Description
These Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Balls are festive, flavorful bite-sized appetizers made with creamy goat cheese, tangy cranberries, crunchy pecans, and fresh herbs. Perfect for holiday parties, they’re easy to make ahead and serve with crackers or baguette slices.
Ingredients
10 oz goat cheese (chevre), softened
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and black pepper to taste
1/2 cup dried cranberries, finely chopped
1/2 cup pecans, finely chopped
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
Pretzel sticks or toothpicks, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mix the goat cheese, cream cheese, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth and creamy.
- Cover the bowl and chill the cheese mixture in the refrigerator for 20–30 minutes to firm up.
- In a shallow bowl, combine the chopped cranberries, pecans, parsley, and chives.
- Once the cheese mixture is firm, use a small cookie scoop or spoon to form it into 1-inch balls.
- Roll each ball in the cranberry-pecan-herb mixture until evenly coated.
- Place the finished cheese balls on a serving platter or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Before serving, optionally insert pretzel sticks or toothpicks into each cheese ball for easy grabbing.
Notes
Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
Swap pecans with walnuts or almonds for variation.
Drizzle honey over the cheese balls for a touch of sweetness.
Mix in orange zest for a citrusy twist.
Make mini cheese balls for large gatherings—perfect for toothpicks.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Best served cold or at room temperature—no reheating needed.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cheese ball
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
