Hosting your Christmas parties this holiday season will be a breeze with these best Christmas appetizers that will wow your guests!

Christmas is a time of year when you want to go all out on seasonal food. That is, seasonal in a “What food is in season?” way and in a decorative seasonal way!

The Christmas period is a time for gatherings and parties. At the forefront of these is festive food. It’s a good idea to have a selection of appetizers in your catalog of recipes!

Luckily for you, there are many options to consider. We’ve assembled a range of Christmas appetizers to cater to every taste and occasion!

What Nibbles to Have at Christmas?

Some appetizers always go in fashion. However, you can work outside the classic Christmas food comfort zone and recreate them with tasty variations.

Charcuterie boards, cheese balls, dips, and crostini are just some classic appetizers that you can bring a delicious modern twist!

What Should I Bring to Work for Christmas?

Appetizers that can be easily transported and served coldly are ideal for work. Provided you have a refrigerator for anything that needs to remain chilled until serving!

Cheese balls whipped ricotta dip, and deviled eggs are perfect examples.

If you’re lucky enough to have a microwave or oven at work, you can take appetizers that only need warming through after cooking or assembling at home.

Think about stuffed mushrooms, hot crab dip, or caramelized onion tartlets.

Healthy Christmas Appetizers

These appetizers are ideal if you want to keep indulgence to a minimum! They’re healthy yet delicious!

1. Christmas Fruit Wreath

Source: hauteandhealthyliving.com

This edible Christmas wreath looks beautiful as well as healthy!

Use red and green fruit for a festive feel. Green grapes, juicy raspberries, pomegranate arils, and honeydew melon are ideal.

Follow the steps in the recipe to lay out your wreath. Besides adding fruit to your platter, the only prep is cutting stars from your melon!

2. Mini Caprese Skewers

Source: seasonedsprinkles.com

Caprese skewers taste delicious and look festive with the colors red, green, and white!

Thread a small creamy mozzarella ball onto skewers. Follow with a juicy grape tomato and a fresh basil leaf.

Sprinkle the skewers with salt and pepper and drizzle with a tangy balsamic reduction!

This is one of the best festive Christmas appetizers for potlucks!

3. Watermelon Christmas Trees

Source: hauteandhealthyliving.com

These fruity Christmas trees are a great appetizer to make with kids!

Christmas tree shapes are easy to cut out from triangles of watermelon. You don’t need a special cookie cutter – just a sharp knife! (An adult should do this part)

Your kids can pipe on decorations with thick and creamy Greek yogurt!

4. Spinach Carrot Xmas Treats

Source: tipsnrecipesblog.com

These tasty Christmas treats are soft and buttery inside and crispy on the outside!

Use shredded carrots, baby spinach, and scallions for your treats. Chili powder, garam masala, cilantro, and carom seeds add flavor.

Make a dough with your spiced veggies, flour, and butter. Refrigerate the dough before rolling it out and cutting festive shapes with cookie cutters.

Fry your tasty Christmas treats in a skillet with butter until golden and crispy!

5. Dairy Free Cranberry Jalapeno Dip

Source: maryswholelife.com

This seasonal dip perfectly blends sweet, zesty, and spicy flavors!

Use fresh cranberries for your dip. Coconut sugar and maple syrup act as natural sweeteners. They balance the tart taste of the cranberries. Remove the seeds from your jalapeno so it’s not too spicy!

Spread herbed dairy-free cream cheese in a pie dish. Add your sweet and spicy cranberry jalapeno mixture on top!

6. Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

Source: plantbasedonabudget.com

Try your Brussels sprouts served differently this year. Cook them in the air fryer for a deliciously crunchy texture!

Coat your Brussels sprouts in olive oil before air frying them. This helps achieve their golden, crispy texture! Minced garlic delivers a robust garlicky taste.

Toss your crispy Brussels sprouts in soy sauce and balsamic vinegar for a burst of umami flavor!

7. Cranberry Walnut Sweet Potato Rounds

Source: tidymom.net

This is a tasty twist on crostini! Use baked sweet potato slices as the vessel for your toppings.

Season your sweet potato with salt, pepper, and orange zest for a festive flavor! Top each potato slice with sweet cranberry relish and creamy goat’s cheese. Add walnuts for crunch.

Combine honey and balsamic vinegar to drizzle over your appetizers before serving!

8. Vegan Broccoli Salad

Source: plantbasedonabudget.com

This vibrant salad combines savory broccoli florets and sweet cranberries.

You don’t need to cook your broccoli. It is crunchy, yet it’s tender enough to be eaten raw! Dried cranberries add sweetness to balance the savory. For more crunch, add walnuts and pepitas.

