Looking for some easy Christmas appetizers to kick off this year’s holiday party?
From cheese balls to dip to meatballs, these simple recipes are guaranteed to delight.
For me, Christmas is about two things: family time and good food. No Christmas dinner is complete without a few festive finger foods to start the party.
Not to worry though, when it comes to the best holiday appetizers, I’ve got you covered.
These 30 bite-sized Christmas appetizers will put a smile on everyone’s face!
Christmas Appetizer Ideas for Your Holiday Party
Wondering what to serve at your next Christmas party? Here are 30 ideas to keep your guests happy and satisfied.
1. Crostini Appetizer with Goat Cheese
Crostini is perfect for holiday entertaining. Simply grab a loaf of your favorite artisan bread and top with any number of yummy spreads and cheeses.
I like to use baguettes because they make the perfect little bites with a sturdy crust all the way around.
These bites are elegant, delicious, and guaranteed crowd-pleasers.
2. Christmas Charcuterie Wreath
Charcuterie boards are always a big hit at parties and other get-togethers. But when Christmas rolls around, you want something more than a plain old board.
That’s where this lovely holiday wreath — I mean charcuterie board — comes in!
It has all your favorite finger foods but looks absolutely stunning and festive.
3. Christmas Bacon Cheese Ball Wreath
No holiday party is complete without a good old-fashioned cheese ball. That’s precisely what this is — only better!
Full of crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, chives, onion, and delicious herbs, it’s a holiday cheese ball you won’t forget.
4. Antipasto Skewers
Antipasto skewers aren’t just a good choice for Christmas appetizer recipes. They’re an excellent choice for appetizer recipes PERIOD.
They have a bright, tangy, fresh taste and are colorful and easy to make. No matter the occasion, you can’t go wrong with these yummy skewers.
5. Million Dollar Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs are a classic holiday appetizer. They’re simple, creamy, and easy to eat on the go.
These take your typical deviled eggs up a notch, though. They taste just as incredible but also have a secret ingredient — bacon!
You thought people fought over your deviled eggs before? Just wait until you show up with these.
6. Cranberry Salsa
Using cranberries instead of tomatoes might seem like an odd choice for salsa. But just hear me out!
Given that cranberries are more tart than sweet, they make such an incredible flavor change when mixed with jalapenos and onions.
And the color is out of this world!
Serve with cream cheese and crackers for the biggest YUM.
7. Bacon-Wrapped Water Chestnuts
Water chestnuts are slightly sweet and kind of nutty, with a crisp bite that will remind you of an apple.
When wrapped in bacon, the chestnuts are enhanced and so delicious.
For extra flavor, try brushing these with a touch of BBQ sauce and broiling for five minutes.
8. Smoked Salmon Appetizer Bites
There’s something so elegant about smoked salmon. And if you’ve never tried it before, you really should give it a go!
This bite-sized snack is the perfect party food. And surprisingly easy to make.
9. Crab Stuffed Mushrooms
Stuffed mushrooms can be as simple as using garlic butter and breadcrumbs.
But this recipe takes it up a notch and adds mushrooms, mayo, and parmesan for a creamier, more filling version.
It’s the perfect appetizer for any party!
10. Buffalo Chicken Dip
Not only is this buffalo chicken dip delicious. It’s also blessedly easy to make. It requires five basic ingredients and comes together with just 5 minutes of prep work.
After that, you’ll toss it in the slow cooker and let it do its thing. Serve it with celery sticks, homemade tortilla chips, or any other dippers you like.
11. Cranberry Brie Bites
Looking for the perfect holiday appetizer?
These cranberry brie bites are made with just three ingredients: crescent rolls, brie cheese, and cranberry sauce.
But don’t let their simplicity fool you! They’re sweet, cheesy, perfectly gooey, and oh so delicious.
12. Mini Cheese Ball Appetizer Platter
One big cheese ball looks fantastic when served on a cute platter with crackers and veggies. But that’s not the only way to do it!
These little bites are beyond adorable. And when arranged correctly, they’re totally festive, too!
Each one is the perfect holiday appetizer made for one! AND you can easily make different flavors to suit everyone’s tastes.
13. Bacon-Wrapped Scallops
There’s nothing that doesn’t taste better when wrapped in bacon. And that includes scallops, which I don’t even really like!
(I like them when they’re wrapped in thick candied bacon slices, though!)
Trust me on this one. You don’t have to be a seafood lover to appreciate these delectable morsels.
14. Cranberry Jalapeno Baked Brie Dip
Have you been fooled by gorgeous, festive holiday appetizers full of Christmas ingredients? They make you so excited to eat them, but then they taste like crap!
Not the case with this holiday dip! Covered in cranberries, it looks amazing and has a terrific taste to match.
Rich and tangy with the perfect amount of heat? I can dig it!
15. Sweet Potato Bites with Avocado and Bacon
These make super colorful appetizers that everyone will love. They’re dairy-free, gluten-free, and meat-free if you omit the bacon.
Between the crisp sweet potato and smooth guacamole, it’s like a platter of individual nachos.
And who doesn’t love nachos?
16. Pigs in a Blanket (with Cheese!)
Looking for a fun and easy holiday appetizer recipe loved by kids and adults alike? Pigs in a blanket are the perfect finger food for that.
With just three ingredients, this holiday snack is easy, delicious, and beloved by all.
