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These Easy Walnut Goat Cheese Balls are a perfectly portioned addition to a holiday cocktail party or dinner. Simple to make with just three ingredients, they’re sweet, tangy, creamy and addictive.
I love the idea of throwing a cocktail party, but the reality of it? Well, that’s a different story. There’s the stress of choosing the right recipes—you need to impress your guests!—then picking up all the groceries, timing all the prep, and the cleaning. Oh, so much cleaning! Goat cheese bites are the kind of recipe that has your back when you’re down to the wire and need something that’s deceptively simple but deliciously impressive.
Goat cheese bites feel kind of fancy, but they’re made with only 3 ingredients. You can make them ahead of time, and the process of making them requires very little effort. They’re creamy and rich, with a crunchy and sweet contrast from the nuts. They also are the something special to add to a charcuterie board or cheese board. What’s not to love?
Pair them with other appetizers that are easy to make in advance like these stuffed mushrooms or smoked salmon canapés, serve them up with mini appetizer forks and a sparkling cranberry paloma or apple cider gin fizz, and you’ve just thrown a stress-free cocktail party, my friend.
Ingredients for Goat Cheese Bites
Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll need for this recipe. For the full measurements, scroll down to the recipe card.
- Goat Cheese – Also known as chèvre.
- Cream Cheese – We’re making a party app here, so go ahead and buy the full-fat kind.
- Candied Walnuts – You can use store-bought or make homemade candied walnuts.
How to Make Goat Cheese Bites
These are the easiest appetizer you’ll ever make! Here’s what you’ll need to do.
- Make the base. Blend the cheeses in a food processor until smooth and combined.
- Chill. Refrigerate the cheese mixture for 30 minutes.
- Roll. Portion the cheese into balls and roll in the chopped nuts.
- Chill again. Set the balls on a baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Tips for Making Goat Cheese Bites
A few simple tips that will make sure your goat cheese bites turn out perfect.
- Soften the cheeses first. This makes it easier for them to blend together evenly. Set them out on the counter about 30 minutes before you get started.
- Use a cookie dough scoop. It will help make sure all your goat cheese bites are roughly the same size.
- Bite-size, please. You want these to be a one-bite appetizer to keep them from being unwieldy. We’re looking for walnut-sized goat cheese balls, not golf balls!
Variations
You can use Candied Pecans instead of walnuts, or add finely chopped cranberries with the nuts for a chewy element, like this Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball. (And if you go with dried cranberries, you can use candied walnuts or plain toasted walnuts, since the cranberries will add their own sweetness.)
Another option is to make a giant goat cheese ball, a la this Cinnamon Apple Walnut Goat Cheese Ball. Serve it with crostini, apple slices, or slices of baguette.
How Far in Advance Can I Make Goat Cheese Bites?
Because you want them fresh and flavorful for a party, I don’t recommend making these goat cheese bites more than 24 hours in advance. In theory, I think you could freeze these cheese balls further in advance and then thaw them in the fridge before your party, but I haven’t tried it myself.
How to Store Leftovers
If you have leftover goat cheese bites, store them in an airtight container for 2 to 3 days. I like to let them sit at room temperature for 10 minutes or so before eating them.
What to Serve With Goat Cheese Bites
More Goat Cheese Recipes
- Blackberry Goat Cheese Crostini
- Grilled Lamb Chops with Herb Goat Cheese Sauce
- Prune and Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breast
- Goat Cheese Dill Potato Salad
- Green Beans with Goat Cheese, Shallots and Walnuts
- Pear, Goat Cheese and Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Maple Dressing
- Ham Asparagus and Goat Cheese Frittata
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Goat Cheese Balls
Ingredients
- 4 ounces goat cheese
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 1 cup finely chopped candied walnuts
- 1/4 cup chopped dried cranberries
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- In the bowl of a food processor, blend the cheeses together until smooth. Transfer the mixture to the refrigerator and chill for 30 minutes.
- Roll the cheese mixture into walnut sized balls and arrange on a baking sheet. Mix together the nuts, cranberries and parsley. Roll the balls in the nuts to coat. Place on a baking sheet and chill for another 30 minutes or up to 24 hours.
- Serve on a platter with cocktail forks or toothpicks.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I LOVE goat cheese anything. And the fact that you candied the nuts in sheer genius! Delicious!
So do I! Thank you so much, Laura!
I always have goat cheese on hand for parties but I have never tried to make cheese balls – love these cute little bites!
Thanks, Erin!
Everything looks so beautiful! These little bites sound delicious, and I love how simple they are. We all need that this time of year.
Simple is best!
What an elegant setting! This is so easy and sounds so delicious!
How fun!! I’m throwing my first official cocktail party in a few weeks and will be sure to keep this handy! GOTTA have that cheese ball to serve!
Wish I was a guest at your party! Everything sounds amazing! Can’t wait to try the Sparkling Cranberry Palomas! These walnut bites look and sound amazing! Perfect for a party!
Love the idea of making personal cheese balls, built in portion control! And I definitely need that when it comes to cheese platters!