Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Balls
Creamy goat cheese rolled in toasted pecans, dried cranberries and fresh parsley. These bite-size cheese balls are an easy, make-ahead holiday appetizer.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 oz goat cheese log, chilled
- ⅔ cup pecans toasted and finely chopped
- ⅔ cup dried cranberries roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley finely chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Spread the pecans on a rimmed baking sheet and toast for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring halfway through, until fragrant and lightly browned. Transfer to a plate and let cool completely, about 10 minutes.
- Finely chop the cooled pecans and roughly chop the dried cranberries. Add both to a shallow plate along with the chopped parsley and stir to combine.
- Remove the chilled goat cheese from its package and shape it into about 12 bite-size balls, using roughly 2 teaspoons of cheese for each one. If the cheese gets sticky, chill it for 10 minutes.
- Roll each ball in the pecan, cranberry and parsley mixture until it's completely coated. Gently press the coating into any bare spots with your fingers.
- Arrange on a serving plate, cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate until serving. Take them out 5 to 10 minutes before serving with crackers and crudités, or crumble them over a mixed green salad.
Notes
Yield: about 12 bite-size cheese balls (roughly 2 teaspoons of goat cheese each). You'll likely have a little coating left over, which is great sprinkled over a salad.
Make ahead: shape the plain goat cheese balls up to 2 days ahead and keep them covered in the fridge. Roll them in the coating up to a few hours before serving so the parsley stays fresh.
Storage: refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The finished balls don't freeze well.
Making a log instead? Slice it with unflavored dental floss for neat, even rounds.
Nutrition
Calories: 252kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 7gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 13mgSodium: 106mgPotassium: 96mgFiber: 3gSugar: 16gVitamin A: 471IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 56mgIron: 1mg
Nutrition details are an estimate, per serving.
