Cranberry pecan mini goat cheese balls are simple, bite-sized appetizers made with just three ingredients. They work well for holiday entertaining and can also be used as a salad topping. Vegetarian and gluten-free.
This recipe relies on a classic combination of fruit, cheese, and nuts to deliver balanced flavor and texture. The result is a quick appetizer that feels polished without requiring extra ingredients or prep time, making it suitable for any holiday gathering.
Why You'll Love These Mini Goat Cheese Balls
These little appetizers are perfect for the holidays because they:
- Have only 3 ingredients!
- Are incredibly delicious. And cute. And a little upgrade from your standard cheese and cracker tray.
- Are nutritious. With protein, fiber, and healthy fat, these appetizers have more sustenance than your typical bread-based appetizer.
How To Make Them
- Toast the pecans either in a dry skillet on the stove, or in the oven at 400°F, until fragrant and lightly browned.
- Finely chop toasted, cooled pecans and cranberries. Mix them together in a shallow dish.
- Scoop goat cheese by the teaspoon and roll into balls with clean hands. You can use wet or oiled hands to prevent sticking.
- Roll goat cheese balls in the chopped cranberries and pecans, gently pressing to coat each.
- Place on a plate as you finish the remaining goat cheese balls and serve!
Can They Be Made In Advance?
While best served pretty shortly after making them so that the pecans stay crunchy, these goat cheese balls can be made in advance as well. They will hold up in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Store them in an airtight container.
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days - they're delicious on a salad! Keep in mind that if they are kept out at room temperature for longer than 2 hours, leftover should be discarded for food safety reasons.
Recipe Variations
You can mix these mini goat cheese balls up with any combination of dried fruit and nuts that you prefer. A few delicious combinations:
- Dried apricots and pistachios
- Dried figs and walnuts
- Dried cherries and almonds
- Dried blueberries and hazelnuts
For more super simple appetizers, be sure to visit my roundup of Easy Party Appetizers with 5 Ingredients or Less!
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating in the comments!
PrintCranberry Pecan Mini Goat Cheese Balls
Cranberry pecan mini goat cheese balls are delicious, bite-sized appetizers that are easy to prepare with only 3 ingredients. They're great for holiday entertaining, or you can pop them on a salad! (vegetarian, gluten-free)
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 23 minutes
- Yield: about 12 balls 1x
- Category: appetizer
- Method: toasted
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup pecans
- ⅓ cup dried cranberries
- 4 oz plain goat cheese
Instructions
- In a small skillet on medium heat or in an oven preheated to 400°F, toast pecans until lightly browned and fragrant. Watch them carefully so they don't burn. Let pecans cool before handling.
- Finely chop pecans and cranberries. Mix them on a small plate or in a shallow dish.
- Scoop goat cheese by the teaspoon and shape into balls. Roll each ball in the cranberry and pecan mixture, pressing gently to evenly coat the outside.
- Store goat cheese balls in the refrigerator until you're ready to serve.
Notes
- Wetting or lightly oiling your hands can help prevent the goat cheese from sticking when you're rolling the balls.
- While best served shortly after making them, these mini goat cheese balls can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Keywords: mini goat cheese balls, cranberry pecan mini goat cheese balls, appetizer with goat cheese cranberries and pecans
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