Make your dressing with olive oil, mint, and apple cider vinegar. Add agave nectar for natural sweetness. Toss your salad with this before serving!

9. Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Crackers

Source: livingsweetmoments.com

This crunchy appetizer is effortless to make. It looks festive with the vibrance of the roasted beets!

Season raw beet with salt, pepper, and olive oil before roasting in foil. When it’s tender and cooled, blitz it in your food processor.

Load wheat crackers with beet puree, a spoonful of creamy goat’s cheese, and strips of torn basil. Add a drop of reduced balsamic vinegar before serving!

10. Whipped Ricotta Dip

Source: bluesbestlife.com

This delicious dip is topped with festive red pomegranate arils. They look stunning on the white dip!

Blend ricotta with heavy cream and sweet honey. Salt enhances the flavors. Spoon your ricotta mixture into a serving bowl and drizzle with honey. Garnish with arils and crunchy pepitas!

11. Chicken Stuffed Deviled Eggs

Source: cookingschooldropout.com

This is a tasty twist on a classic party appetizer! It combines the texture of creamy deviled eggs with the flavor of a delicious chicken salad.

Remove the yolks from halves of boiled eggs to make your egg-chicken salad. Combine shredded chicken with mashed yolks and mayo for a creamy texture.

Add finely diced tomato for a fresh taste. Dill, lemon juice, and Dijon flavor your egg mixture. Spoon it back into your egg whites and sprinkle with paprika!

12. Butternut Brie Bites

Source: sumptuousspoonfuls.com

Butternut squash replaces crackers to act as a vessel for creamy cheese!

Before roasting, season squash slices with olive oil, salt, and pepper. When they’re soft, add a piece of creamy brie. Pop them back in the oven until the cheese has melted!

Garnish your butternut squash bites with pomegranate arils and chopped pistachios for a festive touch!

This would also be a great Thanksgiving potluck idea for the fall!

13. Cucumber Shrimp Appetizers

Source: cookincanuck.com

These easy appetizers combine crunchy and creamy textures with the taste of delicate shrimp.

Mix chopped fresh dill and chives with your cream cheese for a light herb taste.  Spread your cheese onto English cucumber slices.

Season your shrimp with olive oil, garlic powder, and rosemary. Lemon zest gives a citrusy kick. Top your cucumber slices with cooked shrimp, and garnish with chives! 

14. Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

Source: currytrail.in

Juicy chicken meatballs are drizzled with spicy buffalo sauce and a delicious blue cheese dressing!

Flavor your chicken meatballs with minced garlic, celery, carrot, and paprika. Minced green onion helps keep your meatballs from drying out in the oven.

Make your buffalo sauce with melted butter, hot sauce, and garlic powder. Drizzle your meatballs with the sauce and creamy blue cheese dressing.

Garnish with blue cheese crumbles and chopped green onions!

15. Healthy Spinach Artichoke Dip

Source: fitmamarealfood.com

This tasty dip is packed with spinach and artichoke for nutrition!

Add flavor to your dip with sautéed minced garlic and onion. Combine these with soft spinach and artichoke hearts warmed in the same skillet.

Mix your veggies with yogurt, cream cheese, and parmesan before baking until the dip is bubbly!

16. Avocado Deviled Eggs

Source: thedefaultcook.com

The vibrant green filling of these deviled eggs comes from creamy avocado!

Combine mashed avocado and Greek yogurt. Mash your egg yolks into the creamy avocado mix.

Add a tart flavor to your filling with Dijon mustard. Lemon juice stops the avocado from going brown. It also adds a hint of citrusy flavor.

Spoon your filling into your egg white halves and garnish with crispy bacon!

17. Air Fryer Baby Carrots

Source: pavaniskitchen.com

Elevate the taste of carrots by coating them in a flavorful seasoning and cooking them in the air fryer!

Season your baby carrots with olive oil, sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Cook them in your air fryer until they’re crispy and golden outside!

Elegant Christmas Appetizers

These appetizers look beautiful as well as taste delicious!

18. Roasted Cranberry and Goat Cheese Flatbreads

Source: healthyseasonalrecipes.com

These delicious flatbreads are like a fancy pizza! They have savory, sweet, and tart flavors that taste perfect together.

Roast fresh cranberries with shallots, thyme, and maple syrup to make a sweet chutney. Spread it on soft flatbreads and crumble creamy goat’s cheese on top.

Cut your flatbread into strips or wedges ready for serving!

