21 Best Christmas Appetizers To Get Your Holiday Party Started
This post is all about the best Christmas appetizers that will be a hit at any holiday gathering! These Christmas appetizer recipes are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Tis the season to eat, drink, and be merry! And what better way to spread the cheer than with some scrumptious bites?
Whether you’re the host with the most or just looking to jazz up your potluck game, you simply can’t skip the appetizers.
But with a gazillion recipes out there, it can be overwhelming to choose the winners. That’s why we’ve got your back with a list of the best Christmas appetizers that will be the talk of the party.
From easy-peasy to grand-slam, we’ve got something for everyone.
Get ready to wow your taste buds and your friends with these Christmas appetizer ideas.
The Best Christmas Appetizers
1. Charcuterie Wreath
Are you in search of a simple yet impressive appetizer? This charcuterie wreath is calling your name!
Grab your favorite antipasto foods, thread them onto large toothpicks, and arrange them into a festive wreath shape — It’s as simple as that!
This idea is perfect for the holiday season and it provides a convenient way for guests to serve themselves without touching everything on the platter. For anyone looking for a make-ahead appetizer, a charcuterie wreath is exactly what you need to make.
If you were thinking of making a basic charcuterie board for appetizers, ditch that idea and arrange everything nicely into colorful and mouthwatering wreath-shaped appetizers. A charcuterie wreath would also be perfect to bring to a Friendsmas potluck party or any other holiday potluck party.
Another good thing about this holiday appetizer is that you get to use your favorite ingredients because it is easy to customize.
Give this Christmas appetizer idea a try and see how it elevates your next holiday dinner or party!
See Recipe on Wonky Wonderful
2. Merry Little Christmas Deviled Eggs
Make your holidays merry with these festive Christmas deviled eggs.
These adorable and delicious Christmas deviled eggs are sure to be a hit at any holiday party and will have everyone talking.
This recipe uses pink peppercorns and parsley leaves to garnish the deviled eggs, so please make sure you don’t substitute the pink peppercorns with holly berries which are poisonous.
Other ingredients you will need are eggs, mayonnaise, your favorite mustard, sour cream, salt, and pepper. To make this appetizer look as perfect as possible, you will also need a pastry piping bag to fill the egg halves with the filling.
This adorable appetizer takes a total of 40 minutes to make and this specific recipe makes around 12 deviled eggs.
See Recipe on She Keeps a Lovely Home
Related Post: 19 Heavenly and Easy Christmas Dessert Recipes
3. Roasted Cranberry and Goat Cheese Crostini
Look no further than crostini if you’re searching for a show-stopping appetizer!
It’s the ultimate party pleaser, offering endless options for customization.
This roasted cranberry and goat cheese crostini is a real crowd-pleaser and will have your guests begging for more!
The crostini is the base of your toppings, which is essentially a baguette slice which is seasoned and then broiled. This perfect base paired with delectable seasonal toppings will send your taste buds (and your guests’) in overdrive.
This appetizer would absolutely be perfect for Christmas parties, so if you’re on a hunt for an appetizer that tastes as good as it looks, make sure you make roasted goat cheese and cranberry crostini. This specific recipe makes everything come together in just 30 minutes and guess what? It makes 24 servings! Like isn’t this the easiest Christmas appetizer you’ve ever seen?
To make sure everything turns out amazing though, you’ll need to make sure you have all the necessary ingredients such as cranberries, olive oil, pure maple syrup, fresh rosemary, fresh thyme, salt, freshly cracked pepper, goat cheese, and baguette.
See Recipe on So Happy You Liked It
4. Chicken Crescent Wreath
This chicken crescent wreath is easy to assemble and the end result is simply out of this world. The best part is that you can make this ahead of time and just pop it in the oven when you’re ready to serve.
If you’re as obsessed with wreath-shaped appetizers as I am, you’ll be even more obsessed once you make this chicken ring.
