75 Best Christmas Appetizers to Kick off Your Holiday Celebration
The best appetizer recipes for Christmas! These festive holiday appetizers are perfect for Christmas parties, holiday potlucks, and celebrations big and small.
Let’s face it, appetizers are some of the most crowd-pleasing foods on the planet.
There’s just something about dips, bite-size finger foods, and charcuterie that makes people feel festive!
That’s why it’s important (and fun) to have some delicious holiday appetizers in your arsenal.
Whether you’re hosting or attending a Christmas gathering, you can whip up one or two festive appetizers, and the guests will devour them.
I put together a list of the best Christmas party appetizers, so you have tons of fun recipes to choose from!
This list of holiday appetizers includes:
- Fancy-looking-but-secretly-easy baked bries
- Holiday shaped snacks
- Easy party dips
- Mouthwatering cheese balls
- Festive finger foods
There’s truly something for every type of gathering, and every cooking ‘skill level.’
Okay, let’s check ‘em out, and let the merry mingling begin!
(🎄 Need more delicious holiday food ideas? You’ll love these festive Christmas breakfast casseroles, unique holiday dinner ideas, quick and easy Christmas treats, and irresistible holiday cheesecakes!)
Wow your guests this holiday season by serving Christmas guacamole in the shape of a wreath. Guacamole is always a party-favorite, and you can whip up this easy appetizer in about 15 minutes. Baked Brie with Fig Jam, Rosemary, and Pecans is a total holiday crowd-pleaser! Brie is wrapped in puff pastry and baked until the crust is golden-brown and the cheese is ooey-gooey. Delight your guests with these adorable bite-size reindeer cheese ball appetizers. Paired with some crackers or crostini, this recipe will add a festive and fun touch to your Christmas menu. Creamy White Bean Hummus is packed with festive holiday flavors! This dip is loaded with dried cranberries, infused with garlic and rosemary olive oil, and topped with crunchy chopped pecans. A Christmas Tree Cheese Ball will be a gorgeous addition to your holiday appetizer table this year. Shaped into a cone and decorated with fresh herbs and pine nuts, this flavorful appetizer is festive and tasty. Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese look and taste like an upscale appetizer, but they’re super easy to make - just 3 ingredients! The sweet and salty flavor combo is *chef’s kiss.* It’s always great to have something easy to nibble on when you’re mingling with friends and family, and this Christmas Charcuterie Board is festive and very inviting. Featuring brie with a Christmas tree cut out, cheese stars, and plenty of sweet and savory options. Cheese balls are always popular around the holidays, and this adorable Hedgehog Cheeseball will be the hit of the party. Quick and easy to make, it’s also naturally gluten free making it perfect for a crowd. Everything from the Christmas colors to the fresh herbs, lemon and garlic in the filling makes these Christmas Deviled Eggs truly special. They are sure to disappear fast, so make extra! With all the tasty flavors of pizza, Pepperoni Twirls are adorable pinwheels that everyone will love to munch on. With just a few basic ingredients, they’re easy to make and fun to serve. Baked Ricotta Dip is warm and hearty, and always a huge hit. It’s rich and savory, and can serve as an appetizer for any type of gathering. This Holiday Wreath Charcuterie Board will be the showstopper of your holiday parties! It’s an easy appetizer for the Christmas season with simple ingredients that you can customize to your favorite flavors. Festive and fun Christmas Pinwheels use a mix of white beans and feta cheese, instead of cream cheese, for a lower fat, but still deliciously creamy version of a classic. You’ll love the balance of sweet and tart cranberries with sharp and flavorful brie in these handheld bite-size Cranberry Brie Bites. Tortellini Caprese Skewers with Balsamic Glaze are a fun spin on the classic caprese salad. They're an easy no-bake appetizer that’s ready in about 25 minutes, bursting with fresh flavors, and look festive when arranged like a wreath. Hot Spinach Dip is a blend of cooked spinach, three types of cheese and seasonings, all baked together to melted cheesy perfection. It’s an easy make-ahead party snack that's sure to be a crowd pleaser. Pesto Puff Pastry Christmas Trees make a pretty centerpiece for the holiday table and they’re delicious too! Puff pastry sheets combine with red and green pesto to make the trees which are wonderful served warm from the oven. Traditional charcuterie gets