19. Christmas Charcuterie Wreath Board

Source: thecinnamonjar.com

This charcuterie board in the shape of a wreath almost looks too good to eat!

Use a mix of soft and hard cheese for your wreath. Feta and Gouda are good options. Like with your cheese, add a varied selection of meat. Salami and Parma ham are perfect. 

Add crackers for a crunchy texture to complement your meat and cheese. You could include breadsticks or crostini, too.

A mixture of fresh and dried fruit is ideal. Think fresh grapes and figs, dried apricots, and cranberries. Preserves and dips are other great additions. Perhaps pesto, chutney, and honey.

You could also add sundried tomato, olives, and celery sticks. This appetizer is so versatile. Use the ingredients you like and whatever you have to hand!

20. Cranberry Brie Bites

Source: littlesunnykitchen.com

Gooey melted cheese, and tart cranberry sauce is wrapped in a flaky, golden puff pastry cup. The perfect combination of textures!

Add a piece of creamy brie to puff pastry squares. Top each one with a spoonful of tart cranberry jam. A sprinkle of walnuts or pecans adds a delicious crunch.

Bake your cups until the pastry is golden and puffed up nicely! Garnish each bite with a sprig of fresh rosemary.

This is one of the most mouth-watering Christmas recipes for parties!

21. Sausage Roll Wreath with Cranberries

Source: dishedbykate.com

This gorgeous wreath’s juicy pork sausage includes cranberries and crunchy nuts. The festive wreath shape looks nicer than sausage rolls on their own!

Mix the sausage meat with chopped dried cranberries, pecans, and almonds. Assemble your sausage roll with a puff pastry sheet, a layer of sharp cranberry jam, and your meat.

Cut your sausage “log” into smaller rolls before laying them out in a wreath shape. Bake your wreath until the meat is cooked and the pastry is golden and flaky!

Serve your festive wreath with a dish of cranberry sauce in the middle. It looks eye-catching, and it’s perfect for dipping!

22. Bourbon Bacon Jam Crostini

Source: thesavorycipolla.com

Crunchy, golden crostini is topped with creamy brie and delicious bacon jam!

Make your flavorsome jam by combining sherry vinegar, bourbon, Dijon mustard, and smoked paprika. Add maple syrup and brown sugar for sweetness.

Sauté diced onions and garlic before adding the bourbon maple glaze mixture to the skillet. Cook it gently until it’s thick and syrupy. Add crumbled crispy bacon and fresh thyme.

Assemble your crostini with a layer of brie cheese and a spoonful of bacon jam. Garnish with fresh thyme for a finishing touch!

23. Candy Cane Christmas Charcuterie Board

Source: kitchentreaty.com

This is another charming take on a charcuterie board. Use red and white ingredients to create a festive candy cane shape!

Some ideas for savory red food to add to your board are cherry tomatoes, Babybel cheese, and slices of pepperoni. Sweet food could be strawberries and dried cranberries.

Ideas for white savory food are blanched almonds, mini mozzarella balls, and cooked chicken cubes. Try mini marshmallows, popcorn, and yogurt-coated raisins for sweet options.

This charcuterie board is so versatile. Have a look through your pantry and fridge to see what you have!

24. Cranberry Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip

Source: ifoodreal.com

This festive dip has a delicious mix of flavors! Creamy cheese, tart cranberries, and just a hint of spice.

Make your cranberry mixture with chopped fresh cranberries for a more robust texture. Use sugar and lime juice to counter the tart flavor. Add jalapeno, green onion, and cilantro for a spicy kick.

Whip your cream cheese to make it easier to spread. Spoon it into a pie dish and top with your cranberry jalapeno salsa.

25. Olive Christmas Tree

Source: cookingonthefrontburners.com

Make this olive Christmas tree the centerpiece of your Christmas appetizer table!

Add a variety of pitted olives to toothpicks and poke them gently into a foam cone. Add some mini mozzarella balls and mini red bell peppers for festive color.

Cut a star from yellow bell pepper and add it on top of your tree. Place sprigs of fresh rosemary between the olives for a realistic tree look!

26. Baked Brie with Cranberry Raspberry Sauce

Source: seasonalcravings.com

Baked cheese is a popular appetizer at Christmas! Top this version with a sweet and tart cranberry raspberry sauce.

Cook fresh raspberries and cranberries over medium heat. Add maple syrup to counter the tartness of the cranberries.

Bake your brie in the oven until it’s soft and oozing. Top it with your berry sauce and garnish with crunchy pistachios and a sprinkle of fresh mint!

