Pumpkin Cheese Ball is a savory cheese ball filled with salsa and cheddar cheese and covered in crushed Doritos to look like a pumpkin. How cute for Halloween!
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 will 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!
Ingredients
- Cream cheese – make sure it’s softened to room termpature before you start the recipe.
- Cheddar cheese
- Onion
- Salsa
- Ground cumin
- Doritos – use the nacho cheese flavored Doritos so the pumpkin turns out orange.
- Green bell pepper stem
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, onion, salsa, and cumin. Beat until well mixed and creamy.
- Scoop the mixture into plastic wrap and shape into a ball.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- When ready to serve, roll ball in Doritos until covered.
- Place bell pepper stem on top.
- Serve with tortilla chips, crackers, or fresh veggies.
More Halloween Recipes
- Halloween Sugar Cookie Bars
- Bloody Tooth Cocktail
- Spooky Eyes Pretzel Bark
- Candy Corn Cookies
- Mummy Oreo Truffles
- Jack-O-Lantern Layer Dip
- Halloween Blood Red Wine Punch
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Pumpkin Cheese Ball
adapted from Family Fresh Meals
Ingredients
- 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups cheddar cheese
- 3 tablespoons finely diced onion
- ½ cup chunky salsa
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 cups Doritos, crumbled
- top of 1 green bell pepper for stem garnish
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, onion, salsa, and cumin. Beat until well mixed and creamy.
- Scoop the mixture into plastic wrap and shape into a ball. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- When ready to serve, roll ball in Doritos until covered. Place bell pepper stem on top. Serve with tortilla chips, crackers, or fresh veggies.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 314Total Fat: 23gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 44mgSodium: 443mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 2gSugar: 3gProtein: 8g
Paula Jones says
I want all the Dorito crumbs!
Jenn@eatcakefordinner says
Holy Cow, I could seriously eat this entire cheeseball my MYSELF.
heidi says
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!
Laura Groce Meehan says
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.
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
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!
Snugnluv says
Awesome! Gluten free too, by the looks of it.
[email protected] says
This sounds so good, plus I am totally addicted to Doritos!
Nutmeg Nanny says
Oh damn, I need this!! This recipe is perfect :)
Tracey says
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…
Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel says
I made this last year and everyone LOVED it!! So freaking cute! Happy Fall! :)
Amy @Very Culinary says
Love. Want. Need.
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says
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!