Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups (Easy No-Bake Holiday Appetizer!)

These Christmas cranberry roll ups are one of the smartest holiday appetizers you can make! Creamy, savory, and festive, they feature cream cheese, feta, dried cranberries, and fresh chives wrapped in soft flour tortillas. No cooking required—just spread, roll, chill, and slice into beautiful pinwheels. They’re make-ahead friendly and always disappear first at holiday gatherings!

Why You’ll Love These Cranberry Roll Ups

These festive pinwheels take a savory approach to classic cranberry flavors, combining tart dried cranberries with creamy cheese and fresh herbs. The result is the perfect balance of sweet and savory that guests can’t resist.

What makes these roll ups special:

• No cooking or baking required
• Ready in 15 minutes plus chill time
• Make ahead up to 24 hours in advance
• Only 5 simple ingredients
• Festive red and green colors for Christmas
• Perfect for parties and potlucks
• Kid-friendly and crowd-pleasing
• Easy to double or triple for large gatherings

Ingredients for Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1/3 cup fresh chives, chopped
• 1 1/2 cups dried cranberries
• 4 large flour tortillas (10-inch)

How to Make Cranberry Roll Ups

Prepare the Cream Cheese Base

Place the softened cream cheese in a medium mixing bowl. Using a hand mixer or sturdy spoon, beat the cream cheese until it’s light, fluffy, and smooth. This step is important—fluffy cream cheese makes it easier to incorporate the other ingredients and creates a creamy, spreadable texture.

Mix the Filling

Add the crumbled feta cheese, chopped fresh chives, and dried cranberries to the whipped cream cheese. Mix everything together until well combined and evenly distributed. The mixture should be spreadable but thick enough to stay in place when rolled.

Spread on Tortillas

Lay out one flour tortilla on a clean work surface. Spread about 1/2 cup of the cream cheese mixture evenly over the entire surface, leaving a small 1/4-inch border around the edges. This border helps prevent the filling from squeezing out when you roll. Repeat with remaining tortillas.

Roll Tightly

Starting from one edge, roll each tortilla tightly into a log shape. Roll firmly but gently—you want it tight enough to hold together but not so tight that the filling squeezes out. The tighter you roll, the prettier your pinwheels will be when sliced.

Chill for Best Results

Wrap each rolled tortilla individually in plastic wrap, twisting the ends to seal. Refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours, or up to 24 hours. This chilling step is crucial—it helps the cream cheese firm up so the rolls hold their shape and slice cleanly.

Slice and Serve

When ready to serve, remove the plastic wrap. Using a sharp serrated knife, slice each roll into 1/2 to 3/4-inch thick pinwheels using a gentle sawing motion. Arrange the pinwheels on a serving platter with the swirls facing up. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.

Make-Ahead Instructions

These cranberry roll ups are perfect for advance preparation, which is a lifesaver during the busy holiday season!

24 Hours Ahead: Prepare the entire recipe through rolling the tortillas. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate. Slice just before serving for the freshest presentation.

Day-Of Prep: If you’ve already sliced the pinwheels, store them in a single layer in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers. They’ll keep for up to 4 hours before serving.

Flavor Benefit: Making these ahead actually improves the flavor! The chilling time allows the cream cheese, feta, and cranberries to meld together beautifully.

Recipe Variations

Different Cheese Options: Replace feta with goat cheese for a milder flavor, or try blue cheese for a bolder taste. Queso fresco works well for a mild, fresh option.

Herb Swaps: Use green onions (green parts only) instead of chives, or try fresh dill or parsley for a different flavor profile. Dried chives work too—use 2 tablespoons instead of 1/3 cup fresh.

Dried Fruit Alternatives: Swap cranberries for chopped dried cherries, apricots, or even golden raisins. Just chop them finely so the rolls hold together well.

Colorful Tortillas: Use spinach wraps for extra green color or sun-dried tomato wraps for more red. This adds visual interest and extra flavor.

Nut Addition: Fold in 1/4 cup finely chopped toasted pecans or walnuts for crunch.

Spicy Kick: Add 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the cream cheese mixture.

Dairy-Free Version: Use dairy-free cream cheese and omit the feta, or use dairy-free feta alternatives.

Sweet Twist: Add 1 tablespoon honey to the cream cheese for a sweeter version.

Storage Instructions

Refrigerator (Unsliced): Wrap rolled tortillas tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The cream cheese filling keeps everything moist.

Refrigerator (Sliced): Store sliced pinwheels in an airtight container, layering parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Keep for up to 2 days.

Serving Tip: Remove from refrigerator 15 minutes before slicing if unsliced, or serve sliced pinwheels straight from the fridge. Slightly chilled cream cheese is easier to slice cleanly.

Not Recommended for Freezing: The cream cheese and feta texture changes when frozen and thawed, becoming watery and grainy.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overfilling the Tortillas: Use only about 1/2 cup of filling per tortilla and leave a border. Too much filling makes them impossible to roll and causes the filling to squeeze out.

