Do you need a party appetizer that can be prepared before your guests arrive?
These cranberry walnut mini cheese balls only take about 20 minutes to put together, and you can leave them in the fridge until it is time to serve.
Each cheese ball has a soft cream cheese and cheddar center coated with dried cranberries, chopped walnuts, and fresh parsley. The cranberries add a little sweetness, the walnuts bring some crunch, and the pretzel stick makes each one easy to pick up.
I like serving these during the holidays because the red, green, and white colors already look festive. I can make them the day before, then add the pretzel sticks shortly before everyone arrives.
Cranberry Walnut Mini Cheese Balls Recipe
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Chilling Time: 1 hour
Servings: 12 mini cheese balls
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded white cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp sour cream
- 1 tbsp honey
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ⅛ tsp black pepper
- ¾ cup dried cranberries, finely chopped
- ¾ cup walnuts, finely chopped
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 12 pretzel sticks
Instructions
- Add the softened cream cheese, shredded white cheddar, sour cream, honey, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to a medium bowl.
- Mix until the ingredients are evenly combined. Cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes so the mixture becomes easier to shape.
- Combine the chopped dried cranberries, walnuts, and parsley on a plate or in a shallow bowl.
- Scoop out about 2 tablespoons of the cheese mixture and roll it between your hands to form a ball. Repeat with the remaining mixture.
- Roll each cheese ball in the cranberry and walnut mixture, pressing gently so the coating sticks on all sides.
- Arrange the mini cheese balls on a plate. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- Insert a pretzel stick into each cheese ball just before serving.
Tips
- Chop the cranberries and walnuts into small pieces so they stick to the cheese balls more easily.
- Toast the walnuts in a dry skillet for 3 to 4 minutes for a stronger nutty flavor. Let them cool before using.
- Prepare the cheese balls one day ahead and keep them covered in the refrigerator.
- Add the pretzel sticks shortly before serving so they stay crisp.
- Pecans can be used instead of walnuts.