The holiday season is a time for joy, togetherness, and of course – delicious food! Christmas parties and family gatherings are made special with festive dishes that bring smiles to everyone’s faces. An essential part of these celebrations are Christmas appetizers – they set the tone for the upcoming feast!
1. Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce
Baked brie is an elegant yet easy Christmas appetizer. Take a wheel of brie cheese and place it in an oven-safe dish. Top with cranberry sauce – the whole berry variety works beautifully for texture and color contrast. Bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes until the cheese has softened. Serve with crackers or bread for spreading. The sweet and tart cranberry pairs perfectly with the creamy, gooey brie.
2. Stuff Mushrooms
These stuffed mushrooms are filled with the flavors of the holidays – herbs, breadcrumbs, garlic and parmesan cheese. Simply clean and remove stems from 24 large button mushrooms. Finely chop the stems and mix with breadcrumbs, olive oil, garlic, parsley, thyme and parmesan. Spoon the filling into each cap. Bake at 400°F for 15 minutes until browned and bubbling. The earthiness of the mushrooms balances beautifully with the bright herb filling.
3. Pepperoni Christmas Tree Pizza Bites
These festive bites are made using store bought pizza dough, though homemade works too for an extra special touch. Roll dough into sixteen, 1-1/2 inch balls on a lightly floured surface. Press each into mini puck shapes and place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Top with pizza or marinara sauce leaving a 1/4 inch border, mozzarella cheese, scattered sliced black olives, pepperoni and red bell pepper to resemble mini Christmas trees. Bake at 425°F for 8 to 10 minutes until crusts are golden brown. Let cool 5 minutes before transferring to a platter.
4. Goat Cheese Artichoke Dip
This hot dip takes 10 minutes to prepare and is full of creaminess and flavor. In a medium skillet over medium heat, saute 1 14 ounce can artichoke hearts drained and roughly chopped with 2 tbsp olive oil, 3 cloves garlic minced, 2 tbsp lemon juice, salt and pepper. Remove from heat and stir in 8 oz goat cheese crumbled until melted and smooth. Transfer to oven safe dish, top with shredded mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Bake at 375°F for 10 to 15 minutes until hot and bubbly. Serve immediately with pita chips, crackers or fresh vegetables.
5. Christmas Tree Pull Apart Bread
This festive centerpiece appetizer looks impressive but requires little effort. You’ll need 1 round loaf sourdough bread, 1 cup grated parmesan cheese blended with 1/4 cup melted butter, 2 tbsp finely chopped rosemary. Make cuts from top to bottom of bread, slicing 2 inches from edge stopping 1 inch from bottom. Make diagonal slices to form tree shape. Carefully open up cuts and stuff with the butter and cheese mixture. Transfer loaf to parchment lined baking sheet. Bake at 400°F for 15 to 20 minutes until heated through. Cool 5 minutes before tearing bread apart into pieces. Serve warm.
6. Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies
The sweet smokiness of little smokies wrapped with salty, crispy bacon is a match made in heaven that always disappears in a flash. This recipe requires only 2 ingredients – Little Smokie sausages and thinly sliced bacon. Be sure to select real wood smoked sausages for the best flavor. Cut each sausage in half. Wrap a piece of bacon tightly around each half, securing with a toothpick. Arrange bites seam side down on parchment lined baking sheet. Bake at 400°F, turning once, for 18 to 20 minutes until bacon is crisp.
7. Cheesy Spinach Artichoke Dip Bread Bowl
This hot, cheesy dip turns an ordinary loaf of round sourdough bread into an edible bowl. Cut off the top of bread; tear into pieces for dipping later. Hollow out bottom leaving 1 inch border. Brush with oil and bake at 400°F for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, in a saucepan, cook 1 10 ounce bag frozen spinach, thawed and drained with 1 14 ounce can artichoke hearts, rinsed and drained in 2 tbsp butter. Stir in 8 oz cream cheese, 1 cup grated parmesan, 1/2 cup sour cream, 3 cloves garlic minced and salt and pepper until well blended. Spoon mixture into bread bowl and top with shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake at 400°F for 10 to 15 minutes until hot and bubbly.
8. Supreme Pizza Bread
This pull apart bread appetizer boasts all the flavors of a fully loaded pizza. You’ll need 1 round loaf sourdough bread, 1 jar pizza sauce, pepperoni slices, sliced black olives, sliced mushrooms, mozzarella cheese cubes. Make cuts around bread stopping 1 inch from bottom. Carefully open up cuts. Brush insides lightly with oil. Drizzle 2 tbsp pizza sauce into each section then fill with toppings. Top loaf with any remaining toppings. Bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes until heated through. Let cool 5 minutes before tearing apart. The gooey cheese and variety of toppings make this dish hard to resist.
9. Deviled Eggs with Candied Bacon
Give classic deviled eggs an upgrade with the addition of crispy, sweet candied bacon bits. Hard boil 1 dozen eggs. Once cooled, cut in half lengthwise and remove yolks; set whites aside. In a bowl, mash yolks together with 3 tbsp mayonnaise, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar, salt and pepper. Evenly fill egg whites with yolk mixture then sprinkle with crumbled candied bacon bits – store bought or homemade. Drizzle plate with sriracha sauce for an optional spicy kick.
