70 Easy Christmas Appetizers Everyone Will Love
Updated: Dec. 09, 2023
These easy and festive Christmas appetizer ideas are the perfect start to your holiday party.
Need Christmas party food ideas in a pinch? Kick off your festivities with these easy and impressive holiday appetizer recipes that will wow any crowd. Whether it’s Christmas Eve snacking or one-bite holiday appetizers for an impromptu get-together, we’ve got you covered.
We have plenty of recipes for Christmas party food below, and for more holiday feasting, check out these ideas for Christmas dinner and easy Christmas desserts, plus the Taste of Home team’s essential tools for holiday entertaining.
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Creamy Chicken Vol-au-Vent
Creamy chicken pastry cups may look fancy, but this Christmas appetizer is so easy to assemble and bake. The trick is using frozen puff pastry and store-bought rotisserie chicken, which cuts time in the kitchen.
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Cranberry Sauce Meatballs
Don’t put that cranberry sauce away yet! Combined with a few other ingredients, the traditional Thanksgiving condiment makes a perfect meatball topper for this Christmas appetizer. Use premade beef or vegetarian meatballs, smother them in sauce and serve.
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Bacon Cheese Wreath
For a pretty yuletide presentation, use fresh Italian parsley leaves and pimientos to create a holly-like garnish. Want something meatier? Make this stunning Christmas charcuterie wreath.
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Savory Cucumber Sandwiches
One way to balance the food-filled holiday season is to make light and refreshing appetizers for cocktail parties and family gatherings. The surprise ingredient here is Italian salad dressing, which adds just enough flavor and acid to the cream cheese spread. Thinly sliced cucumber and fresh dill make picture-perfect toppings.
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Roasted Chicken and Brie Holly Mini Bites
These scrumptious little chicken and brie bites take less than 30 minutes to make, but taste like you spent hours in the kitchen preparing them. Fig, roasted apple, melted brie and tangy garlic mayo are like a sweet-and-savory symphony. Add bright red cranberries and green spinach for festive flair.
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Cheese-Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes
Colorful and bright, these feta-stuffed cherry tomatoes will make you think of Christmas tree ornaments. The easy one-bite holiday snack can serve as an hors d’oeuvre on the appetizer or dinner table.
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Pickled Pepperoncini Deviled Eggs
With all the celebrations during the Christmas season, keeping appetizers light and bright is a good way to go. Pepperoncini and cilantro give these deviled eggs zip and the avocado, used instead of mayo, adds a pop of color.
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Crispy Oven-Fried Oysters
Something about oysters feels extra celebratory. Buying pre-shucked oysters means no fussing with shells (and oyster knives!) for this easy Christmas appetizer. The jalapeno dipping sauce adds just the right amount of heat.If you’re in need of some more inspiration, here are some easy Christmas dinner recipes that you can make.
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Simmered Smoked Links
What would a Christmas appetizer spread be without bite-sized sausages? Made with pantry staples like brown sugar and ketchup, they’re effortless to prepare and the sweet and spicy glaze makes them impossible to resist.
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Butternut Thyme Tartlets
This light and crunchy appetizer is filled with the ultimate fall flavors. Make the creamy butternut squash and goat cheese filling a few days early, then fill the premade phyllo cups right before guests arrive.
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Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus with Raspberry Sauce
Nothing says fancy like asparagus spears wrapped with prosciutto. Grill or roast in the oven for 10 minutes until the prosciutto is crispy and the asparagus is tender. Make sure to have extra fruity sauce for dipping: The savory and sweet combo is sure to be a hit.
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Air-Fryer Crab au Gratin Spread
This warm and comforting appetizer is perfect for Christmas gatherings. Using canned crab means it’s super easy to whip up, and the air fryer means there’s less time standing around the oven. Serve with your favorite crackers and crisp vegetables.
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Sausage Cheese Balls
Make a big batch of these bite-size meatballs, freeze them, and you’ll have appetizers to whip out any time you have guests for the holidays. They’re completely adaptable, too: Try swapping out the cheddar cheese with another favorite cheese, or add a little heat with a pinch of cayenne pepper or smokiness with some smoked paprika.
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Easy Pimiento Cheese
Every good Southerner has their own easy pimiento cheese recipe. This classic has only a few ingredients, comes together in minutes and makes a wonderful spread for crackers, toasted bread, breadsticks and more. No celebration, big or small, should be without it.
