Introduction
Looking for crowd-pleasing appetizers that make your Christmas table feel extra special? Here’s a festive lineup of simple, delicious starters your guests will love. From savory bites to cheesy warm dips, these recipes bring rich flavors and holiday charm to every gathering.
1. Cranberry Brie Bites
These little bites bring together creamy brie and tart cranberry in a perfect holiday combo.
Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 8 oz brie cheese, cubed
- 1 cup cranberry sauce
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cut puff pastry into small squares and press into a mini muffin tin.
- Add a brie cube and a spoon of cranberry sauce.
- Brush edges with egg wash.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes or until golden.
- Drizzle with honey before serving.
How to Serve It
Add a sprig of rosemary for a festive touch.
2. Garlic Parmesan Pull-Apart Bread
Perfect for sharing, this buttery bread pulls apart into garlicky, cheesy bites.
Ingredients
- 1 can refrigerated biscuit dough
- 4 tbsp melted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup grated parmesan
- 1 tsp dried parsley
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cut biscuits into quarters.
- Toss with butter, garlic, parmesan, and parsley.
- Arrange in a bundt pan.
- Bake 30–35 minutes until golden.
- Rest 5 minutes before flipping out.
How to Serve It
Serve with warm marinara on the side.
3. Holiday Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms
Savory sausage and herbs make these mushrooms rich and satisfying.
Ingredients
- 20 large mushrooms, stems removed
- ½ lb ground sausage
- ¼ cup cream cheese
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp parmesan
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook sausage until browned.
- Mix with cream cheese, breadcrumbs, and parmesan.
- Fill mushroom caps.
- Bake 18–20 minutes.
How to Serve It
Dust with parmesan and chopped parsley.
4. Mini Caprese Skewers
Fresh, colorful, and easy to assemble.
Ingredients
- 20 cherry tomatoes
- 20 mini mozzarella balls
- Fresh basil leaves
- 2 tbsp balsamic glaze
Instructions
- Thread tomato, mozzarella, and basil onto mini skewers.
- Drizzle with balsamic glaze.
How to Serve It
Chill for 10 minutes before serving for best flavor.
5. Sweet & Spicy Holiday Meatballs
These party meatballs are sticky, sweet, and slightly spicy.
Ingredients
- 1 lb frozen meatballs
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- ½ cup cranberry sauce
- 1 tbsp hot sauce
Instructions
- Combine sauces in a pot over medium heat.
- Add meatballs and simmer 20 minutes.
- Stir occasionally.
How to Serve It
Keep warm in a slow cooker for parties.
6. Spinach Artichoke Dip Cups
Creamy dip baked into crispy shells for easy serving.
Ingredients
- 1 cup spinach dip
- ½ cup chopped artichokes
- 20 mini phyllo cups
- 2 tbsp parmesan
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Stir spinach dip and artichokes.
- Fill cups and top with parmesan.
- Bake 10–12 minutes.
7. Bacon-Wrapped Dates
Sweet dates and crispy bacon make a perfect bite.
Ingredients
- 20 pitted dates
- 10 bacon slices, halved
- Toothpicks
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C).
- Wrap dates in bacon and secure with toothpicks.
- Bake 15–18 minutes, flipping halfway.
How to Serve It
Brush with maple syrup for extra shine.
8. Pesto Christmas Pinwheels
These pinwheels bake up crisp with a burst of basil flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 puff pastry sheet
- ⅓ cup pesto
- ¼ cup parmesan
Instructions
- Heat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Spread pesto on pastry and sprinkle parmesan.
- Roll, slice, and bake 12–15 minutes.
9. Cheesy Stuffed Mini Peppers
These peppers are creamy, colorful, and lightly roasted.
Ingredients
- 1 lb mini sweet peppers
- 8 oz cream cheese
- ½ cup shredded cheddar
- ½ tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C).
- Slice peppers and remove seeds.
- Mix cheeses and garlic powder; fill peppers.
- Bake 12–14 minutes.
10. Cranberry Turkey Pinwheels
A festive cold appetizer with creamy, sweet, and savory elements.
Ingredients
- 2 large tortillas
- 4 oz cream cheese
- ¼ cup cranberry sauce
- 4 slices turkey
Instructions
- Spread cream cheese and cranberry sauce on tortillas.
- Layer turkey.
- Roll, chill 20 minutes, slice.
11. Parmesan Garlic Knots
Soft, warm, buttery knots perfect for dipping.
Ingredients
- 1 can biscuit dough
- ¼ cup butter
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsp parmesan
Instructions
- Heat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Roll dough into ropes and tie into knots.
- Bake 10–12 minutes.
- Brush with garlic butter and parmesan.