It’s not only scrumptious but also super festive that it will literally steal the show at any holiday gathering. Your loved ones will be impressed with the festive presentation and the delicious taste.
Don’t let the sophistication of this appetizer fool you, it is easy to prepare and comes together in 35 minutes!
Planning to make this for your next holiday gathering? Make sure you have these ingredients:
- Crescent roll dough
- Cooked chicken
- Cream of chicken soup
- Water chestnuts
- Chopped veggies
- And cheese
See Recipe on Taste of Home
5. Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread
It doesn’t really get any more festive than a Christmas tree-shaped appetizer! Imagine a Christmas tree-shaped warm, pull-apart bread that’s filled with herby garlic butter and plenty of cheese. It’s irresistible!
Complete the experience by serving it with some marinara or pesto sauce for dipping and you’ve just made a festive and tasty Christmas appetizer that will have everyone begging you for the recipe!
I know this Christmas tree bread might look intimidating, but it’s actually one of the easiest appetizers you’ll ever make. This recipe from A Gouda Life shows a step-by-step process of making this appetizer in only 26 minutes, and it also surprisingly uses the simplest ingredients.
Here is a list of all the ingredients you will need to make this Christmas tree bread:
- Canned refrigerator pizza dough
- Mozzarella cheese sticks
- Egg
- Butter
- Grated parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, fresh rosemary, and fresh basil
- Garlic clove
- Marinara sauce
See Recipe on A Gouda Life
6. Pizza Stockings
Have some Christmas cookie cutters lying around and want to get creative? Why not try making some mini pizzas with them?
This unique and festive twist is sure to be a hit at any Christmas gathering. Just make sure you make a lot of these pizza stockings because they will literally disappear in minutes!
This is one of those showstopping appetizers people won’t stop talking about (and eating) at any Christmas party. If you’re attending a potluck Christmas gathering and you’ve been stressing over what to bring, make sure you make these pizza stockings and take them.
They take 30 minutes to make and they are simply too adorable to not make. These will especially be a hit with kids, so it would be a great idea to make them with your kids (if you have any) for some fun bonding time.
Feel like making these adorable appetizers? You will need:
- Refrigerated pizza crust
- Olive oil
- Garlic powder
- Italian seasoning
- Kosher salt
- Pizza sauce
- Shredded mozzarella
- Mini pepperoni
- Basil
- Stocking cookie cutter
See Recipe on Delish
7. Cranberry Salsa With Cream Cheese
Get your taste buds ready for the ultimate holiday appetizer: Cranberry Salsa with cream cheese!
It’s a mouthwatering blend of freshly minced cranberries, jalapeno, and cilantro that’s simple, yet oh-so-delicious. Serve with your favorite crackers or tortilla chips.
This festive appetizer comes together quickly because all you need to do is make the cranberry mince, let everything meld in the fridge for a little bit, and you’re done! For this recipe, you will need a food processor and a few other ingredients such as:
- Fresh cranberries
- Jalapeno
- Green onions
- Cilantro
- Sugar
- Cumin
- Lime juice
- Cream cheese
You can pair the cream cheese salsa with your favorite crackers or tortilla chips and use a knife to spread the cream cheese onto the crackers. You will be obsessed!
See Recipe from Jodi
Related Post: Christmas Table Setting Ideas To Make Your Holiday Meal Extra Special
8. Air Fryer Stuffed Mushrooms
Air Fryer stuffed mushrooms are a quick and delectable appetizer that is sure to satisfy any crowd’s taste buds!
The mushrooms are loaded with cream cheese goodness and savory sausage and then baked to perfection in an air fryer. And guess what? They literally take 15 minutes to make!
Anything air fryer reminds me of that TikTok trend where people say their air fryer must be so tired of them! 😂 I mean, once you get an air fryer you honestly can’t stop using it. They are much more convenient and you get crispy food without deep frying.
