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Cream Cheese and Olive Pecan Appetizer Bites

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Cream Cheese and Olive Pecan Appetizer Bites: Have you ever been to a party and found yourself constantly gravitating towards the appetizer table, unable to resist the tantalizing bites of creamy spreads and crunchy toppings? Well, if you’re a fan of cheese, olives, and pecans, we have a treat for you. These bite-sized delights are the perfect combination of creamy and crunchy, and are sure to be a hit at your next gathering. Not only will we show you how to make this easy appetizer, but I’ll also share tips for customizing the recipe to fit your personal taste. So get ready to tantalize your taste buds and impress your guests with this delectable dish.

Cream Cheese and Olive Pecan Appetizer Bites

Serve a twist on the popular cheese ball at your next dinner party and make these amazing Cream Cheese and Olive Pecan Bites.  These crunchy on the outside and creamy in the middle little delights make the perfect pop in your mouth appetizer. Only napkins needed for this appetizer! Scroll down for more appetizer recipes↓!

You can make these Cream Cheese and Olive Pecan Bites into a small individual cheese balls, but I love the presentation of the stuffed pecan halves.  So easy to make your kids can help! Perfect for entertaining at your home or to take to the office party.

How early can I make these mini cheese balls?

Cream Cheese and Olive Pecan Bites

When it comes to serving appetizers, the whole timing thing can get a little tricky. Especially if you’re planning on serving several hot dishes. That’s why these cream cheese and olive bites are perfect! They can be made ahead of time, no plates are required and no oven is needed. In fact the process can be spread out to several days. TWO DAYS BEFORE THE PARTY: Make the filling. ONE DAY BEFORE THE PARTY: Fill the pecan halves and get them party ready. SIMPLE AND DELICIOUS!

How to Make Cream Cheese and Olive Pecan Appetizer Bites

Cream Cheese and Olive Pecan Bites

This is for all you olive lovers. The olive brine offers a nice zip to this easy to make appetizer. Your guests will love the salty flavor of the olives, the creamy texture of the cream cheese spread and the crunch of the toasted pecans.  PERFECTION!!! 😊 I love serving them for a ladies brunch, bridal shower or baby shower.

  • TOAST PECANS: It may not seem like this is an important step but it is. Toasting pecans brings these little treasures to a whole other level of flavors. Please don’t skip this important step.
  • MIX FILLING: It’s as simple as bringing all the ingredients together (except the pecans) until combined.
  • PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER: Spoon or spread some of the filling on one half of a pecan and top with another half, forming a sandwich. Voila! Mini cheese balls!

CREAM CHEESE AND OLIVE PECAN CHEESEBALL BITES INGREDIENTS LIST-full recipe below in recipe card

  • 80 large pecans
  • 3 ounces full fat cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup finely chopped pimiento stuffed Spanish green olives
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper

OLIVE PECAN CREAM CHEESE APPETIZER BITES INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Preheat oven to 350°.
  2. Bake pecans in a single layer in a shallow pan 8 to 10 minutes or until toasted and fragrant, stirring halfway through.
  3. In a medium bowl, stir together cream cheese, chopped stuffed olives, chives and pepper.
  4. Spread cream cheese filling onto 1 side of 40 pecans; top with remaining pecans, forming a sandwich.
  5. MAKES 40 MINI APPETIZERS.

OLIVE CHEESEBALL ALTERATIONS

Even though this Christmas Party finger food is delicious just the way it is, here are a few ideas on how this crowd pleaser can be changed up.

  • RED PEPPER FLAKES: Spice up your appetizers! Split the cream cheese mixture in half and add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
  • CHEDDAR CHEESE: Use good cheese not the plastic already grated cheese. Chop the shredded cheese into fine bits, combine into the cream cheese filling, and spoon the filling into a piping bag or spread with a knife.
  • SOUR CREAM: For extra tang swap out some of the cream cheese for sour cream.
  • CREAM CHEESE SPREAD: Replace the plain cream cheese for flavored cream cheese spread.
  • BLUE CHEESE: Add a pungent cheese flavor to your appetizer.
  • GARLIC POWDER: Don’t use fresh garlic or garlic salt. The fresh garlic will be raw and take over the different flavors of the appetizer. As for the garlic salt the olives already have enough salt.
  • FRESH HERBS: There’s already one fresh herb ( chives). You can go so many directions with this addition. Fresh basil for Italian, or fresh cilantro for Mexican. This really depends on what you want the end result to be.

WHAT TYPES OF OLIVES ARE THE BEST IN THESE STUFFED PECANS

Since olives play an important part of this recipe you want to get the best olive flavor. Here are my suggestions. Each olive offers a wonderful salty flavor.

