Cranberry Cinnamon Sausage Bites: A Festive, Flavor-Packed Appetizer
- Kristin Speer-Damitz
- Nov 26, 2024
- 2 min read
Looking for an appetizer that’s both festive and insanely delicious? Meet Cranberry Sausage Bites with Dubliner Cheese—the ultimate holiday snack that’s equal parts sweet, savory, and absolutely irresistible. Perfect for holiday parties, cozy nights by the fire, or just because you deserve a treat that feels a little extra.

Why You’ll Love These
A Festive Flavor Mashup: The tangy-sweet cranberry sauce paired with the nutty, rich flavor of Dubliner cheese is a match made in holiday heaven.
Quick and Easy: Minimal effort, maximum wow factor. This recipe comes together in no time, making it ideal for last-minute gatherings.
Holiday Approved: These bites just scream “holiday vibes” with their festive cranberry flair.
Ingredient Notes
Sausage: Use andouille or your favorite smoked sausage. Its bold, smoky flavor is the backbone of this dish.
Dubliner Cheese: This nutty, slightly sweet cheese melts beautifully and adds a rich, creamy dimension to the bites.
Cranberry Sauce: A little drizzle of cranberry sauce ties everything together for a sweet, tart finish.
Fresh Herbs: A sprinkle of chopped parsley or rosemary adds a fresh, fragrant garnish.
A Holiday Crowd-Pleaser
I first made these Cranberry Sausage Bites for a holiday potluck, and let me tell you—they disappeared faster than you can say “Merry Christmas.” These are the kind of appetizers that look fancy but are secretly super simple to make. Plus, they’re versatile enough to pair with a bubbly cocktail or a warm mug of mulled wine.
Pro Tip: Prep everything ahead of time, and just assemble and bake when your guests arrive. Easy, stress-free, and impressive!
Recipe: Cranberry Cinnamon Sausage Bites
Ready to make these for your next holiday party? Here’s the full recipe!
Ingredients
Cranberry Sauce:
1 (12 oz/2 cups) bag cranberries, rinsed
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light-brown sugar
1 Cinnamon Stick
Sausage Bites:
1 package of andouille sausage (or any smoked sausage), sliced into ½-inch rounds
4 oz Dubliner cheese, shredded or cut into small slices
1 cup cranberry sauce (homemade or store-bought)
Fresh parsley or rosemary for garnish
Toothpicks or skewers for serving
Instructions
Make the cranberry sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the water, orange juice, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and orange zest, whisking until well mixed.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then carefully add the cranberries.
Reduce the heat to a simmer and let the mixture cook for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries pop and the sauce thickens slightly.
Remove from heat and allow the sauce to cool for 20–30 minutes. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
Heat a skillet with some oil over medium heat. Add sausage coins and cook until browned, transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
Skewer each sausage and cheese. Top with a dollop of cranberry sauce.
Wrap It Up
Cranberry Cinnamon Sausage Bites are here to make your holiday season even more delicious. Whether you’re hosting a crowd or just treating yourself, these bites deliver big on flavor with minimal effort. Don’t forget to snap a pic for Instagram because these beauties are holiday appetizer goals.
If you try these, let me know in the comments! What’s your go-to holiday appetizer? 🎄🍴
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