If you are looking for the perfect party appetizer that packs tons of flavor, is smooth, tangy and crunchy all at the same time, you can stop your search right here. These mini goat cheese bites pack a punch full of smooth and creamy goat cheese, candied pecans, sweet and chewy cranberries, honey and a touch of cinnamon they hit all the right notes. And, to make things even better, they look beautiful and only take about 15 minutes to whip up. 

Aren’t those pretty? Read on to find out how to make these easy and delicious mini goat cheese bites.

This post contains affiliate links. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE GOAT CHEESE BITES

Only a few easy ingredients and you’re ready to go! I always roll mine in candied pecans, but these goat cheese bites are so versatile. You could also make these with walnuts, almonds or pistachios…pick your favorite nut! 🙂

10 ounces of goat cheese, softened to room temperature

6 oz of softened cream cheese

3 tablespoons of honey, plus extra for a garnish

2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 1/4 cup finely chopped candied pecans, you can use regular pecans too if you prefer (I get my candied pecans at Trader Joe’s)

1 cup finely chopped dried cranberries

1/2 cup minced fresh parsley

HOW TO MAKE MINI GOAT CHEESE BITES

In a large bowl combine your softened goat cheese, cream cheese, honey and cinnamon. I whip mine with a hand mixer for a fluffy, creamy center, but you can also mix with a rubber spatula until well combined. I like to add a 1/4 cup of the chopped pecans into my cheese mixture for a little texture in the cheese bite. 

In a shallow bowl or a cookie sheet with edges, combine the chopped candied pecans, dried cranberries, and minced fresh parsley. Mix together until it’s well combined. 

Use a small cookie scoop or teaspoon to roll two teaspoons of goat cheese mixture into a ball. (If you feel like the cheese is too soft to roll into a ball, pop the mixture in the fridge for 15-30 minute to help it harden just a touch so you can roll it more easily.) Once you have a ball of cheese mixture, roll/press each individual cheese ball into the nut mixture, rolling to coat both sides of the goat cheese. Once they have the mixture on the outside it will make them even easier to handle. 

Refrigerate until you are ready to serve.

Once you are ready to serve, drizzle with honey. Serve with crackers or crostini.

Mini Goat Cheese Bites Appetizer

Print

These smooth and creamy, tangy and sweet mini goat cheese bites make the perfect appetizer. They are super easy to make and look beautiful too!

Prep Time 15 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 10 oz goat cheese, softened
• 6 oz cream cheese, softened
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 3 tablespoons honey, plus extra for garnish
• 1 ½ cups chopped candied pecans
• 1 cup finely chopped dried cranberries
• ½ cup minced fresh parsley

Instructions

In a large bowl combine your softened goat cheese, cream cheese, honey and cinnamon. I whip mine with a hand mixer for a fluffy, creamy center, but you can also mix with a rubber spatula until well combined. Add a 1/4 cup of the chopped pecans into the cheese mixture for a little texture in the cheese bite. 

In a shallow bowl or a cookie sheet with edges, combine the rest of the chopped candied pecans, dried cranberries, and minced fresh parsley. Mix together until it's well combined. 

Use a small cookie scoop or teaspoon to roll two teaspoons of goat cheese mixture into a ball. (If you feel like the cheese is too soft to roll into a ball, pop the mixture in the fridge for 15-30 minute to help it harden just a touch so you can roll it more easily.) Once you have a ball of cheese mixture, roll/press each individual cheese ball into the nut mixture, rolling to coat both sides of the goat cheese. Once they have the mixture on the outside it will make them even easier to handle. 

Refrigerate until you are ready to serve.

Once you are ready to serve, drizzle with honey. Serve with crackers or crostini.

Tips for Making Your Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Bites

• Make sure to bring the goat cheese to room temperature. It makes it much easier to mix with the honey and cinnamon.
• Use a small cookie scoop if you have one in place of a teaspoon. It makes it much easier to keep the mini goat cheese bites all evenly sized.
• After you make these goat cheese bites, refrigerate them for at least a half hour to an hour for the flavors to meld. 
• You can make these days in advance, but the pecans and cranberries will soften slightly in the fridge and after absorbing the moisture from the cheese all night. Everyone will still love them, but I think they are better made day of so that you get the textural difference with the crunchy pecans, chewy cranberries and soft creamy cheese. 

PIN THIS IMAGE SO YOU CAN EASILY FIND THIS RECIPE AGAIN

I love appetizers. It’s one of my favorite things about the holidays…I can easily make a meal out of them! These mini goat cheese bites are SO easy and SO delicious they are sure to be a hit wherever you take them….or even if you jst make them for yourself. 😉 Don’t think I haven’t done that! HA!

Looking for more great recipes ideas?  You can find so many good ones here in our Recipe Gallery.

Here are a few of my most popular recipes…

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Delicious Dutch Apple Pie

Sweet Ginger Cookies

Great Guacamole Recipe

Buttery Orange Rolls

Sugar and Spice Pumpkin Bread

Bakery Style Blueberry Muffins

Banana Macadamia Pancakes with Coconut Syrup

Have you signed up for our newsletter?  Don’t miss out on getting all of the latest from Pink Peppermint Design delivered right to your inbox.  Click here to subscribe to our newsletter and get access to our entire library of over 65 free printables.  

Thanks for visiting the blog! Come and join me on social to follow along with all of my Design, Travel, DIY, Shopping Deals and other posts. You can find me here:

Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook | Like to Know It

Don’t miss all of the other fabulous recipes beaing shared by your favorite bloggers today! You can find them all here:

Midwest Life and Style: Quick And Festive Cranberry And Feta Christmas Pinwheel| The Handmade Home: Easy Cranberry Brie Bites | Pink Peppermint Design: 15 Minute Amazing Mini Goat Cheese Bites Appetizer| Tatertots and Jello: Savory Puff Pastry Pesto Trees | She Gave it a Go: Festive Christmas Tree Cheese Ball Recipe| Lolly Jane: Reindeer Charcuterie Board | My Sweet Savannah: Boursin cheese with caramelized onions and bacon appetizer| Paint Me Pink: Strawberry Santa’s with Cream Cheese Frosting| This is Our Bliss: Easy Christmas Cheese Trees