Spiced Pumpkin Basil Cheese Ball – this is an easy recipe for an impressive appetizer that brings layers of rich flavor – the hit at any party!
This is where I describe the huge party we had, and the several cheeseboards we offered, just like this one. Well yeah – only it wasn’t. This cheeseboard was for a Saturday afternoon at home, when Jason returned from a haircut and errands all morning. We had our neighbors over for wine.
We were basically celebrating being home for the rest of the holiday season. Perfect thing to toast, right?
A Happy Hour at Home is sometimes all we need.
We do have at least two holiday parties that are potluck style, and this was a test run of my cheese ball recipe, which I am very excited to share with others, and with you today! I have made this recipe twice, using completely different flavors the first time. I will share that recipe with you soon, as I am making it again for our family Christmas gathering.
This Spiced Pumpkin Basil Cheese Ball, though – perfect for holiday events, with rich flavors and mild warm spice and a nice crunch from the tortilla chip coating.
My favorite is to scoop some cheese ball onto a chip, adding a few capers or a cornichon, followed by a sweet grape or apricot. Mmm. Fruit chaser.
Spiced Pumpkin Basil Cheese Ball
YIELD: one large cheese ball
dairy, egg, and gluten free, vegan
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup roasted cashews
12 ounces (1 1/2 packages) vegan cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup puréed pumpkin (roasted or canned)
1/2 cup nutritional yeast
1 teaspoon tamari
large bunch fresh basil (17-20 leaves), chopped fine (chiffonade)
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon fresh grated nutmeg
1 teaspoon sea salt
plastic wrap
1/4 – 1/3 cup crushed Beanfields White Bean Sea Salt Chips
INSTRUCTIONS:
Add cashews to food processor / blender, pulse to fine crumb.
In mixing bowl, fold together softened cream cheese and pumpkin, stirring to a smooth consistency. Add cashew crumb, nutritional yeast, tamari, chopped basil, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt – stir to combine.
Transfer cheese mixture into the middle of plastic wrap, and carefully wrap plastic around, forming a ball. Place in refrigerator for several hours (or overnight) to set.
Once set, remove from refrigerator. Pour the crushed chips onto a plate, rolling the ball in the chips to coat completely.
Serve with more chips (Beanfields Jalapeño Nacho) and assorted snacks.
Cheers!
BIG THANKS TO BEANFIELDS AND THEIR AMBASSADOR PROGRAM FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE THIS ORIGINAL RECIPE FOR SPICED PUMPKIN BASIL CHEESE BALL – SPONSORED BY BEANFIELDS.
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ABOUT KRISTINA: Kristina is spabettie! She founded spabettie in 2010 to share vegan recipes. As the sole recipe developer and photographer, Kristina turned her culinary training into the best way to spend her days – sharing just how flavorful and vibrant vegan food is! She loves dachshunds, Portland, Hawaii, drummers – well, one drummer – and travel.
printable Spiced Pumpkin Basil Cheese Ball recipe:
Spiced Pumpkin Basil Cheese Ball
Spiced Pumpkin Basil Cheese Ball - this is an easy recipe for an impressive appetizer that brings layers of rich flavor - the hit at any party!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup roasted cashews
- 12 ounces (1 1/2 packages) vegan cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup puréed pumpkin (roasted or canned)
- 1/2 cup nutritional yeast
- 1 teaspoon tamari
- large bunch fresh basil (17-20 leaves), chopped fine (chiffonade)
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon fresh grated nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Add cashews to food processor / blender, pulse to fine crumb.
- In mixing bowl, fold together softened cream cheese and pumpkin, stirring to a smooth consistency. Add cashew crumb, nutritional yeast, tamari, chopped basil, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt - stir to combine.
- Transfer cheese mixture into the middle of plastic wrap, and carefully wrap plastic around, forming a ball. Place in refrigerator for several hours (or overnight) to set.
- Once set, remove from refrigerator. Pour the crushed chips onto a plate, rolling the ball in the chips to coat completely.
- Serve with more chips (Beanfields Jalapeño Nacho) and assorted snacks.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1/4 cupAmount Per Serving: Calories: 164
spabettie / Kristina Sloggett is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Sarah says
This looks amazing! Your cheeseball would be so perfect for a swanky New Year’s party!!!
Cadry says
Oh, my gosh! So pretty! David and I have this kind of spread for dinner often. I can’t wait to add your cheese ball to the mix! It looks amazing.
Dianne's Vegan Kitchen says
This is pure genius! This will be on my holiday menu this year!
Becky Striepe says
Oh my gosh, Kristina. I think you might be a cheeseball genius!
Loganayaki says
Absolutely stunning images. Nice recipe. Thanks for sharing…!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
YOU”RE staying put for a while?! We are too! Well, until Dec 29th. Hell may have frozen over… I think you guys travel more than we do!
I would totally like to sit around making this. Vegas is a staunch cheese supporter, but I think even she would appreciate this. Plus it’s gorgeous!
Cheers friend!