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These Mini Pumpkin Cheeseballs are the cutest fall appetizer! Savory, cheesy, and festive, perfect for Halloween parties, Thanksgiving, or Fall charcuterie boards.

 

Fall is my favorite time for entertaining. Between Halloween parties, football games, and cozy family gatherings, it feels like there’s always an excuse to put together a fun spread of snacks. And when it comes to appetizers, I love recipes that are just as festive as they are delicious. That’s why I can’t get enough of these Mini Pumpkin Cheeseballs, they’re the perfect little bite of fall!

If you’ve ever made a big cheeseball for a party, you know how crowd-pleasing they are. This recipe takes that same savory cream cheese mixture and turns it into adorable little pumpkins. They’re bite-sized, perfectly portioned, and way more fun to serve. Rolled in crushed cheese crackers for extra crunch, then decorated with pretzel stick “stems” and fresh parsley leaves, they look like tiny pumpkins straight off the vine.

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These cheeseballs are perfect for everything from Halloween parties to Thanksgiving appetizer trays. I love adding them to a fall charcuterie board, they look so cute alongside cured meats, crackers, and fruit. And the best part? They can be made ahead of time, so all you have to do is add the pretzel stems before serving. That means less stress for me (and more time to actually enjoy the party).

Whether you’re hosting a spooky bash, bringing a dish to a Friendsgiving, or just want something fun and festive for family snacking, these Mini Pumpkin Cheeseballs are a must-make this season. They’re easy, festive, and always the first thing to disappear off the table!

What Are Mini Pumpkin Cheeseballs?

Mini Pumpkin Cheeseballs are a playful twist on the classic cheeseball appetizer. Instead of shaping one large ball, you roll the mixture into small, bite-sized balls, coat them in cracker crumbs, and shape them to look like tiny pumpkins. Each one gets a pretzel stick “stem” and a parsley “leaf” for garnish.

They’re savory, cheesy, and festive, perfect for adding a little seasonal flair to your appetizer spread.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Festive & Cute – Perfect for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and fall gatherings.

• Easy to Make – Just mix, roll, chill, and decorate.

• Bite-Sized Portions – Great for serving on charcuterie boards.

• Make Ahead Friendly – Prep them in advance and garnish before serving.

• Crowd Pleaser – Creamy, cheesy, and full of flavor!

When to Serve

• Halloween Parties – Spooky, festive, and kid-friendly.

• Thanksgiving Appetizers – A savory snack before the big meal.

• Fall Charcuterie Boards – Adds fun seasonal flair to any board.

• Game Day Snacks – A perfect finger food for football season.

• Girls’ Night or Book Club – Pair with wine and crackers for a cute seasonal touch.

Ingredients 

• 8 ounces chive and onion cream cheese (softened) – The flavorful base of the cheeseballs.

• 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese – Adds sharp, melty cheesiness.

• ¾ teaspoon paprika – For warm spice and a hint of color.

• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder – Savory depth.

• ¼ teaspoon black pepper – Balances the richness.

• 1 cup finely crushed cheese crackers – Goldfish, Cheez-Its, or similar add a crunchy coating.

• 12 pretzel sticks – Cut in half for “pumpkin stems.”

• Flat-leaf parsley – For a fresh “leaf” garnish.

How to Make Mini Pumpkin Cheeseballs

1. Mix filling – In a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, cheddar cheese, paprika, garlic powder, and pepper. Beat with an electric mixer until smooth and well combined.

2. Chill slightly – Refrigerate for 15 minutes so the mixture firms up.

3. Shape – Roll mixture into 1-inch balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

4. Coat – Roll each ball in crushed cheese crackers to coat.

5. Shape pumpkins – Use a toothpick to press 4 vertical stripes into each ball. Gently flatten the tops to create a pumpkin shape.

6. Chill again – Cover and refrigerate 45 minutes to 1 hour until firm.

7. Decorate – Before serving, insert half a pretzel stick into each ball for the stem. Add a parsley leaf for garnish.

Substitutions

• Cream Cheese – Use Neufchâtel for lighter texture or flavored cream cheese (garden veggie, jalapeño).

• Cheddar Cheese – Swap for Colby, Monterey Jack, smoked gouda, or pepper jack.

• Spices – Use ranch seasoning for a kid-friendly version or cayenne for a spicy kick.

• Cracker Coating – Ritz, Goldfish, Cheez-Its, any cheezy cracker all work.

Variations

• Sweet & Savory – Add a touch of honey or dried cranberries to the cheese mix.

• Bacon Lovers – Stir in crumbled bacon or diced ham.

• Jalapeño Popper Version – Mix in diced jalapeños and a pinch of cumin.

• Pumpkin Spice Twist – Stir in a little canned pumpkin and use creamy cheese like goat or brie for a playful variation.

Tips & Tricks

• Soften cream cheese fully – Prevents lumps and makes mixing easier.

• Chill before rolling – Helps the cheese balls hold shape.

• Use gloves or oil hands – Makes shaping the balls easier and less sticky.

• Add stems last minute – Keeps pretzels from getting soggy.

FAQs

Do they taste like pumpkin?
Nope! They’re savory cheeseballs shaped like pumpkins, no pumpkin flavor here (unless you add it).

Can I make them ahead of time?
Yes! Shape and coat up to a day ahead. Add pretzel stems and parsley leaves right before serving.

What crackers work best for coating?
Cheez-Its, Goldfish, or any cheesy cracker. 

Serving Ideas

• On a fall charcuterie board with meats, crackers, and fruit.

• As a fun Halloween party appetizer.

• On a Thanksgiving appetizer spread.

• With wine and cocktails for a festive girls’ night.

Storage & Make Ahead

• Fridge – Store in an airtight container up to 3–4 days.

• Freezer – Not recommended (texture changes).

• Make Ahead – Roll and refrigerate without pretzel stems. Add stems and parsley before serving.

Crowd-Pleasing Party Appetizers

Looking for easy, flavorful appetizers that everyone will love? These recipes are perfect for holidays, game days, or any time you need a simple dish to share. From creamy dips to savory bites, there’s something here for every craving.

• Cranberry Pepper Jelly Dip
  A festive three-ingredient dip with cream cheese topped by a mix of red pepper jelly and cranberry sauce—sweet, tangy, and super easy.
• Pickles in a Blanket
  Mini dill pickles stuffed with cream cheese, cheddar, and bacon, wrapped in dough and baked until golden and crispy.
• Italian Grinder Pinwheels
  Flaky crescent rolls filled with cream cheese, mozzarella, banana peppers, ham, salami, and pepperoni—then brushed with butter and Italian seasoning.
• Mississippi Sin Dip
  A rich, baked dip with cream cheese, sour cream, bacon, scallions, and cheddar—served in a hollowed bread bowl.
• Slow Cooker Cranberry Pineapple Kielbasa Bites
  Sweet and savory sausage bites cooked in cranberry sauce, pineapple preserves, and BBQ sauce for the easiest party appetizer.
• Hush Puppies
  Golden brown hush puppies that are crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and full of classic Southern flavor—perfect alongside any meal.

Final Thoughts

These Mini Pumpkin Cheeseballs are proof that food can be both fun and delicious. They’re festive, cheesy, and guaranteed to bring smiles when you set them out at a party. I love how easy they are to make, and how they instantly make any fall gathering feel special.

Whether you’re putting together a Fall snack table, a Thanksgiving appetizer tray, or just a cozy fall charcuterie board for your family, these little pumpkins are sure to steal the show. Make them ahead, garnish them right before serving, and watch them disappear in no time.