• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
It's Not Complicated Recipes
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Blog
  • About
  • Kitchen Tips
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Blog
  • About
  • Kitchen Tips
  • Subscribe
  • Get in touch
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Appetisers » Apricot Goat Cheese Bites

    Apricot Goat Cheese Bites

    Published: Aug 28, 2020 by Alexandra Cook

    For the full recipe including quantities and method, click the "jump to recipe" button, or scroll through and read our helpful tips along the way.

    2331 shares
    Jump to Recipe Leave Review

    If you are looking for an easy, make-ahead appetiser, my Apricot and Goat Cheese Bites are perfect.  This is a simple, elegant and delicious canape which is suitable for any party or ideal for the festive season. They taste fantastic and they are so easy to make.

    overhead shot of cheese bites on round black plate, with crackers, sitting on a white marble bench.

    Why we love this recipe:

    They contain just three ingredients and can be prepared up to a day ahead, a huge advantage when you are entertaining.

    No special equipment is required. There is no cooking to do. It could not be easier or more impressive. Just mix the softened goat cheese with the chopped dried apricots, roll into small balls and toss them in chopped pistachios.

    There is a lovely blend of flavours and contrasting textures in these Apricot Goat Cheese Bites. The tangy, savoury, goat cheese contrasts perfectly with the honey-sweetness of the dried apricots; the chopped pistachios add textural contrast.

    If you don’t have a lot of confidence in the kitchen, this recipe is perfect. You can be certain that your guests will love these gorgeous little bites.

    Ingredients in this recipe:

    ingredients in this recipe on a white timber background.

    Please see the recipe card further along in the post for exact quantities of ingredients and the full method.

    Dried apricots – the apricots need to be soft, so on this occasion, I have used Turkish apricots.

    Goat cheese – use a fresh, mild flavoured, creamy goat cheese, one that is soft and easily spread.

    Pistachios – a popular filling and garnish for Middle Eastern sweets. Whilst we think of them as nuts they are actually a seed.

    Step by step instructions:

    the four steps to prepare this recipe.

    The recipe is very simple. Firstly, you will need to bring the goat cheese to room temperature to soften it a little.

    1. Chop the dried apricots;
    2. Chop the pistachios.
    3. Mix the goat cheese well to make it a creamy paste. Add the chopped apricots.
    4. Roll into small balls and toss them in the chopped pistachios.

    If making in advance, place them in the refrigerator. Remove them about a half-hour prior to serving.

    Tips for success and FAQs:

    Bring your goat cheese to room temperature before you start otherwise it will be crumbly and difficult to spread on the apricots.

    These Apricot and Goat Cheese Bites are a perfect easy snack or appetiser for your next party. Savoury, sweet and crunchy; they are a delicious blend of flavour and texture.

    Customise them to suit yourself. If you prefer, you could use soft, dried figs. If you don’t like goat cheese, try cream cheese or soft blue cheese. Use walnuts or almonds. The options are endless.

    Can I make the Apricot and Goat Cheese Bites in advance?

    Yes, you can make the cheese balls a day ahead. Place them on a plate, cover with cling wrap and refrigerate. Remove from the fridge about a half-hour before serving to bring them to room temperature and then roll in the pistachios. The pistachios will lose some crunch if added a day ahead.

    up close shot of cheese bites on round black plate, with some crackers on the plate.

    Other delicious appetisers to enjoy:

    • Bacon and Onion Tarts
    • Caprese Bread Tartlets
    • Mini Bacon and Onion Pasties
    • Tuna Puff Pastry Pinwheels
    • Smoked Salmon Bread Tartlets
    • Pepperoni Pastries
    • Blue Cheese Tarts

    When I need something easy and fresh-tasting, I often turn to these little bites of deliciousness.

    Set the Apricot and Goat Cheese Bites out on a serving platter at your next party, either on their own or with some crackers, and they will disappear in minutes. This is a crowd-pleasing appetiser.

    Let me know in the comments below when you have tried them!

    Alex xx

    Apricot Goat Cheese Bites

    If you are looking for an easy, make-ahead appetiser, my Apricot and Goat Cheese Bites are perfect.  This is a simple, elegant and delicious canape which is suitable for any party or ideal for the festive season. They taste fantastic and they are so easy to make.
    5 from 39 votes
    Print Pin Review
    Course: Appetiser, Snack
    Cuisine: International
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 0 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 20 cheese bites
    Calories: 45kcal
    Author: Alexandra Cook – It’s Not Complicated Recipes

    Ingredients

    • ⅔ cup (150 g) soft, creamy fresh goat cheese – at room temperature See Note 1
    • ½ cup (95 g) soft dried apricots – finely chopped See Note 2
    • ½ cup (50 g) pistachios – finely chopped See Note 3
    • crackers for serving – optional

    Recipe Measurements:

    For accuracy, we recommend weighing your ingredients. This will produce the best results.

