The holiday appetizer that disappears faster than Santa up the chimney
There are holiday snacks that people politely nibble on and then there are Cranberry Roll Ups—the kind that vanish before you’ve even had a chance to grab one yourself.
These little tortilla pinwheels are filled with a creamy blend of cream cheese, tangy feta, fresh chives, and sweet dried cranberries, all wrapped up into bite-sized rolls of joy. And the best part? No baking. No complicated prep. Just mix, roll, chill, and slice.
Whether you’re hosting the big family gathering, heading to a potluck, or just trying to survive the holidays with something to snack on while the turkey takes forever—these Cranberry Roll Ups are your new holiday MVP.
I started making these a few years ago when I needed a fast, festive snack for a work party. I didn’t even make it out of the kitchen before coworkers started swiping them off the tray. Lesson learned: make a double batch.
Jump To
- Why You’ll Love These Cranberry Roll Ups
- Ingredient Line-Up (And Some Easy Swaps)
- Common Mistakes to Avoid (Because We’ve All Been There)
- How to Make Cranberry Roll Ups: Step-by-Step
- Serving Suggestions: Make Your Spread Shine
- Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
- Fun Variations to Try
- Perfect Holiday Pairings
- Final Thoughts
Why You’ll Love These Cranberry Roll Ups
Listen, I get it. The holidays can be a lot. You want something festive but not fussy. Tasty but not time-consuming. That’s where these come in hot (well, technically chilled):
No-bake holiday hero
You won’t even need to turn on the oven.
6 simple ingredients
Everything can be found at your local grocery store—and probably already in your kitchen.
Make-ahead friendly
Make ’em the night before and cross “appetizer” off your list.
Perfect party finger food
Mess-free, bite-sized, and easy to stack on a platter.
Vegetarian-friendly
Great for a crowd with mixed diets.
Whether you’re a home cook, a busy parent, or a student living off holiday leftovers, this appetizer fits right into your schedule and your fridge.
Ingredient Line-Up (And Some Easy Swaps)
Let’s break down what you need—and what you can switch up depending on taste, allergies, or pantry limitations.
What You’ll Need:
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened for easy mixing)
- 1 cup feta cheese (crumbled)
- 1/3 cup fresh chives (finely chopped)
- 1½ cups dried cranberries (roughly chopped if large)
- 4 large flour tortillas (10-inch size works great)
Substitution Suggestions:
Cream cheese
Mascarpone, Greek yogurt (for a lighter option), or a dairy-free alternative
Feta
Goat cheese, queso fresco, or blue cheese for a funkier twist
Chives
Green onions, dried chives, parsley, or dill
Cranberries
Chopped dried cherries, golden raisins, or apricots
Tortillas
Tomato or spinach wraps for color (just avoid corn—they crack when rolled)
Make it your own! This base recipe is super flexible, which is part of the magic.
Common Mistakes to Avoid (Because We’ve All Been There)
I’ve made every one of these mistakes at some point—so now you don’t have to:
Overfilling the tortillas
It’s tempting to pile it on, but too much filling = disaster when slicing. Go for a thin, even layer.
Not chilling before slicing
This one’s crucial. Give them at least an hour to chill so they firm up. Otherwise, they’ll fall apart faster than a gingerbread house in a humid kitchen.
Using the wrong knife
Use a serrated knife or a sharp chef’s knife. Dull blades = squished rolls.
Skipping the wrap
Wrap the roll-ups tightly in plastic wrap before chilling. It helps them hold their shape.
Serving straight from the fridge
Let them sit out for 10–15 minutes before serving. The flavors come through better when they’re not ice-cold.
How to Make Cranberry Roll Ups: Step-by-Step
Total Time: ~80 minutes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Chill Time: 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy peasy
Servings: About 24 roll-ups
1: Soften the Cream Cheese
Leave it on the counter for about 30 minutes. Trust me, trying to mix cold cream cheese is a workout.
2: Make the Filling
In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth and fluffy.
Fold in the feta, chopped chives, and dried cranberries.
Optional: Add a pinch of black pepper or a sprinkle of garlic powder for an extra kick.
3: Spread and Roll
Lay out your tortillas. Spread about 1/4 of the filling onto each one in a thin, even layer.
Roll them up tightly, from one edge to the other like a burrito. Don’t squeeze too hard, just enough to hold shape.
4: Chill
Wrap each roll in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (up to 24 hours is totally fine).
5: Slice and Serve
Unwrap and slice into 1-inch pieces using a serrated knife. Wipe the blade between cuts for clean slices.
Boom. Done. Cue the applause.
Serving Suggestions: Make Your Spread Shine
These roll ups are stars on their own, but if you want to build a full party spread, here’s how to do it right:
- Serve with a holiday cheese board for color and variety
- Pair with crisp veggie sticks (carrots, celery, cucumber)
- Add a side of spinach-artichoke dip or ranch
- For meat lovers, serve alongside cranberry-glazed meatballs
Pair these Cranberry Roll Ups with festive Christmas cookie bars for a sweet-and-savory moment your guests will remember.
www.virilerecipes.com/christmas-cookie-bars-delicious-ideas/
Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
Holiday cooking = chaos. These will be your best friend for prepping ahead.
- Make up to 24 hours in advance
- Store rolled and wrapped (not sliced) for best texture
- Keep in an airtight container or wrap in plastic wrap
- Slice just before serving
- Good in the fridge for up to 3 days
Do not freeze. Cream cheese gets weird and grainy.
Fun Variations to Try
Want to make it spicy? Sweet? Extra fancy? Let’s do it.
- Add finely diced jalapeños or red pepper flakes for a spicy kick
- Sprinkle in chopped walnuts or pecans for crunch
- Drizzle with balsamic glaze before serving
- Swap in spinach tortillas for a festive green look
- Add a handful of chopped arugula or baby spinach to the filling for a fresh twist
Perfect Holiday Pairings
Build a whole spread without the stress. Here are some favorites from the Virile Recipes collection:
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts with honey glaze
- Cranberry spritzers or warm spiced cider
- Holiday cookie inspiration beyond Christmas:
www.virilerecipes.com/valentines-day-cookies/
Mix and match to create a menu that’ll make even the pickiest guest happy.
Festive Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups
- Total Time: 80 minutes
- Yield: About 24 roll-ups
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
The holiday appetizer that disappears faster than Santa up the chimney—creamy, sweet, tangy, and festive tortilla roll ups perfect for any holiday table.
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/3 cup fresh chives, finely chopped
- 1 1/2 cups dried cranberries, roughly chopped if large
- 4 large flour tortillas (10-inch size)
Instructions
- Leave the cream cheese on the counter for 30 minutes to soften.
- In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth and fluffy.
- Fold in feta cheese, chopped chives, and dried cranberries. Optionally add a pinch of black pepper or garlic powder.
- Spread 1/4 of the filling evenly on each tortilla in a thin layer.
- Roll each tortilla tightly, burrito-style, without over-squeezing.
- Wrap each rolled tortilla in plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour (up to 24 hours).
- Unwrap and slice into 1-inch pinwheels using a serrated knife, wiping the blade between cuts.
Notes
Let the roll ups sit out for 10–15 minutes before serving for the best flavor. Avoid overfilling and make sure to chill before slicing for perfect pinwheels every time.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 roll ups
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 240mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Final Thoughts
There’s just something magical about cranberries and cream cheese tucked into a soft tortilla. It hits the perfect balance of tangy, sweet, creamy, and savory—all in one adorable bite.
Whether you’re bringing a dish to your office party, setting the table for family, or just sneaking a few bites in between cookie-baking marathons, these Festive Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups check all the boxes.
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