Every Christmas party needs an assortment of tasty appetizers. This round up includes all the best appetizers—ones that are easy to make ahead, healthy, made in the crock pot, and appetizers that are always crowd favorites!
MORE COLLECTIONS: Christmas Cookies, Christmas Desserts, Christmas Dinner, Christmas Side Dishes, Mexican Christmas Food, Italian Christmas Dinner
Best Christmas Party Appetizers
Appetizers that work on Super Bowl Sunday also work on Christmas Day. You can’t go wrong picking appetizers that your family loves. Try to offer a mix of warm and cold, heavy and light, proteins and produce. If you can, try to incorporate different colors and textures as well.
How many Appetizers to Plan For:
- When serving appetizers before Christmas Dinner you will only need to plan for about 3-5 pieces per person.
- When the appetizers are the main food at a Christmas Party you’ll need to plan to serve about 10-12 pieces per person for a two hour party. Add about 5 more pieces per person for every hour after.
- If you have fewer than 10 guests offer 2-3 different types of appetizers. If you are having more than 10 guests add another dish for every 5-8 more people.
Appetizer Tips:
- Choose appetizers that are easy to make as well as ones that can be made ahead of time. Practice new recipes beforehand so you can work out any kinks.
- If you’re serving appetizers before dinner don’t forget to include cooking and reheating time to your Cooking schedule.
- Don’t hesitate to ask guests to bring appetizers to help ease your to do list.
- Divide the appetizers on to several plates or tiers and have them placed in various areas around the room. Include plates, napkins and utensils at each station.
- If you’re having one central serving area be sure to place larger and taller items, such as crock pots and tiers in the back. Place smaller and shorter items, like cutting board displays, near the front of the table.
- Use holiday themed table decorations and serving dishes to dress up your table.
make ahead Christmas appetizers
I know holidays—and especially preparing for holiday gatherings—can be hectic and busy! Ease the stress by making some of your appetizers ahead of time. Any of these recipes are great options.
Appetizer
Bruschetta Recipe
This yummy appetizer is quick, simple and perfect for any party! This easy Homemade Bruschetta Recipe only requires 5 ingredients!! Everyone loves how easy it is!
Total Time: 5 minutes
Check out this recipe
Appetizer
Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball Recipe
This Bacon Ranch Cheese ball is the perfect partner for your veggie tray! With cheese, bacon, and ranch flavors, you can do no wrong!
Total Time: 15 minutes
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Side Dish
Homemade Hummus Recipe
If You Need A Quick Healthy Snack Or Party Appetizer, You Can Whip Up This Homemade Hummus In 5 Minutes Or Less!
Total Time: 5 minutes
Check out this recipe
Appetizer
Veggie Tortilla Roll Ups Recipe
These delicious Veggie Tortilla Roll Ups are made from a rolled tortilla filled with Ranch Veggie dip, and chopped veggies, making them the perfect bite-sized party appetizer!
Total Time: 2 hours 8 minutes
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Appetizer
Deviled Egg Recipe
Nothing better than a smooth deviled egg appetizer! You'll be surprised with how easy these are to make. Tons of flavor, super delicious and perfect for parties and holidays.
Total Time: 30 minutes
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Appetizer
7 Layer Bean Dip Recipe
7 Layer Bean Dip - our family's favorite recipe with loads of flavor and all your favorite dip ingredients including avocados, olives, tomatoes, cheese and more! It's a must-have appetizer at most family functions.
Total Time: 10 minutes
Check out this recipe
Healthy Christmas appetizers
Most of our favorite appetizers are extra cheesy, fried, and full of calories. But that doesn’t mean we don’t have some favorites that are on the healthy side! These few appetizers are lighter, full of veggies, and lower in calories like this festive Christmas Tree Veggie Platter.
Appetizer
Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe
Make these buffalo cauliflower bites for your next football party! No one will even notice they are healthier or even made with cauliflower. They're our new go-to appetizer!
Total Time: 55 minutes
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Appetizer
Veggie Cups Recipe
Quick and Easy Veggie Cup Appetizers - filled with dressing and veggies, this mess-free snack is great for so many occasions.
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Appetizer
Caprese Kabobs Recipe
Simple, quick and delicious Caprese Kabobs take minutes to throw together and are perfect for any party or get together.
Total Time: 10 minutes
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Appetizer
Baked Chicken Wings Recipe
Crispy baked chicken wings are the best appetizer or dinner idea! Grab your favorite dips and sauces and dig in!
Total Time: 30 minutes
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Side Dish
Zucchini Fries Recipe
These baked zucchini sticks are crusted and baked in panko, parmesan cheese, oregano, and basil. Zucchini fries are healthy AND delicious!
Total Time: 30 minutes
Check out this recipe
Appetizer
Best Charcuterie Board
We all love to graze during holidays and parties, and what better way to do it than with a Charcuterie board?! Customize with all your favorite meats, cheeses, crackers, veggies, fruits and dips!
Check out this recipe
easy christmas appetizers
Some of these recipes are traditionally made in the oven or on the stove top, but they can also be made in the crock pot. You might have to scroll through the individual post to find the instructions, but they’re there! Thank goodness for crock pots and not having to be entirely hands on with a recipe!