  • MANZANILLA OLIVES: These are the most common type of green olive found in grocery stores today.
  • SPANISH OLIVES: Also known as Manzanilla medium sized olives.
  • KALAMATA OLIVES: A large dark brown olive with a meaty texture from Greece. A stronger flavor than the other listed olives
  • QUEEN OLIVES: These are my favorite olives. Large in size with a wonderful meaty texture and a burst of briny flavor.
  • CASTELVETRANO OLIVES: This small, crisp, mild green olive is from Sicily.

CAN I SUBSTITUTE BLACK OLIVES FOR THE GREEN OLIVES?

For me the answer is no. For two reasons, the black olives are soft and mushy, and they don’t have the strong briny flavor I want in my cream cheese and olive appetizer.

HOW TO MAKE MINI CHEESE BALLS

If you’re in a time crunch and the thought of spreading the cream cheese and olive spread on forty pecan halves sounds like torture. This is for you!

  • 40 large pecans, chopped
  • 3 ounces full fat cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup finely chopped pimiento stuffed Spanish green olives
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper

In a medium bowl, stir together cream cheese, chopped stuffed olives, chives and pepper. Form into small balls, roll cream cheese balls over the chopped pecans. Place on a platter, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until ready to serve (at least 2 hours).

Appetizers that only require a napkin

For you next party, make an assortment of appetizers. Either walk around with a tray of appetizers or place trays on the table! All your guests have to do is grab a napkin and enjoy!

HOW TO STORE PECAN OLIVE APPETIZERS

Cream Cheese and Olive Pecan Bites

This easy recipe for olive cheese ball appetizers are essentially the perfect holiday appetizer. They can be made days in advance, have simple ingredients, served cold (no last minute warming), don’t require a place or utensils, and are absolutely delicious!

STORE CREAM CHEESE FILLED PECANS IN THE REFRIGERATOR in an airtight container. Cream Cheese should not be left out longer than two hours at room temperature (or higher than 40 degrees).

MORE CHEESE BALL RECIPES

EASY SAVORY HOLIDAY CHEESE BALL 2. EASY HOLIDAY PINEAPPLE CHEESE BALL 3. HOLIDAY PORT WINE FIG CHEESE BALL
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In conclusion, cream cheese and olive pecan appetizer bites are a taste sensation that will leave your guests begging for more. From the creamy tanginess of the cream cheese to the salty punch of the olives and the crunchy sweetness of the pecans, these bites are a perfect combination of flavors and textures. They are also incredibly easy to make and can be customized to suit any palate. So why not surprise your guests at your next party with these delectable bites? Trust us, they won’t be disappointed. Cheers to cream cheese and olive pecan appetizer bites – a match made in culinary heaven. Now it’s your turn to create these delicious bites and share them with your loved ones. Happy snacking!💓Sheryl

Cream Cheese and Olive Pecan Bites

Cream Cheese and Olive Pecan Bites

Yield: MAKES: 40 Appetizers
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

A twist on the popular holiday cheese ball.

Ingredients

  • 80 large pecans
  • 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup finely chopped pimiento stuffed Spanish olives
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°.
  2. Bake pecans in a single layer in a shallow pan 8 to 10 minutes or until toasted and fragrant, stirring halfway through.
  3. Stir together cream cheese, chopped olives, chives and pepper.
  4. Spread onto 1 side of 40 pecans; top with remaining pecans, forming a sandwich.

HOW TO MAKE MINI CHEESE BALLS:

If you're in a time crunch and the thought of spreading the cream cheese and olive spread on forty pecan halves sounds like torture. This is for you!

  1. 40 large pecans, chopped
  2. 3 ounces full fat cream cheese, softened
  3. ½ cup finely chopped pimiento stuffed Spanish green olives
  4. 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives¼ teaspoon pepper

In a medium bowl, stir together cream cheese, chopped stuffed olives, chives and pepper. Form into small balls, roll cream cheese balls over the chopped pecans. Place on a platter, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until ready to serve (at least 2 hours).

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment and rate the recipe card so others can enjoy the recipe too!♥

© Sheryl

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Cream Cheese and Olive Pecan Appetizer Bites

Comments

Cream Cheese and Olive Pecan Appetizer Bites — 34 Comments

  15. I made these for a couple Christmas parties. They are Wonderful. This was my favorite of all the appetizers I tried this season. I will be making these often. Kudos to the creator of this recipe. Absolutely delicious. Since the red & green from the olive/cilantro and the white of the cream cheese are festive, you could leave the top off for a more elegant look. Thanks again, this recipe is awesome.

    Reply ↓

  22. I am wondering about “large pecans”? In Canada we have whole, halves or pieces. How large are your large pecans? I’m afraid we cannot source these 😢

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