Pumpkin Patch Grid Snack (Printable format)

A neat grid of cheddar balls with pretzel stems arranged like pumpkins for festive autumn snacks.

# List of ingredients:

→ Pumpkins

01 - 24 small orange cheese balls (e.g., cheddar cheese balls or baked cheese puffs)

→ Pumpkin Stems and Leaves

02 - 24 small pretzel sticks, broken into 1-inch pieces
03 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley leaves or chives (optional)

→ Base and Garnish

04 - 1 large rectangular serving platter
05 - Fresh baby spinach leaves or green lettuce (optional)

# How to make it:

01 - Arrange a layer of baby spinach or green lettuce over the serving platter to create a field effect, if desired.
02 - Place the orange cheese balls in a neat grid layout atop the greens, spacing them evenly to emulate rows of pumpkins.
03 - Insert one pretzel stick piece upright into the top of each cheese ball to form the pumpkin stem.
04 - Optionally, place a small parsley leaf or chive next to each stem to resemble pumpkin leaves.
05 - Present immediately as a festive, finger-friendly party snack.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It takes literally 15 minutes and requires zero cooking, which means you can make it while chatting with guests instead of being stuck at the stove
  • Kids and adults both get that delighted moment when they realize they're picking pumpkins off a platter—it's interactive food that feels like play
  • It's naturally vegetarian, gluten-free adaptable, and honestly just feels like autumn on a plate without any pretension
02 -
  • The pretzel stems will soften if they sit for more than an hour, so assemble this as close to serving time as possible—treat it like you're planting the patch moments before guests arrive
  • Not all cheese balls are created equal. The ones that are slightly firmer hold the pretzel stems better than the softer varieties. Feel the package before you buy if you can
03 -
  • For gluten-free celebrations, swap the regular pretzel sticks for gluten-free ones—they work exactly the same and no one will know the difference
  • Buy slightly larger cheese balls if you can find them, because they're easier to insert the pretzel stems into and look even more pumpkin-like on the platter
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