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Buffet Meatballs
A surprise ingredient (grape jelly) ensures these meatballs will be the hit of the Christmas appetizer table. Your can make your own beef, turkey or vegetarian meatballs for the best flavor, or use frozen meatballs—they’re a helpful time-saver during the busy holiday season.
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Smoked Salmon Bites with Shallot Sauce
These elegant bite-size pastry puffs are a delightful way to welcome guests during the holidays. The tangy Dijon sauce adds just enough zip, while the peppery bite of fresh arugula pairs perfectly with thinly sliced smoked salmon and nutty Asiago cheese.
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Gentleman’s Whiskey Bacon Jam
Bacon makes everything better, especially when it’s mixed with brown sugar and spices. This jam can be served on its own with crackers, but it’s truly a Christmas cheese board’s best friend. Freeze the bacon first for easy prep.
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Brie with Almonds
Talk about an effortless Christmas appetizer. This nut-topped baked cheese is perfectly elegant and comes together in a snap. Prepare it in a cast-iron skillet or pretty baking dish, and it can go directly from the oven to the table.
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Crisp Caraway Twists
These flaky cheese-filled twists made with frozen puff pastry bake to a crispy golden brown. Double up on batches for big family get-togethers because they’ll disappear before you know it.
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Christmas Party Pinwheels
‘Tis the season for easy make-ahead appetizers. Studded with pimentos, celery and onions, the pinwheels taste delicious, look festive and easily feed a crowd. And with such a simple recipe, you’ll have more time to focus on the Christmas punch, a must for any holiday party.
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Salmon Dip with Cream Cheese
A touch of curry gives this creamy salmon dip terrific flavor. Serve with lots of crackers, bread slices and vegetables for dipping.
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Mini Cheese Balls
When you’re looking for the ultimate Christmas finger foods, these super quick mini cheese balls should top the list. Simply roll the cheese balls in your favorite topping, like fresh rosemary, sesame seeds or paprika, and serve topped with a halved rye crisp, pretzel or cracker for easy one-bite servings.
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Favorite Marinated Mushrooms
Serve these tangy marinated mushrooms as an appetizer, or even as a side dish for any type of meat. If you have some left over from the holiday festivities, add the mushrooms to a salad for added flavor.
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Crudite Dip
This creamy herb-filled dip is simple to make and a delicious fresh bite alongside some of the more decadent Christmas appetizers. To bring out the tangy flavor, chill the dip before serving to allow the flavors time to blend.
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Antipasto Skewers
Anything on a toothpick is perfect for a holiday cocktail party. Skewers of thinly sliced salami, mini mozzarella balls, olives and tomatoes create an elegant-looking appetizer that’s a cinch to make.
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Shrimp Salad Appetizers
Endive leaves make fancy-looking handheld edible cups for this refreshing shrimp and crab salad. Make the salad hours before the party starts and scoop out right before serving to ensure the apps stay crisp and cool.
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Cranberry Cream Cheese Spread
Taking only 10 minutes to make from start to finish, this super-easy cheese spread is merry and bright. Thanks to a hint of sweetness, adults and kids alike love it. Serve it with rice crackers, crostini or sliced French bread.
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Ham & Brie Pastries
Stuff frozen puff pastry with ham and brie and you have an easy and elegant Christmas appetizer. A swipe of apricot preserves inside adds a lovely sweet contrast to the rich and buttery filling.
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Vegetarian Stuffed Mushrooms
For a vegetarian option, mix soy crumbles with herbs and bread crumbs for a quick and savory mushroom filling. Every holiday party could use a few more plant-based appetizer options, and these are so good, even meat-eaters will love them.
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Chipped Beef Cheese Ball
For this savory Christmas appetizer, thin dried beef is pulsed into a coarse crumb and added to cream cheese with Worcestershire sauce to create a delicious cheese ball. Save extra chipped beef for the outside coating, and serve the chilled ball with plenty of crackers.
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Apricot Kielbasa Slices
Apricot preserves and a hint of ginger create a sweet glaze for smoky kielbasa sausage slices. You can make this recipe a few hours before serving and keep it warm in a slow cooker on low heat.
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Garlic-Parmesan Cheese Ball
Walnuts add just enough crunch to this garlic and parmesan cheese ball. It pairs well with crackers, bread sticks and crisp vegetables.