a fun twist with these Charcuterie Skewers. They have all your favorite charcuterie elements, but can be easily eaten while guests mingle. Spinach Artichoke Puff Pastry Pinwheels have all the delicious flavors of spinach artichoke dip in a fun bite-sized finger food. You can even make them ahead of time and freeze them to make life easier. This Antipasto Platter is a combination of Italian meats, cheeses, vegetables and breads, all arranged to create a fabulous appetizer display. The perfect showpiece for any gathering, and it takes just minutes to put together! Making pull-apart bread in a Christmas tree shape adds that extra special touch around the holiday season. Cheesey, garlicky, and dotted with cherry tomatoes, this fun recipe is made easy with a few supermarket shortcuts. Turn the flavors of jalapeno poppers into Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball! They’re mini cheese ball bites with bacon that taste delicious on top of crackers or baguette slices. An adorable Snowman Charcuterie Brie Board would make a mouthwatering centerpiece on your holiday table. With a delightful combination of savory meats, creamy brie cheese, and an assortment of delectable accompaniments, this show-stopping edible work of art is sure to impress all your guests. Brie and Cranberry Tartlets are perfect for easy holiday entertaining. They take 20 minutes to make, and have only four ingredients. Plus, you can make the tart shells ahead of time! This gorgeous Christmas sausage roll wreath is such a show-stopping appetizer for the holiday season. It’s easy, takes only 10 minutes to prep and is stuffed with festive cranberries and pecans. Is it really a party without Buffalo Chicken Dip? Juicy shredded chicken, creamy ranch dressing, cream cheese, hot sauce, and loads of cheese gets baked until golden, bubbly, and perfect for dipping. It’s everyone’s favorite for a reason! An Antipasto Wreath bursting with Christmas cheer is here! Salty Italian meats, soft cheeses, juicy veggies, and fresh herbs are arranged and displayed in the most colorful, festive way! Serve up a very merry appetizer this holiday season with this cute Santa Charcuterie Board. It’s both easy to make and very kid-friendly! Bacon Wrapped Pickles with Cream Cheese are a wildly addicting, irresistible appetizer that will be sure to wow any crowd. Not only are these bite-sized treats incredibly flavorful, but they’re also incredibly easy to make! A festive Charcuterie Tree is fun to build and makes a gorgeous centerpiece on your holiday table. Get into the spirit of the season with savory bites of Italian charcuterie, creatively arranged in a spiral around the tree cone. Scallops are delicious on their own, but when you cover them in bacon you end up with decadent little bites that are special enough for the holidays. Crockpot Cranberry BBQ Meatballs are the easiest holiday appetizer you will ever make! Simply dump everything into the crock pot and peace out while it cooks, then watch your guests gobble them up. This super fun and festive Grinch-themed charcuterie board looks impressive but is actually easier to make than you’d think. Both kids and adults will appreciate this whimsical board, and of course they’ll love munching on the tasty snacks included. This gorgeous Twisted Pesto Pull-APart Star is not only full of Mediterranean flavors, but such a fun, festive, and interactive way for party guests to eat. Baked Cranberry Brie is an easy but impressive 15-minute appetizer for the holidays. With a few simple ingredients and minutes of prep time, you have one of the best-tasting Christmas recipes at your gathering! Classic appetizers and snacks can be elevated to more grown-up versions with a few elegant flavor combinations. The addition of dijon mustard and sharp cheddar cheese to miniature smoked sausages and flaky crescent style rolls gives you Fancy Pigs in a Blanket! Marinated Mozzarella Balls are the perfect make-ahead holiday appetizer or party snack! They are full of flavor from fresh garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and herbs. Serve them with crackers, crostini, or on their own with toothpicks. Bacon Wrapped Chorizo Stuffed Dates can be made with either cream cheese or goat cheese, and both ways are insanely delicious! These easy to make appetizers simply fly off the baking sheet faster than you can make them. Creamy, spicy and loaded with crab meat, this Hot Cajun Crab Dip is highly versatile. You can use it as a spread for crackers or sliced baguette or use it to dip in crunchy celery or carrots. These little party toasts make for the easiest and prettiest appetizer! Whipped