17. Grape Jelly Meatballs
Christmas simply isn’t complete without juicy, saucy meatballs cooking in the Crockpot. This classic appetizer is a must-have for your next holiday gathering.
They’re quick, easy, and gone in a flash!
18. Candied Pecans
These sweet and crunchy snacks are a Christmas favorite. Plus, they also make fantastic gift bags for family, friends, and neighbors!
19. Baked Cheddar Parmesan Crisps
We all love cheesy chips. Between the crunch and salty flavor, there’s a reason they make those little packs!
These crisps are so easy to make and will make you think twice about buying chips ever again.
The simple combination of parmesan, cheddar, and a sprinkling of Italian seasoning is all you need for one incredible (and almost carb-free!) snack.
20. Spinach Artichoke Dip
Cheese dip is a staple around our house during the holidays. One of my all-time favorites is spinach artichoke dip.
It’s perfectly creamy, cheesy, and deliciously snackable. Plus, it’s super easy to whip up.
Also, just a little FYI. If you EVER see me turn down spinach artichoke dip, I’ve been kidnapped and am trying to signal for help.
21. Mini-Caprese Salad Bites
Even though I firmly believe in indulging during the holidays, having some lighter choices is always a good idea.
These are not only light but super easy to throw together. You can even skip a step and buy balsamic glaze right from the store.
22. Sausage Balls
This might just be my all-time favorite finger food. These Bisquick Sausage Balls are cheesy, savory, and full of flavor!
You can make this holiday appetizer in just 25 minutes with only five simple ingredients.
23. Pumpkin Hummus
Hummus is my go-to when it comes to easy appetizers.
I tend to stick to the classic variety, but when I saw this recipe with pumpkin, I knew I had to try it.
You’ll need a food processor to get it perfectly smooth, and I suggest you only add the salt at the end to taste.
24. Marinated Feta and Olives
Want to bring a little Mediterranean flair to your holiday appetizer table? Try this recipe for marinated olives and feta.
It’s a simple, 15-minute recipe that even your kiddos could whip up. It’s absolutely overflowing with flavor and isn’t that bad for your diet, either!
25. Cheesy Pesto Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Bread
I love when a recipe’s name tells you everything you need to know about it. Take this one, for example.
It’s cheesy, full of pesto flavor, and shaped like a Christmas tree. And yes, as the name implies, it’s also “pull-apart bread.”
What the name DOESN’T tell you, though, is how stunning it looks. All your friends will be impressed.
26. Caramelized Onion Dip
If I had it my way, I would have caramelized onions on everything I eat.
There’s nothing they don’t enhance. If they didn’t take so long to make, I’d always have a batch ready to go.
The key is to cook the onions low and slow, stirring every 5 minutes before finishing with garlic and white wine. You’re welcome!
27. BLT Dip
Of course, caramelized onions aren’t the only things that make everything — including dips — better. As I’ve already mentioned, bacon does that, too!
This creamy, cheesy, chunky BLT dip is proof of that! It has all the intense flavor of a delicious BLT sandwich in ultimate snack dip form.
28. Hot Honey and Bacon Whipped Goat Cheese
If you think that plate of WHATEVER IT IS looks crazy, don’t worry. I know. When I first saw my friend eating this, I gave her major side-eye.
But she got me to try it, and I was hooked. Honestly, I’m not sure how to describe this dish other than to say it’s downright heavenly.
Try it for yourself and see!
29. Jalapeno Popper Dip
This list has been a little dip-heavy, I know. But what can I say? I’m a sucker for dips and cheese balls. They’re two of my all-time favorite starters.
So please don’t begrudge me one more. This spicy, super cheesy dip features bacon, four types of cheese, and a buttery Ritz cracker topping.
Everyone who tries it will want more.
30. Shrimp Cocktail Shooters
It doesn’t matter if your party is formal or casual. You can never go wrong with shrimp cocktail. And these adorable shrimp cocktail shooters are even better.
Best of all, you can make them with fewer than ten ingredients in just 10 minutes.
More Christmas Recipes
32 Best Christmas Desserts
30 Best Christmas Cake Recipes
32 Best Christmas Dinner Recipes
32 Best Christmas Cookies
30 Traditional Christmas Side Dishes
30 Best Christmas Appetizers
Looking for the best Christmas appetizers to kick off this year’s holiday party? Why not start with these bacon wrapped dates? They’re always a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
32 dates
8 ounces goat cheese
16 slices bacon, thin-cut
toothpicks
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place a double layer of paper towels on a large plate. Set aside until the dates are fully cooked.
- Using a sharp knife, carefully cut the dates lengthwise. Do NOT cut all the way through (i.e., cut them in half). Remove and discard the pits.
- Fill the empty cavities in the dates with goat cheese.
- Gently press together the sides of the dates to help hold the cheese in place.
- Lay out the bacon strips and slice them in half. Use 1/2 strip of bacon to wrap each date. Secure the bacon in place with a toothpick.
- Place the bacon-wrapped dates, untouching, on the baking tray.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes.
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven and carefully remove and discard the toothpicks.
- Turn the dates on their sides and return the baking sheet to the oven. Bake for another 5 to 10 minutes or until the bacon is uniformly crisp.
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Transfer the bacon-wrapped dates to the paper towel-lined plate. Drain any excess oil before serving.
- Transfer the cooked and drained dates to a serving platter. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- When filling the dates with goat cheese, a small teaspoon or butter knife works best.
- If you find the taste of goat cheese too pungent, try substituting cream cheese or ricotta.
