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    Home » Simple Vegan Recipes

    Easiest Vegan Cheese Ball EVER

    Published: Jul 14, 2022 · Modified: Jun 3, 2023 by Becky Striepe · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Recipe Video Print

    This rich, flavorful, 10-minute vegan cheese ball doesn't require any cashews, soaking, or blending. And it's a total hit at parties!

    vegan cheese ball on a white plate with bagel chips

    I've been making this vegan cheese ball for our Christmas parties for years. Possibly for a full decade. Honestly, I can't believe it's taken me this long to share the recipe. It's incredibly simple to make and a total crowd-pleaser!

    It's gluten-free and dairy-free, and you can make it nut-free, too, with one easy substitution.

    I demonstrated how to make this vegan cheese ball and my spinach artichoke dip at Atlanta Veg Fest, and it was such a hit! I can't wait for you to try it.

    Jump to:
    • How to make a vegan cheese ball
    • Variations (nut-free option!)
    • Make-ahead directions
    • Serving and storage directions
    • More vegan cheese recipes
    • 📖 Recipe

    How to make a vegan cheese ball

    The secret to my cheese ball's goodness is herbes de Provence: a mix of savory, marjoram, rosemary, thyme, oregano, and lavender. The lavender is what makes this mix so special.

    vegan cream cheese, herbs, cranberries, and almonds in bowls on a white table

    You can mix your own herbes de Provence, but please don't feel like you have to. Most grocery stores sell it, or you can find it online.

    You don't need any special equipment or any cashews to make your vegan cheese ball. Just mix up your favorite store-bought vegan cream cheese with the herbes, a pinch of salt, and some dried cranberries.

    Use clean hands to shape that mixture into a hemisphere shape on your plate, and cover the outside with sliced almonds. Then, chill until party time.

    image collage showing cheese ball ingredients separately and mixed together, the almonds just after adding and after shaping the ball

    It seriously takes under 10 minutes to make.

    Serve it up with crackers and a cute little cheese knife, and you are in business.

    Variations (nut-free option!)

    For nut-free, use seasoned panko breadcrumbs instead of sliced almonds.

    You can also use toasted panko breadcrumbs on the outside. If you use panko, I'd season it with a little bit of black pepper and more of the herbes de Provence.

    If you can't find or don't like herbes de Provence, substitute dried rosemary and oregano or Italian seasoning instead.

    In place of the dried cranberries, you can use chopped dried cherries.

    Make-ahead directions

    This is a great make-ahead recipe! It keeps for three to five days, so I'd suggest making it up to a day or two ahead of time, if you want.

    Store your pre-made vegan cheese ball on a piece of parchment paper in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To serve, transfer it to a plate, remove the parchment paper, and you are good to go!

    Serving and storage directions

    Serve this up with crackers or veggies as part of your party spread! I like it with a hearty cracker, like the whole wheat ones pictured. It's also nice spread onto bagel chips or pita chips.

    vegan cheese board on a marble table

    It's a great addition to a party spread! Make it the centerpiece of a vegan cheese board or serve it alongside with other finger foods, like avocado fries, sriracha tofu, and vegan mini quiche.

    Leftover cheese ball will keep for three to five days in an airtight container in the fridge. It makes a great sandwich spread for lunch the next day!

    More vegan cheese recipes

    • vegan cream cheese on a cheesecloth on a wooden table
      Vegan herbed cream cheese (oil-free!)
    • glass jar of vegan parmesan cheese with a wooden scoop in it
      Vegan Parmesan cheese recipe: magical 'fairy dust'
    • vegan quiche Lorraine in the pie tin with a piece taken out
      Easy Vegan Quiche Lorraine

    📖 Recipe

    vegan cheese board on a marble table

    Vegan Cheese Ball Recipe

    This rich, flavorful, 10-minute vegan cheese ball doesn't require any cashews, soaking, or blending. And it's a total hit at parties!
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    4.75 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: Holiday, Vegan
    Keyword: vegan cheese ball, vegan cheese ball no cashews, vegan cheeseball
    Prep Time: 8 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8
    Author: Becky Striepe

    Ingredients

    • 1 8 oz package vegan cream cheese
    • 2 teaspoons herbes de Provence
    • ⅓ cup dried cranberries
    • salt and black pepper - to taste
    • ½ cup sliced almonds - see note for nut-free

    Instructions

    • In a medium-sized bowl, soften the cream cheese by mashing it with your fork a bit. Add the herbes de Provence, cranberries, and a little salt and pepper to the cream cheese. Mix well. Taste, and add more salt and pepper, if needed. (Different brands of cream cheese will need more or less seasoning.)
    • Grab your prettiest dinner plate. With clean hands scoop up the cream cheese mixture and form it into a hemisphere shape in the center of the plate. Pour on the almonds, then use your hands to cover the whole outside with the almond slices. 
    • Use a clean kitchen towel to clean up the plate around the cheese ball, then chill until you're ready to serve. This cheese ball tastes best if you can chill for at least 15-20 minutes. Up to an hour or more is even better! But you can serve it immediately, too.