ricotta with lemon is spread over crunchy crostini and finished with a dusting of toasted walnuts, a drizzle of honey and a sprinkle of flaky salt. Simply divine! These flaky two-bite pies have a buttery crust and a savory mushroom filling that’s totally irresistible. Homemade Pimento Cheese, or “Southern pâté,” is a creamy and delicious cheese dip made with a flavorful combination of cream cheese, mayonnaise, pimentos, and shredded cheddar cheese. If you enjoy cheese spreads, you’ve GOT to try this! You simply can’t go wrong serving Bruschetta with Mozzarella! It’s a classic combination of vibrant tomatoes, fresh basil & garlic, and creamy mozzarella cheese served over perfectly toasted baguette slices. It’s a fast and easy appetizer that’s done in 15 minutes and gets rave reviews every time! All the flavors of an Italian Sub, all rolled into a delicious bite-size pinwheel. Serve them with toothpicks and a bowl of Italian dressing for drizzling. Smoked Salmon Bites with Dill Sour Cream are elegant and flavorful and look lovely on a platter. If you liked smoked salmon, this will be such a treat! It doesn’t get more festive than your favorite meats, cheese, fruit, vegetables and nuts displayed in a Christmas tree shape. Imagine a decadent block of feta cheese, creamy and soft bliss amidst a riot of colorful vegetables, all in a citrusy, herb-infused olive oil. It practically begs to be scooped onto a warm slice of bread or a crunchy pita chip the moment it comes out of the oven. Herb Cream Cheese Stuffed Mini Peppers are a fun appetizer or healthier snack for the holidays. So simple to make using mini sweet peppers, and so flavorful from the garlic and herbs, they are also vegetarian and gluten free. Brie and Fig Crostini is super simple and absolutely delish. Sweet, salty, and crispy, it’s the perfect party appetizer during the busy holiday season. Fun and festive Cranberry Jalapeño Dip is sweet, spicy and oh-so flavorful! It is also super easy to make and only takes 5 minutes from start to finish, and will look so pretty on your table. Bacon Stuffed Mushrooms elevate the classic appetizer to a whole new level. The blend of crispy bacon, salty parmesan cheese, buttery breadcrumbs and savory aromatics make these juicy baked mushrooms impossible to resist. Perfect for kids and adults alike, this easy Christmas Tree Fruit and Cheese Platter looks so festive! It’s a nice change from traditional charcuterie, and is perfect if there will be vegetarians at your gathering. Hot and melty Roast Beef, Cheddar, and Caramelized onion Hawaiian roll sliders are a hearty appetizer that can double as a meal. Tender deli beef, cheddar cheese slices, spicy condiments, & sweet cooked onions combine for an incredible hot sandwich. Cream cheese, cheddar, crispy bacon, and jalapenos make for the best easy baked Jalapeno Poppers. Best of all, they’re ready in 25 minutes with loads of flavor! Charcuterie Jars are adorable and festive, can be made ahead of time, are easy to clean up, and you won’t need a table filled with serving platters and serving bowls. Convenient store-bought yeast dinner rolls get a makeover with a creamy, tangy chicken filling and a pretzel-like exterior. The result is a delicious, handheld parcel of goodness that will go perfectly with your other favorite holiday appetizers. Four different holiday cheese balls in one convenient recipe. White Cheddar Rosemary Pomegranate, Pimento Cheese, Garlic Chive Goat-Cheese, and Cranberry Pecan are the amazing flavor profiles to choose from - or make them all! Level up your appetizer game with this homemade Whipped Feta Dip. With a thick and creamy texture, endless dipping possibilities, and only requiring 3 main ingredients, it's an easy snack your family and friends will love. These easy Crab Cakes are ready in half an hour! Served alongside a quick mustard aioli, these exquisite appetizers will make your guests feel like they’re eating at a restaurant. With just 10 minutes of effort, you can put together this Cranberry Pecan Baked Brie recipe. It’s ooey-gooey and chock full of festive flavors. Wow your crowd with an epic Christmas appetizer made with the most delicious party dip. Scallion Olive Party Dip recipe is quickly shaped into a Christmas cheese wreath for your most festive party presentation ever. Salty, sweet, creamy, and crunchy, this easy crostini recipe is addicting and perfect for any holiday celebration. It’s the perfect combination of flavors and textures. Get ready to take a trip down memory lane with this 1980s-inspired Pineapple Cheese Ball. Made with a blend of cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and