The best part about any holiday gathering is the hours spent snacking before the feast has even been set. There’s something comforting about catching up on old times and nibbling on Christmas appetizers with loved ones.
You’ll find everything in this list from hot cheesy dips to festive charcuterie boards to sweet pastries. And many of these recipes can be prepared in advance!
16. Christmas Tree Shaped Veggie Tray
Every buffet should have at least one raw, crisp vegetable dish to cut the richness of all the cheese. Yellow, red and orange bell pepper slices alternate with cucumber and snow peas, topped by a mound of grape tomatoes to look like the treetop.
You can put together this festive Christmas appetizer up to two days before and store in the fridge under a cover. Serve with ranch dressing, hummus or tzatziki.
Christmas Tree Shaped Veggie Tray
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Remove the stem and seeds from the bell peppers. Cut bell peppers into long strips. Cut the cucumber into long strips.
- Create the widest layer of the tree by arranging the yellow bell pepper strips vertically along the bottom of the serving board.
- Arrange the cucumber slices partially overlapping the yellow pepper strips and slightly inward to create the shape of a triangle. Follow with red pepper strips, orange pepper strips and snow peas.
- Arrange the tomatoes in a triangular shape on top of the "tree".
- Serve with your favorite dips!
15. Baked Brie and Cranberry Tartlets with Crescent Rolls
These small tarts capture the spirit of the season in a sweet, flaky bite. Crescent roll squares encase a square of brie, a dollop of whole berry cranberry sauce, and chopped pecans in a mini muffin pan. Just before serving, add a dash of chopped rosemary. For a stress-free holiday starter, prep these ahead and pop them straight from the fridge into the oven.
Baked Brie and Cranberry Tartlets with Crescent Rolls
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Coat a mini muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- Roll out the crescent dough and pinch the seams together with your fingers so that it forms one large rectangle. Using a sharp knife or pizza wheel, cut the dough into 24 squares.
- Cut brie into 24 small cubes.
- Press dough squares into each compartment of the muffin tin. Place one cube of brie into each piece of dough. Top brie with 1 tsp. of cranberry sauce and some pecans. Bake 13-15 minutes or until dough is puffed and golden.
- Allow to cool 10 minutes, then remove tartlets from muffin tin and sprinkle with chopped rosemary.
14. Classic Deviled Eggs
There’s a reason why deviled eggs are a regular fixture of holiday buffets, and this traditional recipe doesn’t fail to impress. The mashed yolks are combined with mayo, horseradish, sweet relish and Dijon mustard for a filling that’s a touch sweet and very tangy.
You want the filling to be fairly dry, so you can pipe it in gorgeous swirls. Sprinkle a bit of sweet paprika over each egg and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Classic Deviled Eggs
Ingredients
Method
- Slice eggs in half lengthwise and carefully scoop out the yolks. Place yolks in a small bowl. Add the mayo, horseradish, relish and mustard and blend with a fork. Season with salt and pepper.
- Spoon yolk mixture into a piping bag and squeeze in circular motion to fill each egg half. Sprinkle with paprika. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.
13. Rumaki (Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts)
Bacon-wrapped water chestnuts get finished with a glossy ketchup-based glaze, seasoned with brown sugar, soy sauce and a dash of cayenne. They need a second bake to get nice and sticky. These can be assembled up to a day ahead and kept in the fridge until ready to bake.
Rumaki (Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 375F degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Slice each strip of bacon in half horizontally. Wrap one water chestnut in a piece of bacon and secure it with a toothpick. Place the water chestnuts seam side down on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 15 minutes.
- While the water chestnuts are baking, combine the ketchup, brown sugar, soy sauce and cayenne pepper in a small bowl.
- Remove the water chestnuts from the oven. Brush with the ketchup mixture. Place them back into the oven for another 20 minutes.
12. Mini Pigs in a Blanket
Little crescent-wrapped dogs are easy to make and bite-sized. They’re also buttery and fun to share, which explains why they disappear fast from the holiday party table.
