Cranberry Cheese Ball Recipe

This time of year, I like to keep ingredients for a few no bake appetizers ready to go, and this cranberry cheese ball recipe is one of those appetizers. It comes together in minutes, uses simple ingredients, and looks festive enough for any holiday table without requiring hours in the kitchen.

This is one of our easy appetizer ideas you will want to bookmark.

This cranberry cheese ball recipe is the perfect balance of sweet and savory, with creamy cheese, tart cranberries, and a crunchy pistachio coating. It’s an ideal make-ahead appetizer for holiday parties, family potlucks, and game day gatherings.

Serve it with crackers, pretzels, or fresh fruit, and you’ll have a crowd-pleasing snack that feels special but fits right into a busy schedule.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• No bake and ready in minutes
• Easy make-ahead appetizer
• Sweet and savory flavor combo
• Perfect for holidays and parties
• Budget-friendly crowd pleaser

Ingredients Overview

• Cream cheese
• Dried cranberries
• Shelled pistachios
• Optional seasoning (garlic powder, salt, pepper)

How to Make a Cranberry and Pistachio Cheeseball

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1 – Place cream cheese in bowl. Add Parmesan cheese and mix well.

Step 2 – Place on a piece of wax paper or plastic wrap and shape into a ball.

Step 3 – Place pistachios and cranberries on wax paper.

Step 3 – Place chilled ball on mixture and roll ball and wrap with the paper.

Substitutions and Variations

• You can sub pecans, walnuts, or almonds for pistachios.
• You can sub dried cherries, raisins, or chopped apricots for the cranberries.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve with Ritz crackers, wheat crackers, or pretzel thins.
• This cheese ball also works well with apple slices or celery sticks.

Storage & Leftovers

• Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days
• Not freezer-friendly due to texture

More No Bake Appetizers

Italian Pinwheels

Ranch Cheese Ball

7 Layer Dip Cups

Cranberry Cheese Ball

Raquel Pineira

This cranberry cheese ball recipe is an easy no bake appetizer perfect for holiday parties and family gatherings. Made with creamy cheese, dried cranberries, and crunchy pistachios, it comes together in minutes. A festive make ahead snack everyone loves.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Calories 196 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1/2 cup parmesan
• 1/2 cup pistachio unshelled nuts
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• pretzels for serving

Instructions

 

• In a bowl mix together with a spatula cream cheese and parmesan.
• Turn it out onto a piece of plastic wrap. Wrap up and then roll on a cutting board until its a ball shape. Use your hands to shape it well. Remove plastic wrap.
• Roll or press pistachios and dried cranberries into the cheese ball.
• Place in the fridge until ready to serve. Serve with pretzels, crackers, or triscuits.

Notes

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. 

Nutrition

Calories: 196kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 5gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 44mgSodium: 253mgPotassium: 63mgFiber: 1gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 573IUVitamin C: 0.02mgCalcium: 136mgIron: 0.1mg

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

If you are not yet subscribing to my CELEBRATE THE SEASON newsletter, you can subscribe here. I share easy recipes for the season that the entire family is sure to love and also a few things that I don’t share here.