27. Pineapple Cheese Ball

Source: lifeloveandgoodfood.com

Make this sweet and savory pineapple cheese ball an elegant twist on a classic holiday appetizer!

Mix cream cheese, crushed pineapple, diced green bell pepper, and minced white onion. Season your mixture with sea salt to elevate the flavors.

Shape your mixture into a ball and refrigerate until it’s firm. Roll your cheese ball in chopped pecans for a crunchy texture on the outside!

28. Phyllo Wrapped Cranberry Baked Brie

Source: swirlsofflavor.com

This is another festive baked brie appetizer to serve over the holiday period!

Make your cranberry jam by heating fresh cranberries, brandy, and hot pepper jelly. Add fresh rosemary and Dijon for a spicy herb kick.

Assemble your baked brie by layering phyllo sheets and melted butter. Add your wheel of brie and top with your cranberry mixture.

Wrap your brie in the dough before baking until the pastry is golden and crisp and the brie oozes!

29. Honey Apricot Goat Cheese Log with Almonds

Source: erhardtseat.com

Creamy goat’s cheese is topped with sweet apricots, nutty almonds, and a drizzle of pure honey. 

Combine goat’s cheese, cream cheese, toasted almond slices, and chopped dried apricots. Dried basil and thyme add herb flavor.

Create a log shape with your cheese mixture and chill it until ready to serve.

Roll your log with chopped apricots and almonds. Spread sweet apricot jam on a serving plate and place your goat’s cheese log on top. Drizzle your cheese with honey and garnish with fresh basil!

30. Mini Cheese Balls

Source: alekasgettogether.com

These creamy cheese bites look elegant and appetizing. Dried cranberries and fresh rosemary add a festive pop of color!

Roast your pecans briefly to elevate the nutty flavor. Crush them with a food processor and mix them with chopped dried cranberries, fresh chives, and rosemary.

Combine goat’s cheese, cream cheese, and dried cranberries, then pop it in the fridge to firm up. Roll your cheese mixture into balls and coat with your nut-herb mixture!

31. Caramelized Onion Tartlets with Brie

Source: thesavorycipolla.com

These elegant bite-sized tartlets are crispy, creamy, savory, and sweet.

Caramelize sliced white onions with olive oil and butter. Cook them over low heat until soft, sticky, and golden brown. Add a little salt to bring out the sweet flavor!

Add a piece of creamy brie to frozen phyllo cups. Bake briefly until the pastry is crisp and the cheese is gooey. Top with a small spoonful of delicious onions and garnish with fresh thyme.

32. Baked Brie with Fig Jam, Rosemary, and Pecans

Source: homecookingcollective.com

Flaky puff pastry encases creamy brie, sweet fig jam, and crunchy pecans. The center oozes when it’s cut open!

Place a round of creamy brie in the center of a puff pastry sheet. Add fig jam and pecan-rosemary butter on top.

Make this by toasting pecan nuts with fresh rosemary and butter. Orange zest adds a hint of citrus flavor.

Wrap your pastry around the loaded brie and brush with beaten egg. This helps deliver a crisp crust and deep golden color when baked!

33. Hoisin Mushroom Phyllo Cups

Source: cookincanuck.com

Bring Asian-inspired flavors to your holiday appetizers with these sticky hoisin mushroom phyllo cups!

Use a combination of cremini and shiitake mushrooms for your filling for a rich depth of flavor. Cook them with minced garlic, ginger, and green onions.

Combine soy, hoisin, and chili garlic sauce. Agave nectar adds natural sweetness. Mix this into your mushrooms and cook briefly until it’s thickened and sticky.

Add your sweet and tangy mushroom mixture to warm phyllo cups and garnish with fresh parsley!

34. Prosciutto Caprese Skewers

Source: seasonedsprinkles.com

Tasty Caprese skewers are made even more elegant for the holidays.

Thread salty prosciutto, cherry tomatoes, mini mozzarella balls, and fragrant basil leaf onto cocktail skewers.

Heat sweet honey and tangy balsamic vinegar in a saucepan until you have a sticky glaze. Drizzle over your skewers before serving!

Easy Christmas Appetizers

Spend less time in the kitchen and more time with your family over Christmas by choosing one of these delicious, easy appetizers!

35. Festive Cream Cheese Pinwheel

Source: moneywisemoms.com

These pinwheels look festive and taste delicious. They’re also effortless to make!

Use spinach tortilla wraps to display a festive green color. Combine cream cheese with a packet of flavorful ranch seasoning.

Spread the cheese on tortillas and sprinkle with diced red bell pepper. This adds a contrasting crunchy texture, too.

