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Vegan Cranberry Cheese Bites

Featured in Crowd-Pleasing Appetizers.

These vegan cranberry cheese bites are a delightful appetizer combining buttery puff pastry, creamy vegan cheese, and a tangy homemade cranberry orange sauce topped with hints of fresh herbs. Perfect for the holidays, these festive bites bake up golden in just 10 minutes, making them an easy yet impressive addition to your festive table. You can customize them with various dough choices, like crescent or phyllo, and even sprinkle nuts or extra zest for added flavor. Store them carefully for freshness, but they're sure to vanish quickly at your next gathering!

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Updated on Sun, 06 Apr 2025 19:45:50 GMT
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This cranberry cheese bite recipe transforms ordinary puff pastry into an elegant holiday appetizer with tart cranberries, creamy vegan cheese, and bright orange zest. Perfect for entertaining yet simple enough for everyday indulgence.

I created these bites for a last-minute holiday party and they disappeared within minutes. Now they've become my signature appetizer that friends specifically request whenever we gather during the festive season.

Ingredients

Step-by-Step Instructions

The orange zest is truly the secret ingredient in this recipe. I discovered its importance when I made a batch without it one year and everyone noticed something was missing. The bright citrus oils release during baking and perfume the entire bite with holiday fragrance.

Make Ahead Instructions

Perfect Substitutions

Serving Suggestions

Storage and Reheating

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make the cranberry cheese bites ahead of time?

Yes, you can bake the bites ahead of time and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Reheat in the oven to crisp up the pastry before serving.

→ What type of dough works best for this dish?

Vegan puff pastry is the best option for a light and airy texture, but crescent roll dough or pie dough also work well. Use phyllo dough for a flakier result.

→ Can I substitute the cranberry sauce with another topping?

Absolutely! Try apricot preserves, raspberries, or even apple pie filling as a unique twist.

→ What herbs pair well with this dish?

Fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, sage, or chives add a delicious flavor to the bites. Basil or parsley can also be used for a fresh finish.

→ How do I prevent the pastry bottoms from getting soggy?

Store the bites in an airtight container and avoid keeping them unrefrigerated for long periods. Reheating in the oven can help re-crisp the pastry before serving.

Vegan Cranberry Cheese Bites

Bite-sized puff pastry stuffed with vegan cheese and a tangy, festive cranberry sauce. Perfect holiday appetizer.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
10 Minutes
Total Time
30 Minutes
By: Ferdaous

Category: Appetizers

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Vegan Holiday

Yield: 12 Servings

Dietary: Vegan, Vegetarian, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

→ Vegan Cranberry Cheese Bites

01 17.3 oz vegan puff pastry, one package
02 8 oz vegan cream cheese
03 8 oz cranberry sauce (homemade cranberry orange sauce or store-bought)
04 3 tablespoon orange zest

→ Cranberry Orange Sauce

05 2 cups fresh whole cranberries
06 ½ cup maple syrup
07 ½ cup water
08 1 cup orange segments, pith removed, cut into ½" pieces
09 1 teaspoon orange zest
10 1 pinch pumpkin pie spice (cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves)

Instructions

Step 01

Preheat oven to 350℉.

Step 02

Place puff pastry, crescent roll dough, or pie dough onto a clean cutting board or silicone pastry mat. If using crescent roll dough, pinch together diagonal seams.

Step 03

Cut dough into 24 two-inch squares for a mini muffin pan or 12 three-inch squares for a regular muffin/cupcake pan.

Step 04

Lightly coat muffin pan with vegetable oil. Press pastry squares into cups, folding corners over the top of the pan. Poke a few holes in each pastry with a fork.

Step 05

Place a rounded teaspoon of vegan cream cheese in the bottom of each pastry cup. Top with a teaspoon of cranberry sauce.

Step 06

Bake at 350℉ for approximately 10 minutes until golden brown.

Step 07

Thoroughly rinse cranberries and remove any stems. Combine cranberries, maple syrup, and water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then lower heat and simmer until cranberries have popped and become tender.

Step 08

Remove saucepan from heat and stir in orange segments, orange zest, and pumpkin pie spice.

Notes

  1. This recipe yields 12 large or 24 mini appetizers depending on the muffin pan size. Adjust baking time and temperature as needed based on your dough type.
  2. Dough preferences: Vegan puff pastry is light and airy, crescent roll dough is similar but less crispy, pie dough is thinner and crisper, and phyllo dough is very flaky but drier.
  3. Store extra baked bites refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 24 hours. Pastry bottoms may become slightly soggy over time.

Tools You'll Need

  • 24-cup mini muffin pan or 12-cup regular muffin pan
  • Kitchen knife
  • Measuring spoons
  • Measuring cup
  • Medium saucepan
  • Cooling rack
  • Citrus zester

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains gluten if regular puff pastry is used.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 317
  • Total Fat: 21 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 30 g
  • Protein: 4 g