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Creamy goat cheese mixed with caramelized sweet onions and coated in crunchy almonds. These Caramelized Onion Goat Cheese Truffles are the perfect appetizer for your next party!
Why You’ll Love This Goat Cheese Truffle Recipe
First things first: if you don’t like goat cheese you’re probably not going to like these. There. I said it. (You can substitute the cheeses so you do like it!) Now, if you do like goat cheese, then you’re going to love these! I know truffles are traditionally sweet, but I thought little mini cheese ball ‘truffles’ would be cute to put out at a party with vegetables and crackers instead of one monstrous one. Plus, I really like toasted almonds and making smaller ones increases the cheese to nut ratio. Creamy, crunchy, savory and slightly sweet, these truffles are sure to please goat cheese loving guests or family members alike.
Ingredients Needed For Caramelized Onion Goat Cheese Truffles
Here’s everything you need to make this easy appetizer! Goat cheese is becoming more common to find in the grocery store. It’s usually found by the deli and specialty cheeses and spreads.
- Goat cheese + Cream Cheese: Adds the creamy and tangy smoothness. Make sure these are room temperature for easier blending.
- Small onion: Sliced thinly for caramelizing.
- Butter: used to caramelize the onions.
- Brown sugar: Enhances the sweetness of the onions.
- Thyme: Adds a hint of earthiness.
- Salt and black pepper: For seasoning.
- Flat-leaf parsley: Fresh and chopped for color and flavor.
- Almonds: Toasted and pulsed into crumbs for coating.
Variations
- Herbs: Swap parsley with fresh thyme or rosemary.
- Nuts: Use pecans or walnuts instead of almonds.
- Cheese: Substitute with brie, parmesan or blue cheese if goat cheese isn’t your thing.
- Onions: Try caramelized red onions for a twist.
How To Make Caramelized Onion Goat Cheese Truffles
For full recipe details, including ingredient measurements, see the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. Here are my step by step instructions for making these Goat Cheese Truffles:
1. Prep
Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside. Alternatively, you could use cupcake liners.
2. Toast Almonds
Place almonds in skillet over medium heat, swirling pan around frequently, until tasted and fragrant. Keep a close eye on them!
Remove from heat and pulse almonds in a food processor until they are chunky crumbs. Place almond crumbs on a plate and set aside.
3. Caramelize Onions
In large skillet over medium low heat, melt butter. Add onions and cook for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. You want to hear a quiet sizzle. The onions should slowly start to turn into a golden brown color to a deeper brown.
Once onions are caramelized to a deep brown, season with salt and black pepper. Stir in brown sugar. Remove from heat and set aside.
4. Blend Cheeses
In the food processor (no need to clean it from pulsing the almonds!), blend goat cheese and cream cheese to mix.
Pour in slightly cooled onions and process again until mostly smooth. Stir in parsley, salt and black pepper by hand.
5. Form Truffles
Using two spoons (or a small cookie scoop), scoop onion mixture into 24 even balls and place on the baking pan.
Coat each cheese ball into toasted almond crumbs, rolling around until fully coated.
6. Chill
Chill truffles in the refrigerator until ready to use. Serve with crackers, other cheeses and/or vegetables.
What to Serve With Caramelized Onion Goat Cheese Truffles
Like other cheese balls, these pair well with crackers, pretzel sticks, baguette slices, crusty bread, or as part of a cheese board or charcuterie.
Storage and Make Ahead Directions For Goat Cheese Truffles
Store in an airtight container or cover the serving dish with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To freeze, place the truffles on a sheet pan first, then once frozen transfer to a freezer-safe container.
To Make Ahead: Make them a day in advance and refrigerate in an airtight container.
More Appetizer Recipes to Try!
- Queso Blanco Recipe
- Cheddar Bay Sausage Balls
- Roasted Red Pepper & Basil Cream Cheese Log
- Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Jalapeno Artichoke Dip Recipe
These caramelized onion goat cheese truffles are a delicious appetizer that will impress your guests. Easy to make and full of flavor, they are perfect for any holiday season gathering. Next time you need a crowd-pleaser, give these truffles a try! The printable recipe card is below. Have a great day, friends! 🙂
If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would give it a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.
Caramelized Onion Goat Cheese Truffles
Ingredients
- 8 oz goat cheese
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 small onion sliced thinly
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon thyme dried
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup flat leaf parsley fresh, chopped
- 1 cup almonds
Instructions
- Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.* Set aside.
for the almonds-
- Place almonds in skillet over medium heat, swirling pan around frequently, until tasted and fragrant.
- Remove from heat and pulse almonds in a food processor until they are chunky crumbs. Place almond crumbs on a plate and set aside.
for the caramelized onions-
- In large skillet over medium low heat, melt butter. Add onions and cook for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. (You want to hear a quiet sizzle. The onions should slowly start to turn into a golden brown color to a deeper brown.)
- Once onions are caramelized to a deep brown, season with salt and black pepper. Stir in brown sugar. Remove from heat and set aside.
for the cheese balls-
- In the food processor (no need to clean it from pulsing the almonds!), blend goat cheese and cream cheese to mix.
- Pour in slightly cooled onions and process again until mostly smooth. Stir in parsley, salt and black pepper by hand.
- Using two spoons (or a small cookie scoop), scoop mixture into 24 even balls and place on baking pan.
- Coat each cheese ball into toasted almond crumbs, rolling around until fully coated.
- Store in refrigerator until ready to use. Serve with crackers, other cheeses and/or vegetables.
I made these to bring to a Christmas Eve party this year and everyone loved them! I followed the recipe exactly. The only thing I might change next time (because I will make these again) is to increase the ratio of goat cheese. I’d like that flavor to come through even stronger. Thanks for the recipe and the blog!
I tripled this recipe when I had to cater a fundraiser. We passed them on trays with water crackers. They were a HUGE hit. Thank you so much for sharing.
That is a BRILLIANT idea! I too, agree with the cheese/nut ratio- positively brilliant!