Elevate your Christmas feast with our easy and delicious appetizers recipes. Perfect for joyful celebrations, these starters will impress your guests and become your new festive tradition.
Best Christmas Appetizers Recipes
Are you excited for Christmas? We have a special list of the best Christmas appetizer recipes that are not only easy to make but also incredibly delicious! These recipes are perfect for making your holiday table even more festive. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you'll be able to impress your family and friends with these tasty starters.
You can explore the joy and fun of creating these appetizers together, making your Christmas celebration even more special. We promise, once you try making these recipes from our list, you'll want to make them part of your holiday tradition every year. So, let's get cooking and make this Christmas one to remember by adding these extra special appetizers to your feast!
Christmas Charcuterie Board
This Christmas Charcuterie Board recipe captivates with its simplicity and elegance, making it an absolute showstopper for holiday gatherings. Its customizable nature ensures it's a hit with every guest, while the quick and easy preparation makes it a joy for hosts.
Ingredients
- 3 cups your favorite crackers, on a plate to the side
- 1 cup olives, in a bowl to the side
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, on the side
- 1 cup dip (we use jalapeno artichoke dip)
- 1 cup fuzzy kiwi, sliced thin
- 1 cup Colby Jack cheese cubes
- 1 cup pepperoni slices
- 1 cup green grapes
- 1 cup raspberries
- 1 cup cheddar cheese cubes
- 1 cup Spec Italiano ham, rolled (or your favorite deli meat)
- 1 cup mozzarella balls, removed from the container of water and dried lightly with a paper towel
- 1 cup golden kiwi, sliced
- 1 cup strawberries, sliced
- sage leaves, rosemary, and thyme for garnishing
Spicy Cranberry Meatballs
These Spicy Cranberry Meatballs are a tantalizing blend of sweet and heat, offering a perfect harmony of flavors that are sure to be a crowd-pleaser. With its minimal ingredients and effortless preparation, this dish is a quick, delectable solution to holiday appetizers or a cozy weeknight meal.
Ingredients
- 28 ounces frozen meatballs (if using homemade, about 50 small or 30 medium size)
- 14 ounces whole cranberry sauce
- 18 ounces spicy barbecue sauce (18-20 ounce bottle, about 2 - 3 cups)
The Classiest Cheese Balls In The Universe
Enjoy the epitome of sophistication with these divine Cheese Balls, which elegantly transform a classic party starter into a chic culinary masterpiece. Each bite boasts a harmonious blend of creamy cheese and vibrant, modern toppings, ensuring your taste buds are treated to an extraordinary explosion of flavors.
Ingredients
Everything Bagel Goat Cheese Ball
- 8 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup everything bagel spice
Lemon-Dill Cheddar Cheese Ball
- 6 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- 4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ¼ cup chopped fresh dill
- Zest of 1 lemon
Pomegranate Blue Cheese Ball
- 6 ounces blue cheese, crumbled
- 4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 2 tablespoons honey
- ⅓ cup pomegranate seeds
Acorn Squash & Caramelized Onion Dip
This Acorn Squash & Caramelized Onion Dip is really yummy and easy to make. It mixes sweet squash with tasty caramelized onions to make a super good dip. Perfect for any snack time, it's healthy and everyone will love it!
Ingredients
- 2 large acorn squash, halved and seeded
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium sweet onion, diced
- ¼ cup vegetable stock, white wine, or water (for deglazing)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup (plus more to taste)
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar (plus more to taste)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon papaya
- Hot sauce (optional)
- Plain Greek yogurt (optional)
- Cilantro leaves or thyme for garnish (optional)
- Additional cumin and paprika for garnish (optional)
Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board
The Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board is a delightfully festive and ingenious take on holiday entertaining, sure to impress at any gathering. Its easy and fun assembly makes it a perfect choice for adding a touch of joy and creativity to your festive celebrations.
Ingredients
- 1 cup pesto, representing “presents” placed at the bottom
- 1 cup hard breadsticks, to be the trunk of the tree
- ½ cup cheddar cheese cubes
- ½ cup cucumber slices
- ½ cup crackers
- ½ cup pepperoni slices
- ½ cup white cheddar cubes
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes
- ½ cup grapes, your favorite color
- ½ cup blueberries
- ¼ cup almonds, your favorite flavor
Garnishes
- Orange slice cut into the shape of a star for the tree topper
- Peel a lemon and using a small cookie cutter, cut star shapes for decor
- Rosemary twigs to garnish between layers of the tree
- Pomegranate arils can be scattered around for decor
Deviled Eggs
These Deviled Eggs are a delightful twist on a classic favorite, enhanced with the unexpected zing of pickle brine that brings an excellent balance of acidity and flavor to the creamy filling. The simple yet perfect combination of Dijon mustard and mayonnaise makes this Deviled Eggs recipe a must-try for anyone looking for a creamy, tangy treat.
Ingredients
- 6 Hard-Boiled Eggs, cooled
- 4 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon pickle brine (or apple cider vinegar)
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
Jalapeño Poppers
These Jalapeño Poppers are truly a crowd-pleaser, combining the perfect balance of spicy jalapeño, creamy cheese, and crispy bacon. The crunch of the panko topping adds a delightful texture that makes this dish irresistible. Undoubtedly a must-try recipe for any gathering, they vanish quickly so cooking a double batch is highly recommended!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or baking spray
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 4 pieces cooked thick-cut bacon, crumbled
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 10 jalapeños, halved and seeded
- 2 tablespoons salted butter, melted
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
Cranberry Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts
The Cranberry Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts recipe offers a delightful mix of textures and flavors, combining the savory zest of bacon with the tangy burst of cranberries - a true taste sensation in every bite. These bite-sized appetizers are sure to dazzle your guests with their perfect blend of sweet and salty goodness, making them a must-have for any gathering, no matter the season.
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds thick-cut bacon slices, cut in half
- 2 cans (8 ounces each) whole water chestnuts
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- ½ cup chili sauce
- 1 cup fresh cranberries, whole and halved
- Toothpicks
Cranberry Baked Brie
The Cranberry Baked Brie recipe is a harmonious fusion of creamy cheese and zesty cranberry honey, oozing with flavor in every spoonful. Infused with the fragrant essence of orange peel and thyme, and finished with a crunchy sprinkle of roasted almonds, this dish is not only a feast for the palate but also a feast for the eyes, promising to be the centerpiece of any culinary occasion.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- ¼ teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 2 pieces of 2-inch strips orange peel, plus orange zest for serving
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme, plus more for serving
- 1 8-ounce wheel of Brie or Camembert
- 2 to 3 tablespoons deeply roasted almonds, roughly chopped
- Crackers and sliced baguette for serving
Gluten-free Chip And Guacamole Bites
The Gluten-free Chip and Guacamole Bites recipe is an ingenious twist on a classic favorite, perfectly combining the crunchiness of the chips with the richness of the homemade guacamole - a sure hit for any gathering. Not only do they offer a burst of flavor, but the visually appealing combination of red tomatoes and vibrant green cilantro make for a delightfully festive appetizer that’s suitable for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 1 bag Tostitos Scoops chips
- 1 batch guacamole
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes, sliced
- 1 bunch fresh cilantro
- Optional: shredded cheese
