Easy Pumpkin Shaped Cheese Ball Recipe

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

This Pumpkin Shaped Cheese ball is so easy to make and is absolutely delicious. It’s perfect for any party or gathering, and it looks great on the table! So get ready for some yummy cheesy goodness with this appetizer recipe!

If you love making fall cheese balls you may also enjoy this Apple Spice Cheese Ball recipe! The sweetness combined with smooth cream cheese makes this dessert cheese ball out of this world delicious.

Holiday pumpkin shaped cheese ball recipe with crackers.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This easy festive pumpkin cheese ball has a great flavor and will look amazing on your holiday table.
All the ingredients are easy to find at your local grocery store you don’t have to worry about making trips to multiple stores.
This is a low-carb appetizer! Serve with vegetables for the ultimate healthy option.
It’s the perfect appetizer for a Halloween party or Thanksgiving dinner and your guests will love it.

Ingredients Needed

You only need simple ingredients to help you make this pumpkin-shaped cheeseball recipe. Gather these ingredients and get ready to enjoy this tasty appetizer at your fall party with your friends and family.

cream cheese – I use full-fat but you can use a lighter version if you prefer.
cheddar cheese – shred in the medium or even small grater. You don’t want the shreds to be too thick.
Worcestershire sauce
green onions
salt
black pepper
garlic powder
Everything Bagel seasoning – I purchase this from Trader Joe’s, but the kitchn shows you how to mix your own blend with just five ingredients.
Top stem from a jalapeno pepper

A scoop of cream cheese on a cracker ready to eat.

How to Make This Pumpkin Shaped Cheese Ball

One of my favorite things about this recipe is that it comes together in a few simple steps. Follow these instructions here or in the recipe card at the bottom of this post and you will have an adorable pumpkin cheese ball to share with your family in no time at all.

Step 1: Add the ingredients to a mixing bowl.

In a medium mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, cheddar cheese, Worcestershire sauce, green onions, and seasonings.

Cheese ball ingredients in a clear mixing bowl.

Step 2: Combine the cheese ball mixture.

Blend together with an electric hand mixer or stand m.ixer for 2-3 minutes until smooth and thoroughly combined. The mixture will be thick.

Blended cheese mix combined in a clear mixing bowl.

Step 3: Shape the festive cheese ball.

Spread a large piece of large sheet of plastic wrap flat on a clean flat surface. Gather the mixture with your hands and shape it into a large ball.

Cheese mix formed into a ball on a piece of plastic wrap.

Step 4: Add the cheese ball to the plastic wrap and cover.

Place on the plastic wrap and wrap the ball until it’s fully covered. Gently press down to flatten slightly.

Step 5: Wrap the rubber bands around the ball to make vertical grooves.

Place eight rubber bands over the ball, evenly spaced. They should be tight enough to create indentions in the cheese ball, giving it a pumpkin shape. You may want to use multiple rubber bands per path. When done, place in the refrigerator and allow to chill for 2 hours.

Rubber bands over a cheese wrapped ball forming into a shape of a pumpkin.

Step 6: Unwrap the cheese ball.

After chill time, remove from the refrigerator, remove rubber bands, and remove plastic wrap.

Step 7: Add the stem

Take a toothpick and stick it into the inside of the jalapeno pepper stem. Next, you’ll be able to stick the toothpick and stem into the top of the pumpkin, where the indentions all come together. This will represent the pumpkin stem.

Adding a stem to a pumpkin shaped cheese ball.

Step 8: Cover in Everything Bagel Seasoning before serving.

Lastly, cover with Everything Bagel seasoning, covering the entire cheese ball. Serve immediately or place inside the refrigerator until ready to serve. Serve with your favorite crackers or chopped vegetables.

Pumpkin shaped cheese ball on a platter with everything bagel seasoning.

What To Serve With This Dish

Serve this delicious appetizer with your favorite fall meal. I like to serve it for Thanksgiving alongside this Easy Smoked Turkey and Creamy Tortellini Mac and Cheese.

Substitutions and Additions

Want to add some heat to this pumpkin cheese ball recipe? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper for a touch of spice, or dice the jalapeno.
Don’t have a jalapeno hand? You can also use a bell pepper stem for the pumpkin stem.
Not a fan of green onion? Feel free to leave them out and use 1/2 teaspoon onion powder instead.
Looking for another option in place of the Everything Bagel seasoning blend? Finely crushed Cheez-It crackers will turn your pumpkin into an extra cheesy orange pumpkin!
For a little extra flavor add a little ranch seasoning to the cream cheese mixture.

Cheese ball with a portion removed with a cracker.

How To Store

Store the cheese ball in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also keep it wrapped tightly in plastic wrap to keep it fresh.

Sandra’s Pro Tips

Here are a few tips that you can use to ensure this fun pumpkin cheese ball recipe turns out well for you every time that you make it.

It’s important to make sure that you use softened cream cheese it will mix easier and give you the best result.
I use thick rubber bands to make the pumpkin ridges. However, you can also use kitchen string if you don’t have rubber bands.
Serve this cheese ball with sturdy crackers, or pita chips so they hold up well to smearing.
I like to use sharp cheddar cheese to make this cheese ball but mild cheddar will also work just fine. However, don’t recommend that you use white cheddar cheese because the cheese ball will not have an orange color.

Cheese ball shaped into a pumpkin surrounded by crackers.

FAQs

Do you have questions about this delicious recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions for this recipe.

What is a good cracker for a cheese ball?

Sturdy crackers such as pita chips, wheat thins, and Triscuits are great for spreading a cheese ball.

How do you soften cream cheese for cheese balls?

If your cream cheese is too hard, you can place it in a bowl and microwave it on medium power for 15 seconds at a time until softened.

Can I freeze cheese balls?

Yes, you can freeze cheese balls after they have been fully assembled. Simply wrap the cheese ball in plastic wrap and store it in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Other Delicious Cheesy Recipes You May Enjoy

Low carb mini cheese ball bites coated in different toppings. #lowCarb #Appetizer #CheeseBall

Apple Spice Cheese Ball