If you're looking for a crowd-pleasing appetizer that literally everyone will hover around during holiday parties, THIS is it!! My lightened-up creamy cranberry cheeseball is the perfect addition to your cheese board, your holiday spread, or even game day gatherings!
I absolutely love making this during the holiday season because it feels festive, it looks fancy, and it's secretly made with just a handful of simple ingredients you probably already grabbed at the grocery store anyway.
If you love this recipe and you're looking for some more easy and delicious appetizers, you will love my brie and fig bites, my cream cheese pepper jelly bites, apple and brie crescent rolls, my healthy sausage balls, 3 ingredient apple caramel cheesecake dip, 3 ingredient boursin fig dip, easy 4 ingredient boursin dip and my turkey bacon wrapped stuffed dates!
Why You'll Love My Cranberry Cheeseball
- It's make ahead friendly!
- The cranberry-pecan mixture gives a delicious crunchy texture
- It looks fancy, but only takes minutes!
- It's a classic cheese ball, but with a seasonal twist!
- Perfect for holiday parties, family gatherings, and potlucks!
- It's the BEST way to use up leftover turkey bacon!
- No cooking required! You just mix, chill, roll, and serve!
This is seriously one of my time favorites and one of the most popular appetizer recipes this time of year!
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Ingredients
Here's all you need for my easy cranberry cheeseball:
- Philadelphia low-fat cream cheese - soft, creamy base that makes this cheeseball so smooth
- Green onions, sliced - adds a bright pop of flavor and color
- Fresh chives, minced - mild onion flavor and extra freshness
- Crushed pecans - crunchy texture and nutty taste in every bite
- Dried cranberries - sweet, chewy, festive, and perfect for the holiday season
- Low-fat shredded cheddar cheese - rich cheesy flavor that mixes beautifully
- Turkey bacon crumbles (optional) - smoky savory addition without all the fat, if you love a little bacon
- Salt + black pepper - balances and enhances all the flavors
- Garlic powder - classic cheeseball seasoning and extra savory depth
- Onion powder or dried onion - boosts that classic cheese ball flavor profile
For rolling on the outside:
- More chopped pecans + dried cranberries - creates that gorgeous cranberry-pecan coating and extra crunch
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
- Step 1: Step 1 - Mix Everything Together. Add the cream cheese, green onions, chives, pecans, cranberries, cheddar cheese, turkey bacon, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder into a large bowl or stand mixer. Mix until well combined and creamy.
- Step 2: Shape & Chill. Transfer mixture onto a large piece of plastic wrap and gently form into a ball. Wrap tightly and refrigerate for 20-30 minutes so the cheese ball firms up.
- Step 3: Roll in Toppings. Place remaining pecans and cranberries into a shallow bowl. Remove cheeseball from plastic wrap and roll around in the cranberry-pecan mixture, pressing slightly so everything sticks.
- Step 4: Serve & Enjoy. Place your festive cranberry cheese ball on a serving platter or cheese board and let sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving. Enjoy with crackers, pretzels, sliced baguette, or veggies!
Hint: Want a smaller cheeseball? Use only 1 block of cream cheese and leave the other ingredients as is!
What to serve it with:
- crackers
- pita chips
- pretzel thins
- baguette slices
- celery sticks, carrot sticks or other veggies!
- festive cheese board!
Hint: Serve with a small spoon or cheese knife so guests can spread it more easily!
SO good and honestly the perfect balance of flavors thanks to tangy cranberries, crunchy pecans, creamy cheese, and a little savory garlic powder. Perfection!
Substitutions
- Gluten-Free: Serve with gluten-free crackers or almond flour crackers
- Dairy-Free: Use dairy-free cream cheese and dairy-free cheddar shreds. Kite Hill or Violife are great choices.
- Vegetarian: Omit the turkey bacon
- Nut-Free: Use sunflower seeds or pepitas instead of pecans
Try These Flavor Swaps:
- Use goat cheese instead of cream cheese for a tangier bite
- Try sharp white cheddar instead of standard cheddar
- Swap pecans for walnuts for that cranberry walnut cheese ball vibe
Variations
- Make mini cheese balls and stick pretzels in the top
- Shape into a cheese log instead of the classic ball shape
- Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce (SO good!)
- Swap turkey bacon for real bacon during game days
- Use pre-shredded cheese for a faster prep
Equipment
Here's all you need to make my pecan cranberry cheeseball:
- Large mixing bowl
- Standing mixer or electric mixer
- Rubber spatula
- Plastic wrap (seran wrap)
- Shallow bowl for rolling
Storage
Store your homemade cheese ball in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Pro tip: This is super make ahead friendly: just keep wrapped tightly until ready to serve and roll in pecans and cranberries right before serving!
Christina's Dietitian Tip:
This recipe might LOOK indulgent, but using low-fat cream cheese and turkey bacon really lightens things up while keeping all that delicious creamy cheese flavor! Serve it with whole-grain crackers or fresh veggies for a more nutritious and balanced holiday appetizer!
FAQ
Yes! This recipe is make-ahead friendly. You can prepare it a few hours, or even a day in advance. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate until serving.
Absolutely! Full-fat cream cheese will make the cheeseball extra creamy and rich, but the texture and flavor will still be amazing.
Of course! Walnuts, almonds and pistachios work beautifully if pecans aren't your favorite or you need a different nut flavor.
Appetizers
Looking for other appetizer ideas like this? Try these:
Holiday
Looking for some other holiday recipes? Try these:
Jump to: Recipe
Easy Pecan Cranberry Cheeseball (Perfect Holiday Appetizer!)
Equipment
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Standing mixer or electric mixer
- Rubber Spatula
- Plastic wrap (seran wrap)
- Shallow bowl for rolling
Ingredients
- 2 packages Philadelphia low-fat cream cheese
- 1 bunch green onions sliced
- 1 package 0.5 oz fresh chives, minced
- ½ cup crushed pecans
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup low-fat shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup cooked turkey bacon crumbles optional - about 6 slices
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried onion or onion powder
To Roll:
- ¼ cup additional crushed pecans
- ¼ cup additional dried cranberries
Instructions
- Mix Everything Together. Add the cream cheese, green onions, chives, pecans, cranberries, cheddar cheese, turkey bacon, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder into a large bowl or stand mixer. Mix until well combined and creamy.
- Shape & Chill. Transfer mixture onto a large piece of plastic wrap and gently form into a ball. Wrap tightly and refrigerate for 20-30 minutes so the cheese ball firms up.
- Roll in Toppings. Place remaining pecans and cranberries into a shallow bowl. Remove cheeseball from plastic wrap and roll around in the cranberry-pecan mixture, pressing slightly so everything sticks.
- Serve & Enjoy. Place your festive cranberry cheese ball on a serving platter or cheese board and let sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving. Enjoy with crackers, pretzels, sliced baguette, or veggies!
Notes
Nutrition
Food Safety:
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
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