Every Christmas party needs an assortment of tasty appetizers. This round up includes all the best Christmas Appetizers – ones that are easy to make ahead, healthy, made in the crock pot, and appetizers that are always crowd favorites!
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Best Christmas Party Appetizers
With so much entertaining that happens around the holidays, a list of go-to Christmas Appetizers is never a bad idea.
You can’t go wrong picking appetizer recipes that your family loves. Try to offer a mix of warm and cold, heavy and light, proteins and produce. Incorporate different colors, flavors, and textures.
If you can, try to incorporate appetizers made in different ways – oven, slow cooker, instant pot, stove – so that they’re easier to prepare at the same time. 😉
Christmas Produce
Utilizing the produce of the season can help you naturally incorporate different colors, flavors, and textures. Bonus – they’re usually easier on the pocketbook.
- Vegetables: Arugula, Onion, Broccoli, Beet, Brussels Sprouts, Red Cabbage, Cauliflower, Celery, Collard Greens, Green or Red Onion, Fennel, Garlic, Ginger, Kale, Leek, Mushroom, Parsnip, Potato, Swiss Chard, Turnip, Rutabaga, Radish
- Fruits: Orange, Grapefruit, Lemon, Lime, Pear, Pumpkin, Apple, Cranberry, Raisin, Pomegranate, Pineapple, Persimmon, Kiwi, Banana, Date
Planning Tips
When hosting a party, it’s nice to have a clear plan of how much you will need. I’ve included some helpful tips when planning appetizers for Christmas.
Preparation. If serving appetizers before dinner, don’t forget to include cooking and reheating time in your Cooking schedule.
Easy appetizers. 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.
Ask for help. Don’t hesitate to ask guests to bring appetizers to help ease your to-do list.
How many appetizers to make:
- For fewer than 10 guests – offer 2-3 different types of appetizers.
- For more than 10 guests – add another dish for every 5-8 more people.
How much of each appetizer to make:
- Christmas dinner appetizers – 3-5 pieces per person.
- Appetizers as the main dish – 10-12 pieces per person for a two-hour party. Add about 5 more pieces per person for every hour after.
Serving tips
Serving appetizers. These tips will help keep your guests fed, and your party running smoothly.
- 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.
The right temperature. Keep appetizers at the right temperature before and throughout the party.
- Utilize coolers, one for warm items and one for cold items.
- Use chafing dishes and crock pots to keep some dishes warm.
- Keep dishes cool by placing ice in a bowl or platter and then setting the cold dish right on top.
In either case, only set out enough of the appetizer that can be eaten within 30 minutes. Refill platters and bowls as needed.
Best Christmas Appetizers
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 Christmas appetizer ideas at your next party!
Spinach Puffs – Buttery spinach puffs are cheesy and savory with pops of bacon. As you can imagine, they are a hit at parties!
Fried Mac & Cheese – 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.
Brie Phyllo Tarts – Show-stopper Brie Phyllo Tarts are simply elegant and absolutely delicious. They are ready to enjoy in only 15 minutes!!
Parmesan Crusted Potato Skins – This easy potato skin appetizer is loaded with bacon & cheese and crusted with parmesan, making it the best potato skins ever!
Fried Zucchini – Restaurant style Fried Zucchini is a family favorite! It’s simply addicting, especially dipped in ranch or marinara.
Cranberry Brie Bites – With buttery crescent dough, melty brie, and sweet cranberry sauce all in one bite, these won’t last long around hungry family and friends!
Deep Fried Pickles – 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!
Jalapeño Poppers – Spicy fried jalapeño poppers are a classic appetizer that everyone wants! Bite into these cheesy poppers for a flavor explosion!
Mozzarella Bites – Fried mozzarella bites are delicious, easy and the perfect party appetizer when served with marinara. Everyone loves this bite-sized snack!
Baked Brie Puff Pastry – Buttery & Flaky Baked Brie Puff Pastry is cheesy with a pop of bright apricot jam. It is fancy and delicious!
French Onion Dip – French onion dip is tangy and savory. It requires only two ingredients and is made in under a minute!
Pizza Dip – Everyone’s favorite food in dip form! This pizza dip is simple, delicious, and can be customized based on your favorite pizza toppings – like pepperoni!
Bacon Wrapped Potatoes – Bacon Wrapped Potatoes are a delicious appetizer combing two favorite ingredients – bacon and potatoes. Just add your favorite dip!!
Loaded Pulled Pork Cups – Savory and delicious Loaded Pulled Pork Cups have all of the tasty flavors of a BBQ dinner in one convenient bite!
Artichoke Dip – Artichoke Dip is irresistibly creamy and every bite is loaded with artichokes. This hot, cheesy dip will be a hit!
