Gluten-Free Gluten-Free Holidays Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Appetizer Pear-Pecan Cheese Ball 4.2 (5) 5 Reviews Sweet pear, salty Cheddar cheese and crunchy nuts make this healthy cheese ball recipe an alluring holiday treat. Serve with an array of crudités and crisp party crackers. By Carolyn Casner Carolyn Casner Carolyn Casner is a longtime recipe tester and contributor for EatingWell. Over the years, she has tested and developed hundreds of recipes for the magazine and website. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Updated on April 18, 2024 Reviewed by Dietitian Breana Lai Killeen, M.P.H., RD Reviewed by Dietitian Breana Lai Killeen, M.P.H., RD Breana Lai Killeen, M.P.H, RD, is a Chinese and Jewish chef and dietitian who has worked in all facets of the food world. She is a recipe developer, culinary nutritionist and marketing specialist with more than 15 years of experience creating editorial and digital content for top food and kitchen brands. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Save Rate PRINT Share Close Cook Time: 15 mins Additional Time: 1 hr Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins Servings: 24 Yield: 24 servings Nutrition Profile: Low-Carb Low-Sodium Vegetarian Egg-Free Gluten-Free Low-Calorie Jump to Nutrition Facts Cook Mode (Keep screen awake) Ingredients 8 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, softened 1¼ cups shredded extra-sharp Cheddar cheese 1 medium firm ripe pear, finely chopped 1 scallion, white and green separated, finely chopped ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon ground pepper ⅓ cup finely chopped toasted pecans Directions Stir cream cheese, Cheddar, pear, scallion white, salt and pepper together in a medium bowl. Coat a large piece of plastic wrap with cooking spray. Scoop the cheese mixture onto it. Using the plastic wrap to help you, form the cheese mixture into a ball, then completely wrap in plastic. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 2 days. Just before serving, combine pecans and the reserved scallion greens in a shallow dish. Roll the cheese ball in the mixture, pressing to adhere. Tips Make Ahead Tip: Prepare through Step 2 and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Originally appeared: EatingWell Magazine, November/December 2015 Save Rate Print Nutrition Facts (per serving) 63 Calories 5g Fat 2g Carbs 3g Protein Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label Nutrition Facts Servings Per Recipe 24 Serving Size 2 Tbsp. Calories 63 % Daily Value * Total Carbohydrate 2g 1% Dietary Fiber 0g 1% Total Sugars 1g Protein 3g 5% Total Fat 5g 7% Saturated Fat 2g 12% Cholesterol 13mg 4% Vitamin A 147IU 3% Vitamin C 0mg 0% Folate 4mcg 1% Sodium 118mg 5% Calcium 53mg 4% Iron 0mg 1% Magnesium 5mg 1% Potassium 36mg 1% Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate. * Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.) (-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.