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Easy Halloween Pumpkin Charcuterie Board (Best Party Appetizer)

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A festive and easy-to-assemble charcuterie board shaped like a pumpkin, perfect for Halloween parties. It feeds a crowd, requires no cooking, and is customizable with your favorite meats, cheeses, and snacks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 ounces pepperoni slices (large size preferred)
  • 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 1 large orange bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
  • 1 cup dried apricots
  • 4 ounces prosciutto, folded into loose ribbons
  • 8 ounces Colby Jack cheese, sliced into thin triangles
  • 4 ounces Gouda (smoked preferred), cut into thin wedges
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes (whole or halved)
  • 10 pretzel sticks (for stem)
  • 1 cup green grapes
  • 2–3 fresh rosemary sprigs
  • 2 cups assorted crackers
  • 1/2 cup Marcona almonds (or regular almonds)
  • 1/2 cup dark chocolate pieces (chips, broken bars, or chocolate-covered almonds)
  • 1/2 cup olives (Castelvetrano or any variety)

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients: Pull everything out of the fridge about 15 minutes before starting. Cut cheddar into 1/2-inch cubes, slice Colby Jack into thin triangles, cut gouda into wedges. Wash grapes and cherry tomatoes, pat dry.
  2. Arrange the pepperoni base: Start in the center of your board. Lay down pepperoni slices in a rough circle about 8 inches wide, overlapping slightly. Build outward in rings, making the shape wider at the bottom and slightly narrower at the top—like a pumpkin.
  3. Add the cheese cubes: Place cheddar cubes around the outer edge of the pepperoni circle, leaving a 1-inch border of pepperoni visible. Space cubes about 1/2 inch apart.
  4. Create the pumpkin sections: Use Colby Jack triangles to create curved lines dividing the pumpkin into 6-8 sections, starting from the center and working outward.
  5. Fill the sections: In each section, add a different ingredient (prosciutto ribbons, bell pepper strips, dried apricots, gouda wedges). Leave some pepperoni visible between sections.
  6. Add the stem: At the top center, arrange 5-6 pretzel sticks in a cluster pointing upward, fanning slightly. Tuck rosemary sprigs around the base.
  7. Place the grapes: Arrange green grapes in 3-4 small clusters around the top edges near the stem.
  8. Add the cherry tomatoes: Scatter cherry tomatoes in small groups of 2-3 around the outer edges of the pumpkin.
  9. Fill the bowls: Put olives, chocolate pieces, and almonds into small bowls. Place bowls around the edges of the board outside the pumpkin shape.
  10. Arrange the crackers: Fan crackers around the outer edge of the board, grouping similar crackers together with space between groups.
  11. Final adjustments: Step back and fill any empty spots with extra pepperoni or cheese cubes. Add more rosemary if needed.

Notes

Build the pepperoni base completely before adding toppings to prevent collapse. Don’t overfill sections—leave pepperoni visible for the pumpkin look. Can be assembled up to 4 hours ahead; cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Take out 30 minutes before serving. Keep extra pepperoni and crackers on hand for refreshing.

Nutrition

Keywords: Halloween charcuterie board, pumpkin charcuterie board, easy Halloween appetizer, no-cook appetizer, party appetizer, Halloween party food

Find it online: https://cookyep.com/easy-halloween-pumpkin-charcuterie-board-best-party-appetizer/