Description
These Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Balls are a festive and easy 5-ingredient appetizer featuring creamy goat cheese, crunchy pecans, sweet dried cranberries, and fresh thyme, finished with a drizzle of honey. Perfect for holidays or gatherings, they’re make-ahead friendly, gluten-free, and vegetarian.
Ingredients
Scale
- 10 oz goat cheese log (283 g)
- 3/4 cup raw unsalted pecans, finely chopped
- 2/3 cup dried cranberries, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
- Honey, for drizzling
- To serve: crackers or toasted baguette slices
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet or plate with parchment paper.
- Finely chop pecans and dried cranberries using a sharp knife.
- Remove thyme leaves from their stems.
- Combine chopped pecans, cranberries, and thyme leaves on a large plate or shallow bowl and mix evenly.
- Scoop goat cheese into small portions (about 2 teaspoons each) and roll into smooth balls using your hands.
- Roll each cheese ball in the nut-cranberry mixture, pressing gently so the coating sticks.
- Place coated cheese balls on the lined tray and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
- When ready to serve, drizzle with honey and plate with crackers or toasted baguette slices. Enjoy!
Notes
- You may have extra nut-cranberry coating—store it in an airtight container and use it on salads or grain bowls.
- Make ahead up to 24 hours; store covered in the fridge and drizzle honey before serving.
- Leftovers keep up to 5 days refrigerated in an airtight container.
- Bring to room temperature for 10 minutes before serving for best texture.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-bake, chilled
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cheese ball
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Balls, holiday appetizer, easy goat cheese recipe, festive snack, vegetarian party bites