75 Elegant Christmas Appetizer Recipes That'll Wow Party Guests (2024)

75 Elegant Christmas Appetizer Recipes That'll Wow Party Guests (1)

Planning your Christmas dinner menu can easily fall to the bottom of your to-do list as you rush around trying to get all your holiday shopping done before December 24. To make planning your Christmas party a little easier, we've rounded up our favorite easy appetizer and Christmas treat recipes — most of which you can easily prep ahead of time!

While Christmas appetizers may not be the main event of the evening, we guarantee your guests will be excited to get their hands on these pastries, toasts, and dips. Don't be afraid to recycle your favorite Thanksgiving appetizers, but we suggest including some festive seasonal favorites, too. Here you'll find classic Christmas foods, like cranberry crescent bites and white wine mussels, as well as gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options for every dietary preference. We've also included kid-friendly Christmas snacks and lots of healthy finger food options, too.

In short, these easy and elegant Christmas appetizer ideas will satisfy any crowd — so much so that you may have to remind your guests to save room for the Christmas ham!

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1

Beet Crostini

75 Elegant Christmas Appetizer Recipes That'll Wow Party Guests (2)

These beet crostinis are a tasty plant-forward appetizer option. Plus, the deep red of the beets is pretty Christmas-y, no?

Get the Beet Crostini recipe.

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2

Mushroom and Herb Stromboli

75 Elegant Christmas Appetizer Recipes That'll Wow Party Guests (3)

This appetizer is the ultimate comfort food, and an option that works for meat-eaters and vegetarians alike. It would also be a great thing to heat up and eat with leftovers on the day after Christmas.

Get the Mushroom and Herb Stromboli recipe.

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3

Zesty Mini Crab Cakes

75 Elegant Christmas Appetizer Recipes That'll Wow Party Guests (4)

These mini crab cakes are the perfect savory bite, complete with the tiniest spicy kick. Plus, who says seafood doesn't have a place at Christmas dinner?

Get the Zesty Mini Crab Cakes recipe.

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4

Cranberry Goat Cheese Crescent Bites

75 Elegant Christmas Appetizer Recipes That'll Wow Party Guests (5)

Holiday party season means you have to eat pastry puffs filled with cheese. We don't make the rules!

Get the Cranberry Goat Cheese Crescent Bites recipe.

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6

Hot Double-Onion Dip

75 Elegant Christmas Appetizer Recipes That'll Wow Party Guests (7)

For a more casual, comfort food appetizer, consider this hot double-onion dip. Just make sure you have mints near by for anyone who might need them.

Get the Hot Double-Onion Dip recipe.

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7

Tortilla Wreath with Brie

75 Elegant Christmas Appetizer Recipes That'll Wow Party Guests (8)

Wow your guests with this delicious holiday app featuring baked Brie topped with a spicy salsa made of cranberries, Granny Smith apple jalapeño, and fresh cilantro.

Get the Tortilla Wreath with Brie recipe.

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8

Tangy Cranberry Meatballs

75 Elegant Christmas Appetizer Recipes That'll Wow Party Guests (10)

Use your extra cranberry sauce to make these delicious tangy meatballs. You don't even have to tell anyone that the meatballs themselves are store-bought.

Get the Tangy Cranberry Meatballs recipe.

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9

Garlic Miso Rolls

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Pull apart these decadent rolls that'll have your mouth watering.

Get the Garlic Miso Rolls recipe.

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10

Avocado Toast with Pomegranate Salsa

75 Elegant Christmas Appetizer Recipes That'll Wow Party Guests (12)

The addition of fresh pomegranate seeds makes this classic toast concoction a little more bright and cheery.

Get the Avocado Toast with Pomegranate Salsa recipe.

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11

Ricotta Dumplings

75 Elegant Christmas Appetizer Recipes That'll Wow Party Guests (13)

While there is certainly a lot of dairy in this recipe, there is no meat and you could definitely use a gluten-free flour to make it GF, too.

Get the Ricotta Dumplings recipe.

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12

Honey-Glazed Carrots

75 Elegant Christmas Appetizer Recipes That'll Wow Party Guests (14)

Spicy and sweet play on each other in this veggie-focused plate that has ginger and honey.

Get the Honey-Glazed Carrots recipe.

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13

Hasselback Butternut Squash with Browned Butter

75 Elegant Christmas Appetizer Recipes That'll Wow Party Guests (15)

Anything made with browned butter is a winter month must-have. Plus, sage and garlic give the squash added warmth.

Get the Hasselback Butternut Squash with Browned Butter recipe.

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14

Sweet Parker House Rolls

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Why not bring out the dinner rolls a little sooner this year? There's never an incorrect time for more bread. Plus, you can spread some of those spreads and dips on them.

Get the Sweet Parker House Rolls recipe.

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15

Ginger Dumpling Soup

75 Elegant Christmas Appetizer Recipes That'll Wow Party Guests (17)

Anyone who ventures out to play in the snow until dinner is ready will appreciate finding this warm bowl to hold them over.

Get the Ginger Dumpling Soup recipe.

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16

Crispy Roasted Broccolini

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This time-saving appetizer (or side dish for that matter) makes the most of red chiles, panko, and lemon zest.

Get the Crispy Roasted Broccolini recipe.

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17

Lentil Hummus

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Hummus is a must at any gathering, so whip up this recipe that's seasoned with lemon juice, cumin, and thyme.

Get the Lentil Hummus recipe.