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Roasted Beetroot and Garlic Hummus
Roasted beets add wonderful color to traditional hummus. Served with fresh veggies and crisp crackers, it adds festive flair to any holiday table.
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Spicy Crab Salad Tapas
These delicious morsels have a crispy, flaky outside. The filling is creamy sweet crab with a little kick. Use scalloped-edge cookie cutters to cut the pastry for a decorative affect.
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Cranberry and Bacon Swiss Cheese Dip
Savory and rich, this make-ahead dip can go directly from the oven to the table in about 30 minutes. The dried cranberries are like little jewels hidden in a delicious cheesy, bacon-y landscape. Serve thin, crunchy slices of toasted bread alongside it for an indulgent appetizer.
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Florentine Almond Artichoke Mounds
These little morsels taste like warm spinach-artichoke dip in one bite. Stuff a creamy spinach mixture inside artichoke hearts, top with crushed almonds, bake and serve. They’re the perfect canape for cocktail parties.
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Calamari Salad
Whether you celebrate an Italian Feast of the Seven Fishes menu at Christmastime or not, this delicious seafood salad is a winner for the holiday table. It can be served warm or, after refrigeration, cold.
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Cranberry Brie Pecan Pinwheels
If you want the entire house to smell amazing, this twist on baked brie combines all the best elements of the classic appetizer: warm gooey cheese, sweet fruit and toasted nuts wrapped in a buttery puff pastry. Bake them to a golden brown.
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Fruit Compote with Brie
Whip up this easy fruit compote with raisins and cherry preserves and serve over baked brie with crackers. If you have any left, use it to top cheesecake or blintzes, or stir it into ice cream.
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Dill Pickle Dip
Your guests will go wild for this creamy dill pickle dip. It’s easy to whip up: Just add dill pickle juice and chopped pickles to cream cheese and sour cream. We love it with ridged potato chips, but anything crunchy for dipping will do.
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Pomegranate Guacamole with Feta Cheese
Add some festive flair to your dip with bright pomegranate seeds and feta. Since the cheese is briny, cut back on salt in the guacamole or opt for reduced-sodium chips for scooping.
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Santa Deviled Eggs
A clever Christmas appetizer, these cute deviled eggs will bring a smile to everyone’s face at your holiday gathering. With capers for eyes and cubes of ham for a pink nose, the little Santas are easier to make than they look, and they’re perfect for a festive Christmas Eve snack.
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Hot Spinach Spread with Pita Chips
Warm and cheesy, this spread is absolutely scrumptious served on toasted pita wedges. Its colorful appearance makes an eye-catching addition to any buffet.
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Snow Pea Holiday Wreath
This pretty-as-a-picture finger food would stop even Santa in his tracks. Crunchy green pea pods and juicy red tomatoes add a natural, fresh and festive holiday note to any party table.
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Lemon-Garlic Hummus
Lemon adds a lovely citrusy layer to traditional hummus. You’ll need just five ingredients and less than 15 minutes to make this smooth and creamy dip. Serve with sliced radishes, carrots, celery, jicama and cucumbers and a basket of fresh pita.
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Pomegranate Pistachio Crostini
Spread a sweet combo of cream cheese, honey and orange juice on top of toasty baguette slices and top with pomegranate seeds, pistachio and shavings of dark chocolate for this decadent crostini recipe. It’s not quite dessert, not quite savory, and an all-around great party bite.
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Chicken Crescent Wreath
This edible holiday wreath looks impressive and is a snap to prepare. Spread a savory chicken and vegetable filling on top of refrigerated crescent dough, strategically tuck in the points, and bake. With broccoli and red peppers peeking out, it’s a colorful addition to the buffet table.
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Ham ‘n’ Cheese Biscuit Stacks
These finger sandwiches are filling, pretty and perfect for any holiday gathering. Fresh-baked mini biscuits stuffed with ham, cheese and honey mustard look jolly with decorative olive-spiked toothpicks on top.
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Baked Crab Dip
Make this creamy, decadent crab dip ahead of time by filling a bread bowl early in the day and chilling it until serving. Remember to remove the bowl from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking, and serve hot just as your guests arrive.
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Savory Party Bread
It’s like a blooming onion, but with bread! All you need is a round loaf of sourdough bread, butter, Monterey Jack cheese and green onion. Baked together, this tear-and-share becomes a delicious Christmas appetizer.