    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Place the goat cheese into a medium-size bowl. Using a fork, mash it and mix it well until it is smooth and creamy.
    • Chop the dried apricots finely.  
    • Add the dried apricots to the goat cheese, mix to combine.
    • Using a teaspoon, take a small amount of mixture and roll it into small balls.– see Note 3
    • Add the balls to the crushed pistachios and lightly toss to coat them.
    • Cover with cling wrap and refrigerate the balls to firm the cheese.
      Remove from the refrigerator about a half-hour before serving. Serve with crackers if desired.

    Notes

    1. Use a soft goat cheese for this recipe. It should be at room temperature to ensure it is easy to mix and form into the bites.
    2. The apricots must be soft; I have used Turkish apricots. This is the weight when chopped.
    3. This is an approximate amount. The amount may vary slightly; you may need to add a few more chopped pistachios. To roll the balls easily, you will likely have some leftover. Rather than waste them, add them to the top of a salad.
      My pistachios were both unsalted and unroasted.
    4. Make them to this stage if you wish to prepare them a day ahead otherwise, the pistachios will soften a little. Add the chopped pistachios shortly before serving.
    5. Please note, the nutritional information is per cheese bite. It does not include if you serve them with a cracker or other item.

    Nutrition Estimate:

    Calories: 45kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 28mg | Potassium: 71mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Please rate and leave a comment!
    Nutritional Disclaimer:

    The nutritional information is an estimate only, and is derived from online calculators. For accurate results, we recommend calculating the nutritional information based on the ingredients and brands you use.

    pinterest pin with images of goat cheese balls top and bottom, with text overlay in the centre.
    « Chocolate Raspberry Brownies – Gluten Free
    Lemon Blondies – Gluten Free »
    2331 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Heidi | The Frugal Girls

      February 16, 2021 at 6:32 am

      Tangy and sweet and just 4 ingredients. This really is such a lovely treat!

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        February 16, 2021 at 9:19 am

        Thank you so much, Heidi!

        Reply
    2. Martha

      October 08, 2020 at 5:26 pm

      5 stars
      We actually made this along with your seed crackers and I’m LOVING IT! I’m a huge fan of sweet and savory appetizers and this really hits the spot! I’ve been snacking on this all week and planning on making more! It’s delicious!

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        October 12, 2020 at 5:53 pm

        Hi Martha, thank you for your lovely comments about our Apricot Goat Cheese Bites. It’s always good to have a delicious appetiser which is so easily made. 🙂

        Reply
    3. Dannii

      September 28, 2020 at 6:52 pm

      5 stars
      Oooh yum! The combination of apricot and goats cheese is amazing.

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        November 06, 2020 at 9:18 am

        It works so well, doesn’t it? Glad you like it!

        Reply
    « Older Comments

    Leave a Comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Hello!

    I’m Alex.

    I am a full-time blogger, passionate foodie and writer who loves to travel.

    Welcome to It’s Not Complicated Recipes!

    My blog reflects my approach to cooking. I like it to be simple, easily prepared and delicious. learn more about me here →

    Find A Recipe

    Popular Recipes

    • Up close shot of small pot of sauce, sitting on a saucer with a spoon on the side. Sweet Chilli Sauce
    • Small white bowl of pickled ginger. Easy Pickled Ginger (Gari)
    • three jars of chillies, with a gold spoon at front, some whole red chillies to the side and some bruschetta in the background. Preserved Chillies in Oil
    • Jar of jam, sitting on a board, with a spoon and a dollop of jam on the edge. Easy Plum Jam

    Seasonal Recipes

    Pinwheels sitting on a round white plate.

    Cinnamon Apple Pinwheels

    Overhead shot of baked pasta dish, sitting on dark grey cloth.

    Pumpkin and Ricotta Stuffed Pasta Shells

    four doughnuts sitting on bench, surrounded by some sprinkling of pumpkin spice, with a white cloth and green jug in the background.

    Baked Pumpkin Doughnuts – Gluten-Free

    small flat stone bowl of mixed pumpkin spice, with a small wooden spoon on a grey cloth napkin.

    Homemade Pumpkin Spice Mix

    free e-book at itsnotcomplicatedrecipes.com

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Our Story
    • Recipes
    • Blog

    Disclaimers

    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Policy (GDPR)
    • Cookie Policy
    • Terms Of Use

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Subscribe

    COPYRIGHT © 2023 · IT'S NOT COMPLICATED RECIPES | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

    2331 shares