Easy Cranberry Pecan Holiday Cheese Ball Recipe

This easy cranberry pecan holiday cheese ball recipe is great for a last minute appetizer! Just 5 simple ingredients and no cooking time, you can have a delicious spread in no time. This cheese ball is a mix of cream cheese, mozzarella cheese, dried cranberries, pecans, and fresh thyme. Its a bit sweet which balances well with the saltiness.

Salty, sweet, tangy, crunchy, and creamy – this cheese ball is the perfect combination of flavors and textures. Pecans and cranberries give this flavor and bring in traditional holiday flavors. If you are a fan of this appetizer you will love Baked Brie Crostini or this Whipped Ricotta Crostini!

Highlights Of The Recipe

• No bake: need a last second appetizer, this cheese ball takes just minutes and you don’t need to turn on your oven! Simply mix everything together in a bowl, form, and serve with your favorite chips, crackers, or bread!
• Just 5 ingredient’s: cream cheese, shredded cheese, pecans, dried cranberries, plus some fresh herbs – that’s all you need for this simple dish. Store-bought short cuts can help make this recipe even more simple, use pre-chopped pecans and pre-shredded cheese. Grab pre-made crostini or sliced bread to eliminate having to prep those items before serving!
• Great for holiday entertaining: this cheese ball can be made ahead of time so you can set it out when you’re ready. Eliminate extra stress on the big day and have this ready to go, guests will love it and it can sit out without needing to stay warm!
• Customizable: add in different ingredients like chopped bacon or other dried fruit like cherries or dates. Use different types of shredded cheese to change up the flavor if desired. Hot honey or pepper jelly go great served alongside this cheese ball appetizer.

Ingredient List & Ingredient Notes

• Softened Cream cheese: regular full fat, low fat, or no fat cream cheese will all work in this recipe while full fat provides the best flavor. Make sure to soften your cream cheese before mixing. Boursin cheese can be a substitute.
• Mozzarella cheese: any type of shredded cheese will work, the mildness of the mozzarella cheese works great here. Shredded cheddar cheese, shredded Colby jack cheese, or shredded parmesan cheese are some other options, use store-bought shredded cheese or shred your own.
• Dried cranberries: these add a nice sweet, chewy additions. I wouldn’t recommend using fresh cranberries but other dried fruits can work like dried cherries or chopped dates. Make sure to chop these up finely so its easy to spread the cheese mixture.
• Pecans: almonds or cashews will also work, the chopped nuts add the perfect salty, nutty flavor and a bit of crunch. Looks for plain, roasted pecan halves – nothing flavored.
• Fresh thyme: this adds a nice herby flavor and a fun touch of green, fresh oregano rosemary can also work. Dried herbs can be used in a pinch but fresh herbs do better.
• Crackers or bread: sliced baguette or ciabatta, crostini, toast points, assorted crackers (like ritz crackers or wheat thins), pretzels, or flatbread all go great with the cheese ball. Fresh veggies also work.

How to make the Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball

Let’s talk a little about how to make this easy cheese ball recipe (The printable instructions are in the recipe card below.)

Quick overview:

• Combine cheese ball ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
• Roll into a ball and coat in chopped pecans and cranberries.
• Enjoy immediately serve with bread and crackers.

1. Finely chop pecans, cranberries, and fresh thyme into small pieces. This can be done by hand or in a food processor. Reserve about 1/4 cup of the cranberry pecan mixture for coating the cheese ball, set aside in a small bowl.
2. In a large bowl mix cream cheese, shredded cheese, chopped pecans, cranberries, fresh thyme, salt, and pepper. Mix until evenly combined, wearing gloves and using your hands can make this part go quicker or carefully use an electric mixer to combine.

3. Once the cheese ball mixture is combined, form the cream cheese mixture into a ball by hand or wrap in a large piece of plastic wrap to form into a ball. You can do one large ball or a few smaller ones, even mini bite-sized cheese balls if desired. Grab the reserved cranberry pecan mixture.

4. Roll the cheese ball in the cranberry pecan mix, pressing firmly to cover all of the cheese ball evenly.

5. Serve on a serving plate or platter with crackers and bread. This is best enjoyed at room temperature so it is easier to spread. Or press into a pumpkin shape and stick pretzel sticks into the top of the cheese ball for a more festive cheeseball.

More Easy Appetizer Recipes

• Baked Brie Crostini with Prosciutto and Jalapeno Pepper Jelly – sweet, spicy, and savory!
• Air Fryer Frozen Cheese Curds – elevate a store-bought snack!
• Skillet Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Dip – cheesy goodness, cooked and served in the same dish.
• Birds Eye Frozen Cauliflower Wings in the Air Fryer – quick appetizer or snack.
• Creamy Hatch Green Chile Dip – easy skillet dip with cheese, cream cheese, and green chiles.

Tools I Use For This Appetizer

• Rubber Spatula – a must have! Easily combine the cheese ball mixture with a rubber spatula. I like these because they don’t come apart so I don’t have to worry about water getting inside the spatula and causing mold.
• Pyrex Mixing Bowl Set – I love this set of nesting bowls. I use them for everything, Pyrex glass does not break easily so you can trust on these bowls for years, plus they come in 3 useful sizes and can be stacked!

More Holiday-Worthy Dishes

Need more inspiration for what to serve at your next holiday gathering? Try some of my recipe guides like the 25 Best Christmas Gin Cocktails for a Festive Holiday, 41 Best Air Fryer Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes, or 35 Best Rum Cocktail Ideas to make for Christmas!

• Easy Christmas Morning Breakfast Quiche Recipe – great for holiday brunch!
• Easy Overnight Baked Pumpkin French Toast Casserole – a great make ahead breakfast.
• Margherita French Bread Pizza – an easy finger food, guests will love.
• Carrabba’s Pomegranate Martini Cocktail Recipe – delicious holiday cocktail using in-season pomegranates.
• Quick and Easy Instant Pot Cocktail Meatballs Recipe – perfect addition to your snack spread.
• Easy Cranberry Orange Whiskey Sour Cocktail Recipe – a simple cocktail for fall & winter!

Recipe FAQs

How long will the cheese ball stay fresh in the fridge?

This cheese ball will stay fresh in the fridge for a day or two premade before serving, the longer it sits in the fridge the coating starts to get a little stale but it will still taste good. Leftover cheese ball can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days.

What do you eat with a cheese ball?

This cheese ball is great served with fresh, warm baguette or ciabatta slices as well at toast points or crostini. Assorted crackers, pretzel’s, pita chips, sturdy crackers or crisps are great for some texture and they are a bit lighter than bread. Fresh veggies are a quick low-carb option.

Can you make a cheese ball ahead of time and freeze it?

Yes! Cheese balls freeze well, if you are planning to make this cheese ball ahead of time and freezing you can make exactly as the recipe states and roll in the cranberry pecan coating. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, putting it inside an airtight zip top bag can help it stay even more fresh. Remove from the freezer when ready and allow to come to room temperature before serving.

What can I do with a leftover cheese ball?

Leftover cheese ball can be spread between bread and made into a grilled cheese, it can be dolloped on pizzas or flatbreads, crumbled into lettuce salads or pasta salads, or just keep in the fridge to snack on between meals!