15 Christmas Appetizer Recipes (2024)

‘Tis the season for a party – and there’s nothing better to bring than a holiday appetizer. We’re sharing our favorites – be sure to check out the Bourbon barbecue meatballs and my all-time favorite cheesy bacon ranch dip. YUM.

15 Christmas Appetizer Recipes (1)

15 Christmas Appetizer Recipes

Festive Filled Brioche Centerpiece with Baked Camembert

A Christmas centerpiece that is as gorgeous as it is tasty! This recipe can stand alone as a hostess gift or elevate the inspiration of any holiday potluck. Quick, simple, and easy to create, add this beautiful brioche wreath surrounding a smoldering, rich baked camembert cheese as your go-to appetizer for this season!

See full recipe here.

15 Christmas Appetizer Recipes (2)

Sparkling Cranberry Brie Bites

We don’t often eat raw, whole cranberries, but after tasting these sparkling cranberry brie bites, I don’t know why. Easy to make, bursting with flavor, color, and holiday cheer – these Christmas cranberry brie bites will become an instant classic!

See full recipe here.

15 Christmas Appetizer Recipes (3)

Gruyere, Mushroom & Caramelized Onion Bites

These are a few of my favorite things…Gruyere,sautéed crimini mushrooms & caramelized onions…made into bite-sized pieces and drizzled with a robust balsamic caramelized onion sauce. This fulfilling bite is rounded out by the perfect addition of applewood smoked gruyere cheese. ENJOY!

See full recipe here.

15 Christmas Appetizer Recipes (4)

Apple Crisp Baked Brie

Want to elevate a traditional classic like apple crisp? This is the ideal appetizer for those savory-sweet cravings…Your family and friends will swoon over the warm, supple apples coupled with the rich and smooth hints of Brie! It’s like being wrapped in a cozy blanket of bliss (for your tastebuds!)

See full recipe here.

15 Christmas Appetizer Recipes (5)

Cranberry Feta Pinwheels

Healthy, easy to make, and guaranteed to please every layer of your palette (not to mention unique and eye-catching)! This appetizer hits us in all the feels – feta, cranberries, and green onions!

See full recipe here.

15 Christmas Appetizer Recipes (6)

Cranberry and Pomegranate Bruschetta

So fresh and so lovely… and quick! If you are like me, finding the perfect, simple recipe for holiday potlucks is the standard expectation. This recipe is one thatis constantly requested by family and friends as my dish to pass!Bite-sized and bursting with layers of flavor surprises, add this recipe to your list for this season!

See full recipe here.

15 Christmas Appetizer Recipes (7)

Pine Cone Cheese Ball

Pine cone CHEESE BALL!!!!! It is a firm belief of mine that no holiday gathering is complete unless aCHEESE BALL is included.This is an irresistible holiday appetizer, and will likely become the most photographed food on the table!

See full recipe here.

15 Christmas Appetizer Recipes (8)

Sweet Potato Rounds with Herbed Ricotta and Walnuts

These vibrant little mouthfuls are nothing short of genius. With Cinnamon roasted sweet potato rounds and herbed ricotta, this appetizer seemed like it could not get any better! Then, comes the addition ofwalnuts, cranberries, and honey to push this appetizer right over the edge to total perfection.

See full recipe here.

15 Christmas Appetizer Recipes (9)

5-Ingredient Caprese Phyllo Cups

Who doesn’t love a caprese salad? This traditional classic can be tough to enjoy when mingling with family and friends at a holiday gathering. Not anymore! Thank you phyllo cups! All you need are 5 ingredients to make these easy Phyllo Caprese Cups. They are the perfect holiday appetizer! Easy to make, easier to snack on, but definitely not lacking in charm or robust flavors.

See full recipe here.

