47 Christmas Snacks to Keep You Feeling Merry

White Chocolate Party Mix

You won’t be able to stop eating this irresistible white chocolate party mix. The light, sweet coating is great over cereal, peanuts, pretzels and M&M’s. —Norene Wright, Manilla, Indiana

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Candy Snack Mix

Chock-full of raisins, peanuts and M& M’s, this crunchy salty-sweet mix stays fresh for weeks. I keep it on hand to serve as a Christmas snack to unexpected guests or to fill decorative containers to give as last-minute food gifts. —Mary Newsom, Grand Ridge, Florida

Snow Pea Holiday Wreath

Santa himself might stop to sample this pretty-as-a-picture Christmas finger food! Crunchy green pea pods and juicy red tomatoes add a naturally fresh, festive holiday note to my table. —Carol Schneck, Lodi, California

Warm Spiced Nuts

I like to set out bowls of spiced nuts during the holidays. Sometimes I stir in M&M’s to make it a sweet and salty Christmas snack. —Jill Matson, Zimmerman, Minnesota

Christmas Party Pinwheels

‘Tis the season for easy make-ahead Christmas snacks like these. They look so special and pretty that folks can’t resist them! The refreshing flavor of ranch dressing and crisp colorful vegetables makes these pinwheels a pleasure to serve. —Janis Plourde, Smooth Rock Falls, Ontario

Gingerbread Caramel Crunch

If you love gingerbread, you won’t be able to resist this crispy, crunchy popcorn. Munch it yourself or share it as a tasty gift! —Lynne Weigle-Snow, Alexandria, Virginia

Hot Spinach Spread with Pita Chips

Warm and cheesy, this spread is absolutely scrumptious served on toasted pita wedges. Its colorful appearance makes a stunning addition to any table. —Teresa Emanuel, Smithville, Missouri

Cranberry Sauce Meatballs

Cranberry sauce isn’t just for turkey anymore! Combined with a few other ingredients, this Christmas snack also makes a festive sandwich. —Tammy Neubauer, Ida Grove, Iowa

Mini Cheese Balls

These mini cheese balls are the perfect quick snack. Roll them in toasted sesame seeds, fresh rosemary and/or paprika to add even more flavor. —J. Spivey, Ennice, North Carolina

Caprese Salad Kabobs

Trade in the usual veggie platter for these fun kabobs. In addition to preparing these for get-togethers, I often make these as Christmas snacks for my family. And because assembly is so easy, the kids often ask to help. —Christine Mitchell, Glendora, California

Candied Walnuts

Turn ordinary walnuts into a taste sensation with this simple candied walnuts recipe that’s prepared on the stovetop. With plenty of brown sugar and a hint of pepper, the crunchy candied walnuts are a nice complement to a fruit and cheese tray. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Holiday Salsa

When we offer this cream-cheesy salsa of fresh cranberries, cilantro and a little jalapeno kick, everyone hovers around the serving dish until it’s scraped clean. —Shelly Pattison, Lubbock, Texas

Mini Sausage Quiches

These bite-sized quiches are loaded with sausage and cheese—and all nestled into easy crescent roll dough. —Jan Mead, Milford, Connecticut

Homemade Peanut Butter Cups

I like using pretty mini muffin liners and topping these homemade peanut butter cups with colored sprinkles to coordinate with the holiday we're celebrating. People can't believe how simple it is to make this irresistible candy with gooey peanut butter centers. This is how to make homemade peanut butter cups. —LaVonne Hegland, St. Michael, Minnesota

Tuscan Sausage & Bean Dip

This is a spinoff of a Mexican dip I had once. The original was wicked good, but I decided to switch it up. —Mandy Rivers, Lexington, South Carolina

Homemade Holiday Marshmallows

This recipe was my grandpa’s favorite. Every year, he would busy himself by making Christmas marshmallows for his family and friends. —Diana Byron, New London, Ohio

Gruyere and Crab Palmiers

I keep these little bursts of flavor in my freezer so they can be pulled out and popped into the oven whenever needed. Crab, pancetta and Gruyere make a sophisticated, elegant snack, and you can make your own variations on the filling. Try chicken and pesto, or a Mediterranean version with spinach and feta. —Grace Voltolina, Westport, Connecticut

Three-Chocolate Fudge

I make this fudge at Christmastime to give to friends and neighbors. That tradition started years ago when I made more candy than my husband, three sons and I could eat, so we shared it. It's a tasty tradition I'm glad to continue. —Betty Grantham, Hanceville, Alabama

Candied Pecans

I pack these easy candied pecans in jars tied with pretty ribbon for family and friends. My granddaughter gave some to a doctor at the hospital where she works, and he said they were too good to be true! —Opal Turner, Hughes Springs, Texas

Mini Mac & Cheese Bites

Young relatives were coming for a Christmas party, so I wanted something fun for them to eat. To my surprise, it was the adults who devoured these mini mac and cheese bites. —Kate Mainiero, Elizaville, New York

Cinnamon Candy Popcorn

This crisp bright-colored snack is more festive than traditional caramel corn. My family just loves it! Set out in pretty bowls, it makes a tasty table decoration. —Kaye Kemper, Windfall, Indiana

Caramel Chex Mix

This wonderfully crunchy snack is loaded with cereal, pretzels and nuts—and coated with a not-too-sweet brown sugar mixture. Package this up as gifts, or set out a bowl and watch it disappear by the handful. —Samantha Moyer, Oskaloosa, Iowa

