin look.
• Top with a bell pepper stem and serve with crackers or bread.

Notes

• Use regular cream cheese (not low-fat) for best flavor
• Let cream cheese sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes to soften. Softened cream cheese is easier to mix with other ingredients
• Toast the chopped nuts for added flavor. Be to cool to room temp before coating the ball, otherwise, it will melt the cheese
• If the cheese ball is too soft and not rolling well, chill covered in the fridge for about 20 minutes to firm up

Nutrition Facts

Pumpkin Cheese Ball Recipe

Amount Per Serving (2 tablespoons)

Calories 68 Calories from Fat 54

% Daily Value*

Fat 6g9%

Saturated Fat 3g19%

Cholesterol 14mg5%

Sodium 64mg3%

Potassium 32mg1%

Carbohydrates 1g0%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 2g4%

Vitamin A 320IU6%

Vitamin C 1mg1%

Calcium 41mg4%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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