Appetizer
Crockpot Meatball Recipe
These crockpot meatballs are full of so much flavor, and perfect for parties. Best of all, they only require 5 minutes of prep work!
Total Time: 6 hours 5 minutes
Check out this recipe
Appetizer
Hamburger Queso Recipe
A cheesy, hearty, party dip made in the crockpot with only 4 ingredients! Served with tortilla chips, this hamburger queso dip is always a hit at parties.
Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
Check out this recipe
Appetizer
Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe
All the flavor of buffalo wings in a creamy, cheesy, simple dip! This super easy Buffalo Chicken Dip is filled with chicken, buffalo sauce, ranch, and three different types of cheese! It's perfect for parties and get togethers, served with chips or veggies.
Total Time: 25 minutes
Check out this recipe
Appetizer
Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies Recipe
Bacon wrapped little smokies sprinkled with brown sugar, and baked to perfection. These bacon wrapped weenies are the ultimate appetizer for any party, and always the first to disappear!
Total Time: 37 minutes
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Appetizer
Grape Jelly Meatball Recipe
Delicious 3-ingredient Grape Jelly Meatballs. They take just minutes to prep and are the perfect dinner or appetizer for any party or get together.
Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
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Appetizer
Spinach Artichoke Dip Recipe
This is the BEST Spinach Artichoke Dip recipe, and the ultimate dip for any get together! Filled with spinach, artichoke hearts, cheese, sour cream, cream cheese, and mayo - this easy spinach artichoke dip is sooo cheesy and flavorful, served perfectly with chips, bread pieces or veggies.
Total Time: 30 minutes
Check out this recipe
Appetizer, Side Dish
Asparagus Roll Ups
Asparagus wrapped in Puff Pastry, filled with cream cheese and topped with parmesan. So simple and delicious, it's the perfect side for any meal.
Total Time: 20 minutes
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Appetizer
Sausage Balls Recipe
Sausage balls are cheesy, savory, and delish. It only takes 5 ingredients to make this savory appetizer!
Total Time: 30 minutes
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Appetizer
Cheese Fondue Recipe
This cheese fondue is gooey perfection made in literally minutes. It's a showstopper dip to share, or not!
Total Time: 20 minutes
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Appetizer
Jalapeño Popper Dip Recipe
Jalapeño Popper Dip is packed with 4 kinds of cheese, just enough spicy Jalapeños to give it a kick, and a golden crispy topping. This dip is sure to be a hit at your next party!
Total Time: 25 minutes
Check out this recipe
Appetizer, Snack
Dill Vegetable Dip Recipe
The perfect go-to veggie dip for parties and snacking. Use it for vegetables, chips, or whatever you feel like! Even if you don't like dill pickles, you'll love this Dill Vegetable Dip.
Total Time: 7 minutes
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more Christmas appetizer ideas
These recipes are all appetizers that are long standing favorites. We’ve made them for all kinds of holidays, game days, parties, and get togethers, and every time they are winners. Rest assured, your guests will enjoy these appetizers at your Christmas party.
Appetizer
Bacon Cheddar Pinwheels Recipe
Bacon Cheddar Pinwheels - a simple, delicious and addicting appetizer or snack everyone will love!! Crescent dough rolled with cheddar cheese and bacon - so yummy!!
Total Time: 20 minutes
Appetizer, Main Course
Fried Mac and Cheese Recipe
This copycat version of Cheesecake Factory's Fried Mac and Cheese appetizer is to die for! It's made of creamy mac and cheese inside a delicious and crispy breading.
Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes
Check out this recipe
Appetizer
Spinach Puffs Recipe
These puff pastry appetizers are filled with all the good stuff, including spinach, bacon bits and feta.
Total Time: 30 minutes
Check out this recipe
Appetizer, Side Dish
Fried Zucchini Recipe
Whether you serve it as a side or an appetizer, this restaurant style Fried Zucchini is a family favorite. Fried to perfection, this dish is simply addicting, especially dipped in ranch and marinara!
Total Time: 10 minutes
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Appetizer, Side Dish
Bacon Wrapped Potatoes Recipe
Bacon Wrapped Potatoes - a delicious appetizer combing two favorite ingredients - bacon and potatoes perfect with ranch.
Total Time: 40 minutes
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Appetizer
Cranberry Brie Appetizer
With buttery crescent dough, melty brie, and sweet cranberry sauce all in one bite, these won't last long around hungry family and friends!
Total Time: 35 minutes
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Appetizer
Fried Pickles Recipe
Deep fried pickles are crunchy, flavorful, and SO tasty! These pickle slices are breaded and fried to perfection, making them a crowd-favorite party appetizer!
Total Time: 25 minutes
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Appetizer
Jalapeno Poppers Recipe
Spicy fried jalapeño poppers are a classic appetizer that everyone wants! Bite into these cheesy poppers for a flavor explosion!
Total Time: 15 minutes
Check out this recipe
MORE COLLECTIONS: Christmas Cookies, Christmas Desserts, Christmas Dinner, Christmas Side Dishes, Mexican Christmas Food, Italian Christmas Dinner