12. Ham & Cheese Puff Pastry Squares
A warm, flaky bite with savory fillings.
Ingredients
- 1 puff pastry sheet
- ½ cup diced ham
- ½ cup shredded cheese
- 1 egg
Instructions
- Heat oven to 400°F (205°C).
- Cut pastry, add fillings, fold, and seal.
- Brush with egg wash and bake 15 minutes.
13. Crispy Holiday Potato Latkes
Crispy, savory, and perfect for dipping.
Ingredients
- 3 cups grated potatoes
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp flour
- Salt & pepper
- Oil for frying
Instructions
- Squeeze moisture from potatoes.
- Mix with egg, flour, salt, pepper.
- Fry spoonfuls until golden, 3–4 minutes per side.
14. Maple Glazed Cocktail Smokies
Sweet, sticky, and totally addictive.
Ingredients
- 1 lb cocktail smokies
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup brown sugar
Instructions
- Heat everything in a skillet over medium.
- Simmer 15 minutes until thick.
15. Bruschetta with Balsamic Drizzle
Fresh tomatoes meet crunchy bread for a classic appetizer.
Ingredients
- 1 baguette
- 2 cups diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp balsamic glaze
- Salt & basil
Instructions
- Toast baguette slices at 375°F (190°C) for 7 minutes.
- Mix tomatoes, oil, basil, salt.
- Spoon on bread and drizzle glaze.
16. Creamy Ranch Chicken Pinwheels
A creamy, cool appetizer that’s easy to slice and serve.
Ingredients
- 2 tortillas
- 1 cup shredded chicken
- 3 tbsp ranch dressing
- 2 tbsp shredded cheese
Instructions
- Mix chicken, ranch, cheese.
- Spread onto tortillas.
- Roll, chill, slice.
17. Holiday Charcuterie Cups
A modern twist on charcuterie boards.
Ingredients
- Cheese cubes
- Salami slices
- Grapes
- Nuts
- Rosemary sprigs
Instructions
- Assemble ingredients in small cups.
- Chill until serving.
18. Cheddar-Stuffed Pretzel Bites
Soft pretzel dough wrapped around gooey cheddar.
Ingredients
- 1 can pizza dough
- ½ cup cheddar cubes
- 1 tsp baking soda (for boiling)
- Salt
Instructions
- Heat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Wrap dough around cheese.
- Boil 30 seconds in baking soda water.
- Bake 10 minutes.
19. Cranberry Goat Cheese Log
This sweet-tart cheese log looks festive and tastes amazing.
Ingredients
- 1 goat cheese log
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- 1 tbsp chopped herbs
Instructions
- Chop cranberries.
- Roll goat cheese in cranberries and herbs.
- Chill 10 minutes.
20. Holiday Deviled Eggs
A simple classic with seasonal garnish.
Ingredients
- 6 hard-boiled eggs
- 3 tbsp mayo
- 1 tsp mustard
- Paprika & chives
Instructions
- Halve eggs and remove yolks.
- Mash yolks with mayo and mustard.
- Pipe into whites.
- Sprinkle paprika and chives.
21. Baked Brie with Honey & Pecans
This warm, gooey brie topped with sweet pecans makes a beautiful holiday centerpiece.
Ingredients
- 1 wheel brie (8 oz)
- ¼ cup chopped pecans
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp olive oil
- Crackers for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place brie on a small baking sheet.
- Drizzle with honey and olive oil.
- Sprinkle pecans on top.
- Bake 10–12 minutes until softened.
How to Serve It
Serve warm with crackers, apple slices, or toasted baguette.
22. Chicken Cranberry Tartlets
A creamy, savory filling paired with sweet cranberry makes each tartlet feel special.
Ingredients
- 20 mini tart shells
- 1 cup cooked shredded chicken
- ¼ cup cream cheese
- ¼ cup cranberry sauce
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix chicken, cream cheese, cranberry sauce, parsley, salt, and pepper.
- Spoon into tart shells.
- Bake 8–10 minutes.
How to Serve It
Top with a tiny dot of cranberry sauce for a festive pop of color.
23. Herb Butter Garlic Shrimp
These juicy shrimp cook quickly and bring rich garlic flavor to the table.
Ingredients
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 3 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Heat butter in a skillet over medium.
- Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
- Add shrimp, salt, and pepper.
- Cook 2–3 minutes per side until pink.
- Stir in lemon juice and parsley.
How to Serve It
Serve warm with lemon wedges or over toasted baguette slices.
Conclusion
With so many delicious and simple choices, these Christmas appetizers make it easy to bring warmth and flavor to your holiday gatherings. Try a few favorites, save the ones you love, and share them with friends and family. Enjoy creating a festive spread that brings everyone together.
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