Roll each wrap to form a log, then cut them into bite-sized pieces before serving!

36. Salmon Ball

Source: agrillforallseasons.com

Creamy cheese, smoky fish, and panko breadcrumbs combine to make this tasty salmon ball!

Fry your panko with a bit of butter until it’s golden brown. This achieves a satisfying crunchy texture for the outside of your ball.

Combine flaky smoked salmon and cream cheese. Add shredded cheddar and chopped green onions for an extra pop of flavor. Form your mixture into a ball and roll it in your panko!

37. Shrimp Cocktail

Source: askchefdennis.com

A shrimp cocktail is a classic holiday appetizer. Serve this version with a delicious lemony-horseradish cocktail sauce.

Season a pan of water with Old Bay, flavorful pickling spice, and lemon juice to impart flavor to your shrimp while cooking. When they’ve cooled down, peel them ready for serving.

Make your cocktail sauce with ketchup, Heinz chili sauce, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, and horseradish. This tastes just like the sauce from a seafood restaurant!

38. Bacon Wrapped Dates

Source: maryswholelife.com

This delicious appetizer combines cream cheese-stuffed dates wrapped in salty, crispy bacon!

Slice sweet and sticky dates in half and add a spoonful of almond milk cream cheese. Wrap each date in a strip of bacon.

Bake your stuffed, wrapped dates until the bacon is golden and crispy!

39. Cranberry Feta Pinwheels with Cream Cheese

Source: whiskfulcooking.com

These cheesy, fruity pinwheels are perfect for the holidays with their colors of green, red, and white!

Mix cream cheese, feta, dried cranberries, and green onions for your creamy filling. Add a little sugar if you want it to taste sweeter.

Spread the cheese mixture on soft spinach tortillas and roll them tightly. Slice your “logs” and display them with the cut side facing up so your guests can see the festive colors!

40. Cute Christmas Appetizers

Source: lovefromtheoven.com

Make these cute Christmas tree appetizers with pantry and refrigerator staples. They’re especially great for kids’ Christmas parties!

You’ll need semi-hard cheese that’s easy to cut out with a cookie cutter. Provolone or gouda are good options.

Other ingredients are sliced deli sausage, wheat bread, juicy cherry tomatoes, and soft butter lettuce.

Follow the instructions in the recipe to cut stars from your bread, cheese, sausage, and lettuce. Assemble your stars until you have 12 cute Christmas trees!

41. Charcuterie Cups

Source: erhardtseat.com

Individual charcuterie cups are easy to customize with cheese, meat, fruit, veggies, and nuts. The options are endless as to what you can load them up with!

For this particular version, use slices of salami or pepperoni, plus ham or turkey for your meaty element. Black olives go great with these!

Delicious cheese flavors come from slices of Havarti and cheddar cheese. Add cubes of Asiago cheese, too. Grapes and thin slices of crunchy apple go perfectly with cheese.

Baby carrots are the ideal size for charcuterie cups. Throw some dried fruits, nuts, and seeds in the bottom! Add a crunchy element with mini breadsticks and Graham crackers.

42. Antipasto Skewers

Source: acedarspoon.com

These delicious skewers are easy to assemble and include fresh ingredients you would find on an antipasti board.

Fresh mozzarella balls work great on skewers. Green and Kalamata olives go well with slices of salami. Add roasted red peppers and cherry tomatoes for a veggie element.

Soft cheese tortellini is a tasty ingredient to add to your skewers. Finish them off with pieces of fragrant torn basil and parsley.

43. Baked Feta

Source: acedarspoon.com

Salty feta is baked with juicy cherry tomatoes to make this vibrant, tasty appetizer! It’s great to serve with crunchy pita chips or crostini.

Mix cherry tomatoes with olive oil and add to a deep baking dish. Nestle a block of feta into the tomatoes, so it bakes right into them!

Brush your feta with olive oil and sprinkle everything with dried basil, oregano, and thyme. Add red pepper flakes for a hint of spice. Lemon zest adds a citrus kick.

Pop your dish in the oven and bake until the feta is warm and the tomatoes are starting to burst!

44. Cranberry Cream Cheese Pinwheels

Source: thegiftedgabber.com

These pinwheels have a holiday vibe with pops of red color from dried cranberries!

Mix cream cheese with sour cream. Add shredded cheddar for a different cheese flavor. Chopped pecans and green onion provide crunch. Don’t forget the cranberries!

Spread your cranberry-cheese mixture on soft tortillas and roll them tightly. Chill a few hours before slicing your “logs” into rounds and serving!

