Skull shape for Halloween
Halloween is coming so, of course, we need an appetizer! This Pepperoni Cheese Ball works great because, like all cheese balls, you can pick the shape. So go ahead and make a football for a tailgate party, but if you’re having a Halloween party, use your head . . . or skull shape instead.
Ingredients for this Cheese Ball
I adapted this recipe from sugardale.com and it’s a crowd pleaser. Almost all cheeseballs start with cream cheese and shredded cheese, but this one adds pepperoni and a packet of Italian dressing seasoning to rev up the flavor. Green olives are an optional add-in. I added some because I already had the olives out for decorative purposes.
The original recipe also calls for rolling the ball in Parmesan cheese. I skipped this, since I wasn’t making an actual ball and I didn’t think the Parmesan was strictly necessary. But, go ahead and try it if you wish. As we say in Wisconsin – MORE CHEESE!
How to make Pepperoni Cheese Ball
This mixture comes together quickly. Simply let the cream cheese soften before you begin, then beat in the dry Italian dressing packet with an electric beater. To this, add the shredded cheese, pepperoni, and olives, if desired.
A note about the pepperoni: I bought the pre-sliced pepperoni, but of course it still needed to be diced smaller. I do not have a full-size food processor but I do have a mini-processor, which handled that pepperoni like a champ! If you’re like me (cheap), and still can’t commit to a big (expensive) food processor, you might want to consider the mini version. Mine has served me well.
Shape and decorate into a Skull Cheese Ball
Now to the decorating: For Halloween, I made this into a skull shape. Many cheeseballs need to be refrigerated before shaping, but this one is ready right way. I used the end of a rolling pin to make hollow eye sockets and halved an olive to make the eyes. The teeth are sliced almonds and the serving knife provides the perfect accent for a straight, steely (and creepy) mouth.
I also played a little with the eyes, leaving the pimento in the olive at first, then removing and finally re-stuffing with a little Kalamata olive. They all look good to me, so pick your favorite and go with it!
Red pupils (pimento) 
Hollow pupils 
Black pupils (Kalamata)
This Halloween Skull Cheese Ball is Spook-tacular!
Pepperoni Skull Cheese Ball
Ingredients
- 8 oz pepperoni diced
- 16 oz cream cheese softened
- 3 cups Italian cheese blended shredded
- 1 package 0.6 oz Italian dressing mix
- ¼ cup green olives chopped (optional)
- 2 cups Parmesan cheese optional for coating
Instructions
- Soften cream cheese at room temperature for at least 20 minutes.
- Place cream cheese and dressing mix in mixing bowl and beat until combined.
- Add shredded cheese, diced pepperoni and chopped olives (if desired).
- Form into two cheese balls or logs, or whatever shape is desired.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- If coating in Parmesan cheese is desired, do so after the shape has been refrigerated,
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
More holiday cheese balls
- Turkey Shaped Cheese Ball for Thanksgiving
- Green Onion Cheese Ball for Christmas
- Football Cheese Ball for game day!
Blake Moon
This is scary good!
Sula
Well said!
Dawn
Will be bringing this to our next appetizer potluck at school!
Sula
Its perfect for a potluck!
Jen
This is perfectly spooky! My kids are going to love it!
Sula
Guaranteed!
Traci
So much fun, super easy, and guaranteed to disappear at the party. Thanks so much for this fun halloween recipe!
Sula
I think its just the right appetizer for any Halloween get-together!
Peter
HAHHH, I LOVE your photo and how creative you made this look! But overall, you absolutely sold me on the pepperoni and the dice to really mix it in well with the cheese. I’m a big fan of cheese so I love that you have 3 different types of cheese in here! YUM. Perfect appetizer for friends!
Sula
Yes it really works, no matter what shape you choose to make!
Jacqueline Meldrum
Haha that is brilliant. I make a cheese log but would never have thought of this. The kids will love it!
Sula
Popular with kids of all ages!
Jill
So fun for Halloween. Great mix of flavors too!
Sula
Yes!
Sarah
Cheese and pepperoni, how could you go wrong! Perfect for a spooktacular party 💀
Sula
Guaranteed to be a hit!
Emily Flint
I absolutely love this idea for Halloween! I had to try it out first to make sure mine would look as good as your's and it turned out great. It's so easy to pull together and I know this is going to be the hit at the party.
Sula
Everyone will love it! Thanks for trying out my recipe!
Amanda
Love this. It’s so good and I can’t wait to make it for Halloween
Sula
I hope you enjoy it!
Kayla DiMaggio
What a fun idea! I love that this cheeseball was so easy to make and it was stunning!
Sula
Thank you, it really is fun!
Cindy Mom the Lunch Lady
Halloween is a big deal in our house! I love this idea of transforming a cheese ball into a fun Halloween snack. I definitely will be making this on Halloween to enjoy while we watch scary movies!
Sula
Oh this is perfect for scary movie night! Enjoy!
Shilpa
Perfect for Halloween
Sula
It really is!
Elizabeth Swoish
Such a fun way to fashion a cheese dip! Thanks for sharing.
Sula
You're welcome - enjoy!
Addie
So fun and festive for Halloween!
Sula
Just what Halloween should be!
Leah
Okay I’m definitely going to need to try this pepperoni skull cheese ball! My husband is going to be OBSESSED, all of his faves in one dish. It sounds pretty tasty to me too 😊
Sula
Oh yes its too fun and really yummy!