Not Rolling Tightly Enough: Loose rolls fall apart when sliced. Roll firmly while keeping even pressure along the length of the tortilla.

Skipping the Chill Time: Warm cream cheese makes messy, uneven slices. Always refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours before slicing.

Using a Dull Knife: A sharp serrated knife with a sawing motion creates clean cuts. Pressing straight down with a dull knife squashes the rolls.

Not Wrapping Individually: Unwrapped rolls dry out and unroll in the refrigerator. Always wrap each roll individually in plastic wrap.

Using Cold Cream Cheese: Hard cream cheese won’t mix smoothly. Always start with softened cream cheese at room temperature.

What to Serve with Cranberry Roll Ups

These festive roll ups are perfect as part of a holiday appetizer spread!

Complementary Appetizers:

• Warm spinach artichoke dip with crackers
• Cheese board with nuts and dried fruit
• Cranberry meatballs (hot appetizer to balance the cold rolls)
• Deviled eggs with paprika
• Caprese skewers

Fresh Vegetables:

• Cucumber slices
• Baby carrots
• Bell pepper strips
• Cherry tomatoes
• Celery sticks with ranch

Complete Party Spread: Arrange the cranberry roll ups on a platter alongside crackers, olives, nuts, and fresh fruit for a beautiful and complete appetizer table.

Expert Tips for Perfect Roll Ups

Soften cream cheese properly – Leave it at room temperature for 30-60 minutes, or microwave for 10-15 seconds on 30% power

Beat the cream cheese – This creates a lighter, fluffier base that’s easier to spread

Chop cranberries if large – Oversized cranberries make rolling difficult; rough chop them if needed

Fresh chives are best – They add both color and fresh onion flavor that dried versions can’t match

Room temperature tortillas – Cold tortillas crack when rolled; let them sit at room temperature for easier rolling

Serrated knife is key – This creates clean slices without squashing the delicate pinwheels

Wipe the knife – Clean the blade between cuts for the prettiest, cleanest slices

Arrange artfully – Place pinwheels swirl-side up on the platter for the most attractive presentation

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I prevent soggy tortillas?

Wrap the rolled tortillas tightly in plastic wrap and store them in an airtight container. This prevents moisture from the refrigerator from making them soggy. The cream cheese acts as a barrier between the tortilla and the moist ingredients.

Can I make these more than 24 hours ahead?

Yes, but they’re best within 24 hours. The tortillas can become slightly soggy after 2 days, though they’ll still taste good for up to 3 days. For best results, prepare no more than 1 day ahead.

Can I use low-fat cream cheese?

Yes, but full-fat cream cheese gives the best flavor and texture. Low-fat versions can be slightly more watery and less creamy.

Why are my rolls falling apart?

Make sure you’re rolling tightly and wrapping in plastic wrap before chilling. The refrigeration time firms up the cream cheese, which acts as glue. Also, don’t overfill—use only 1/2 cup filling per tortilla.

Can I use corn tortillas?

No, corn tortillas are too rigid and will crack when you try to roll them. Stick with soft flour tortillas or flavored wraps.

How thick should I slice them?

Slice pinwheels about 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick. Thinner slices look elegant but are more delicate. Thicker slices are sturdier but not as pretty.

Can kids help make these?

Absolutely! Kids can help mix the filling, spread it on tortillas, and even help roll (with supervision). It’s a fun, no-heat recipe perfect for little helpers.

What if I don’t have feta cheese?

Goat cheese is the closest substitute. You can also skip the feta and use all cream cheese (increase to 12 ounces), though you’ll lose some of the tangy, salty flavor.

How many pinwheels does this make?

Each tortilla yields about 8-10 slices, depending on thickness. Four tortillas make 32-40 pinwheels total—plenty for a party!

Can I serve these warm?

These are meant to be served cold or at room temperature. The cream cheese needs to stay chilled to hold the rolls together. Warming them would cause the filling to melt and slide out.

Why These Are the Perfect Christmas Appetizer

These cranberry roll ups check all the boxes for the ideal holiday appetizer. They’re no-bake, which saves precious oven space during holiday cooking. They’re make-ahead friendly, reducing day-of stress. And they’re festive-looking with those beautiful red cranberries and green chives swirled together.

The flavor combination is what really makes these special—creamy, tangy, slightly sweet, and savory all at once. The dried cranberries add pops of tartness, while the feta provides a salty, tangy contrast to the mild cream cheese. Fresh chives bring a subtle onion flavor and that pop of green color.

They’re substantial enough to feel like a real appetizer but light enough that guests can enjoy several without feeling too full before dinner. And because they’re served cold, they’re perfect for buffet-style serving—no worrying about keeping them warm.

Make these once for a holiday party, and they’ll become your go-to Christmas appetizer for years to come!