Brushed with melted butter and sprinkled with everything bagel seasoning, these mini hot dogs get a golden, salty finish. For a delicious dip, fill the center of the baking dish with spicy brown mustard, ketchup, or honey mustard for a simple Christmas appetizer.
Mini Pigs in a Blanket Recipe (Pull Apart Style)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 375F degrees.
- Slice each crescent sheet vertically into 8 strips. Then, slice horizontally into 5 strips, resulting in 40 small strips of dough per sheet.
- Cut each hot dog into 4 smaller pieces, resulting in 72 mini hot dogs. Roll up each dog in a dough strip.
- Coat a springform pan with 2 Tbsp. of melted butter. Place a ramekin in the center of the pan. Arrange the pigs in blankets facing up in a circular pattern.
- Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and brush with the remaining 2 Tbsp. of melted butter. Sprinkle generously with everything bagel seasoning. Bake an additional 15-20 minutes, until dough is golden brown.
- Cool for 10 minutes. Fill the ramekin with your dipping sauce of choice. Remove the springform pan and enjoy.
11. Baked Brie with Fig Jam, Pecans and Rosemary
Brie can be one of the easiest holiday appetizers you’ll ever make. It just takes a sweet fig jam, chopped pecans, and a few simple steps to get that perfect baked brie. Put it on a baking sheet, bake until it’s warm and melty in the middle, then serve with baguette, crackers, and apples for dipping.
Baked Brie with Fig Jam
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Line a small baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Trim the rind off the top of the cheese wheel. A little rind left behind is okay.
- Spread fig jam over the cheese, followed by the pecans. Bake 15-18 minutes.
- Remove from oven and transfer to a serving plate. Arrange sliced breads and fruits around the cheese.
- Garnish with a drizzle of honey and a sprinkle of fresh rosemary.
10. Holiday Cheese Board
Not sure what kinds of cheeses to choose for the holidays? This cheese board takes some of the guesswork out with nutty aged Gouda, sharp Pecorino Romano, Gruyere, brie, Camembert and a cranberry-coated goat cheese that even picky eaters will love.
You can fill in any missing pieces with honey, fig jam, sliced baguette and festive produce like pomegranates and persimmons. It’s a delicious Christmas appetizer that your guests can graze on throughout the evening.
How to Make a Perfect Holiday Cheese Board
Ingredients
Method
- Place cheeses down on the board.
- Arrange containers of honey, jams, nuts and accompaniments.
- Arrange crackers, flatbreads and sliced baguettes around the cheeses and accompaniments.
- Fill in the remaining spaces with fruits and herbs.
9. Mushroom Gruyere Toasts
You can’t have a cozy winter night without some delicious, cheesy appetizers. Sourdough bread topped with cream cheese, Gruyere cheese, and sauteed mushrooms makes the perfect appetizer for Christmas. The combination of flavors in this easy-to-prepare recipe is absolutely heavenly. Serve these breads warm with a nice glass of red wine for the ultimate holiday feast.
Mushroom Gruyere Toasts
Ingredients
Method
- Saute butter, mushrooms, shallots and thyme in a skillet over medium heat until browned. Add flour and tomato paste. Cook for 1 minute.
- Pour in the sherry and simmer until evaporated. Slowly add the chicken broth and simmer until thickened, about 5 minutes. Finish with vinegar. Season liberally with salt and pepper.
- Heat oven to broil. Place bread slices on an ungreased baking sheet. Broil 1-2 minutes, until bread is toasted. Remove from oven.
- Mix cream cheese and gruyere together in a bowl. Spread onto bread slices. Broil for another 1-2 minutes until cheese is bubbly. Top with warm mushroom mixture and additional thyme sprigs.
