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.
Jamie
Another great treat recipe we can add for this Holiday season! This treat looks absolutely delicious and yummy! Totally love it!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
Glad you liked these mini cream cheese balls made with lentils.
Amy Liu Dong
I love this recipe!
Such a perfect appetizer to make for Christmas Eve and I am sure everyone will love this!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I am sure your guests will enjoy these mini cream cheese balls on Christmas eve.
Jacqueline Debono
I cook lentils a lot but never thought to add them to cream cheese balls. Such a fabulous appetizer idea!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
Lentils are a great addition to these cream cheese balls.
Loreto and Nicoletta
Love the play on textures in these lentil cream cheese balls! Easy to make, saved the recipe to try during the holidays.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
We love these mini cream cheese balls. Party perfect.
Maggie
What a great appetizer! I saved your recipe. I’m planning on making it for Christmas Eve when my house of full. Can’t wait!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I promise these will be a hit at your party. Happy Holidays.
Peter
What a great vegetarian option for entertaining. I love the idea of using lentils for a different texture and love the health benefits too.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I totally agree, this is a fun appetizer for the holidays.
Sandhya Ramakrishnan
I made this cream cheese ball over the weekend, just a small batch and we all loved it. I love the flavor of sun dried tomatoes in the cheese ball and it adds such a different layer of flavor. This is what I am making again for the potluck Christmas party 🙂
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
So glad you enjoyed this cream cheese ball recipe. The lentils are a fun addition to a classic dish.
Julie
How much fun are these cheese balls! They were a hit at my party and I loved how easy they were to make. I’ll be making them again for sure.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
We all need easy entertaining recipes during the holiday season. Glad you gave these lentil cheese balls a try.
Min S
This is so yummy! Made these for a holiday party potluck this weekend and everyone loved it!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
These mini cream cheese balls are perfect for holiday parties.
Genevieve
These sound interesting and the perfect appetizer for Christmas!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
These lentil cream cheese balls are party perfect. Happy Holidays.
Debra
Delicious….and I loved the nutritional boost from the lentils. This recipe is a keeper for sure.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I agree, adding lentils to party appetizers is a bonus for sure.
Luci Petlack
This looks so good! I’m going to try it as an appetizer for my dinner party this weekend.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I hope you enjoy these lentils cream cheese balls. They are the perfect size for party trays.
Kathleen
I am intrigued by these little cheese balls. Love that they are packed with healthy, protein lentils. They add a great flavor and texture.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
These mini cream cheese balls are the perfect size for holiday parties.
Charles
Your Mini Green Lentil Cream Cheese Balls are gonna be a hit for Super Bowl! Thanks for sharing!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I have to agree with you. The perfect party food. ENJOY!
Jersey Girl Cooks
I love lentils and always keep some precooked ones in the freezer. Great holiday appetizer!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
Having precooked lentils in the freezer is such a great idea. They will be perfect for these lentil cheese balls.