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blue cheese grape appetizers on toothpicks lined up on a plate

Blue Cheese Grape Appetizer

5 stars (23 ratings)
9 Comments
Jump to Recipe
Gluten Free Gluten Free Vegetarian Vegetarian

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Tangy blue cheese, crunchy walnuts, and juicy sweet grapes pair beautifully together in this blue cheese appetizer. Serve it as the perfect party food for holiday gatherings, weddings, baby showers, or any other special occasion that calls for something tasty. It's simple to prepare and the individual portions present well for serving.

If you love the bold tangy taste of blue cheese, also try our blue cheese dressing, blue cheese coleslaw, or blue cheese and roasted brussels sprouts pizza.

rows of blue cheese and grape appetizer on toothpicks on a plate.

This recipe was originally published in 2014. We've updated the post with some new photos and more information, but we've left the delicious recipe exactly the same.

We love having recipes like this on the ready when we're planning a party or special occasion. This savory-sweet grape appetizer has lots of bold flavor, amazing texture, and is visually pretty to serve. It's easy to prepare ahead of time because most of it is hands-off, allowing the cheese to firm up in the fridge. If you have any leftovers, they make a great snack!

Ingredients you'll need

Here's everything you'll need to make this tasty blue cheese grape appetizer:

  • Butter
  • Walnuts
  • Blue cheese
  • Brandy
  • Salt + pepper
  • Grapes

You'll also need some toothpicks, for serving.

blue cheese grape appetizers on toothpicks lined up on a plate

How to make this blue cheese grape appetizer

This pretty grape appetizer is simple to make by following a few easy steps:

  1. Start by making the blue cheese balls. Mix together the ingredients, scoop the cheesy mixture into small balls, place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and pop them in the fridge to firm up.
  2. Next prepare the walnuts. Toast them in melted butter until fragrant. Chop them finely so it's easy to coat the cheese balls.
  3. Next, roll the blue cheese balls in the chopped walnuts to coat them.
  4. Get your grapes ready by slicing them in half (or just slicing the end off if they're small).
  5. To serve them use a toothpick to skewer them; cheese first, then the grape. You can place them back in the fridge at this point if you're not serving them right away or allow them to sit at room temperature for at least 5 minutes to soften.

Full recipe instructions are in the recipe card below.

Tip: If you're prepping these for a party, they can be made and even assembled hours in advance. If you don't have room in your fridge for them all standing up, just make the balls up to 2 days in advance and then assemble them right before serving. Enjoy!

Blue Cheese Grape Appetizer: FAQS

Can I use a different cheese?

You could try another soft cheese like goat cheese.

Can I swap the nuts?

Yes, we think pecans, almonds, or pistachios would all work really well.

Can I omit the brandy?

Yes, you can omit it or swap it for a whisky, rum, wine, or fruit juice for a slightly different taste.

How to serve blue cheese grape appetizer

These are the perfect sweet and savory party food. Enjoy them at happy hour with a glass of wine, sangria, or a bourbon sour.

We love serving them to a crowd or for special occasions with other snacks or appetizers like pesto popcorn, easy marinated olives, and prosciutto wrapped grilled peaches.

Serve them before a meal, or as part of any finger-food menu! Ideas for when to serve a blue cheese appetizer:

  • Wedding or baby showers
  • Birthday parties
  • Before dinner with family or friends
  • Game night
  • Backyard BBQ
  • Happy hour
a hand holding a grape blue cheese appetizer bit on a toothpick.

More popular appetizers

  • Bacon and Goat Cheese Pops
  • Beet and Goat Cheese Salad Bites
  • Mini Chicken Satay Skewers with Thai Peanut Dipping Sauce
  • Mini Cucumber Smoked Salmon Bites
  • Bacon Scallop Lollipops
Tap stars to rate!
5 stars (23 ratings)
blue cheese grape appetizers on toothpicks lined up on a plate

Blue Cheese Grape Appetizer Recipe

Prep: 30 minutes mins
Cooling Time: 3 hours hrs
Cook: 0 minutes mins
Total: 3 hours hrs 30 minutes mins
Rate Recipe Print
Tangy blue cheese, crunchy walnuts, and juicy sweet grapes pair beautifully together in this blue cheese appetizer. Serve it as the perfect party food for holiday gatherings, weddings, baby showers, or any other special occasion that calls for something tasty. It's simple to prepare and the individual portions present well for serving.
60 pieces

Ingredients

Walnuts

  • 1 teaspoon butter
  • 1 cup walnuts

Blue Cheese Balls

  • 7 ounces blue cheese (at room temperature )
  • 2 tablespoons butter (at room temperature)
  • 2 tablespoons brandy
  • 2 teaspoons fresh ground pepper
  • Sea salt (to taste)
  • 30-60 grapes (see notes)

Instructions 

  • In a medium-sized bowl mix the blue cheese, butter, brandy, and pepper. Taste and add salt as necessary. Scoop ½ teaspoon portions onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet then place them in the fridge until firm, at least 3 hours.
    7 ounces blue cheese, 2 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons brandy, 2 teaspoons fresh ground pepper, Sea salt
    image for recipe instruction
  • Melt the butter in a small pan over medium-high heat. Add the walnuts and cook, tossing the pan frequently, until they're brown in spots, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from the heat and set them aside to cool. Finely mince once cool enough to handle.
    1 cup walnuts, 1 teaspoon butter
    image for recipe instruction
  • Dip the blue cheese portions in the finely minced walnuts then roll them into balls using the palms of your hands. Dip each ball into the finely minced walnuts and roll the ball in your hands so that the walnuts stick. You may need to put the cheese back in the fridge if it warms up and becomes too difficult to roll.
    image for recipe instruction
  • Cut the grapes either in half if large or cut off the end if small, so that each grape sits nicely on a plate.
    image for recipe instruction
  • To serve, skewer a cheese ball with a toothpick then skewer the grape. Let them sit at room temperature for at least 5 minutes before serving.
    30-60 grapes
    image for recipe instruction

Notes

If your grapes are large, cut them in half. If your grapes are small, cut off just the end so that there is a flat surface for the grape to sit. 
Don't rush the time the blue cheese portions sit in the fridge. They will be very hard to roll if they are not hard. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1 piece, Calories: 28kcal (1%), Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 1g (2%), Fat: 2g (3%), Saturated Fat: 1g (6%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 5mg (2%), Sodium: 54mg (2%), Potassium: 18mg (1%), Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 1g (1%), Vitamin A: 53IU (1%), Vitamin C: 1mg (1%), Calcium: 19mg (2%), Iron: 1mg (6%)
© Author Kristen Stevens

We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.

blue cheese grape appetizers on toothpicks lined up on a plate

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Kristen Stevens

Kristen Stevens

Hi, I'm Kristen! I LOVE everything to do with food: making it, taking pictures of it, and (the best part) eating it. ♡♡♡

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Posted: 01/31/2014 Updated: 04/09/2022
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