Name: Mini Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Balls
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 24
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 10.5 ounces goat cheese, about 1 ¼ cups; 1 cup dried cranberries, (use whole or finely chopped); 1 tablespoon honey; 1 teaspoon cinnamon; ½ teaspoon teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped; ¼ teaspoon Himalayan salt (or sea salt); ¼ cup pecans, finely chopped; Measuring cups and spoons; Cutting board; Sharp knife; Large mixing bowl; Fork or potato masher; Tablespoon or small cookie scoop; Shallow bowl or plates for mix ins; Serving platter; Parchment paper, if needed

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These bite sized cranberry pecan goat cheese balls add a festive touch to any party or holiday spread. Tangy goat cheese, tart cranberries and sweet honey pair with warm cinnamon, fresh dill and crunchy pecans. Serve them as New Years and Christmas appetizers or add them to the menu for Thanksgiving dinner, fall gatherings, parties, and potlucks.

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Easy Pecan Cranberry Goat Cheese Balls

Cranberry pecan goat cheese balls studded with dried cranberries and chopped pecans and garnished with fresh dill. The bite sized appetizers are arranged on a pale blue serving platter with a golden drizzle, while extra cranberries, pecans, and small bowls of toppings sit softly out of focus in the background.

If you love sweet and savory appetizers, these Cranberry Goat Cheese Balls are an easy addition to your holiday menu.

They combine creamy goat cheese, chewy cranberries, honey, cinnamon, vanilla and fresh dill for a simple handheld snack that requires no cooking. Then once everything is thoroughly combined, the mixture is shaped into individual balls and rolled in finely chopped pecans.

You can prep them before guests arrive, leaving more time for other last minute holiday tasks.

I really like how the red cranberries, green herbs and golden pecans add festive colour without any complicated decorating. Plus my youngest loves helping me roll them up. So it makes for a fun kid-friendly holiday activity too if you’re looking to put your young’uns to work.

While my kids will eat them, especially my youngest who has fancier tastes, I find they are often a bigger hit with the adults. To sound like a fancy appetizer, you can even call them goat cheese truffles.

These little appetizers work just as well on a Christmas charcuterie board as they do on a Thanksgiving appetizer tray, or set out at a Fall gathering, baby shower, book club meeting or New Years party.

I’ve served them with pretzel sticks stuck in the middle, for an easy finger food for parties, and potlucks year round too.

Since everyone gets an individual serving, there is no need to slice or scoop from one large cheese ball.

I’ll often set them out with crackers, crostini or fresh apple slices, and that way everyone can help themselves.

⭐️ Try our our other favorite fall appetizers and Christmas appetizers for parties and festive gatherings.

Why You’ll Love These Cranberry Goat Cheese Balls

Delicious mix of textures: The creamy goat cheese, chewy cranberries and pecans create such a great contrast of tastes and textures.

Bite sized appetizers: The individual portions are easy to pick up and eat.

No bake snack: No cooking or baking is needed to make these cheese balls. And they’re served cold, so no taking up oven space.

Easy to make ahead: You can prepare them ahead and refrigerate until serving.

Vegetarian appetizers: A tasty appetizer both vegetarians and meat eaters will like.

Festive colors: Their seasonal colours look festive on any holiday appetizer tray.

Ingredients for Mini Cranberry Pecan Cheese Balls

Ingredients for festive appetizers are arranged on a white marble surface. The labeled ingredients include dried cranberries, cream cheese, honey, cinnamon, vanilla, salt, fresh dill, and chopped pecans for mini pecan cranberry dill goat cheese balls.

For the Goat Cheese Mixture

10.5 ounces goat cheese, about 1 ¼ cups
1 cup dried cranberries (use whole or finely chopped)
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped
¼ teaspoon Himalayan salt (or sea salt)

For the pecan coating

¼ cup pecans, finely chopped (or your favorite nuts – walnuts, pistachios & pine nuts work well too)

PRO TIP: If the mixture becomes too soft to shape, refrigerate it for 15 to 20 minutes before rolling it into balls.

Equipment You’ll Need

Measuring cups and spoons
Cutting board
Sharp knife
Large mixing bowl
Fork or potato masher
Tablespoon or small cookie scoop
Shallow bowl or plate
Serving platter
Parchment paper, if needed

Over head view of seven round goat cheese truffles spaced across a large pale blue platter and coated with pieces of dark red dried cranberries, chopped brown pecans, and green dill. Thin lines of honey are drizzled across the platter, with small bowls of chopped pecans and fresh dill and a few whole pecans visible around the edges.

⭐️ Also try our cute pumpkin deviled eggs and fun Christmas Tree pinwheels, or these kid-friendly holiday appetizers.

How to Make Cranberry Cheese Balls

Six round goat cheese balls studded with dark red dried cranberries. Chopped pecans and flecks of fresh green dill cover the creamy white appetizers arranged on a wooden serving board.

1. Prepare the ingredients

Finely chop the pecans, fresh dill, and cranberries (if you’re chopping them). Place them in seperate shallow bowls or on small plates and set them aside.

2. Mix the goat cheese mixture until combined

Add the goat cheese, dried cranberries, honey, cinnamon, vanilla extract, dill and salt to a large mixing bowl.

Use a fork or potato masher to work the ingredients together.

Continue mixing until the cranberries, herbs and seasonings are evenly distributed throughout the cheese.