45. Goat Cheese Prosciutto Lingonberry Jam Bruschetta

Source: drugstoredivas.net

Load slices of crunchy baked baguette with creamy goat’s cheese, sweet jam, and salty prosciutto.

Brush baguette slices with olive oil on both sides and bake them until golden and crunchy. Spread a layer of goat’s cheese on each piece, then add a dollop of vibrant lingonberry jam.

Finish each bruschetta with a thin slice of prosciutto and serve right away!

46. Individual Caprese Salad

Source: sparklestosprinkles.com

Combine festive red, white, and green ingredients for these Caprese salad jars.

Make a tasty pesto by blending toasted pine nuts, fresh basil, garlic cloves, shredded parmesan, and olive oil.

Assemble your salad jars with whole cherry tomatoes, soft tortellini, mini mozzarella balls, and a few drops of pesto. Drizzle tangy balsamic vinegar over the top before serving!

47. Prosciutto Pear Brie and Honey Crostini

Source: tastefulventure.com

This delicious appetizer is easy to make with simple ingredients matching beautifully!

Toast slices of baguette until they’re golden. When they’ve cooled down, spread a layer of brie on each piece.

Add crisp pear and prosciutto slices, and finish with a drizzle of sweet honey.

48. Stuffed Mushrooms

Source: thedefaultcook.com

Stuffed mushrooms are a perfect small-bite appetizer!

Remove the stems from your mushrooms to make room for the filling. Blitz the stems in a food processor with lemon juice and shredded cheese. Add white wine for depth of flavor!

Sauté minced garlic and green onions in melted butter. Throw in your mushroom mixture and stir until it’s well combined. Breadcrumbs help hold everything together.

Spoon your filling into the mushroom caps and bake until they’re soft and warmed through. Garnish with green onions and cheese before serving!

49. Air Fryer Frozen Coconut Shrimp

Source: thelittlestcrumb.com

These coconut shrimp have a crunchy, golden coating and are tender and juicy inside!

This recipe is effortless. Add frozen coconut shrimp in a single layer to your air fryer and cook until they’re golden and crunchy.

The shrimp taste even better with a drizzle of zesty lime juice and a sprinkle of chopped cilantro. Serve them with sweet chili sauce for dipping!

50. Christmas Tree Spinach Appetizer

Source: aquaintlife.com

This festive appetizer is easy to assemble, but it looks like it’s taken much effort!

Sauté spinach to make the tasty filling for your Christmas tree. Add sea salt, black pepper, minced garlic, and lemon juice for flavor. Stir in cream cheese until it’s well combined.

Spread your cheesy spinach mixture on a sheet of puff pastry and gently layer another one on top. Make a tree shape by following the instructions in the recipe.

Brush your pastry with butter and sprinkle with shredded parmesan. This achieves crisp, golden pastry and an extra cheesy taste!

51. Hot Cheesy Crab Dip

Source: lemonblossoms.com

Tender fresh crab meat and lots of cheese make this delicious hot dip!

Sauté garlic, fresh dill, and lemon zest in butter for a light yet rich depth of flavor. Gently stir in lump crab meat before removing it from the heat.

Mix your seasoned crab meat with shredded Swiss cheese and full-fat mayo for a decadent taste. Pour your cheesy crab mixture into a baking dish and bake until it’s golden and bubbly!

52. Reindeer Cheese Ball Appetizer

Source: sustainmycookinghabit.com

These creamy cheese balls are decorated so they look like cute festive reindeer!

Combine cream cheese with shredded cheddar. Add a packet of ranch dressing seasoning for flavor. Chill the mixture in the refrigerator to firm up a little.

Form your cheese mixture into balls and roll them in crumbled, crispy bacon. This adds a satisfying crunch on the outside!

Make your reindeer with pieces of diced tomato for the nose. Use halves of crunchy pretzels for the antlers!

Best Christmas Appetizers

Browse below for the best selection of delicious Christmas appetizers!

53. Candy Cane Charcuterie Board

Source: servedfromscratch.com

Christmas is the perfect holiday for a seasonal take on a charcuterie board! This one is assembled with red, white, and green colors and tasty ingredients.

Red ingredients you can include on your charcuterie board are salami, raspberries, pomegranate arils, and candied cranberries. Chestnuts are perfect for a Christmas charcuterie!

Options for green food include green grapes, olives, cornichons, and fresh herbs. Try cashew nuts, sliced almonds, mozzarella balls, and gouda cheese for white ingredients.

Make Caprese skewers with mozzarella, tomatoes, and fresh basil to include all three colors!