15 Christmas Appetizer Recipes (10)

Cranberry Salsa & Cream Cheese Dip

This is the perfect sweet & savory holiday appetizer for a cozy Christmas evening. The bright and tangy cranberries combine with spicy jalapenos to keep the tastebuds buzzing as the creamy, delicious cream cheesecreates the perfect balanced bite.Serve with crackers, pretzels, celery sticks, or your favorite pita chip!

See full recipe here.

15 Christmas Appetizer Recipes (11)

Cranberry Pecan Brie Crostinis with Maple Sugar Glaze

You had me at Crostini! This appetizer has become a staple at our family holiday meal gatherings. The cranberry adds the perfect dose of acidic while the pecan reminds us of the importance of crunch in every bite. Topped with a drizzled maple sugar glaze, this crostini is the most merry holiday appetizer yet! Easy and delicious!

See full recipe here.

15 Christmas Appetizer Recipes (12)

Cheesy Mushroom Puff Pastry Bites

Who doesn’t love a good puff pastry? These outstanding little bite-sized pieces of joy can be made in advance and easily frozen and reheated! This is not your typical in-side-out stuffed mushroom appetizer, and is sure to be a crowd pleaser at your next holiday gathering.

See full recipe here.

15 Christmas Appetizer Recipes (13)

Caprese Salad Bites

Another excellent traveling caprese salad option! Perfect appetizer for mingling at holiday parties that won’t slow you down one bit! What’s not to love easy to make, zero carbs, high in vitamins, antioxidants, and holiday cheer.

See full recipe here.

15 Christmas Appetizer Recipes (14)

Bourbon BBQ Meatballs

Deep Breaths.

Bourbon.

Meatballs.

The end.

Just kidding. (But really, there is not much else to say!) These will be the show-stopper for your next holiday gathering. These appetizer meatballs are smoldering with deep, rich flavors and will absolutely leave your guests speechless.

See full recipe here.

15 Christmas Appetizer Recipes (15)

Cheesy Bacon Ranch Dip

You know that CHEESE BALL recipe that everyone is always talking about? You have arrived! There is no need for any other cheese ball in your life.This party dip is easy to make, delicious, and robust. Couple with your favorite cracker, pretzels (try a pretzel rod!) or blow everyone’s mind and serve it up with pita chips!

See full recipe here.

15 Christmas Appetizer Recipes (16)

To add more classic recipes to your Christmas menu bag-of-tricks, check out my other mouth watering meal suggestions:

Christmas Menu Ideas, we have you covered!

Simple Sausage Wreath

15 Healthy Christmas Dinner Recipes

15 Southern Christmas Recipes

15 Classic Christmas Dessert Recipes

Need ideas for incredible breakfast foods that will dazzle your guests during the Christmas season? Click below for my favorite fix-it-and-forget-it recipes that can feed the entire crew:

15 Breakfast Casserole Recipes

15 Make-Ahead Breakfast Recipes

15 Crock Pot Breakfast Recipes

Other great resources for holiday meal planning:

Country Living Christmas At Home: Holiday Decorating – Crafts – Recipes

The Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays: 140 Step-by-Step Recipes for Simple, Scrumptious Celebrations

Betty Crocker Christmas Cookbook: Easy Appetizers, Festive co*cktails, Make-ahead Brunches, Christmas Dinners, Food Gifts

The Nightmare Before Dinner: Recipes to Die For

Magnolia Table: A Collection of Recipes for Gathering

The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook

The Happy Cookbook, A Celebration of the Food that Makes America Smile

Better Homes and Gardens, Very Merry Cookies

The Good Housekeeping Christmas Cookbook

Looking for even more Christmas Ideas?

From Christmas Games to Christmas Cards and even some fun ideas for your Elf on the Shelf, we have you covered this Christmas Season.

Click here to see all things Christmas.

15 Christmas Appetizer Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How many appetizers for Christmas dinner? ›

On average, each guest will have about six appetizers, although this number may double if it's a co*cktail-style event. You want enough to keep your guests satisfied, but not so many that their appetites will be ruined. (Here are some quick crowd-pleasing apps in 15 minutes or less.)