If you are an air fryer girly through and through, you have to make these air fryer stuffed mushrooms this holiday season (and beyond honestly!)
They are quick and easy to make, not to mention how irresistibly delicious they are. In just a few minutes and ingredients like mushrooms, Italian sausage, cream cheese, parmesan cheese, garlic, parsley, garlic salt, ground black pepper, and olive oil, you can enjoy these absolutely divine stuffed mushrooms. You can also garnish with some red pepper flakes to make the savory bites more festive.
See Recipe on Keto Cooking Christian
9. Tomato Pesto Cream Cheese Appetizer
Impress your guests this holiday season with these irresistible Tomato Pesto Cream Cheese Crostini. This quick and easy recipe is perfect for those busy Christmas gatherings when you want to serve something both elegant and delicious without spending hours in the kitchen.
Ready in just 15 minutes, these crostini feature a mouthwatering combination of creamy cheese, savory pesto, and juicy tomatoes, all layered on top of crispy, golden baguette slices. The cream cheese provides a rich and velvety base, while the pesto adds a burst of herbaceous flavor.
To top it off, the fresh tomatoes offer a pop of vibrant color and a juicy sweetness that perfectly complements the other ingredients. Not only are these crostini packed with flavor, but they also look stunning on a platter, making them a perfect addition to your holiday appetizer spread.
Whether you’re hosting a casual get-together, a formal Christmas dinner, or attending a potluck party, these crostini are sure to be a hit, leaving your guests raving and reaching for more.
See Recipe on Nutritionist Reviews
10. Cranberry Brie Bites
These scrumptious Cranberry Brie Bites are everything you could want in a festive finger food. Combining the tangy sweetness of cranberry-orange sauce with the creamy richness of melted brie cheese, all nestled in a flaky, golden crescent roll dough, they create an irresistible blend of textures and flavors.
The cranberry sauce, made with tart cranberries and bright, zesty orange juice, brings a refreshing sweetness that beautifully balances the buttery brie. Encased in warm, pillowy crescent roll dough that bakes to perfection, these bites are as satisfying as they are visually appealing.
They’re the ultimate crowd-pleaser, perfect for Christmas parties, holiday dinners, or any seasonal gathering. Not only are they easy to prepare, but their elegant presentation ensures they’ll be the star of your appetizer spread. And the best part? They come together in just 28 minutes!
See Recipe from Kristin Maxwell
11. Baked Potato Slices
Even non-potato lovers will be coming back for seconds and thirds when they try these baked potato slices!
It’s like having the best of potato skins, hasselback potatoes, and loaded baked potatoes all in one dish. Crispy on the outside and warm and soft on the inside, these baked potato slices are ready in 50 minutes!
This simple appetizer uses a few ingredients such as Russet potatoes, any oil you have, cheddar cheese, bacon, Italian seasoning, green onions, and sour cream.
The potatoes are baked to perfection, topped with bits of bacon and green onions and served with some sour cream.
This is a make-ahead potato recipe so it will save you a lot of time and oven space if you’re thinking of making it for a special Christmas dinner or gathering.
See Recipe on The Cozy Cook
12. Christmas Pinwheels
Looking for a quick and easy holiday appetizer? Look no further than these Christmas Pinwheels!
Ready in just 15 minutes, you can make them days in advance without the worry of soggy pinwheels. The veggies remain crispy and crunchy, while the cream cheese takes on even more flavor from the ranch dressing mix the longer it sits.
I love a good festive recipe for the holidays and these red and green circular bites are the most festive pinwheels you’ll ever see.
You don’t even need to know how to cook to make them because they require no cooking at all! So if everything else I’ve shared seemed quite hard to make, this recipe is specifically for you. You’ll be done in just 15 minutes and ready to serve this delicious appetizer.
For a Christmas party, arrange them into a Christmas tree shape and watch everyone lose their minds over how elegant and tasty they are.