Process shot showing goat cheese and dried cranberries being mashed together in a clear glass bowl with a metal potato masher. Bowls of fresh dill and dried cranberries sit nearby with measuring spoons filled with honey, vanilla, and salt.

Process shot showing a cranberry cheese mixture in a clear glass bowl topped with cinnamon and a drizzle of honey before mixing. Dried cranberries are scattered throughout the cheese mixture, with chopped pecans, fresh dill, and a measuring spoon arranged nearby.

Process shot showing chopped fresh dill sprinkled over a creamy goat cheese mixture with dried cranberries and cinnamon, vanilla and honey in a clear glass bowl. A fork rests in the partially mixed filling, while a bowl of chopped pecans and several dried cranberries sit nearby.

3. Shape the cheese balls

Scoop out approximately one tablespoon of the mixture.

Gently roll it between your hands to form a small ball, then repeat with the remaining cheese mixture.

Roll each cheese ball in the chopped pecans. Press gently so the pecan pieces stick evenly to the outside.

Overhead view of six round cranberry cheese balls arranged on a wooden cutting board with dried cranberries, chopped pecans, and fresh dill visible throughout. A metal measuring cup filled with the cheese mixture rests beside a pile of chopped pecans, showing how the mixture is portioned before shaping.

4. Chill the cheese balls

Arrange the finished balls on a serving platter and refrigerate them for at least 30 minutes.

Serve chilled or allow them to soften at room temperature for a few minutes before serving.

Eight cranberry pecan cheese balls topped with dried cranberries. Chopped pecans and fresh dill are spaced across a large pale blue platter with honey drizzled between them. Bowls of extra pecans and dill and scattered cranberries and whole pecans surround the easy cold appetizer.

STORING: Store leftover cheese balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Place parchment paper between the layers if you need to stack them. Keep the cheese balls refrigerated until shortly before serving.

Freezing is not recommended because the goat cheese may develop a grainy texture after thawing.

A close up of cranberry goat cheese bites arranged across a pale blue serving platter. The creamy white bites are packed with chopped pecans and dark red dried cranberries and topped with fresh green dill while thin streaks of golden honey are drizzled across the plate.

Tips

Soften the goat cheese: Let it sit at room temperature briefly so it is easier to combine with the other ingredients.

Chop everything finely: Smaller pieces of cranberries and dill help the cheese balls hold their shape.

Make evenly sized portions: Use a tablespoon or small cookie scoop to keep the cheese balls similar in size.

Chill mixture before rolling: Refrigerate the mixture for 15 to 20 minutes if it is too soft to shape.

Prevent sticking: Lightly dampen your hands if the cheese mixture sticks while you roll it.

Help the pecans stick: Gently press the chopped nuts into the outside of each cheese ball.

Double the recipe for a crowd: Double all the ingredients when serving a larger group.

Mini cranberry pecan goat cheese balls are arranged across a pale blue platter in a close up view. The creamy white cheese balls are studded with dark red dried cranberries and chopped pecans and topped with fresh green dill while thin lines of golden honey are drizzled between them.

Ingredient Substitutions

Cream cheese: Replace part or all of the goat cheese with softened cream cheese for a milder flavor. Using cream cheese may make the mixture softer, so chill it before rolling.

Nuts: Substitute the pecans for finely chopped walnuts, almonds, pine nuts or pistachios.

Honey: Use maple syrup as an alternative, although it may create a slightly softer mixture, so start with 1/2 tablespoon and add more as needed.

Fresh Chives: Replace the dill with fresh chives for a mild onion flavor.

Salt: Regular sea salt or kosher salt will also work.

Recipe Variations to Try

Citrus flavor: Add finely grated orange zest for a fresh citrus note.

Spicy variation: Mix in a pinch of cayenne pepper for a little heat.

Green Color: Use finely chopped pistachios for a colourful green coating.

Add Bacon: Because bacon makes everything better lol! Add crumbled cooked bacon for a salty, smoky variation.

Nut-free option: Leave out the pecans and coat the cheese balls with finely chopped dried cranberries, fresh herbs, crushed pretzels or toasted breadcrumbs. Check all the ingredient labels if you’re preparing the recipe for someone with a nut allergy.

Serving Suggestions

We like to serve these cheese balls with one or more of the following:

Buttery crackers
Crostini
Toasted baguette slices
Pretzel crisps
Apple slices
Pear slices
Cucumber rounds
A holiday charcuterie board

PRO TIP: Add a decorative toothpick or small appetizer fork to each ball so guests can pick them up easily. Or insert a pretzel stick into the middle of each cheese ball so they’re easier to pick up.

Round cranberry pecan cheese balls are spaced across a pale blue platter and topped with dark red dried cranberries. Chopped pecans and fresh green dill add color and texture to the vegetarian appetizers while thin lines of golden honey are drizzled across the platter.

Final Thoughts: Mini Pecan Cranberry Cheese Balls

These Cranberry Goat Cheese Balls combine creamy, sweet, tangy and crunchy flavours in one festive bite.

Because they can be prepared ahead without any cooking, they make easy cold appetizers for busy hosts.

Keep this mini cheese ball recipe handy when you need appetizers for Fall parties, holiday potlucks, Thanksgiving or New Years gatherings, or anytime you need a yummy quick cold appetizer.

Arrange the holiday cheese balls with crackers, crostini or sliced fruit and serve them chilled or slightly softened. This colourful goat cheese balls recipe makes it easy for guests to pick up an individual portion and return for another.

Mini Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Balls

Yield: 24

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Additional Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

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