What are finger foods for kids for Christmas? ›

Consider classics like cheese platters, mini quiches, and chicken nuggets for the kids, while adults can enjoy bruschetta, shrimp co*cktail, and stuffed mushrooms. A mix of flavors and textures will keep everyone happy. Take your finger foods for kids to the next level by presenting them in a festive manner.

What is an appetizer that is served on a small piece of bread or toast? ›

A canapé (French: [kanape]) is a type of starter, a small, prepared, and often decorative food, consisting of a small piece of bread (sometimes toasted) or cracker, wrapped or topped with some savoury food, held in the fingers and often eaten in one bite.

How many appetizers for a group of 20? ›

More than 6 appetizers per person are too many. You don't want to fill your guests' bellies before dinner. Generally, you will need enough for each guest to eat 2 of each type of appetizer you serve. For very large parties, you can lower this to 1.5 servings per person per appetizer.

What are 5 Christmas foods? ›

Candy Cane can be hung as edible decorations.
  • White Christmas, a sweet slice made of copha and mixed fruit.
  • Cold ham and cold turkey.
  • Seafood and salads.
  • Roast chicken, ham and turkey.
  • Stuffing.
  • Christmas cake or Christmas pudding.
  • Custard.
  • Gingerbread in Christmas shapes.

What is the Favourite food for Christmas? ›

Traditional Christmas dinner features turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, and vegetables. Other types of poultry, roast beef, or ham, are also used. Pumpkin or apple pie, raisin pudding, Christmas pudding, or fruitcake are staples for dessert.

What is a mini appetizer called? ›

A canape is little appetizer of bread or toast with some sort of topping, hor d'oeurves and appetizers are the the same thing in French and American English respectively, meaning small presentations of food outside of a meal, and…

What is small savoury titbits usually served as an appetizer called? ›

hors d'oeuvre, a small portion of savory food that is usually served as an appetizer. Hors d'oeuvres are typically eaten before the main course of a meal or on their own with beverages, such as at a co*cktail party. canapés.

What is usually served as an appetizer? ›

Some examples of appetizers include soups, salads, chowders, etc. Check out our Plated Dinner Menu to see some of the appetizers offered by Encore. “The important distinction of hors d'oeuvres is that they are served before, or separately from a meal.

How many appetizers per person for dinner? ›

Caterers often plan a minimum of 4 different choices for groups of 25-100 or more, adding an additional choice for each 25 people. A good rule of thumb for a dinner party, allow for 6 appetizers per person. For a co*cktail party consider making 12 appetizers per person.

How many appetizers should be included on a menu? ›

People will eat more the first hour and about half as much for the following hour so depending on when dinner is served, about 4-7 bites per person should be sufficient, depending on the how large the dinner is. For a lighter dinner, plan more appetizers, for a full meal, plan fewer appetizers.

How much finger food for 25 guests? ›

As your guest list increases, so should the appetizer selections. Here's a quick guide to how many appetizers you should serve at your party: 10-12 guests = 5 appetizer selections. 25 guests = 9 appetizer selections.

How many pieces of finger food per person? ›

Type of Event:

co*cktail Party: For a stand-up co*cktail party where finger foods are the main focus and no other substantial meal is served, plan for 10-12 pieces per person per hour. Mixed Event: If your event includes finger foods as appetisers before a meal, aim for 3-5 pieces per person.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Wyatt Volkman LLD

Last Updated:

Views: 6591

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (66 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Wyatt Volkman LLD

Birthday: 1992-02-16

Address: Suite 851 78549 Lubowitz Well, Wardside, TX 98080-8615

Phone: +67618977178100

Job: Manufacturing Director

Hobby: Running, Mountaineering, Inline skating, Writing, Baton twirling, Computer programming, Stone skipping

Introduction: My name is Wyatt Volkman LLD, I am a handsome, rich, comfortable, lively, zealous, graceful, gifted person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.