Vegan Holiday Cheese Ball
Take your holiday hosting game to the next level with this vegan holiday cheese ball. Made with vegan and dairy-free cheese alternatives, this simple pecan and cranberry cheese ball is sure to shine at your next holiday gathering.
When I first went dairy-free the number of dairy-free cheese alternatives on the market were lacking. I was unimpressed with both the flavor and the meltability of many of the dairy-free cheeses so I simply omitted them from my kitchen and moved on in life.
Thankfully for the dairy-free community there has been an abundance of new cheese products on the market recently. From shredded and sliced, to blocks and even pourable, the options seem to keep getting better with time.
This means that so many holiday classic recipes can quickly and easily made dairy-free and vegan with a few simple swaps. One of my favorite holiday recipes to re-make was the classic holiday cheese ball.
What is a Cheese Ball?
Simply stated, a cheese ball is a ball made out of cheese and in this case, dairy-free cheese.
This holiday cheese ball gives off major winter vibes with the use of rich red cranberries and crisp green onion. Add in those crunchy pecan bits and you are working with a holiday masterpiece.
Why We Love a Vegan Holiday Cheese Ball
When I use vegan cheese alternatives, I use them sparingly. This holiday cheese ball is one of the exceptions I will make when it comes to cheese alternative because it is:
- Easy to make. Simply mix, stir, roll, and chill, this recipe involves no technical skills and comes out beautifully.
- Great for a crowd. Turning this cheese ball into the center of a dairy-free cheese board is the best way to make this great for entertaining.
- Quick make ahead recipe. You can easily whip up this vegan cheese ball a day or two ahead of when you plan to serve it to save you time later.
- Addictively delicious. You are going to need to save this recipe for a crowd because you just might eat the whole thing in one sitting. No judgement if you do, just trying to save you from you.
Vegan Changes to a Cheese Ball
There are three main things to do to keep this recipe plant based.
- Vegan Cream Cheese– Find a vegan cream cheese you enjoy using. Some of the plant based alternatives I have used and enjoy include:
- Non-Dairy Cheese Shreds– I use a cheddar flavored cheese to mix into the vegan cheese ball. The two I used during testing include:
- Omit Bacon– Many recipes for holiday cheese balls include chopped bacon in the ball or in the coating. We’ve omitted the bacon for this cranberry and pecan cheese ball to keep it simple and plant-based.
How to Make Vegan Holiday Cheese Ball
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Dairy-Free Cream Cheese– Softened to room temperature.
- Dairy-Free Cheese Shreds– I used a cheddar flavor for this recipe. I’ve tested it with Violife and GOOD PLANeT and thought they both added great flavor to the cheese ball.
- Garlic Powder– For a little flavor.
- Green Onion– Mixed into the cheese ball.
- Pecans– Chopped into small bits.
- Craisins– Chopped and mixed with the pecans to coat the finished cheese ball.
Step-by-Step Directions for a Holiday Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball
- Prepare: Take out the dairy-free cream cheese and allow to come to room temperature.
- Mix filling: In a medium sized bowl mix together dairy-free cream cheese, dairy-free cheese shreds, garlic powder, and green onion. Set mixture aside.
- Line a small bowl (should hold about two cups) with plastic wrap. Make sure you have additional plastic wrap hanging over the bowl to help cover all of the cheese ball.
- Fill bowl: Scoop the cream cheese mixture into the plastic wrap lined bowl.
- Ball the cheese: Lift the corners of the plastic wrap and bring the cheese mixture together into a ball shape.
- Wrap the extra plastic wrap up under the ball to close it up.
- Chill the cheese ball at least 30 minutes before coating.
- Chop topping: Just before you serve the cheese ball, chop pecans and dried cranberries into small bits.
- Top the ball: Mix the chopped pecans and craisins together and roll the cheese ball to coat.
- Serve: Place you vegan holiday cheese ball on a plate and serve with crackers, fruits, and veggies.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
When you are ready to make this simple vegan cheese ball, here are a few kitchen tools to help you along the way.
- Glass Mixing Bowls– For stirring and shaping the cheese ball.
- Plastic Wrap– Used to coat the bowl for shaping the cheese ball and helping it hold the shape while the cheese ball chills.
- Cheese knife-For cutting and spreading the vegan cheese ball.
Vegan Holiday Cheese Ball Serving Suggestions
Dishing out this cranberry and pecan cheese ball as a vegan cheese board is one of my favorite ways to serve this recipe. Here are some cracker, fruit, and vegetable suggestions for putting on your platter.
- Crackers: Ritz crackers, air fried pita chips, pretzels
- Fruit: Sliced apples or pears, grapes, sugared cranberries
- Vegetables: Celery, carrots, snap peas
- Nuts: Roasted pecans, spiced almonds, cashews
These are simply some suggestions to help get you started, they are by no means the only items you can serve with this dairy-free pecan and cranberry cheese ball.
Tips to Make this Cheese Ball in Advance
One of the main reasons I love making this holiday cheese ball is that I can prep it about 1-2 days ahead of when I plan to serve it. This keeps prep on the day of a party at a minimum and flavor and snacking at a maximum.
To prep in advance:
- Make the ball as directed up until you chill.
- Place the plastic wrapped ball in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before you plan to serve it.
- Do not put the pecan and dried cranberry coating on.
- Just before serving, coat in pecans and dried cranberries.
- Enjoy!
Store your left over dairy-free holiday cheese ball in a refrigerator safe, air-tight container for up to 3 days after you serve.
Vegan Appetizers to Make Next
If you tried this vegan holiday cheese ball recipe feel free to leave a comment below! I would love to hear how it went! Or, snap a picture and share it with me on Instagram by tagging @mylifeafterdairy to share all your life after dairy adventures!
You can also get delicious dairy-free recipes and tips by signing up for my newsletter!
Vegan Holiday Cheese Ball
Creamy, cheesy, and completely vegan, this holiday cheese ball makes a simple yet show-stopping starter for any gathering.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces Vegan Cream Cheese softened to room temperature
- 1 cup Shredded Vegan Cheese cheddar
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ¼ cup Green Onion chopped
- ¼ cup Pecan Halves measure then chop
- ¼ cup Dried Cranberries measure then chop
Instructions
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Take out 8 ounces dairy-free cream cheese and allow to come to room temperature.
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In a medium sized bowl mix together dairy-free cream cheese, 1 cup dairy-free cheese shreds, ¼ cup garlic powder, and ¼ cup green onion. Set mixture aside.
-
Line a small bowl (should hold about two cups) with plastic wrap. Make sure you have additional plastic wrap hanging over the bowl to help cover all of the cheese ball.
-
Scoop the cream cheese mixture into the plastic wrap lined bowl.
-
Lift the corners of the plastic wrap and bring the cheese mixture together into a ball shape.
-
Wrap the extra plastic wrap up under the ball to close it up.
-
Chill the cheese ball at least 30 minutes before coating.
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Just before you serve the cheese ball, chop ¼ cup of pecans and ¼ cup dried cranberries into small bits.
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Mix the chopped pecans and craisins together and roll the cheese ball to coat.
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Place on a plate and serve with crackers, fruits, and veggies.
Recipe Notes
To prep in advance:
- Make the ball as directed up until you chill.
- Place the plastic wrapped ball in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before you plan to serve it.
- Do not put the pecan and dried cranberry coating on.
- Just before serving, coat in pecans and dried cranberries.
- Enjoy!
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