If you’re looking for a snack that’s as festive as it is delicious, you’re going to love this Cranberry Feta Roll-Ups Recipe. It’s one of those little surprises that’s full of holiday cheer and just the right balance of savory and sweet. I absolutely love how these roll-ups come together with creamy cheese, tangy cranberries, and fresh chives wrapped up in soft tortillas — perfect for parties or easy entertaining. Stick around because I’ll share all my best tips to help you nail these tasty bites every single time!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect Holiday Flavor: The tartness of cranberries and saltiness of feta create a mouthwatering combo you won’t forget.
- Super Easy to Make: Just mix, spread, roll, and chill — no baking required, so it’s perfect for busy days.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare these hours or even a day before your gathering and chill until ready to serve.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Whether it’s a party or a family snack, these roll-ups disappear fast with their fun bite-sized shape.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient here does a special job, blending creamy, tangy, and sweet into a harmonious bite. I always recommend looking for good-quality feta since that flavor really shines through, and a soft cream cheese makes spreading a breeze.
- Feta cheese: I love sheep’s milk feta for its richer flavor, but any crumbled feta will work just great.
- Cream cheese: Softened cream cheese is key — beating it first makes the filling ultra smooth.
- Dried cranberries: Opt for sweetened ones to balance the salty feta perfectly.
- Flour tortillas: Large and flexible work best to get nice tight rolls without cracking.
- Fresh chives: They add a mild onion flavor and a pop of green for freshness.
Variations
I love mixing things up depending on the occasion or what’s on hand — these roll-ups are surprisingly versatile. Feel free to swap out or add ingredients to make this Cranberry Feta Roll-Ups Recipe your own.
- Variation: Sometimes, I swap fresh dill for chives for a different herbaceous twist — it’s a simple switch that guests always notice and enjoy.
- Variation: For a nutty crunch, sprinkle chopped toasted walnuts inside before rolling — it adds amazing texture.
- Variation: Want to make it vegan? Try a dairy-free cream cheese and a vegan feta alternative — the roll-up texture stays great!
- Variation: Use whole wheat or spinach tortillas to bring extra color and nutrients to the party platter.
How to Make Cranberry Feta Roll-Ups Recipe
Step 1: Whip Up the Creamy Base
Start by placing your softened cream cheese in a bowl and beating it well. I use an electric mixer because it gets the cream cheese fluffy and smooth in just a couple of minutes. This step is so important — it helps the roll-ups spread easily and keeps every bite creamy without lumps.
Step 2: Combine the Flavors
Add the crumbled feta, dried cranberries, and chopped fresh chives to the bowl with the cream cheese. Mix everything evenly until it’s a consistent spread. I like to taste a little here — if you want it zingier, add a pinch more chives or cranberries for that perfect balance.
Step 3: Spread and Roll
Lay your tortillas flat on a clean surface and spread a good layer of the creamy mixture evenly over the entire surface. Rolling is easier when the spread reaches edge to edge, so you get a flavorful bite in every slice. Roll each tortilla tightly into a log shape — I find that starts from one edge and rolling firmly but gently keeps everything neat and prevents the filling from squeezing out.
Step 4: Chill Before Slicing
Wrap each roll snugly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least an hour so the roll-ups firm up and slice beautifully without squishing. This rest time makes all the difference—I learned this the hard way when my first batch fell apart before chilling!
Step 5: Slice and Serve
Once chilled, unwrap and slice each roll into your preferred thickness. I usually go for about 1/2 inch so the bite-sized pieces are perfect finger food. Arrange them on a pretty platter and watch them disappear fast!
Pro Tips for Making Cranberry Feta Roll-Ups Recipe
- Beat Cream Cheese First: This little step prevents lumps and creates a silky base that blends beautifully with feta and cranberries.
- Use Plastic Wrap to Chill: Wrapping the rolls tightly keeps them moist and helps maintain their shape so slicing is easier and cleaner.
- Adjust Cranberry Sweetness: If you find the filling too tart, add a sprinkle of brown sugar or honey to balance it.
- Slice with a Sharp Knife: Use a serrated knife for neat slices without pressing too hard, keeping your roll-ups intact.
How to Serve Cranberry Feta Roll-Ups Recipe
Garnishes
I like to sprinkle a few extra chopped chives or even a tiny sprinkle of lemon zest on top to brighten the look and flavor just before serving. It adds a fresh pop that makes these roll-ups even more inviting.