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18

Ham and Spinach Pizza

75 Elegant Christmas Appetizer Recipes That'll Wow Party Guests (20)

You've probably served ham once or twice (or maybe more) at Christmas dinners. This kid-friendly appetizer puts the holiday protein on pizza for a satisfying snack. Just make sure to cut small slices so people don't fill up before dinner (but who could blame them).

Get the Ham and Spinach Pizza recipe.

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19

Sweet and Sour Brussels Sprouts

75 Elegant Christmas Appetizer Recipes That'll Wow Party Guests (21)

This plant-based app dresses up brussels sprouts with honey, red chile, and sherry vinegar.

Get the Sweet and Sour Brussels Sprouts recipe.

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20

Holiday Cheese Board

75 Elegant Christmas Appetizer Recipes That'll Wow Party Guests (22)

Designing an impressive charcuterie board is a tall order any day of the week, but if your in-laws are in town, it can be helpful to follow some tips and tricks to wow the crowd.

Get the Holiday Cheese Board recipe.

75 Elegant Christmas Appetizer Recipes That'll Wow Party Guests (2024)

FAQs

How do you serve appetizer to guests? ›

Place each appetizer on its own plate for an elegant look. Arrange all of the little dishes on a large serving platter in a circular pattern or a uniform pattern in which all of the plates are spaced the same amount of distance from each other.

What do you put on a Christmas platter? ›

Alternatively, opt for a few olives or a bowl of toasted nuts to round out your platter.
  1. Cucumber and Salmon Sushi Rolls.
  2. Bruschetta.
  3. Prawn Spring Rolls.
  4. Cottage Rolls.
  5. Cauliflower Cheese Muffin-Pan Balls.

What is a good food to take to a Christmas party? ›

Christmas party food
  • Baby artichoke bruschetta.
  • Smoked salmon blinis.
  • Manhattan.
  • Mum's sherry trifle.
  • Smoked salmon oat blinis.
  • Samosa cigars.
  • Nam Jim king prawns.
  • Baked Camembert.

What are the most popular finger foods for parties? ›

Easy Finger Food Recipes to Make Ahead
  • Cheese Puffs. ...
  • Cheesy Garlic Bread. ...
  • Vegetarian Quesadillas. ...
  • Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus. ...
  • Slow-Cooker Jelly Meatballs. ...
  • Loaded Cheese Ball Bites. ...
  • Bacon-Wrapped Water Chestnuts. ...
  • Jalapeño Poppers. Make spicy jalapeño poppers as one of the best finger food ideas for a party.
Jan 10, 2024

What is the most popular item on a Christmas dinner plate? ›

Roast potatoes and gravy are the most ubiquitous items on the Christmas dinner, with only around half opting for turkey.

What are the special dishes 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.

How do you make a Christmas grazing platter? ›

Sweet and Savoury Delights: Essential Components for Your Christmas Grazing Table
  1. Christmas cookies.
  2. Fruit mince pies.
  3. Roasted vegetables.
  4. Cheese platter with crackers.
  5. Sausage rolls wrapped in bacon.
  6. Chocolate-dipped strawberries.
  7. Mini cakes.
Sep 25, 2023

What to bring to a Christmas party food for adults? ›

35 Festive Appetizers to Bring to a Holiday Party
  • Thyme and Garlic Baked Camembert. ...
  • Jalapeño Cranberry Dip. ...
  • Caramelized Onion, Spinach, and Cheddar Flaky Pastries. ...
  • Mascarpone Stuffed Dates with Pomegranate and Honey. ...
  • Baked Brie with Pomegranates. ...
  • Pesto Pinwheels. ...
  • Spinach and Sun Dried Tomato Dip Stuffed Mushrooms.
Nov 13, 2023

What snacks to bring for Christmas party? ›

More christmas party food recipes
  • Crunchy Christmas crudités. ...
  • Christmas tree bites. ...
  • Sugar and spice guacamole. ...
  • The cheeseboard dip. ...
  • Air-fryer crispy prawn co*cktail toast bites. ...
  • Air-fryer stuffing sausage rolls. ...
  • 3-ingredient creamy chocolate waffle bites. ...
  • 3-ingredient stuffed dates.

What is a favorite things Christmas party? ›

The rules are simple: Set a budget, and every party-goer purchases a specific quantity of the same gifts, one for each attendee. At the party, which can be a dinner party, a themed Christmas gathering, or anything in between, gifts are exchanged and each guest goes home with an array of new treasures.

How can I spice up my Christmas party? ›

Enjoy a Mulled Wine Tasting

What's a party without something sweet and warm to sip? Mulled wine is oh-so-festive with classic holiday flavors: allspice berries, cloves, cinnamon sticks, and fresh ginger slices. You can even gift everyone spices and the recipe to bring home with them!

What is the standard rule of serving appetizers? ›

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.

How do you present appetizer? ›

Create appealing displays.
  1. Use toothpicks and small plastic skewers to hold small complementary pieces of food together. ...
  2. For appetizers that need to be contained inside small dishes, like pasta salads and fruit salads, choose a non-conventional dish to serve them in. ...
  3. Remember to decorate the platters, as well.

What is proper etiquette for serving food guests? ›

In most American service, pre-plated courses are served from the left and cleared from the right. Beverages are poured to the right, because glasses are located to the right of the guest. The most important fine dining rule is to use open hand service and never cross your arm in front of a guest.

What are the six principles for presenting appetizers? ›

An hors d' oeuvre is a bite size appetizer. 4. What are the six principles for presenting appetizers? - Functional and practical - Balance - Food's natural color - Texture - Cooking method/technique - Food height and shape - Focal point - Strong, clean lines - Platter's layout (symmetrical or asymmetrical) 5.

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