See Recipe on Dinner then Dessert
Related Post: 27 Cheap and Easy Party Food Ideas That’ll be a Hit at Your Next Party
13. Cranberry Pecan Mini Goat Cheese Balls
These Cranberry Pecan Mini Goat Cheese Balls are honestly too pretty to eat!
All you need to make these delicious mini cheese balls are cream cheese, goat cheese, white cheddar cheese, dried cranberries, pecans, and chives.
All of these ingredients come together to make a savory appetizer that will take your holiday entertaining to the next level.
These mini goat cheese balls are the ultimate Christmas party appetizer because they combine festive flavors with a presentation that’s as beautiful as they are delicious.
Not only are they easy to prepare, but their single-serving size makes them convenient for guests to grab and enjoy—no utensils required! You could pair them with crackers or serve them on their own. Either way, they will be a flavorful and elegant addition to your holiday menu.
See Recipe on Mom on Timeout
14. Everything Pigs in a Blanket With Cream Cheese
Pigs in a Blanket are a timeless appetizer loved for their simplicity and irresistible flavor. This classic dish consists of mini sausages or hot dogs wrapped in a flaky pastry, such as crescent roll dough or puff pastry, and baked until golden brown.
This specific recipe takes inspiration from the classic Seattle style hot dog to make these Everything Pigs in a Blanket with Cream Cheese for a delicious twist on the classic.
These savory treats are packed with caramelized onions and cream cheese, just like the original. To add an extra layer of flavor, they are brushed with a honey Dijon egg wash and sprinkled with everything bagel seasoning.
In just 35 minutes, you can make 24 rolls of these! For a holiday gathering, you’ll have to make more than that because they disappear in minutes!
See Recipe on Bites with Bri
15. Christmas Tree Spinach Dip Breadsticks
Filled with spinach dip and topped with garlic butter, these Christmas tree breadsticks are the perfect party appetizer for the holidays.
Don’t let their sophisticated look fool you, these yummy stuffed breadsticks are super easy to make and come together quickly, making them ideal for busy holiday schedules.
The recipe uses refrigerated pizza dough as the base, making prep a breeze, while the spinach dip filling is a luscious combination of cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, and a generous helping of spinach for a rich and savory flavor.
After stuffing and shaping the dough into a Christmas tree design, the breadsticks bake to golden perfection in just about 22 minutes.
See Recipe on It’s Always Autumn
Related Post: 19 Heavenly and Easy Christmas Dessert Recipes
16. Cheesy Tomato Mozzarella Caprese Dip
This is the best cheese dip recipe you will ever find! This tomato mozzarella caprese dip is a mouth-watering blend of hot, melty cheese, fresh tomatoes, and basil. It’s a seriously delicious dip that everyone will love at any Christmas gathering.
Made with a mix of creamy cream cheese, shredded mozzarella, and tangy Parmesan, the cheese base is rich, smooth, and perfectly indulgent.
Freshly diced Roma tomatoes and a sprinkle of Italian seasoning add brightness and a touch of zest, while fresh basil leaves give it that signature Caprese flair.
The best part? This dip comes together in just 30 minutes, so it’s ideal for last-minute holiday gatherings or whenever you’re craving a cheesy, crowd-pleasing appetizer.
Serve it straight from the oven with warm baguette slices, crackers, or even fresh veggies for dipping, and watch as everyone gathers around for a taste. Trust me—this dip will disappear in no time and leave your guests raving long after the party ends!
See Recipe on The Cookie Rookie
17. Grape Jelly Meatballs
These grape jelly meatballs are the perfect mix of sweet, salty, and spicy. This 3 ingredient meatball recipe is so easy and the end result is flavorful meatballs that will make your taste buds dance with joy.
The grape jelly adds a touch of sweetness while the chili sauce gives it some heat. Serve them at your next Christmas party and watch them disappear before your eyes.
