From cheese balls to dip to meatballs, these simple recipes are guaranteed to delight. For me, Christmas is about two things: family time and good food. No Christmas dinner is complete without a few festive finger foods to start the party. Not to worry though, when it comes to the best holiday appetizers, I’ve got you covered. These 30 bite-sized Christmas appetizers will put a smile on everyone’s face!
Christmas Appetizer Ideas For Your Holiday Party
Wondering what to serve at your next Christmas party? Here are 30 ideas to keep your guests happy and satisfied.
1. Crostini Appetizer with Goat Cheese
Crostini is perfect for holiday entertaining. Simply grab a loaf of your favorite artisan bread and top with any number of yummy spreads and cheeses. I like to use baguettes for this because they make the perfect little bites, with a sturdy crust all the way around. These bites are elegant, delicious, and garaunteed crowd-pleasers.
2. Chicken Crescent Wreath
Although this crescent wreath looks complex, it’s actually surprisingly simple to put togother. It’s the perfect finger food and garuanteed to impress your guests.
3. Christmas Bacon Cheese Ball Wreath
No holiday party is complete without a good old-fashioned cheese ball dip. This one is full of crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, chives, onion, and delicious herbs!
4. Christmas Pizza
I’ve advocated for Christmas Day pizza for years, only to be told it’s not festive enough. Well, hang on to your silver bells because it doesn’t get more festive than a tree-shaped pizza! You can have so much fun with these! Let the kids make their own with a selection of toppings. You can even cut out some ham or pepperoni with a star cutter to make it extra special.
5. Merry Little Christmas Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs are a classic holiday appetizer. They’re simple, creamy, and easy to eat on the go. Piping the filling is really worth the extra effort to make these look restaurant and Instagram-worthy if you have the time. And the mini-pepper “berries” are such a fun and cute addition.
6. Cranberry Salsa
Using cranberries instead of tomatoes might seem like an odd choice here, but I promise I haven’t just gotten into my Nana’s boozy Christmas Cake! Given that cranberries are more tart than they are sweet, they make such an incredible flavor change when mixed with the jalapenos and onions. And the color is out of this world! Serve with cream cheese and crackers.
7. Bacon-Wrapped Water Chestnuts
Water chestnuts are slightly sweet and kind of nutty, with a crisp bite that will remind you of an apple. When wrapped in bacon, the chestnuts are enhanced and so delicious. For extra flavor, try brushing these with a touch of BBQ sauce and broiling for five minutes.
8. Smoked Salmon Appetizer Bites
There’s something so elegant about smoked salmon. And if you’ve never tried it before, you really should give it a go! This bite-sized snack is the perfect party food. And surprisingly easy to make.
9. Stuffed Mushrooms
Stuffed mushrooms can be as simple as using garlic butter and bread crumbs. But this recipe takes it up a notch and adds in cream cheese and parmesan for a creamier, more filling version. It’s the perfect appetizer for any party!
10. Parmesan Crusted Brussels Sprouts
These yummy little bites are coated with breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and then baked to perfection. A quick and easy appetizer for your next holiday gathering. Dipped in a sour cream and herb dip for a creamy, tangy, zesty combo that will leave your guests happy and satisfied.
11. Cranberry Brie Bites
Looking for the perfect holiday appetizer? These cranberry brie bites are made with just three ingredients: crescent rolls, brie cheese, and cranberry sauce. But don’t let their simplicity fool you! They’re sweet, cheesy, perfectly gooey, and oh so delicious.
12. Mini-Cheese Ball Bites
Having one big cheese ball looks extra special when served on a cute platter with a selection of crackers and veggies. But I have to admit that these little bites are beyond adorable. It’s the perfect holiday appetizer made for one!
13. Fried Mashed Potato Balls
Potato skins loaded with bacon and cheese are pretty hard to resist. But mashed potatoes loaded with bacon and cheese and deep-fried? Hold me back!! Bacon, cheese, and mashed potatoes combine for the ultimate bite-sized snack.
14. Bacon-Wrapped Apricot Bites
These sweet and smoky snacks make the perfect holiday appetizer. They’re super easy to make and a garuanteed crowd-pleaser.
15. Sweet Potato Bites with Avocado and Bacon
These make super colorful appetizers that everyone will love. They’re dairy-free, gluten-free, and meat-free if you omit the bacon. Between the crisp sweet potato and smooth guacamole, it’s like a platter of individual nachos. And who doesn’t love nachos?
