Green Lentil Cream Cheese Balls are perfect for holiday parties. A green lentil appetizer recipe that is so easy to make.
Lentils are such a great ingredient to work with. You will want to give this red lentil tourtiere a try too. A meatless version of the classic French Canadian holiday dish.
The cold weather has finally made an appearance. The holiday season is here. Shopping, parties, entertaining, all the crazy holiday madness is HERE!! Are you ready?
I am just about to make some Holiday Cream Cheese Pinwheels, one of our favourite party appetizers.
Love goat cheese? This easy-to-make cheese log is party perfect. Try spreading it on toasted bagels too.
Easy lentil dishes are great for entertaining. Budget-friendly and great for gluten-free and vegan diets too.
RECIPE and INSTRUCTIONS for this classic cheese ball recipe are at the bottom of this post.
Ingredients For Green Lentil Cream Cheese Balls
- Cooked green lentils
- Cream cheese
- Italian seasoning
- Sun-dried tomatoes in oil
- Garlic powder
- Black pepper
Mini Cream Cheese Balls Are Easy To Make
They are sure to add interest to your appetizer tray with their unique texture, while at the same time adding some nutrition to the party.
Full instructions are in the recipe card below.
- Prepare the lentils in advance.
- Soften the cream cheese.
- Combine the lentils, cheese, and seasonings.
- Let mixture chill before scooping it onto crackers.
Suggestions/Recipe Tips
Lentils – I cooked dry green lentils. You can also use canned lentils. See the instructions in the recipe card for both options.
Cream Cheese – I used full fat, but light cream cheese will work as well.
Seasonings – You can use any type of seasoning you like. Make them spicy, Greek flavoured or even Mexican. All will be delicious.
Scooping – I used a mini cookie scoop, but you can also just use a spoon.
Serving – Crackers of your choice, or they can be eaten alone. They taste best at room temperature.
Storage – This recipe will keep for several days in the refrigerator, that way you can make it in advance of your party. Be sure to place it in an airtight container. If you are lucky enough to have any of this leftover, be sure to use it in other ways. Add them to your next omelette or frittata. Your eggs will sing with flavour.
Lentils are so easy to cook. It only takes a few minutes to make a pot full. I love having them in the fridge to add to salads, egg dishes, casseroles and even smoothies.
You might like to give these lentil recipes a try:
Mini Green Lentil Cream Cheese Balls
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups cooked green lentils (you can cook 1 cup of dried lentils) (can also use canned lentils)
- 2 ounces sun-dried tomatoes in oil (chopped)
- 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- ½ teaspoons seasoned black pepper
- 2 teaspoons sun-dried tomato oil (from the jar of sun-dried tomatoes)
- ¼ teaspoons garlic powder
- ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
Instructions
To prepare the Green Lentils:
- Rinse 1 cup of lentils in a strainer under running water to remove dust and debris.
- In a sauce pan add 3 cups of water for every 1 cup of dried lentils.
- Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer until tender (about 20 minutes).
- Let cool completely. They can also be made a day or two in advance and kept in the fridge.
- **NOTE** Be sure to add salt AFTER cooking to prevent the lentils from being tough.**If you are using canned lentils, be sure to rinse them well before adding to the recipe**
For the Cream Cheese Balls:
- Place softened cream cheese in a bowl.
- Using a hand held mixer, whip until smooth and fluffy.
- Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes, oil, pepper and seasonings.
- Mix well.
- Add cold lentils, and mix well.
- Place in fridge to chill. If you are in a hurry, place bowl into freezer for about 10 minutes (don’t forget about it in there…or it will freeze).
- Using a 2 inch scoop, scoop out the balls and place them on a serving tray.
kushigalu
Never tried something like this before. Healthy holiday recipe to make. Thanks for sharing
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
You are welcome. I hope you enjoy these lentil cream cheese balls as much as we do.
Andrea
Love the lentil addition to these balls! SO good and perfect for the holidays for everyone to enjoy!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
Happy Holidays….and I hope you enjoy these lentil cream cheese appetizers.
Tayler
These cream cheese balls are my go to when bringing an appetizer to a party. I’ve made them several times and everyone loves them!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
We love these cream cheese balls too. The perfect party appetizer.
Elizabeth
I’m so impressed with this recipe as I really love lentils and am always looking for new ways to use them! These look delicious.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
Thanks so much. These lentil cheese balls are so easy to make. Happy Holidays.
Giangi Townsend
I was just looking for a New Year’s Eve appetizer and here is your recipe. Love all the ingredients. Printed and cannot wait to make it. Sounds amazing and I love lentils
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
These lentil cheese balls will be perfect for your holiday party. ENJOY!
Marisa Franca
What wonderful looking appetizers. We really like our finger foods, they are perfect for get-togethers and can be prepared ahead of time. I like the addition of lentils. It’s a great way to get lentils into the diet instead of just waiting for a lentil soup. I’m looking forward to making those cute cream cheese balls. The family will go nuts over them.
Homemade & Yummy
These did not last long on the appetizer table during the holiday season.
Shelley
Love this little perfect serving of cheesy lentil yumminess on each cracker!
Homemade & Yummy
Thanks…they are delicious.
Stephanie@ApplesforCJ
These sound so good…I love lentils and cream cheese so I know this has to be a winner. Can’t wait to try. Pinning.
Homemade & Yummy
Hope you give them a try…thanks!!
Megan @ MegUnprocessed
This is perfect for the upcoming holidays.
Homemade & Yummy
Yes they are great for parties.
Julie
What a delicious appetizer! I love lentils.
Homemade & Yummy
Lentils work great in this recipe.
Veena
I’ve never thought of Lentils with Cream Cheese – Must try. Thanks Gloria
Homemade & Yummy
It totally works.
Aggie
I am totally craving this !!! What a creative appetizer idea.
Homemade & Yummy
Thanks so much…hope you give them a try.
Arlene Mobley
What a great way to turn a holiday recipe into a healthier recipe!
Homemade & Yummy
Yes….it really is great!! Thanks for stopping by.
Julia (@imagelicious)
Such a cool way to add some fibre into an appetizer. Also lentils will make these little cream cheese balls more filling, so it’s perfect for the holidays!
Homemade & Yummy
Yes they really are unique that is for sure.
Sarah @ The Fit Cookie
Great idea! I’ve never thought to mix in lentils with cream cheese before. Such a great way to add a healthier ingredient to holiday food!
Homemade & Yummy
We need all the help we can get to eat healthier during the holidays.