54. Christmas Tree Cheese Ball

Source: littlesunnykitchen.com

This appetizer is an eye-catching festive twist on a classic favorite! Creamy cheese is shaped into a cone decorated with pine nuts and fresh herbs.

Mix cream cheese with shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese. Stir in garlic powder, salt, Italian herbs, parsley, and onion powder for a salty, savory taste.

Transfer your mixture into plastic wrap and mold it into a cone shape. Chill in the refrigerator overnight for it to firm up.

Decorate your “tree” with chopped fresh parsley to resemble branches. Use pine nuts to look like string lights and add a slight crunch. Add red and yellow diced bell peppers for ornaments.

Cut a star from a slice of semi-hard cheese and attach it to the top of your tree with a toothpick!

55. Mini Cheese Balls

Source: currytrail.in

These mini cheese balls are a bite-sized version of a classic party favorite!

Mix cream cheese with sour cream for a creamier texture and tart taste. Season with onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and green onion. Chill the mixture to allow it to firm up a little.

Mix crunchy bacon bits, chopped pecans, parsley, and green onion for your coating. Form your seasoned cream cheese into balls and roll it in the bacon-nuts mixture.

Poke salty pretzel sticks in the top of your mini cheese balls to use for picking them up!

This is one of the best Christmas recipes for kids!

56. Mini Pizza Appetizers

Source: walkingonsunshinerecipes.com

Use a Christmas tree cookie cutter to make these mini pizza appetizers!

Add your favorite toppings to tree shapes cut from rolled-out pizza dough. Marinara sauce, shredded cheddar, slices of deli ham, and diced bell peppers are ideal.

Arrange your ham and peppers to look like tinsel and ornaments! Bake your mini pizzas until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted.

57. Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas Tree Dough Balls

Source: dishedbykate.com

Turn cheesy garlic dough balls into a festive appetizer with this pull-apart bread!

This takes effort, as you’ll make your bread dough from scratch, but the result is worth it! Divide your dough into pieces, ready to fill your balls.

Flatten your dough into circles and spoon cranberry sauce onto each piece. Add a little mozzarella and gruyere for a delicious oozy filling. Form them into balls and assemble them into a tree shape.

Bake your tree until the dough is crisp and golden brown. Mix butter, minced garlic, and chopped parsley leaves to make your garlic butter. Brush it onto the dough balls while they’re still warm!

58. Cranberry Turkey Meatballs

Source: ifoodreal.com

Juicy turkey meatballs are coated in sweet, tangy barbecue cranberry sauce.

Add flavor to your meatballs with garlic powder, sage, thyme, salt, and black pepper. Shredded apple helps keep them moist and also adds a sweet, festive taste.

Mix cranberry and BBQ sauce. Apple cider vinegar adds a sweet, tangy flavor, and soy sauce delivers an umami taste.

Pour the sauce into the skillet with your cooked meatballs and simmer it gently until it thickens. Insert toothpicks into your meatballs and serve them warm on a platter!

59. Garlic Parmesan Pigs in a Blanket

Source: jawnsicooked.com

Elevate your festive pigs in blankets by coating them in tasty garlic parmesan butter!

This pigs-in-blanket appetizer also has a secret ingredient… Layer salty prosciutto onto a piece of crescent roll dough and place a little smokie sausage on top.

Brush cheesy garlic butter on your rolled-up dough before baking. This achieves crispy, golden pastry that’s full of delicious flavor!

60. Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts

Source: blackberrybabe.com

This tasty appetizer is an exciting new way to serve water chestnuts!

Wrap whole water chestnuts in slices of salty bacon. Cook them until the bacon is crispy, turning them over once so it crisps up on all sides!

Mix ketchup and brown sugar and heat gently until the sugar melts. When it’s bubbling, stir in Worcestershire sauce and garlic powder.

Add your bacon-wrapped water chestnuts to a serving dish and pour the delicious sauce all over them!

61. Barbecue Chickpea Meatballs

Source: midwesternhomelife.com

These chickpea meatballs have a delicious meaty texture! They’re glazed in a sweet and tangy BBQ grape jelly sauce.

Flavor your chickpea balls with onion, garlic, salt, pepper, and parsley. Panko breadcrumbs help hold them together.

Make your glaze with barbecue sauce, jam, and cayenne pepper for a kick of heat. Simmer until the sauce is thickened, then stir in your cooked chickpea meatballs!

Check out these healthy Christmas desserts to satisfy sweet tooths at your party!

62. Stuffing Stuffed Mushrooms

Source: thekitchenismyplayground.com

This mushroom appetizer is loaded with the flavor of holiday stuffing!