    Video

    Notes

    You can make this recipe a day or two ahead of time. Just shape it on a piece of parchment paper, and store in an airtight container in the fridge. To serve, pull out the cheese ball, remove the paper, and you are good to go.
    Leftovers will keep for 3-5 days in the fridge. Remember that the days start the day you make it, not the day you serve it.
    For nut-free, use seasoned, toasted panko breadcrumbs in place of the almonds.

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Vegan Cheese Ball Recipe
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    143
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    11
    g
    17
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    3
    g
    15
    %
    Trans Fat
     
    0.001
    g
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    2
    g
    Sodium
     
    110
    mg
    5
    %
    Potassium
     
    152
    mg
    4
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    9
    g
    3
    %
    Fiber
     
    5
    g
    20
    %
    Sugar
     
    1
    g
    1
    %
    Protein
     
    5
    g
    10
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    10
    IU
    0
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    0.1
    mg
    0
    %
    Calcium
     
    49
    mg
    5
    %
    Iron
     
    1
    mg
    6
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Tried this recipe? Share your photo!Mention @GlueAndGlitter on Instagram or Twitter!

    About Becky Striepe

    Headshot of Becky Striepe in front of a teal wall

    Hi there! I'm Becky Striepe (rhymes with sleepy), and I love using gadgets and shortcuts to create easy vegan comfort food recipes for busy people. Whether you love your Instant Pot, your air fryer, or just love delicious plant-based meals, stick around. You'll like it here.

    Learn more about me >>>

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Meg

      July 28, 2021 at 4:59 pm

      4 stars
      Looks so easy, but how do I make the cram cheese not a fan of store bought?

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        August 03, 2021 at 2:14 pm

        Thank you! I'd go with whatever recipe you normally use, as long as it's nice and firm.

        Reply
    2. Starr

      December 30, 2017 at 6:39 pm

      5 stars
      I made this for Christmas Day snacking. When (my) Dave asked if there was anything to put on the crackers, I pointed him towards the cheeseball. He made a face and said, "I'll try it, but I really don't like cream cheese." He then proceeded to devour a good half of the ball himself! LOL... So I wanted you to know how much it was enjoyed. In fact, I just made another one for New Year's Eve (by Dave's request ?).

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        December 30, 2017 at 6:58 pm

        Oh my gosh, I love hearing that! Happy new year, Starr!

        Reply
    3. Cadry

      November 09, 2017 at 5:32 pm

      What a fabulous idea for holiday parties! There's already so much to do. I love that this recipe doesn't require soaking cashews or cleaning the blender. It can't get easier, and I'm sure it's a total crowd pleaser!

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        November 09, 2017 at 5:33 pm

        Thank you! You know how I love a shortcut recipe! :D

        Reply
    4. Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day

      November 09, 2017 at 3:35 pm

      5 stars
      I love herbs de provence! This is such a great appetizer for the holidays!

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        November 09, 2017 at 4:02 pm

        Thank you! It’s one of my favorite herb blends ever!

        Reply
    5. Jenn

      November 08, 2017 at 10:04 am

      Love how easy this is! And it looks gorgeous!

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        November 08, 2017 at 11:21 am

        Thank you!!

        Reply
    6. Dianne

      November 06, 2017 at 12:52 pm

      I love how easy to make to this! I think I'm going to make it for Thanksgiving.

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        November 06, 2017 at 1:20 pm

        Yay! It’s my fave.

        Reply
    7. Jennifer Bliss

      November 06, 2017 at 11:30 am

      5 stars
      YUM! And IDEAL for the upcoming holiday season

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        November 06, 2017 at 12:34 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply

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    About Me

    photo of Becky Striepe
    Hi! My name is Becky Striepe (rhymes with “sleepy”). I love using gadgets and shortcuts to create easy vegan comfort food recipes for busy people. Whether you love your Instant Pot, your air fryer, or just love delicious plant-based meals, stick around. You'll like it here. → READ MORE

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