8. Warm Spinach Dip
This bubbly warm spinach dip is a hit at any holiday party. A blend of cream cheese, sour cream and Parmesan gets swirled with sautéed spinach and garlic, then topped with shredded mozzarella before baking. Golden-brown and gooey, there are three types of cheese in every bite. Keep this Christmas appetizer warm in a mini slow cooker and serve with pita chips, tortilla chips or raw veggies.
Warm Spinach Dip
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 375F degrees. Give the spinach a rough chop.
- Heat the oil in a large pan over medium-low heat. Saute the garlic for 1 minute. Add the spinach and saute until wilted. Remove from heat and drain out any excess liquid.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, Parmesan cheese and salt. Fold in the spinach.
- Transfer the spinach mixture to a baking dish. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over top. Bake 25 minutes, until the top is golden brown and bubbling.
7. Caramelized Onion Dip
The box of dry soup mix isn’t even close to this homemade onion dip. Slow-cooked onions and shallots along with fresh thyme, white wine, and red wine vinegar get sweet and golden.
Sour cream, Greek yogurt, and chives make them into a dip you can’t stop eating. You’ll want to make it a day ahead since they get even more flavorful when stored in the refrigerator overnight.
Best Caramelized Onion Dip Recipe (With Greek Yogurt)
Ingredients
Method
- Heat oil in a large nonstick pan over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and shallots and the minced thyme. Saute until the onions become golden brown in color and begin to caramelize, about 25 minutes.
- Add wine and vinegar and continue to cook the onions down, stirring occasionally, until completely caramelized, about 15 more minutes. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.
- Transfer the onion mixture to a cutting board. Mince the onions with a sharp knife. Place the minced onions in a large mixing bowl. Stir in the sour cream, Greek yogurt, chives and onion powder. Mix well.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Cold Crab Cocktail Dip
All it takes is 4 ingredients to create a delicious seafood Christmas appetizer that’ll have your guests begging for more. Lump crab meat is mixed with cream cheese and cocktail sauce, then garnished with chopped fresh tarragon for a subtle hint of herbaceousness.
Use a cocktail sauce that contains a good amount of horseradish for a little bit of kick. Chill and serve with plain water crackers or thin slices of crisp cucumber.
Easy Cold Crab Cocktail Dip Recipe with Cream Cheese
Ingredients
Method
- Gently flake the crab meat into small pieces with a fork. Do not break it up too much.
- Mix cream cheese and cocktail sauce together in a large bowl. Slowly fold the crab meat and tarragon into the cream cheese mixture. Chill before serving. Garnish with additional tarragon.
5. Smoked Salmon Canapes
Crisp and refreshing, they are so simple to make that they need to be on your every holiday tray. Each cucumber round holds a dollop of crème fraîche, a strip of smoked salmon and a sprig of dill.
Dragging a fork down the cucumber skin before slicing gives the rounds a pretty ridged edge. They look like they came from a caterer, but nobody has to know how simple they are.
Smoked Salmon Canapes
Ingredients
Method
- Wash and dry the cucumber. Using the tines of a fork, drag downwards along the length of the cucumber to make vertical lines. Continue to do this all the way around the cucumber. Slice cucumber into medium-thick slices.
- Slice the smoked salmon into thin strips.
- Top cucumber rounds with 1/2 tsp. of creme fraiche, smoked salmon and garnish with a sprig of dill.
4. Hot Honey Pepperoni Cheese Bites
These sweet, spicy and cheesy little bites disappear quickly from any holiday party. A square of crescent dough encases a slice of pepperoni and a cube of sharp Asiago cheese in a mini muffin tin. After they turn golden brown, they’re drizzled with a mixture of honey and red pepper flakes and sprinkled with chopped fresh rosemary.
Hot Honey Pepperoni Cheese Bites (Easy Appetizer)
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a mini muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray.
- Roll out the crescent roll dough, pressing the seams together with your fingers if necessary. Cut 24 squares out of the dough.
- Place one dough square into each muffin cup. Place one piece of pepperoni and one cube of asiago on top of the dough. Bake for 12-14 minutes, until puffed and golden brown.