All you have to do is toss everything into a slow cooker, give it a good stir, and let it work its magic for about 3 hours. The meatballs come out tender, flavorful, and coated in a sticky, glossy sauce that will have your taste buds doing a happy dance. These are perfect for a Christmas party or any holiday gathering—just set them out with some toothpicks so everyone can easily serve themselves.
See Recipe on Momsdish
18. Turkey Sliders
Baked turkey sliders are an excellent choice for a Christmas appetizer!
These sliders are perfect for serving a crowd, as they are easy to make and can be prepared in advance. The combination of sweet jam, gooey cheese, and herb butter sauce make these sliders an irresistible treat that your guests will love.
Serve the turkey sliders with a soup for an insanely delicious start to any Christmas meal. They are ready in just 45 minutes and this recipe makes about 12 of these turkey sliders so you’re in for a treat!
Other ingredients you will need to make these are:
- Unsalted butter
- Grated parmesan
- Diced parsley and basil
- Minced garlic
- Salt & black pepper
See Recipe on Show Me the Yummy
19. Cranberry Goat Cheese Sweet Potato Bites
These cranberry goat cheese sweet potato bites taste as good as they look. The combination of sweet potatoes, tangy goat cheese, and tart cranberries creates a perfect balance of flavors that are both festive and delicious.
They’re the perfect blend of sweet and savory, with a festive touch that screams holiday season.
The sweetness of roasted sweet potato slices pairs beautifully with the tangy, creamy goat cheese, and the cranberry adds a pop of tartness and color that makes the dish as visually stunning as it is delicious.
You could even add a sprinkle of pecans or walnuts for a bit of crunch and drizzle them with honey or balsamic glaze for extra flavor.
These would honestly also work wonderfully as a side dish during the holiday season.
See Recipe on The Creative Bite
20. Fried Ravioli
If you’re a big fan of Italian food you will love this fried ravioli recipe.
Cheese ravioli are coated in seasoned breadcrumbs, and then fried till golden brown. The end result is mouth-watering flavorful, and crispy fried ravioli.
Taking an already delicious dish like ravioli and giving it a golden, crunchy coating transforms it into something that feels indulgent and fun.
I love how this dish leaves room for creativity because you can either use cheese-filled ravioli for a classic taste, or try meat or spinach-filled ones for variety. Pair it with marinara or pesto dipping sauce to really elevate the flavors.
If you want to go the extra mile, sprinkle some grated Parmesan and fresh herbs on top right after frying for a finishing touch.
See Recipe on Dinner at the Zoo
21. Bruschetta With Seared Tomatoes, Roasted Garlic, and Burrata
This bruschetta recipe is an excellent choice for a Christmas gathering appetizer and is sure to impress with its sophisticated and delightful flavors.
The combination of seared tomatoes, roasted garlic, and creamy burrata on bruschetta creates a decadent appetizer everyone will obsess over.
The classic combination of toasted bread, ripe tomatoes, fragrant basil, and a drizzle of olive oil is timeless, but what makes bruschetta so perfect for the holidays is its versatility.
You can get creative with toppings to make it feel extra special—think cranberry and goat cheese for a seasonal twist, or creamy ricotta with honey and walnuts for a sweeter option. For a more decadent spin, try topping it with prosciutto or a balsamic glaze drizzle.
It’s also quick and easy to prepare, which is a huge plus when you’re juggling multiple holiday dishes. You can toast the bread ahead of time and add the toppings right before serving to not only save time but also keep everything fresh.
See Recipe on She Keeps a Lovely Home
This post was all about the best Christmas appetizers and appetizer recipes perfect for the holiday season! Which recipe are you excited to try this year? Let me know in the comment section down below!
Happy Holidays!
Read Also:
19 Heavenly and Easy Christmas Dessert Recipes
27 Cheap and Easy Party Food Ideas That’ll be a Hit at Your Next Party
Christmas Table Setting Ideas To Make Your Holiday Meal Extra Special