Sausage Wonton Stars

The cute crunchy cups are stuffed with a cheesy pork sausage filling that kids of all ages enjoy. We keep a few in the freezer so we can easily reheat them for late-night snacking. —Mary Thomas, North Lewisburg, Ohio

Cranberry Biscotti

This cranberry biscotti is the perfect gift for the holidays. Pack it into a festive Christmas tin and top with a pretty bow. —Darlene King, Regina, Saskatchewan

Fiesta Pinwheels

Whenever I serve this make-ahead, easy pinwheel recipe, they disappear fast. When a friend at the office shared them with me, I knew in one bite I’d be taking her Mexican pinwheels home for the holidays. —Diane Martin, Brown Deer, Wisconsin

Spicy Almonds

We like to venture out into the mountain range that surrounds our family cabin. These nuts never taste better than when we enjoy them together at the peak of an amazing hike. Almonds are extremely nutritious, and when dressed up with a wonderful blend of spices, they go from ordinary to awesome! —Gina Myers, Spokane, Washington

Crab Crescent Triangles

When friends who love crab were planning a party, I created this recipe just for them. These comforting baked bundles wrap up a cheesy seafood filling in convenient crescent roll dough. —Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota

Thyme-Sea Salt Crackers

These homemade crackers are decidedly light and crispy. An addictive snack on their own, they also pair well with a sharp white cheddar. —Jessica Wirth, Charlotte, North Carolina

Bacon-Wrapped Sweet Potato Bites

After making little bacon-wrapped sausages for years, I needed a change! I had an extra sweet potato and half a package of bacon on hand, so I put on my thinking cap and came up with this treat. —Kelly Williams, Forked River, New Jersey

Cheddar-Pecan Crisps

Lots of holiday treats are sweet. For a change of pace, I fill goodie bags with my cheese crackers. The recipe has a large yield, but you can freeze the dough logs to bake later. —Heather Necessary, Shamokin Dan, Pennsylvania

Holiday Meatballs

These beefy meatballs are a perennial favorite at our holiday parties. You won’t believe how easy these holiday appetizers are to make. —Pat Waymire, Yellow Springs, Ohio

Snack Wreath

I have lots of fun with this festive snack wreath. I often place a bowl of stuffed olives in the center. —Shirley Privratsky, Dickinson, North Dakota

Slow-Cooker Spiced Mixed Nuts

What slow cookers do for soups and stews, they’ll do for mixed nuts, too. The scent of spices is delightful, and the nuts are delicious. —Stephanie Loaiza, Layton, Utah

3-in-1 Cheese Ball

Three incredible cheese balls with the flavors of pesto, horseradish-bacon and Gorgonzola make a dazzling display at any get-together. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Cream Cheese-Stuffed Mushrooms

You’ll love the freshness from the parsley and thyme in these little cream cheese-stuffed mushrooms. Our family loves them! —Rachel Reed, Gainesville, Georgia

Sausage Wonton Cups

Here’s a tasty, warm snack for you. I’ve made this recipe several times, and these bites always disappear so fast. It’s really easy. —Shirley Van Allen, High Point, North Carolina

Cinnamon Toasted Almonds

Crunchy, cinnamon almonds are a spectacular snack. They taste just like the cinnamon roasted almonds you get at the fair. —Janice Thompson from Stacy, Minnesota.

Butternut-Gouda Pot Stickers

My family can’t get enough butternut squash. I had some left over, so I used pot sticker wraps and veggies to create these fun little snacks. —Carla Mendres, Winnipeg, Manitoba

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 dessert. —Marilyn McSween, Mentor, Ohio

Benedictine Dip

Benedictine is a creamy spread studded with chopped cucumbers. It was named in honor of Jennie Carter Benedict, a chef and restaurateur from Louisville, Kentucky, who created the condiment at the turn of the 20th century. Originally used for cucumber sandwiches, Benedictine is now commonly enjoyed as a cold dip for chips or spread on crackers. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Polenta Mushroom Snacks

Simple ingredients—in fact you probably have most if not all in your kitchen— are used to create a fantastic, but different snack. —Meta West, Abilene, Kansas

Mushroom Palmiers

I found this recipe while working at a small-town museum in West Texas. It was the appetizer for a fundraiser a long, long time ago, and it’s still a huge hit. Frozen puff pastry helps make it easy and impressive. The palmiers also freeze well. —Judy Lock, Panhandle, Texas

Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp

I tweaked this bacon-wrapped shrimp recipe to please my family, and boy were they glad! For less heat, skip the jalapenos. —Debbie Cheek, State Road, North Carolina

Mini Muffuletta

People love these hearty little sandwich wedges. The recipe can be made the day before. —Gareth Craner, Minden, Nevada

Apricot-Glazed Bacon Spirals

A whole piece of crispy bacon is rolled into each spiral. It’s so good with the apricot preserves, which make it a sweet-and-salty treat. —Kellie Mulleavy, Lambertville, Michigan

Five-Spice Pecans

Talk about a sugar-and-spice treat! Just try to stop eating these toasty, roasty snack nuts. They’re also great sprinkled on all kinds of salads. —Anne Leslie, Chandler, Indiana

Sesame Chicken Bites

These bites have been a favorite at our house for many years. You can make the sauce the night before to make day-of prep even easier. —Kathy Green, Layton, New Jersey

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