spices, you can whip up this retro appetizer in no time. Chicken Sausage Rolls are flaky, flavorful, and super tasty. With simple ingredients- puff pastry, minced chicken, onion soup mix they are easy to make, and the perfect crowd-pleasing appetizer. Christmas Caprese Salad features juicy tomato slices, fresh mozzarella and basil leaves arranged in the shape of a candy cane. It’s a bright flavor profile to balance the heavier holiday foods. You’ll want to add these delicious and adorable French Onion Tartlets to your holiday menu, pronto. Creamy, caramelized onions inside crispy, mini phyllo cups - what’s not to love?! So quick to make, this Hummus Wreath is guaranteed to impress everyone at your holiday party! And it can be made completely ahead, which is a total bonus during the busy holiday season! Taco Cups are just what they sound like – cheesy, savory, bite-sized tacos! These miniature taco cups are a fun finger-food that’s perfect for a more casual holiday celebration. An amazingly flavorful cream cheese spread that will be the hit of any holiday party. All the ingredients from your favorite antipasto salad in a delicious, creamy dip! Savory sausage and creamy cheese baked in little party bites! Topped with a sweet and tangy cranberry mango compote and fresh thyme for a little hit of herb, these Mini Sausage Party Tarts are a savory tasty and beautifully elegant appetizer. Layered BLT Dip is a creamy dip made with BLT classics - shredded romaine lettuce, chopped tomatoes and crispy diced bacon. It’s perfect to serve with your favorite crackers or veggies. Little Smokies wrapped in crispy bacon and smothered in sticky brown sugar. It doesn’t get easier (or more delicious) than this 3 ingredient appetizer! Mini Christmas Tree Sandwiches are the perfect finger food for a Christmas party or family gathering. Quick prep, easy assembly, and totally customizable! Whole Wheat Pretzel Bites with Sweet Herb Mustard will go fast on your holiday table! Made with healthy organic whole wheat flour and pantry staple ingredients, everyone will crowd around this appetizer for another bite. Green olive fans, this one’s for you! A super creamy dip that highlights the briny, salty olive! This Easy Green Olive Dip uses cream cheese and olives to create an umami-forward dip that’s perfect paired with crackers, pita chips, and fresh veggies. Best Christmas Party Appetizers
Christmas Guacamole Wreath
Baked Brie with Fig Jam, Rosemary, and Pecans
Reindeer Mini Cheese Balls
White Bean Hummus with Cranberries
Christmas Tree Cheese Ball
Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese Recipe
Christmas Charcuterie Board
Hedgehog Cheeseball
Christmas Deviled Eggs
Pepperoni Twirls
Baked Ricotta Dip
Charcuterie Wreath
Christmas Tree Pinwheels
Cranberry Brie Bites
Tortellini Caprese Skewers
Hot Spinach Dip
Pesto Puff Pastry Christmas Trees
Charcuterie Skewers
Spinach Artichoke Pinwheels
Antipasto Platter
Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Bread
Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball Bites
Snowman Charcuterie Brie Board
Brie and Cranberry Tartlets
Christmas Sausage Roll Wreath with Cranberries
Baked Buffalo Chicken Dip
Antipasto Wreath
Santa Charcuterie Board
Bacon Wrapped Pickles with Cream Cheese
Charcuterie Tree
Bacon Wrapped Scallops
Slow Cooker Cranberry BBQ Meatballs
Grinch Christmas Snack Board
Twisted Pesto Pull-Apart Star
Baked Cranberry Brie
Fancy Pigs in a Blanket
Marinated Mozzarella Balls
Bacon Wrapped Chorizo Stuffed Dates
Hot Cajun Crab Dip
Whipped Ricotta Crostini with Walnuts & Salted Honey
Mini Mushroom Pies with Thyme
Pimento Cheese Spread
Easy Bruschetta with Mozzarella
Italian Sub Pinwheels
Smoked Salmon Bites
Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board
Baked Feta
Herb Cream Cheese Stuffed Mini Peppers
Brie and Fig Crostini
Cranberry Jalapeno Dip
Bacon Stuffed Mushrooms
Christmas Tree Fruit and Cheese Platter
Roast Beef, Cheddar, & Caramelized Onion Sliders
Jalapeno Poppers with Bacon
Charcuterie Jars
Buffalo Chicken Pretzel Bites
Christmas Cheese Balls
Whipped Feta Dip
Easy Homemade Crab Cakes
Cranberry Pecan Baked Brie
Scallion Olive Dip Christmas Wreath
Apple, Prosciutto, and Brie Crostini
Pineapple Cheese Ball
Chicken Sausage Rolls
Candy Cane Caprese Salad
French Onion Tartlets
Hummus Wreath
Taco Cups
Holiday Antipasto Spread
Mini Sausage Party Tarts with Cranberry Mango Compote
Layered BLT Dip
Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies
Christmas Tree Sandwiches
Whole Wheat Pretzel Bites Recipe with Sweet Herb Mustard
Easy Green Olive Dip
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