Christmas appetizers easy to whip up and guaranteed to impress! From fancy bites to no-fail classics, these recipes are all about max flavor with zero stress.
Christmas Appetizers (Easy Cheesy Bites)
When I’m planning a spread of appetizers for Christmas Eve or day, I love to start with warm, cheesy crowd pleasers that everyone loves the most.
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Charcuterie Wreath
- Outline the Wreath: Arrange rosemary sprigs in a circle on a round plate.
- Add a Green Base: Fill the circle with vegetables (snap peas, cucumber, lettuce) for a leafy look.
- Arrange Meats: Tuck rolled-up cured meats around the wreath, grouping them in clusters for the prettiest look.
- Add Cheese: Repeat with cheese, placing in clusters for balance. Rotate the wreath as you work!
Cranberry Brie Bites
Golden puff pastry cups filled with melty brie and tangy cranberry sauce are sure to be the star of the party—and they’re incredibly easy to make and bake in a jiffy. Try the brie appetizer everyone loves.
Baked Goat Cheese Fritters
These baked goat cheese fritters are a flashy twist on classic mozzarella sticks. Creamy, herb-infused goat cheese melts perfectly beneath a crispy blanket of panko coating.
Spinach Dip
Creamy and perfect with bread or crackers, this delicious Spinach Dip with cream cheese and sour cream is a crowd-pleasing must make.
Jar-cuterie
Individual servings of charcuterie are perfect when you’d rather not have 40 people with questionably clean hands sharing the same brie knife. And they’re so cute!
- Choose Your Jars: Use 4 to 8-oz jars for perfect single servings.
- Add a Base Layer: Start with nuts or crackers at the bottom to anchor the jar.
- Layer Cheese: Add small cubes or wedges of cheese for variety.
- Skewer Meats: Fold deli meats onto skewers and tuck them in upright.
- Add Veggies and Herbs: Fill gaps with colorful veggies and sprigs of fresh herbs for a pretty finish.
Roasted Grape Camembert Crostini
If you’re a fan of easy-to-make appetizers that deliver a touch of elegance, this roasted grape camembert crostini recipe is for you.
Roasted grapes become sweet and caramelized in the oven, creating the perfect pairing with creamy camembert. You can add this to your regular cheese board!
Pomegranate Goat’s Cheese Appetizers (with Pistachios)
This elegant goat cheese appetizer delights with a mix of textures and flavors. Think lightly fried baguette slices sprinkled with sea salt, creamy goat cheese, juicy pomegranate arils, and crunchy pistachios.
Puff Pastry Baked Brie with Proscuitto and Cranberries
When it comes to crowd-pleasing appetizers, nothing tops a puff pastry-wrapped baked brie.
The flaky pastry’s delicate crunch and the gooey, buttery brie are simply irresistible. This version takes it up a notch with the festive addition of Prosciutto di Parma and tangy cranberry sauce. I love to garnish these with tiny basil leaves.
Brussels Sprout Appetizer
This delicious Brussels sprout appetizer shows off tender sprout leaves paired with the sweetness of ripe pears, crispy bacon, and creamy blue cheese. This is all atop a golden, crispy flatbread.
Strawberry Goat Cheese Crostini
I love the way the ruby red pops against the creamy white in these strawberry goat cheese crostini. The combination is a total classic that hits the festive spot.
Easy Squash, Roasted Garlic and Goat Cheese Tarts
These garlicky squash and goat cheese tarts are a yummy go-to at any Christmas party. Serve them as is or with some fresh arugula or any herbs.
Mini Mozzarella Bites with Jalapeno Dip
You’re going to want to dive head-first into a platter of my mini mozzarella sticks with dip. These are some of my favorite holiday appetizers; savory and a little spicy.
Arrange these little cheese balls into a wreath shape and get snacking. Swap the jalapeno dip for a spinach dip if you don’t love the spice.
Personally, I can scoop up this jalapeno dip with good old tortilla chips, veggie sticks, or potato chips! It’s that good!
Christmas Appetizers (Easy Seafood Nibbles)
I’ve included my top seafood appetizers for you to try – don’t skip past the artichoke and shrimp dip. It’s a great alternative to good old spinach-artichoke dip for your holiday cocktail party.
Seafood Board
Everyone loves to dive into a pescatarian charcuterie board (or shall we call it seacuterie?) featuring prawns, candied and smoked salmon, and plump seared scallops.
Here’s a simple way to recreate this stunning seafood board:
- Start with a Base: Use a wooden board or platter as your base for a rustic look.
- Add Seafood: Arrange shrimp, smoked salmon, and bites of baked or smoked fish. Place bacon-wrapped scallops upright for visual impact.
- Incorporate Dips: Add small bowls of creamy dip and tartar sauce. Place them on opposite sides of the board for balance.
- Add Accents: Fill gaps with fresh lime slices, sprigs of rosemary, and olives. Sprinkle pomegranate arils into a small bowl for color.
- Include Crackers: Set a small bowl of crackers nearby or tuck them onto the board for easy access.
Grilled Coconut Salmon Skewers with Peanut Sauce
These gingery, coconut-grilled salmon skewers are always a hit. You will fall in love with their perfect texture and rich coconut flavor. The peanut satay sauce uses a shortcut to make your life even easier.
Aguachiles Shrimp
This appetizer for Shrimp Aguachiles is always a winner. It’s an easy way to add a light little bite to your appetizer spread.