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Pomegranate Pistachio Crostini
These crostini have a bit of Mediterranean flair thanks to pomegranate arils and pistachios. That ingredient combo also provides wonderful color to your app spread.
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Festive Holiday Sliders
These turkey sliders get a boost of flavor from ginger, horseradish and cranberry sauce. Because they refrigerate well, make a batch to keep around for snacking when friends and family drop by for baking parties and gift-wrapping sessions.
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Holiday Salsa
A sweet and spicy cranberry salsa turns an ordinary brick of cream cheese into a holiday appetizer that explodes with flavor. Serve it with tortilla chips or toasted flatbreads.
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Bacon-Wrapped Apricot Bites
Wrapping bacon around dried fruit is one of the easiest snacks ever. This recipe calls for maple bacon but regular bacon will do. Don’t forget the sweet barbecue dipping sauce.
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Almond-Bacon Cheese Crostini
Get these cheesy bacon crostini ready a few hours before your guests arrive and put in the oven just as everyone settles in for the festivities. Serve warm and crunchy straight from the oven.
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Smoked Salmon Bites
Use crisp radish slices instead of crackers, or make a batch with half of each, for these one-bite appetizers. Simply top with creamy yogurt, thin slices of smoked salmon, and a sprinkle of capers and onion.
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Cucumber-Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes
Bright red cherry tomatoes stuffed with a creamy cucumber mixture is a nice light alternative to richer holiday appetizers. Serve with cocktails or at the beginning of the meal—and make extra because they disappear fast.
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Sweet & Savory Pineapple Cheese Ball
Filled with pineapple, green onion and green pepper and rolled in chopped pecans, this cheese ball hits every flavor note and texture. It’s an easy make-ahead Christmas appetizer everyone will ask for year after year.
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Brie Cherry Pastry Cups
Golden brown and flaky, these bite-sized puff pastries with creamy Brie and sweet cherry preserves could easily double as a scrumptious Christmas dessert.
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Marinated Mozzarella
You can throw this crowd-favorite appetizer together in minutes, leaving more time for the main meal. A quick marinade turns mozzarella into a festive holiday party treat.
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Tuscan Sausage & Bean Dip
This fun Italian take on the classic bean dip will be a hit at any party. Filled with Italian sausage (mild or hot), white beans, spinach and lots of cheese, it’s a perfect match for crackers and toasted bread.
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Best Ever Stuffed Mushrooms
A combination of sausage, herbs and cheese fill white button mushrooms in this easy appetizer. Bake them to a golden brown for simple, but delicious, party bites.
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Italian Marinated Olives
Sometimes you need a small bite to fill out your appetizer tray. These olives are simple to make and are the perfect one-bite salty snack.
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Cranberry Jalapeno Cheese Spread
A hint of five spice and jalapeno pepper adds some real pizzazz to this creamy holiday cheese spread. Pair it with hearty seeded crackers for more layered flavors.
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Sesame Chicken Bites
Sesame seeds give these little baked chicken bites some added crunch, while the honey mustard dipping sauce adds a spicy-sweet punch. You can’t go wrong with these for any holiday gathering.
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Crab Cake Stuffed Mushrooms
Get a jump on appetizer prep by stuffing the mushrooms ahead of time and then baking right before guests arrive. The crab filling with toasted bread crumbs turns a delicious golden brown; they’re impossible to resist.
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Caprese Salad Kabobs
Get the kids to help skewer cherry tomatoes, baby mozzarella balls and fresh basil. Even drizzled with a bit of balsamic vinegar, the red, white and green palette looks perfectly Christmas-y.
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Bacon-Wrapped Water Chestnuts
You can pretty much put bacon around anything and it will be delicious. Here, strips of bacon (regular, maple or peppered all work well) are wrapped around water chestnuts and baked, then dipped in a sweet glaze before serving.
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Appetizer Wreath
Turn crescent roll dough into a tear-and-share wreath, each piece topped with a creamy herbed mixture plus vegetables like broccoli and red pepper. Place a bowl of stuffed olives in the center for even more seasonal color (and snacking).
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Caliente Christmas Cheese Crisps
Pack these crisp and savory homemade crackers with bacon, pumpkin seeds and french-fried onion rings. To keep it seasonal, serve both green and red salsa for dunking.
Originally Published: December 23, 2021
