Fall Harvest Charcuterie Board With Pumpkin Dip – Cozy, Seasonal, and Easy

Autumn gatherings call for food that feels warm, welcoming, and effortless. This fall harvest charcuterie board with pumpkin dip checks every box. It’s a beautiful spread of crisp apples, roasted nuts, sharp cheeses, and salty meats centered around a smooth, lightly sweet pumpkin dip.

You can pull it together in under an hour, and it looks like it came straight out of a magazine. Whether you’re hosting a casual get-together or a holiday kickoff, this board brings color, texture, and fall flavor to the table.

Why This Recipe Works

• Balanced flavors: Sweet pumpkin dip pairs with salty meats, tangy cheeses, and crunchy seasonal produce. Nothing feels too heavy.
• Simple assembly: Most items are store-bought, and the dip comes together in minutes—no oven required.
• Seasonal appeal: Apples, pears, figs, and roasted squash chips make the board feel festive and fresh.
• Customizable: You can swap cheeses, meats, or fruit based on what you love or what’s on sale.
• Picture-perfect: A few styling tricks make it look professional without extra effort.

Ingredients

• Pumpkin Dip:
  • 1 cup canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (or sour cream)
  • 2–3 tbsp maple syrup, to taste
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice (or 1/2 tsp cinnamon + 1/4 tsp nutmeg + 1/4 tsp ginger)
  • Pinch of sea salt
  • Optional: 1–2 tbsp brown sugar for extra sweetness
• Cheeses:
  • Aged cheddar or farmhouse cheddar
  • Soft brie or camembert
  • Blue cheese or gorgonzola (optional but great with honey)
• Charcuterie:
  • Prosciutto or speck
  • Genoa salami or soppressata
  • Smoked turkey or ham (optional for variety)
• Fresh Produce:
  • 2 crisp apples (Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or Gala)
  • 2 pears (Bosc or Anjou)
  • Seedless grapes or figs
  • Pomegranate arils (optional for color)
• Crunchy Elements:
  • Roasted pecans or candied walnuts
  • Pumpkin seeds (pepitas), salted or spiced
  • Whole-grain crackers and buttery wafers
  • Toasted baguette slices or pretzel thins
• Sweet Add-Ins:
  • Dried apricots or dried cranberries
  • Honey or maple syrup for drizzling
  • Dark chocolate squares (optional)
• Garnishes:
  • Fresh rosemary or thyme sprigs
  • Whole cinnamon sticks (for decoration)
  • Small decorative pumpkins or gourds (non-edible, for styling)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Make the pumpkin dip: In a mixing bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, cream cheese, Greek yogurt, maple syrup, vanilla, pumpkin spice, and a pinch of salt until smooth.

   Taste and adjust sweetness with more maple or a little brown sugar. Transfer to a small serving bowl.

2. Chill the dip: Cover and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes to let the flavors meld and the texture thicken slightly.
3. Prep the fruit: Slice apples and pears just before assembling. To prevent browning, toss in a bowl with a splash of lemon water (1 tbsp lemon juice to 1 cup water), then pat dry.
4. Slice the cheese: Cut cheddar into small rectangles or triangles.

   Score the brie lightly and leave it whole or in a wedge for easy spreading. Crumble blue cheese.
5. Fold the meats: Create loose rosettes or fold salami into halves or quarters for height and texture. Drape prosciutto into gentle ribbons.
6. Choose your board: Use a large wooden board, slate, or baking sheet lined with parchment.

   Place the pumpkin dip bowl slightly off-center as your anchor.

7. Add cheese next: Set cheeses around the dip, spacing them to create balance. Add a small knife for soft cheeses.
8. Arrange the meats: Tuck folded meats between cheeses. Aim for small clusters to make grabbing easy.
9. Layer in produce: Fan out apple and pear slices.

   Add small bunches of grapes or halved figs. Sprinkle pomegranate arils for sparkle.

10. Fill with crunch: Add crackers, baguette slices, nuts, and pumpkin seeds in the open spaces. Keep similar items together for a clean look.
11. Add sweet touches: Place dried fruit and a few dark chocolate squares near the blue cheese or cheddar.

