Seasonal Cheese Board Ideas: Fall Flavors Edition

Fall is in the air: the leaves are turning, there’s a chill on the breeze, and it’s time for you to start fall-ing in love with cheese all over again. Autumn is the perfect time to gather around a cozy fall cheese board and celebrate the season’s best flavors. From fall-themed charcuterie board spreads at football watch parties to an autumn cheese plate for a quiet evening in, we’ve got a gouda feeling these ideas will help you create a board that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.

In this “Fall Flavors” edition, we’ll explore some of our favorite cheeses, meats, and accompaniments for an autumn-inspired board. We’ll even share an easy fall charcuterie board recipe to bring it all together. 

1. Aged Cheddar & Parmesan: The Classic Fall Duo

Nothing says fall like aged cheese, bold, nutty, and full of flavor. Our 8-Year-Old Super-Sharp Cheddar and Aged Parmesan are the ultimate fall duo. Cheddar’s sharp, buttery depth and crunchy crystals pair perfectly with crisp apples, while Parmesan’s salty, nutty bite plays beautifully with sweet touches.

How to Serve: Break cheddar into chunky cubes and crumble Parmesan into rustic shards. Serve with sliced apples or pears, and don’t forget the drizzle: Hot Honey on cheddar or Wild Berry Drizzle on Parmesan = instant fall magic. 

2. Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice (Flavored Curds Galore)

It wouldn’t be fall without a pumpkin spice nod, right? This season, bring autumn vibes to your cheese board with flavored cheese curds. Our Maple Bacon Cheese Curds are a cozy mix of smoky, sweet, and squeaky, like breakfast in every bite.

Pumpkin Spice Tease: Keep your eyes peeled: pumpkin spice cheese curds may be making a spook-tacular debut soon. A touch of cinnamon and spice adds warm, seasonal flair to any fall charcuterie board.

How to Serve: Nestle curds in a small bowl to keep them from rolling away. Pair with Hot Pepper Bacon Jam for a sweet-savory punch, or serve alongside candied bacon or a drizzle of maple syrup for brunch-inspired bites. 

3. Spicy & Savory Kicks: Buffalo, Peppers, and Zest

Fall flavors aren’t all pumpkin and spice, sometimes they’re just spice. For fans of bold bites and hot sauces, we recommend turning up the tang with our Buffalo Wing Cheese. Creamy, tangy, and blended with mild buffalo sauce, it delivers that game-day flavor without the fiery aftermath (even kids love it!).

Want even more kick? Add a pepper cheese like jalapeño jack or our limited-edition Smokin’ Hot Pepper Cheese. These bring just enough heat to warm you up on crisp fall nights, especially when paired with something sweet.

Perfect Pairings:

• Buffalo Wing Cheese with pretzels, celery, or carrot sticks and yes, a little ranch or blue cheese dip is totally fair game.

• Pepper cheese with grapes, sweet bell pepper slices, or a drizzle of Hot Honey. Try: cracker + pepper cheese + honey = sweet-heat perfection.

Your guests will say it’s “scary good,” but we’re keeping things mild-to-moderate on the spice scale.

4. New Sliced Salami Selections: Meet Your Charcuterie Mates

What’s a fall charcuterie board without some savory meats? Enter our new lineup of thin sliced salamis, cured to perfection and ready to serve (no slicing needed!).

Classic Sliced Salami
Smooth, savory, and lightly garlicky, this all-purpose favorite pairs with anything. Think of it as the “jeans and tee” of your board: comfy, familiar, and always in style. Try it with Super Sharp Cheddar for a bold combo.

Hot Sopressata
Spiced with cayenne for a little heat, this salami brings bold flavor without overwhelming your guests. Pair it with creamy cheeses or Maple Bacon Cheese Curds and a drizzle of Hot Honey for a sweet-spicy bite.

Lemongrass Salami
A bright, citrusy twist featuring lemongrass and cumin. It’s perfect with young cheeses and pickled veggies, or as a star in adventurous bites with hot honey and cream cheese.

How to Serve:
Fan out or fold slices into salami rosettes for an eye-catching display. Place each near its perfect pair, Classic with sharp cheddar, Sopressata with cool grapes or olives, and Lemongrass with creamy cheeses and tangy mustard. Add Raspberry Honey Mustard or Hot Pepper Bacon Jam to tie it all together.

Bonus: These salamis are snackable straight from the pack. Wrap one around a cheese curd or layer with cheddar on a cracker. You’ve never sausage a better fall board. (We had to.) 

5. Autumn Fruits, Nuts & More: Sweet Pairings for Cheese

One of the best fall cheese board ideas? Make it a harvest celebration. Adding seasonal fruits, nuts, and crunchy extras takes your fall charcuterie board from delicious to downright gourd-geous.

Fresh Fruit Favorites
Slice red and green apples (sweet and tart) and fan them out for easy snacking. Pears pair beautifully with sharp cheddar, and grapes or figs (fresh or dried) add elegance and sweetness. Toss in dried apricots, cranberries, or dates to balance salty cheeses and fill visual gaps on the board.

Nuts & Seeds
Toasted pecans, walnuts, or candied varieties bring warmth and crunch. Add buttery Marcona almonds or roasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas) for a festive touch, they’re salty, seasonal, and snack-worthy.

Pickled Perks
Pickled cucumbers, onions, or even pumpkin (!) offer a tangy contrast to creamy cheeses and rich salamis. They cleanse the palate and add visual texture.