Side Dishes
These are great alongside a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette or paired with roasted holiday nuts. I’ve also served them with a charcuterie board — the sweet-savory flavors complement meats and fruits beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, try arranging the roll-ups in a spiral on a large platter with fresh parsley sprigs or cranberries scattered around. I’ve even served them on skewers for easy grab-and-go style at parties — just slide a few slices onto a toothpick for a cute mini appetizer.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers wrapped tightly in plastic wrap in the fridge, and they stay fresh and creamy for up to 3 days. Just be sure to keep them chilled until serving for the best texture.
Freezing
Freezing isn’t my favorite option for these roll-ups because the texture changes a bit when thawed. However, if you must, wrap tightly and freeze for up to a month, then thaw overnight in the fridge before slicing and serving.
Reheating
Since these are meant to be served cold or at room temperature, reheating isn’t necessary. If you like them a touch warmer, just let them sit out for 10-15 minutes to take the chill off before serving.
FAQs
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Can I use other cheeses instead of feta in the Cranberry Feta Roll-Ups Recipe?
Absolutely! While feta provides that salty tang, you can substitute cream cheese with goat cheese or ricotta for a milder flavor. If you do swap, just taste and adjust seasoning since textures and saltiness vary.
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How long can I prepare Cranberry Feta Roll-Ups Recipe ahead of time?
You can prepare and wrap the roll-ups up to 24 hours ahead. Just keep them well-wrapped in the fridge to maintain freshness and slice when ready to serve.
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Can I substitute dried cranberries with fresh cranberries?
Fresh cranberries are much tarter and have more moisture, which could affect the spreadability. If you want to use fresh, consider cooking them down with some sugar first to make a cranberry compote to spread instead.
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What’s the best way to slice the roll-ups without squishing?
Use a sharp serrated knife and slice with a gentle sawing motion. Slicing after chilling helps the roll-ups hold their shape better, making neat slices easier to achieve.
Final Thoughts
This Cranberry Feta Roll-Ups Recipe has become one of my go-to festive snacks because it’s effortless but feels special—kind of like a little holiday secret wrapped in every bite. I remember the first time I brought these to a potluck; people couldn’t stop asking for the recipe! I hope you’ll find them just as delightful and that they bring a bit of joy and ease to your holiday spread. Give them a try soon—you might just make them a tradition, like I did!
Print
Cranberry Feta Roll-Ups Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 28 pieces 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Savory Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups combine tangy sheep’s milk feta, creamy softened cream cheese, and sweet dried cranberries, all wrapped in soft flour tortillas. This festive appetizer is perfect for holiday gatherings, offering a delightful balance of flavors and an easy-to-prepare, make-ahead bite-sized treat.
Ingredients
Filling Ingredients
- 1 cup crumbled feta cheese (sheep’s milk feta for best flavor)
- 8 oz softened cream cheese
- 1 1/2 cups dried cranberries (sweetened for balance)
- 1/3 cup chopped fresh chives
Wraps
- 4 large flour tortillas
Instructions
- Beat Cream Cheese: Start by placing the cream cheese in a small bowl and beating it until fluffy and smooth. This will make it easier to mix in the other ingredients and achieve a creamy filling texture.
- Combine Ingredients: Add crumbled feta, dried cranberries, and chopped fresh chives to the beaten cream cheese. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined, creating a uniform spread that ensures balanced flavor in every bite.
- Spread Mixture on Tortillas: Take each large flour tortilla and evenly spread the cream cheese mixture over the entire surface. This helps distribute the filling evenly for a consistent taste throughout.
- Roll Tortillas: Roll each tortilla tightly into a log shape. This helps keep the filling contained and makes them easier to slice neatly later.
- Chill Rolls: Wrap each rolled tortilla tightly in plastic wrap to maintain shape and prevent drying. Refrigerate the wraps for at least 1 hour to firm up the filling and make slicing easier.
- Slice and Serve: After chilling, remove the plastic wrap and cut each roll into slices of desired thickness. Arrange on a serving platter and enjoy your festive cranberry roll-ups.
Notes
- Use sheep’s milk feta for a richer, tangier flavor, but regular feta works as well.
- Sweetened dried cranberries provide a nice balance to the tangy cheese; adjust quantity depending on your sweetness preference.
- Chilling the rolls properly is key to clean slicing and maintaining shape.
- These roll ups can be prepared a day ahead and stored refrigerated, making them convenient for holiday entertaining.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute tortillas with gluten-free wraps.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 pieces
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
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