Remove the stems from button mushrooms and sauté them with onion and celery for added flavor. Combine with a stuffing mix and a beaten egg to bind everything while cooking.

Fill your mushroom caps with the stuffing mixture and bake until tender. Serve them straight from the oven while they’re still warm!

63. Cheesy Pesto Pull Apart Rolls

Source: servedfromscratch.com

These soft and fluffy rolls are stuffed with gooey cheese and brushed with homemade basil pesto!

Make your roll dough and divide it into equal pieces. Add a sprinkle of shredded cheddar to each piece and form it into a ball.

Place your dough balls on a baking sheet in a festive shape – a Christmas tree works well! When your balls have risen, sprinkle them with more cheese and drizzle with homemade pesto.

Bake your rolls until golden and the cheese is melted!

64. Crab Dip

Source: healthyfoodiegirl.com

This creamy crab dip is delicious, eaten either hot or cold!

Mix lump crab with Laughing Cow cheese triangles and plain Greek yogurt to produce a creamy texture. Diced red bell pepper adds crunch and a pop of color.

Flavor your dip with lemon juice, zest, garlic powder, mustard, Old Bay, and Worcestershire sauce. Fresh chives and parsley deliver a fragrant herb taste.

65. Snowman Cheeseball

Source: amandascookin.com

This snowman cheeseball is another festive variation on a classic holiday favorite!

Combine cream cheese and gouda for your cheeseball. Add flavor with chives, sundried tomatoes, and garlic powder. Divide your mixture into two balls – one large and one smaller.

Press shredded mozzarella on your cheese balls to give them a snowman look! Chill them until firm so it’s easier to assemble your snowman.

Use raisins as buttons and also to create eyes and a mouth. Use a small piece of a baby carrot for an authentic nose, and pretzel sticks make great arms!

66. Prosciutto Crostini with Whipped Goat Cheese and Cranberries

Source: happyhoneykitchen.com

This appetizer is a combination of delicious textures and flavors. It’s salty, sweet, crispy, and creamy!

Brush slices of baguette with melted butter and bake until they’re crisp. Mix fresh cranberries, sugar, and balsamic vinegar and cook this until it thickens.

Assemble your crostini with a layer of whipped goat’s cheese, prosciutto, and sticky balsamic cranberry sauce!

67. Fried Goat Cheese Balls

Source: thefoodblog.net

This delicious appetizer combines crispy and creamy textures and sweet and savory flavors!

Chill balls of creamy goat’s cheese in the freezer until solid. This makes them easier to work with. Coat each ball in flour, egg, and panko breadcrumbs.

Cook your balls in the air fryer until they’re golden and crispy! Before serving, drizzle them with sweet honey and garnish with fresh thyme.

68. Cranberry Jalapeno Dip

Source: agrillforallseasons.com

Tart cranberries and spicy jalapenos are the star flavors of this dip!

Sauté diced jalapenos to soften them a little before mixing them with cranberry sauce. Make it from scratch by cooking fresh cranberries with sugar until the sauce has thickened.

Mix your jalapenos and cranberry sauce with cream cheese until they combine well. Garnish your dip with fresh cilantro before serving!

69. Honey Mustard Chicken Wings

Source: cookingschooldropout.com

These crispy chicken wings are coated in a delicious, sweet, tangy, sticky sauce.

Pat your chicken wings dry before adding seasoning. This helps achieve crispy skin when cooking! Combine honey, spicy mustard, chilled butter, lemon juice, and turmeric to make your sauce.

Heat the sauce on the stove until it thickens, then pour over your chicken wings before cooking. Serve your tasty wings hot from the oven!

70. Baked Brie in Puff Pastry with Cranberries

Source: lemonblossoms.com

Gooey baked brie oozes from flaky puff pastry. Find it studded with red pops of color from festive cranberries!

This appetizer is easy to assemble. Add fresh and dried cranberries to the top of a round of brie. Wrap the brie in puff pastry and chill it until ready to cook.

Brush your pastry with a beaten egg before baking until golden and crispy!

71. Pull-Apart Christmas Tree Homemade Bread Rolls

Source: sustainmycookinghabit.com

These Christmas tree pull-apart rolls will add festive cheer to your appetizer table!

Make your rolls from scratch with simple bread dough. When your dough is risen, break it apart into large balls. Assemble your dough balls into a Christmas tree shape on a large baking sheet.

Brush beaten egg over your dough to help achieve a crisp crust. Bake your Christmas tree bread rolls until they’re a golden brown color!

Check out these festive Christmas dinner ideas to make the holidays a success!