16. Pigs in a Blanket (with Cheese!)
Looking for a fun and easy appetizer loved by kids and adults alike? Pigs in a blanket are the perfect finger food to kick off your next Christmas party. With just 3 ingredients, this holiday snack is both easy and delicious!
17. Sweet and Sour Meatballs (Cocktail Meatballs)
Christmas simply isn’t complete without juicy meatballs cooking in the croockpot. This classic appetizer is a must-have for your next holiday gathering. They’re quick, easy, and gone in a flash!
18. Candied Pecans
These sweet and crunch snacks are a Christmas favorite. Plus, they also make fantastic gift bags for family, friends, and neighbors!
19. Baked Cheddar Parmesan Crisps
We all love cheesy chips. Between the crunch and salty flavor, there’s a reason they make those little packs! Whether you’re looking for something carb-free or just curious, these crisps are so easy to make and will make you think twice about buying chips ever again! The simple combination of parmesan, cheddar, and a sprinkling of Italian seasoning is all you need for one incredible snack.
20. Spinach Artichoke Dip
Cheese dip is a staple around our house during the holidays. One of my all-time favorites is this spinach artichoke dip. It’s perfectly creamy, cheesy, and deliciously snackable. Plus, it’s super easy – making it the ultimate party dip.
21. Mini-Caprese Salad Bites
Even though I’m a firm believer in indulging during the holidays, having some lighter choices is always a good idea. These are not only light but super easy to throw together. You can even skip a step and buy balsamic glaze right from the store.
22. Sausage Balls
This might just be my all-time favorite finger food. These Bisquick Sausage Balls are cheesy, savory, and packed full of flavor! With just 5 simple ingredients, you can make this holiday appetizer in just 25 minutes.
23. Pumpkin Hummus
Hummus is my go-to when it comes to easy appetizers. I tend to stick to the classic, but when I saw this recipe with pumpkin, I knew I had to try it! You’ll need a food processor to get it perfectly smooth, and I suggest you only add the salt at the end to taste.
24. Eggplant Caponata Recipe
Creamy dips are great and will always be welcome on my table. But there’s something so satisfying about a big dish full of vibrant roasted veggies. Similar to a ratatouille, this recipe mixes eggplant, tomatoes, and capers with honey and raisins for a salty-sweet delight. This is best made the day before, so the flavors can all marry together in the pot.
25. Christmas Tree Veggie Tray
Sometimes the veggie tray looks sad and lonely at a party. Surrounded by bacon covered treats and breadcrumbed meatballs, who can blame you for looking the other way? But if there is ever a time to have some fun with it, it’s Christmas! Arranging the vegetables into a tree and adding pepper ‘tinsel’ and carrot ‘bark’ is something you can do with the kids, and it might even encourage them to give it a try!
26. Caramelized Onion Dip
If I had it my way, I would have caramelized onions on everything I eat. There’s nothing they don’t enhance. If they didn’t take so long to make, I’d always have a batch ready to go. The key is to cook the onions low and slow, stirring every five minutes before finishing with garlic and white wine. At this point, they would make another excellent topping for the goat cheese crostini from number one! Or, you could mix them with sour cream, mayonnaise, and cream cheese for a truly indulgent dip.
27. Toasted Ravioli
Just when you thought cheese stuffed pasta was as good as it gets, someone decided to bread and bake them. I mean, crunchy pasta stuffed with cheese has to be it, right? We’ve peaked! Serve with some warm marinara and extra parmesan grated over the top.
28. Spinach and Goat Cheese Tartlets
The good news is, you can buy mini-tart shells in almost every grocery store these days. Making cute little tarts has never been easier! I especially love the phyllo dough for these, adding some flaky crispness to each bite. If goat cheese isn’t your thing, you could always use cream cheese instead.
29. Baked Tahong with Sweet Chili-Mayo Topping
If you’re looking for something outside of the box, this recipe is for you! You can use mussels or even oysters for this excellent show-stopper. All you need is a teaspoon of sweet chili mayo and cheese. Although, a simpler sweet chili jam and a crumbling of blue cheese would be a fantastic alternative. Broil just until the cheese has melted, and the jam is bubbling slightly.
30. Puff Pastry Twists with Pesto and Cheese
You can make these flaky puff pastry twists with both red and green pesto for a Christmas-colored platter. Store-bought puff pastry not only keeps your prep down, but it’s no-fail! You’ll end up with golden and puffy pastry every time. Fill with a good mature cheddar for maximum flavor!
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