10. Cranberry Brie Bites
These tasty brie bites combine sweet dried cranberries with creamy brie for the ultimate savory-sweet snack. Start with a 16 oz wheel of brie cheese. Use a knife to carefully slice off top rind then cut cheese into 1 inch cubes, keeping rind on bottom to hold shape. Insert toothpicks halfway into each cube. Dip tops into egg wash then coat with dried cranberries or chopped nuts. Arrange bites on parchment lined baking sheet. Bake at 350°F for 8 to 12 minutes until cheese softens. The portability makes them perfect Christmas party appetizers.
11. Santa Hat Pineapple Bites
These sweet and tangy pineapple bites are decorated with cherries and red fruit leather to resemble mini Santa hats – an adorable addition to any Christmas spread. Slice 1 fresh pineapple into 1/4 inch rounds. Using a mini cookie cutter, cut out star shapes from each round. Top each bite with a maraschino cherry then cut fruit leather/fruit roll up into 1 inch strips; wrap around base of each cherry hat to finish. The natural sweetness of fresh tropical pineapple makes an impressively elegant impression.
12. Cheesy Sausage Bites
These savory little sausage appetizers are easy enough for even novice cooks to whip up yet impressive enough for holiday parties. You’ll need ingredients like cocktail smoked sausages, puff pastry sheets, pizza sauce and shredded italian cheese blend. Thaw puff pastry according to package instructions. Cut each sheet into 9 equal squares. Add about 1 tbsp sauce, 1 sausage cut in thirds and cheese atop each square. Fold corners to enclose filling and pinch to seal. Bake at 400°F for 10 to 12 minutes until pastry is puffed and golden. Serve warm right from oven for ooey, gooey, melty goodness.
13. Christmas Tree Cheese Ball
This festive cheese ball is shaped into a decorative Christmas tree perfect for any holiday gathering. To make the base: combine 2 8oz blocks cream cheese, softened; 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese; 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese; 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce; 3 minced green onions; salt and pepper to taste. Shape mixture into a triangular tree. For decorations: insert pretzel sticks into base to resemble trunk and branches. Coat tree with chopped pecans or green onions. Serve with assorted crackers. The variety of textures and flavors make this cheese ball a new Christmas classic.
14. Reindeer Peanut Butter Apple Bites
These playful reindeer apple bites make for a whimsical holiday treat. You’ll need apple slices – we suggest Granny Smith for shape – along with peanut butter, mini pretzel twists, chocolate chips and red fruit leather strips. Spread peanut butter onto each apple slice. Add pretzels for antlers and dots of chocolate chips for eyes and nose. Wrap a strip of fruit leather for a collar to transform apple slices into reindeer faces. It’s a sweet Christmas take on ants on a log kids and adults adore.
15. Baked Brie Cranberry Wheel
This baked brie appetizer is topped with a homemade cranberry sauce for a match made in gourmet heaven. Start by placing 1 round wheel of brie into small oven safe dish. In a saucepan, simmer 1 12 ounce bag fresh cranberries, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water, 2 cinnamon sticks, zest of 1 orange and pinch salt for 10 to 15 minutes until cranberries pop and mixture thickens. Discard cinnamon. Pour compote over brie wheel. Bake at 350°F for 15 to 20 minutes until cheese softens. Serve with crackers and bread for spreading this decadent topping.
Conclusion
The holidays are made special with time-honored traditions – and appetizers play a delightful role! This collection of 33 festive Christmas appetizer recipes includes baked bries, stuff mushrooms and peppers, cheesy dips, pull apart breads, bacon wrapped bites, deviled eggs and more. With elegantly simple yet impressive offerings, you’re sure to find the perfect recipes to make lasting memories this Christmas season.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some good make-ahead Christmas appetizers?
Some excellent make-ahead Christmas appetizers include:
- Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce
- Stuff Mushrooms
- Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies
- Cheesy Spinach Artichoke Dip Bread Bowl
- Supreme Pizza Bread
What are easy last-minute Christmas appetizers?
Some easy last-minute Christmas appetizers are:
- Pepperoni Christmas Tree Pizza Bites
- Goat Cheese Artichoke Dip
- Deviled Eggs with Candied Bacon
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Reindeer Peanut Butter Apple Bites
What are good Christmas appetizers for a crowd?
Great Christmas appetizers for feeding a crowd:
- Christmas Tree Pull Apart Bread
- Baked Brie Cranberry Wheel
- Christmas Tree Cheese Ball
- Cheesy Sausage Bites
- Cheesy Spinach Artichoke Dip Bread Bowl
What makes a good presentation for Christmas appetizers?
Some presentation tips for beautiful Christmas appetizers:
- Use festive platters, boards and dishes
- Arrange bites in fun shapes like Christmas trees or wreaths
- Decorate with fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme
- Include holiday inspired decor like pinecones and ornaments
- Use holiday inspired skewers and toothpicks
What beverages pair well with Christmas appetizers?
Great beverage pairings with Christmas appetizers include:
- Sparkling wine, prosecco or champagne
- Mulled wine or warm ciders
- Craft beer or holiday ales
- Cranberry spritzers with ginger ale
- Hot chocolate or peppermint coffee drinks