If you ask me, cranberry roll ups are one of the smartest holiday appetizers around.
These festive little bites take a savory spin on the classic cranberry flavors we all know and love during Christmas. Cream cheese and herbs wrapped in soft tortillas create the perfect party snack that’s both familiar and just a bit different.
The combination of tart cranberries and creamy filling hits all the right notes, while fresh herbs add that homey touch we crave during the holidays. A quick chill in the fridge helps these roll ups set up perfectly for slicing.
They’re the kind of easy appetizer that disappears fast at holiday gatherings – simple enough for a casual family night, but special enough for your Christmas party spread.
Why You’ll Love These Cranberry Roll Ups
- Make-ahead friendly – You can prepare these roll ups hours or even a day before your gathering, making holiday entertaining so much easier.
- Simple ingredients – With just 5 basic ingredients, you can create these festive appetizers without any complicated shopping trips.
- No cooking required – These roll ups come together without turning on the oven or stove – just spread, roll, and chill!
- Perfect party food – The red cranberries and green chives give these roll ups a festive look, while the creamy-tangy filling makes them a crowd favorite at holiday gatherings.
Options for Substitutions
Need to switch things up with these roll-ups? Here are some helpful substitutions you can try:
- Cream cheese: If you’re out of cream cheese, you can use mascarpone cheese or even Greek yogurt cream cheese. For a dairy-free option, try dairy-free cream cheese alternatives – just note that the texture might be slightly different.
- Feta cheese: Not a fan of feta or can’t find it? Goat cheese works great here, or try crumbled blue cheese for a stronger flavor. For a milder option, go with crumbled queso fresco.
- Fresh chives: No fresh chives? You can use green onions (just the green parts) or dried chives (use 2 tablespoons instead of 1/3 cup fresh). Fresh parsley or dill also work well for a different flavor profile.
- Dried cranberries: You can swap dried cranberries with chopped dried cherries, chopped dried apricots, or even raisins. Just make sure whatever you use is finely chopped so the rolls hold together well.
- Flour tortillas: While flour tortillas work best for rolling, you can use spinach or sun-dried tomato wraps for extra color and flavor. Just avoid corn tortillas as they’re too rigid and will crack when rolled.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making
A common mistake is overfilling the tortillas, which makes them difficult to roll and can cause the filling to squeeze out the sides – stick to about 1/2 cup of filling per tortilla and leave a small border around the edges.
To prevent your roll-ups from unwrapping, make sure to roll them tightly and wrap them individually in plastic wrap before chilling – this helps them hold their shape and makes them easier to slice.
For the cleanest cuts, refrigerate your rolls for at least 2 hours before serving, and use a sharp serrated knife in a gentle sawing motion rather than pressing straight down.
What to Serve With Cranberry Roll Ups?
These festive roll ups are perfect for holiday parties and work great as part of a larger appetizer spread!
I like to serve them alongside some warm spinach-artichoke dip and a cheese board with different types of crackers and nuts.
Since these roll ups have a creamy, tangy filling, they pair really well with crisp vegetables like cucumber slices, baby carrots, and bell pepper strips.
For a complete holiday appetizer table, add some warm meatballs in cranberry sauce to complement the cranberries in the roll ups and bring in a hot element to balance the chilled rolls.
Storage Instructions
Prepare Ahead: These cranberry roll ups are perfect for making in advance! You can prepare them up to 24 hours before your gathering – just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and keep them in the fridge. This actually helps the flavors blend together nicely and makes your party prep easier.
Keep Fresh: After making your roll ups, wrap them well in plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The cream cheese filling helps keep everything moist and tasty!
Serve: When you’re ready to serve, take them out of the fridge about 15 minutes before slicing. This lets the cream cheese soften slightly, making them easier to cut into neat pinwheels. If you’ve already sliced them, just arrange them on your serving platter straight from the fridge.
| Preparation Time | 15-20 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 0-0 minutes |
| Total Time | 75-80 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 1500-1700
- Protein: 35-45 g
- Fat: 80-90 g
- Carbohydrates: 180-200 g
Ingredients
- 8 ounces softened cream cheese
- 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/3 cup fresh chives, chopped
- 1 1/2 cups dried cranberries
- 4 large flour tortillas (10 inches each)
Step 1: Prepare the Cream Cheese Mixture
Start by placing cream cheese in a small bowl.
Beat the cream cheese until it’s fluffy and smooth.
This will make it easier to incorporate the other ingredients and ensure a creamy texture for the filling.
Step 2: Mix the Ingredients
Add the remaining ingredients to the bowl with the beaten cream cheese, except for the tortillas.
Mix everything well until the ingredients are evenly combined and form a uniform spread.
This ensures each bite is flavorful and consistent.
Step 3: Spread and Roll
Take each tortilla and spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over them, making sure to cover the entire surface for a balanced flavor.
Once the mixture is spread, roll each tortilla tightly to form a log shape.
This helps keep the mixture inside and creates neat slices.
Step 4: Chill and Slice
Wrap each rolled tortilla in plastic wrap to maintain their shape and prevent them from drying out.
Refrigerate the wraps for at least 1 hour until they firm up, making them easier to slice.
After chilling, remove the plastic wrap and cut the rolls into slices of your desired thickness.
Arrange the slices on a serving platter and enjoy!
These look delicious! How do you get the rolled, refrigerated tortillas not to become damp or soggy when you take them out of the fridge to slice and serve?
Store them in an airtight container. 🙂