Make these Olives and Cheese Skewers in 10 minutes with just 4 ingredients! The cranberries add a pop of color and tartness to the salty, tangy flavor combination. These simple stacks of marinated cheese and olives are easy to assemble and can even be made ahead of time.
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Serve them standing up on a platter or lay them down alongside your other favorite appetizers like my Christmas Cheese Trees on a charcuterie board.
Use your favorite semi-firm cheese, but avoid softer cheese like Brie since it may not hold its shape, especially after marinating.
No-bake, no stress. Just stack, skewer and snack! Perfect for grazing boards, last minute guests and for that "I just need one more thing" moment right before the party begins.
Grape and Cheese Skewers: If you're making these fruit and cheese appetizers for graduations, wedding showers or summer parties, just substitute small red grapes or Bing cherries for the dried cranberries.
They’re similar to Tomato and Mozzarella Skewers or Heart Caprese Skewers, so you can easily add them to a spread or mix and match with other savory treats. Serve them on a white marble board and scatter extra cranberries for color. Maybe even add a few rosemary sprigs if you like.
Why not include these marinated cheese cubes in a spread alongside more of your favorites? Try pairing them with Jarcuterie (Charcuterie Board in a Jar), Bacon-Wrapped Cheesy Tater Tots, and Christmas Cheese Trees!
Shortcuts
- Buy pre-cut cheese cubes – Save a few minutes by picking up a package of pre-cut cheese cubes from the grocery store instead of cutting your own.
- Use marinated olives or cheese – Using marinated olives or cheese means you can skip the salad dressing altogether. Just drain them and start threading. All the flavor’s already there!
Ingredients
This easy cheese and olive appetizer comes together with only four ingredients.
Scroll down to printable recipe for exact ingredient quantities.
- Small green olives – If you only have unpitted ones, use a small paring knife to remove the pits before marinating.
- Cheese cubes – White Cheddar or Monterey Jack works best for these cold skewer appetizers. Keep the cheese cold until right before marinating so it doesn’t soften too much in the dressing.
- Salad dressing – This can be any flavor but I used a zesty Italian. I also love Greek and herb and garlic. If you find marinated cheese and olives, you can skip this ingredient and step altogether!
- Dried sweetened cranberries – Choose sweetened ones for these low carb Christmas appetizers. Unsweetened cranberries can taste too tart alongside the briny olives.
Substitutions & Variations
- Mix up the olives – Small green olives are classic here, but you can swap in black or Kalamata olives for a deeper, saltier flavor. If you’re hosting, use a mix for color contrast and let guests pick their favorite.
- Choose your cheese - Olives and blue cheese is a popular combo, but cut those cubes carefully as blue cheese is more crumbly than, say, white cheddar, Monterey Jack, or even Halloumi cheese.
- Play with the garnish – Dried cranberries add a sweet pop of color, but you could also try dried cherries or golden raisins for a fun twist. They still give you that hint of sweetness that balances the salty cheese and olives.
- Meat and Cheese Skewers- For a hearty appetizer, add a small cube of ham or a rolled up slice of salami between the cheese and olive.
How to Make the Best Cranberry Olive Cheese Bites
Scroll down to the bottom for the printable recipe with detailed instructions.
- Toss together olives, little cubes of cheese, and your favorite Italian or Greek dressing, then let them marinate for a bit.
- Enjoy this Christmas cheese appetizer alone or with other appetizers on a charcuterie board.
Pro Tips
Marinate ahead, assemble later – You can marinate the olives and cheese up to two days in advance, then drain and thread just before serving.
How to Store
Store your leftover Christmas cheese appetizers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. If possible, place a layer of parchment paper between them to keep the cheese from sticking.
Once you’re ready to enjoy them again, let them sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before serving. Avoid freezing, as the cheese and olives can lose their flavor and texture once thawed.
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Want more Christmas cheese appetizers recipes?
Olive and Cheese Skewers with Cranberries (Easy Holiday Appetizer)
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Ingredients
- 24 small green olives
- 24 little cubes of white Cheddar cheese or Monterey (about 6 ounces)
- ½ cup Italian or Greek salad dressing
- 48 dried sweetened cranberries (about ¼ cup)
Instructions
- Combine the olives, cheese, and salad dressing in a bowl. Marinate for at least 20 minutes and up to 2 days.
- Drain the olives and cheese, then thread them and the cranberries onto appetizer picks, placing two cranberries on each skewer last so they’re on top and the cheese forms the base. This way, the cheese lets them stand up on a serving platter.
- Serve them on a platter by themselves or as part of a charcuterie board with other cheesy treats!
Notes
- Options: Set them up for easy grabbing. Instead of laying them flat, stand the skewers in a small glass or jar so people can pick them up without touching others. It also adds height and makes your table spread look nicer.
- If you’re serving to guests who aren’t into olives, swap them for grapes or cherry tomatoes. The mix of sweet, salty, and creamy still works perfectly!
Nutrition
Nutrition analysis on GritsAndGouda.com recipes are mostly calculated on an online nutrition calculator. I am not a dietitian and nutritional information is an estimate and can vary based on products used.
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