- In a small bowl, combine the honey and red pepper flakes.
- Top each pepperoni and cheese bite with a drizzle of hot honey and a sprinkle of rosemary.
3. Pecan-Crusted Goat Cheese Toasts with Red Grapes
Tangy goat cheese and cinnamon raisin bread pair really well in these sweet little toasts. A log of goat cheese is rolled in crushed pecans, cut into rounds and placed on toasted bread rounds.
A sticky red grape compote made with honey and fresh rosemary is spooned over the top. This Christmas appetizer is served with a glass of red wine, but could be used for a dessert as well.
Pecan-Crusted Goat Cheese Toasts with Red Grapes
Ingredients
Method
- Roll the goat cheese in the crushed pecans, gently pressing the pecans into the cheese so that it sticks. Wrap in plastic and freeze until firm, about 30-45 minutes. Remove from freezer and allow to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes. Unwrap and slice into rounds. It's ok if it crumbles a bit. Allow the cheese rounds to sit at room temperature while you prepare the grape compote.
- To make the compote, bring grapes, butter and sugar to a boil in a small saucepan. Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring often, until sugar dissolves and mixture thickens. Using a wooden spoon, break up some of the grapes. Stir in the honey, rosemary and cornstarch and continue to cook until syrupy, mashing the grapes with a spoon. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Mixture will continue to thicken as it cools.
- Slice the crusts off of the bread and cut each slice into quarters. Toast. Top each toast square with goat cheese and drizzle with grape compote. Garnish with additional rosemary, if desired.
2. Holiday Baked Brie Fig Jam Wreath with Crescent Rolls
This wreath is very Instagram worthy. You start by lining up crescent rolls around a small bowl. You then fill them with fig jam, brie, and chopped pecans before folding the dough over the filling.
It’s then baked until golden brown, and topped with honey, chopped rosemary, and dried cranberries for a pop of color. Finish with fresh sage leaves and cranberries in the middle for a festive appetizer that is also a gorgeous centerpiece.
Baked Brie Fig Jam Wreath with Crescent Rolls
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 375F degrees.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place a small bowl down in the middle.
- Arrange the crescent rolls in an overlapping pattern around the bowl with the tips pointing out.
- Spread the fig preserves onto the thick ends of the crescent rolls.
- Remove the rind from the brie cheese and cut it into cubes. Arrange the brie cubes over top of the preserves. Sprinkle chopped pecans over the cheese.
- Remove the bowl from the baking sheet. Fold the crescent rolls inward, tucking the tips under. Be sure not to leave any gaps between them.
- Beat the egg with 1 Tbsp. of water. Brush the wreath with egg wash.
- Bake 18-20 minutes, until golden brown.
- Drizzle honey over the top of the wreath and sprinkle with dried cranberries and chopped rosemary. Fill the center with fresh sage and cranberries, if desired.
1. Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board
You don’t have to break the bank to create a holiday charcuterie board! This DIY tree version uses inexpensive cheese, meat and fruit that you can find at your local grocery store.
Add some rosemary sprigs and candied pecans to form a Christmas tree, then fill in the remaining pieces with cheddar, aged Gouda, salami, prosciutto and red grapes. A port wine cheese star adds the perfect finishing touch to this budget-friendly Christmas appetizer.
Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Press a star cookie cutter into the block of port wine cheese. Wrap the cheese with cookie cutter in plastic wrap and freeze for at least 45 minutes.
- Create the outline of the Christmas tree using the rosemary sprigs.
- Cut the white cheddar into cubes. Cut the yellow cheddar into slices. Cut the gouda into wedges.
- Arrange the cheese, grapes and meats inside the tree outline in horizontal or diagonal lines.
- Remove the port wine star from the freezer and carefully pop it out of the cookie cutter. Place it on top of the tree. Garnish with pomegranate arils and fresh cranberries.
- Serve with assorted crackers, nuts, olives, pickles, jams and honey.
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