Cranberry Salsa – Tangy Cranberry Salsa has just the right amount of zip. It’s a gorgeous snack or appetizer for any gathering, but especially for the holidays!
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.
Homemade Hummus – If You Need A Quick Healthy Snack Or Party Appetizer, You Can Whip Up This Homemade Hummus In 5 Minutes Or Less!
Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball – This Bacon Ranch Cheese ball is the perfect partner for your veggie tray! With cheese, bacon, and ranch flavors, you can do no wrong!
Deviled Eggs – 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.
Homemade Bruschetta – This yummy Homemade Bruschetta is simple and perfect for any party! It includes fresh ingredients and is the perfect Italian appetizer!
Veggie Tortilla Roll Ups – 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!
Caprese Kabobs – Simple, quick and delicious Caprese Kabobs take minutes to throw together and are perfect for any party or get together.
Ham Salad – Creamy ham salad with hints of dill and chunks of hard-boiled eggs is a tasty appetizer perfect for using up that leftover ham!!
Fiesta Pinwheels – Fiesta pinwheels are bite-size tortilla rolls filled with a spiced cream cheese mixture. They are a party in your mouth!
Chili’s Salsa – The restaurant salsa you know and love, made at home anytime you like! This Chili’s Salsa copycat recipe is literally made in minutes with the help of a blender.
7 Layer Bean Dip – This 7 Layer Bean Dip recipe is a must-have at every function! It has loads of flavor and all your favorite dip ingredients including avocados, olives, tomatoes, cheese, guacamole and more!
Dill Vegetable Dip – 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.
Cheese Ball Bites – Mini Cheese Ball Bites taste just like a loaded cheese ball, but mini! They are perfect grab and go appetizers.
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, but still taste delicious.
Veggie Cup Appetizers – Quick and Easy Veggie Cup Appetizers – filled with dressing and veggies, this mess-free snack is great for so many occasions.
Baked Chicken Wings – Deliciously crispy baked chicken wings have endless possibilities. Bake in the oven, and dip in your favorite sauces!
Christmas Tree Veggie Platter – Christmas Tree Veggie Platter is a simple, festive and fun dish to make for all your upcoming holiday parties and get togethers.
Buffalo Cauliflower Bites – Make these buffalo cauliflower bites for your next party! No one will even notice they are healthier or even made with cauliflower. They’re our new go-to appetizer!
Strawberry Salsa – You can’t go a summer without eating this sweet and spicy strawberry salsa! The flavors are so unique. Grab some cinnamon and sugar chips or your favorite tortilla chips and dig in!
Fruit Kabobs – Colorful fruit kabobs are the best appetizer or side for any occasion! Load up your favorite fruits and get snacking.
Baked Zucchini Fries – These baked zucchini sticks are crusted and baked in Panko, parmesan cheese, oregano, and basil. Zucchini fries are healthy AND delicious!
Veggie Christmas Tree – This Veggie Christmas Tree is sure to be a show stopper! It is tasty, impressive, and oh so festive.
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!
Lunch Kabobs – Kid-friendly lunch kabobs are filled with savory meats and fresh veggies. They’re perfect for parties, BBQs, Lunches and more!
easy Christmas appetizers
Some of these Christmas Appetizers are traditionally made in the oven or on the stovetop, but can also be made in the crock pot.
You might have to scroll through the individual post to find the slow cooker instructions, but they’re there!
Thank goodness for crock pots, and not having to be entirely hands-on with a recipe!
Grape Jelly Meatballs – 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.
Buffalo Chicken Dip – 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.
Bacon Wrapped Smokies – 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!
Hamburger Dip – A cheesy, hearty dip made with only 4 ingredients—this Savory Hamburger dip is always a hit at parties.
Crock Pot Meatballs – Sweet + savory Crockpot Meatballs are packed with flavor, and perfect for parties. They are SO easy, yet SO tasty!
Cheese Fondue – This cheese fondue is gooey perfection made in literally minutes. It’s a showstopper dip to share, or not!
Sausage Balls – Sausage balls are cheesy, savory, and delish. It only takes 5 ingredients to make this savory appetizer!
Jalapeño Popper Dip – 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!
Spinach Artichoke Dip – This is the BEST Spinach Artichoke Dip recipe, and the ultimate dip for any get together! Filled with spinach, artichoke hearts, cheese, and more – this dip is sooo cheesy and perfect for any gathering!
Puff Pastry Wrapped Asparagus Rolls – 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.
THE COMPLETE LIST
Here are the picture cards of ALL the tasty Christmas Appetizer Recipes listed above.
You’re sure to find the perfect delectable dishes to get your Christmas get togethers off to a great start!
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