I was sitting next to my husband on the couch while I was working on these photos yesterday and kept asking him “If I call this a pumpkin cheese ball, will they assume there’s pumpkin in it? That I rolled a ball of pumpkin in Doritos crumbs? WILL THEY CLICK THAT X UP THERE AS SOON AS THEY SEE THE TITLE?!” He has assured me that you won’t think that. So here’s hoping he’s right.
It definitely doesn’t have any pumpkin in it but it is rolled in those Doritos crumbs I mentioned and then topped with a bell pepper stem so it looks like a pumpkin. It’s actually kind of taco-y. My husband’s mom makes a taco salad dip that starts with a layer of cream cheese mixed with taco seasoning and this reminded me so much of that. If you’ve had that kind of dip, you’ll know what I’m talking about.
It was so delicious and addictive. I found myself making unnecessary trips to the kitchen just so I could grab another chip covered in cheesiness. My husband was on 24-hour staff duty the day I made it and I swear I got 6 texts during that time reminding me not to eat all of it.
And look how cute it is!

- 16 ounces cream cheese softened
- 2 cups cheddar cheese
- 3 tablespoons finely diced onion
- 1/2 cup chunky salsa
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 cups Doritos crumbled
- top of 1 green bell pepper for stem garnish
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In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, onion, salsa, and cumin. Beat until well mixed and creamy.
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Scoop the mixture into plastic wrap and shape into a ball. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
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When ready to serve, roll ball in Doritos until covered. Place bell pepper stem on top. Serve with tortilla chips, crackers, or fresh veggies.
Too cute, and I love how you made the stem. Seems like we are on the same wavelength today as I posted pumpkin shaped popcorn balls!
Love. Want. Need.
I made this last year and everyone LOVED it!! So freaking cute! Happy Fall! :)
Ok seriously – cutest cheese ball ever!! I totally want to make it but I know I’ll end up eating the whole thing myself given my current Doritos addiction…
Oh damn, I need this!! This recipe is perfect :)
This sounds so good, plus I am totally addicted to Doritos!
Awesome! Gluten free too, by the looks of it.
cheese, cream cheese, salsa and Doritos – WOW That sounds so good! It would be great party food! And you did a great job making it look like a pumpkin (minus using any pumpkin). So cute! Pinned!
I do make a cheeseball with pumpkin and it is awesome. Omit the salsa and cumin, add 1/2 cup of pumpkin and dried beef. This is so good that most people are surprised when i tell them it has pumpkin in it. I score the ball with a knife to look like a pumpkin then add a celery top for the stem. I do like the pepper stem idea more.
This is so cute! I’m pinning it. I bet it’s an incredibly tasty dip. I don’t really like cheese doritos, but I’d definitely coat this thing with Cheez-Its. Great idea!
Holy Cow, I could seriously eat this entire cheeseball my MYSELF.
I want all the Dorito crumbs!