    Drizzle a little honey over the blue cheese if you like.
12. Garnish: Tuck in rosemary sprigs and a couple of cinnamon sticks. Set small decorative pumpkins around the board (not on the food if they’re not food-safe).
13. Serve: Bring the chilled pumpkin dip to the board. Offer small plates, napkins, and spreaders so guests can help themselves.

Storage Instructions

• Pumpkin dip: Store covered in the fridge for up to 4 days.

  Stir before serving. Not ideal for freezing due to dairy separation.

• Cheese: Wrap leftovers tightly in parchment, then foil or a reusable bag. Refrigerate up to 1 week for soft cheeses and 2 weeks for aged cheeses.
• Meats: Keep in airtight containers up to 4–5 days.
• Fruit: Best enjoyed the same day once sliced.

  If needed, refrigerate in a sealed container with a paper towel to absorb moisture.
• Crackers and nuts: Store separately at room temperature in airtight containers to maintain crunch.

Benefits of This Recipe

• Quick to assemble: Minimal cooking means less stress and more time with guests.
• Nutrient variety: Protein, fiber, healthy fats, and antioxidants all land on one board.
• Great for groups: Easy to scale up or down for any size gathering.
• Seasonal focus: Uses fall produce at its peak for better flavor and value.
• Flexible for diets: You can add gluten-free crackers, dairy-free cheese, or vegetarian swaps.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overcrowding the board: Leave small pockets of space so items are easy to grab and don’t mix flavors unintentionally.
• Skipping acidity: Without lemon water, apples and pears brown quickly. A quick toss keeps them fresh and pretty.
• Too much sweetness: The pumpkin dip is sweet and cozy. Balance it with salty meats, sharp cheeses, and lightly salted nuts.
• Forgetting utensils: Offer spreaders, cheese knives, toothpicks, and small spoons for the dip and honey.
• Serving everything cold: Let cheeses sit at room temperature for 20–30 minutes before serving for the best texture and flavor.

Variations You Can Try

• Savory pumpkin dip: Swap maple and vanilla for 1 minced garlic clove, 1/4 tsp smoked paprika, a squeeze of lemon, and salt.

  Garnish with olive oil and pepitas.

• Apple cider twist: Stir 1–2 tbsp apple cider into the sweet pumpkin dip and reduce maple syrup slightly.
• Herb-forward board: Add rosemary crackers, marinated olives, and herbed goat cheese for a savory profile.
• Vegetarian board: Skip meats and boost protein with roasted chickpeas, marinated tofu cubes, and extra nuts.
• Gluten-free version: Use gluten-free crackers, rice crisps, or sliced cucumber rounds for dipping.
• Warm element: Add warm baked brie topped with honey and pecans or serve toasted spiced pecans fresh from the pan.

FAQ

Can I make the pumpkin dip ahead of time?

Yes. Make it up to 2–3 days ahead and refrigerate in an airtight container. Give it a quick stir before serving.

What if I can’t find pumpkin pie spice?

Use a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.

A pinch of clove or allspice adds extra warmth if you have it.

How do I keep apple slices from browning?

Toss them in lemon water (about 1 tbsp lemon juice per cup of water), then pat dry. You can also use pineapple juice for a sweeter touch.

What cheeses go best with pumpkin dip?

Sharp, salty, or funky cheeses contrast the sweetness well. Aged cheddar, manchego, gouda, brie, and blue cheese all work beautifully.

How big should my board be?

For 6–8 people, a 12×18-inch board is plenty.

For larger groups, use two boards or refill as needed.

Can I make this dairy-free?

Yes. Use dairy-free cream cheese and yogurt for the dip, and choose plant-based cheeses. The rest of the board is easy to keep dairy-free.

What drinks pair well with this?

Try dry cider, pinot noir, sparkling wine, or a non-alcoholic spiced apple spritzer.

The acidity lifts the richness and complements the pumpkin spice.

Can I serve the dip warm?

You can, but keep it gentle. Warm over low heat in a small saucepan, stirring often, just until slightly loosened. Do not boil or it can separate.

Final Thoughts

A fall harvest charcuterie board with pumpkin dip is the kind of recipe that makes hosting feel easy.

It celebrates the season, looks impressive, and lets everyone build their perfect bite. With a few smart pairings and simple prep, you’ll have a cozy, crowd-pleasing spread ready in no time. Keep it relaxed, use what you love, and let the colors and flavors of fall do the heavy lifting.