Bread & Crackers
You need something to pile all that goodness on! Use a mix: multigrain crackers, pretzel chips, artisan crisps, or sliced baguette. For a sweet fall twist, try gingersnaps or graham crackers near pumpkin-spiced cheeses (psst... something new may be coming soon). Leaf-shaped crackers or maple cookies can also make a fun cameo.

6. Festive Spreads, Drizzles & Jams: Finishing Touches

The little extras make a fall charcuterie board unforgettable and fall offers the perfect lineup of sauces, jams, and spreads.

Drizzle Sauces & Honey
Upgrade plain honey with our Hot Honey, sweet with a gentle kick, perfect over Parmesan or Gouda. Want fruity? 

Try Wild Berry Drizzle with cheddar. For savory lovers, the Roasted Red Pepper & Garlic Drizzle brings umami richness, and Jalapeño Poblano Drizzle adds zingy heat to any bite. Can’t pick? Grab the Drizzle Sauce Bundle and try them all.

Jams & Mustards
Meet your new favorite: Hot Pepper Bacon Jam. Smoky, spicy, and sweet, it’s unbeatable with sharp cheddar or Maple Bacon Cheese Curds. And don’t sleep on Raspberry Honey Mustard, sweet, tart, and tangy perfection with pretzels, sausages, and salty cheeses.

Autumn Chutneys & Butters
If you’ve got apple butter, fig chutney, or pumpkin butter on hand, spoon them in. They bring cozy warmth and balance savory bites. Bonus idea: apple slices + cheddar + caramel sauce = unexpected fall magic.

Tips for Serving
Place spreads in tiny jars or ramekins with mini spoons. Scatter them across the board for balance and color, deep reds, golden honey, warm orange hues, it’s fall in edible jewel tones.

Encourage guests to mix and match: cheddar + apple + hot honey, or salami + Gouda + mustard. There are no rules, just delicious combinations waiting to happen.

Easy Fall Cheese Board Recipe

Creating a fall-themed cheese board is more art than science, you can mix and match what you have. But here’s a handy “recipe” to guide you through assembling a well-balanced and eye-catching board. Feel free to improvise with your own fall favorites!

Ingredients (for one bountiful Fall Cheese Board):

• Cheeses (4-5 types):
  

• Aged cheddar (about 6 oz), such as our 8-Year-Old Super-Sharp Cheddar 

• Aged parmesan (4 oz chunk) or other hard cheese 

• Buffalo Wing cheese or other flavored semi-soft cheese (4-6 oz) 

• Maple Bacon cheese curds (a heaping handful, ~4 oz) 

• [Optional] A creamy cheese (like a small brie or goat cheese) for added variety
  
  

• Charcuterie & Meats:
  

• Classic Sliced Salami (3 oz pack) 

• Hot Sopressata Sliced Salami (3 oz) 

• Lemongrass Sliced Salami (3 oz) 

• [Optional] Prosciutto or your favorite cured ham (3-4 slices)
  
  

• Carbs:
  

• Assorted crackers (multigrain, water crackers, etc.) 

• Sliced baguette or breadsticks (toasted lightly if you like) 

• Pretzels or pretzel chips (great with mustard and cheeses)
  
  

• Fruits & Veggies:
  

• 1 apple (sliced) 

• 1 pear (sliced) 

• Bunch of red or green grapes (small cluster) 

• Dried fruits: apricots, cranberries, or figs (a small handful of each) 

• Veggie crudités: baby carrots or celery sticks (for color and crunch)
  
  

• Nuts & Pickles:
  

• 1/2 cup candied or roasted pecans 

• 1/2 cup walnuts (or almonds, pumpkin seeds – whatever you like) 

• Small handful of cornichons (tiny pickles) or pickled jalapeños
  
  

• Condiments & Dips:
  

• Hot Pepper Bacon Jam (2-3 tbsp) 

• Raspberry Honey Mustard (2-3 tbsp) 

• Hot Honey Drizzle (in a squeeze bottle or 2 tbsp in a bowl) 

• Wild Berry Drizzle (2 tbsp) 

• Any other jam or spread of choice: fig jam, apple butter, etc. (2-3 tbsp)
  
  

• Garnishes (optional but fun):
  

• A few sprigs of fresh rosemary or thyme (looks like fall leaves/greenery on the board) 

• Mini pumpkins or gourds for decoration (if you have space on the side) 

• A dash of cinnamon or nutmeg to sprinkle on apple slices (for extra fall aroma)
  

Serving Tip: Let the cheese sit out for 20-30 minutes before guests dig in. Cold cheese has muted flavors; a slight room temp “warm-up” makes the textures softer and the tastes more vibrant. Besides, nobody loves rock-hard cheddar on a cracker – let it breathe and it’ll melt in your mouth like butter. Just don’t forget to put on some music (perhaps “Sweet Dreams are Made of Cheese”? Sorry, we had to).

Final Slice: Wrap-Up Your Fall Cheese Board in Style

A fall cheese board is all about celebrating the season’s rich, cozy, and fun flavors. Mix textures and tastes: aged and sharp, creamy and sweet, spicy and crunchy, fresh and indulgent. There’s no wrong move: if you love it, it belongs on the board.

Whether you’re hosting a gathering or just pairing cheese with a glass of wine on a chilly evening, these fall cheese board ideas bring the perfect blend of flavor and festivity. So go ahead: pile on the aged cheddar, spiced salami, and sweet drizzles.

Here’s to a gouda fall, full of cheesy bites, fridge raids, and grate memories.