With tender, poached shrimp, creamy avocado, fresh mango and feta, I like this as a modern alternative to shrimp cocktail.
Baked Salmon Cups
My baked salmon cups look like something straight out of your fav sushi bar. They’re playful, tasty little bites with a touch of spice.
Boom Boom Shrimp
This incredible Boom Boom Shrimp recipe shows off juicy shrimp fried to crispy perfection and tossed in a mouthwatering sweet and spicy sauce.
Bursting with flavor, it’s a quick and easy appetizer you can prepare in no time!
Baked Crab Dip
Make this baked crab dip and watch your friends tuck into its cheesy, creamy goodness. For a yummy snack, pop it onto a platter with fresh salsa and some toasted pecans.
Shrimp Pizza
This lux shrimp pizza is perfect sliced and served with bubbles or craft beer. Everyone loves a slice of pizza, and this one is great, even if you’re all dressed up!
Artichoke and Shrimp Dip
What’s a holiday party without artichoke dip? Here, I’ve made an artichoke and shrimp dip to serve warm with your favorite fresh bread or crackers. You’ll love the mild yet rich taste of this party-pleaser.
Top it with chopped fresh dill and sliced green onions, some of the best Christmas appetizers.
Christmas Appetizers (Easy Ideas with Chicken)
Dive into these chicken-based Christmas appetizer recipes, plus a few I’ve gathered up from the web. All you need is a few of these sprinkled with fresh herbs, and you’ve got a delicious spread.
Chicken Samosas
I make these Chicken Samosas at some point every year for holiday events. They’re the tastiest little bundles of flaky pastry and spiced ground chicken filling. Everyone loves them.
Serve with this cranberry ginger chutney for festive vibes.
Chicken Liver Pate with Spiced Pear Butter
I can’t stop eating this easy-going chicken liver pate with a luscious spiced pear butter. It’s kind of addictive and goes well with loads of other recipes, so enjoy!
Crack Chicken Pinwheels
These pinwheels with chicken from Taste of Recipe are giving ALL the festive feels. I love this take on a retro pinwheel. They’re the ultimate party snack! Packed with creamy cheese, smoky bacon, and ranch seasoning, all wrapped in soft, flavorful tortillas.
Chicken Cranberry Tartlets
Rich, tasty, and party-perfect. You’ve got to try these cute bites from Cucina de Yung. They’re a wonderful snack that is great if you want to prep and freeze beforehand.
Christmas Appetizers (Easy Picks with Meat)
For meaty treats, here’s a load of tasty appetizers to try. I’ve included a few classics and then a couple of fusion-type snacks.
Devils on Horseback
In this classic recipe for devils on horseback, juicy dates get stuffed with blue cheese and wrapped in smokey bacon. Sweet, smokey, salty, and in perfect balance.
Sweet Sour Meatballs
Take mom’s favorite meatball recipe and turn it into an appetizer. This is pretty much what I’ve got here with these sweet sour meatballs. They’re delicious as a main, too, in case you have any leftovers.
Grilled Beef Tenderloin Crostini with Bearnaise Sauce
I’m obsessed with a classic main turned into an appetizer. These little beef tenderloin crostini from Mia Recipes are so chic and yet incredibly simple. Topped with a spoon of silky bearnaise sauce, you’ll fall in love with them in an instant.
Bourbon Bacon Jam Crostini
This recipe from The Savory Cippola is next-level delicious. It’s also super simple to make. It’s laced with bourbon, brown sugar, and fresh garlic. Perfect with a cocktail or a chilled glass of something lovely.
Pulled Pork Puffs
If you’ve got leftover instant pot pulled pork in the freezer, these pork puffs by plain chicken are where it’s at. You could also add to the mix – fold in mushrooms, leftover onion, diced bell pepper, or extra mashed potatoes (or any other leftover ingredients).
I like to serve them with fresh taco salsa for dipping.
How Many Appetizers Per Person?
The number of appetizers you need per person depends on the event. Here’s a quick guide:
- Before Dinner: Plan 4-6 bites per person. This keeps guests satisfied without filling them up too much.
- Cocktail Party (No Dinner): Offer 12-15 bites per person. This ensures everyone has enough to feel full throughout the evening.
- Mixed Buffet: Provide 6-8 bites per person alongside other dishes. Guests can sample a variety without overloading on appetizers.
For longer events, lean toward the higher end of the range. Always consider the type of guests and the timing of the event for adjustments!
More Christmas Recipe Collections
41+ Christmas Appetizers (Easy Recipes for Stress-Free Hosting!)
Ingredients
- Brussels Sprout
- Strawberry
- Shrimp
- Salmon
- Chicken
Instructions
- Pick your favorite christmas appetizers recipe from the collection above and enjoy!
saw the seafood board and those grilled coconut salmon skewers caught my eye wondering if i could use trout instead of salmon got loads of trout this season and thinking this might be a fancy way to use it up anyone tried swapping fish types in recipes like this
Just stumbled across this while looking for some easy recipes for christmas, and oh boy, the Jar-cuterie and those Baked Goat Cheese Fritters are calling my name! I’m always on the hunt for something simple yet fancy enough to impress the family, and these seem just perfect. Any tips on making these ahead of time? With the holiday craze, I’m all for anything that saves me some time. Thanks for sharing these!
Hey Liz, for the Baked Goat Cheese Fritters, you can roll them ahead and just pop them in the oven before serving. Saves a ton of time!
Jar-cuterie is a lifesaver for germophobes, lol! Did it last year, huge hit.