Introduction

Goat Cheese Balls are a delightful appetizer that combines creamy cheese with sweet and savory flavors. Perfect for gatherings or as a sophisticated snack, these bite-sized treats are sure to impress your guests.

Three round cheese balls covered with chopped nuts, dried cranberries, and green herbs are placed closely on white parchment paper, forming a textured and colorful outer layer. The cheese balls have a creamy white core, visible in small gaps among the toppings, with vibrant green from the herbs and deep red from the cranberries contrasting against the light brown nuts. The background shows blurred green leaves and a glass jar, all set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

8 ounces soft goat cheese
8 ounces cream cheese, softened at room temperature
1½ teaspoons cinnamon
⅛ teaspoon salt
¼ cup honey, divided
1⅓ cup chopped pecans, divided
¼ cup minced fresh parsley
¾ cup dried cranberries, chopped

Instructions

Step 1: Using a hand or stand mixer, beat together the goat cheese, cream cheese, cinnamon, salt, and 2 tablespoons of honey until light and fluffy. Fold in 1/3 cup chopped pecans until well combined.
Step 2: In a small mixing bowl, combine the parsley, cranberries, and the remaining chopped pecans to create the coating mixture.
Step 3: Roll the cheese mixture into 1-inch balls using clean hands. Roll each ball in the cranberry-parsley mixture to coat completely. If the mixture feels too soft to handle, refrigerate for about 15 minutes to firm up.
Step 4: Place the coated cheese balls on a non-stick surface like a cutting board and chill in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes before serving.

Tips & Variations

Try substituting pecans with walnuts or almonds for a different nutty flavor.
Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the cheese mixture for a subtle spicy kick.
Serve with assorted crackers or fresh vegetable sticks to complement the flavors.

Storage

Store the goat cheese balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For best texture, allow them to come to room temperature for about 10 minutes before serving. These cheese balls can also be made a day ahead to let the flavors meld.

How to Serve

The image shows three cheese balls covered in chopped nuts, dried cranberries, and fresh green herbs, arranged on a white marbled surface. Each cheese ball has a rough texture made by the uneven coating of red dried cranberries, beige nuts, and green herbs all around. A woman's hand is holding a wooden honey dipper above the closest cheese ball, drizzling clear golden honey that glistens as it flows down the side of the ball. The background is softly blurred with more herbs and a white bowl, focusing attention on the honey-covered cheese ball in front. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these goat cheese balls dairy-free?

While traditional recipes use goat and cream cheese, you can substitute with vegan cream cheese and a soft dairy-free cheese alternative, but the texture and flavor will differ slightly.

How long can I keep the cheese balls in the fridge?

They will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days when stored properly in an airtight container.

Goat Cheese and Cranberry Pecan Balls Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 80 reviews

These Goat Cheese Balls are a delightful and elegant appetizer combining creamy goat cheese and cream cheese with a touch of cinnamon and honey. Rolled in a vibrant mixture of pecans, dried cranberries, and fresh parsley, they offer a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors. Easy to prepare and sure to impress, they’re ideal for holiday gatherings or anytime you want a sophisticated snack.

Author: Cleo
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 20 cheese balls (1-inch each) 1x
Category: Appetizer
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

Cheese Mixture

8 ounces soft goat cheese
8 ounces cream cheese, softened at room temperature
1½ teaspoons cinnamon
⅛ teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons honey (from the ¼ cup total)
⅓ cup chopped pecans (from the 1⅓ cup total)

Coating

¼ cup honey (remaining from the ¼ cup total)
1 cup chopped pecans (remaining from the 1⅓ cup total)
¼ cup minced fresh parsley
¾ cup dried cranberries, chopped

Instructions

Build a foundation: Using a hand or stand mixer, beat together the soft goat cheese, softened cream cheese, cinnamon, salt, and 2 tablespoons of honey until the mixture is light and fluffy. Fold in ⅓ cup of the chopped pecans until well combined to add texture and flavor.
Make the coating: In a small bowl, mix together the minced fresh parsley, chopped dried cranberries, and the remaining 1 cup of chopped pecans. This vibrant mixture will serve as the flavorful coating for the cheese balls.
Make the truffles: Using clean hands, shape the cheese mixture into 1-inch balls. Roll each ball carefully in the cranberry-parsley-pecan mixture to coat all sides evenly. If the mixture feels too soft to handle, refrigerate the balls for about 15 minutes to firm them up before coating.
Chill: Place the coated goat cheese balls on a flat, non-stick surface such as a cutting board. Chill them in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes to set before serving, allowing the flavors to meld and the texture to firm up perfectly.

Notes

For best results, use cold cream cheese softened just enough to blend smoothly without becoming too runny.
You can prepare these goat cheese balls a day ahead and store them covered in the refrigerator.
Serve with crackers, toasted baguette slices, or fresh vegetable sticks for an elegant appetizer presentation.
Adjust the amount of cinnamon to taste for a more or less pronounced spice note.
If you prefer a nut-free version, substitute the pecans in the coating with extra dried fruit or seeds.

Keywords: goat cheese balls, cheese truffles, appetizer, holiday appetizer, savory snack, pecans, cranberries, no-cook appetizer