Looking for holiday appetizer ideas that will make your gathering shine? Whether you’re hosting a festive soiree or just looking to spice up your snack game, these delicious recipes are sure to impress your guests. From cranberry feta pinwheels to cheese Christmas trees, there’s a little something for everyone on this list. I have gathered 15 recipe ideas that look amazing and delicious – perfect for Christmas, Thanksgiving, and other holidays.
15 Delicious Holiday Appetizer Ideas to Make for Your Party This Year
1. Cranberry Feta Pinwheels
These festive cranberry feta pinwheels with cream cheese are a game-changer for holiday gatherings. Packed with a creamy filling of cream cheese and feta, mixed with tart dried cranberries, crunchy nuts, and fresh spinach and green onions, they’re a burst of flavors in every bite. Plus, the best part? You can prep them in advance, making life a whole lot easier during the busy holiday season. Simply spread the mixture on flour tortillas, roll them up, chill, slice, and serve – it’s as easy as that! They’ll be the star of the appetizer table, guaranteed.
2. Cheese Christmas Trees
These adorable cheese Christmas trees will be the star of your holiday party! Using Laughing Cow cheese wedges, pistachios, dried cranberries, and fresh rosemary, you can create a festive and delicious centerpiece in minutes. Insert a pretzel stick as the trunk, coat the cheese in the flavorful mixture, and voila – the perfect appetizer for your gathering. They’re quick, customizable, and sure to impress your guests. Just follow the simple steps of coating, adding the tree trunks, and displaying on a serving platter for a fun and festive touch to your holiday spread.
3. Festive Christmas Tree Pizza Bites
Get ready to impress your guests with these adorable festive Christmas tree pizza bites! All you need is pizza dough, cheddar cheese, deli ham, and a few other simple ingredients. Roll out the dough, layer on the cheese and ham, seal with a second layer of dough, and trim for a neat finish. Then, cut the dough into Christmas tree shapes, bake until golden brown, and watch as your guests gobble up these festive treats. These bites are not only delicious, but they’re also a fun and creative way to add some holiday spirit to your gathering. So get your skewers ready and let’s get baking!
Related: 15 Easy Party Appetizers to Impress Your Guests
4. Cranberry Pistachio Cheese Log (10 minutes!)
I don’t know about you, but I am always on the lookout for easy yet impressive appetizers to serve up at holiday gatherings. Look no further than this cranberry pistachio cheese log – it’s a total game changer! This creamy, sweet, and tangy cheese log is a breeze to whip up with just a few simple ingredients like fresh cranberries, pistachios, goat cheese, and cream cheese. Simply mix everything together, shape it into a log, roll it in the cranberry-pistachio coating, drizzle with honey, and voila! Your guests will be wowed by this delicious creation that can be prepped days in advance, leaving you stress-free and ready to enjoy the party festivities.
5. Spanakopita Tarte Soleil (Spinach and Feta Pie)
If you’re looking for a show-stopping appetizer to impress your guests, check out this Spanakopita Tarte Soleil! This spinach and feta pie is not only visually stunning, but also packed with delicious flavors. With a flaky puff pastry crust and a savory spinach and feta filling, this tart is sure to be a hit at any gathering. Plus, it’s surprisingly easy to make – just mix up the filling, layer it between two pastry rounds, and twist to create the sunflower design. Pop it in the oven and voila – you’ve got a mouthwatering appetizer that will steal the show at your next party!
6. Bacon Jalapeño Eggrolls
Bite into a tantalizing bacon jalapeño popper eggroll – where bacon, jalapeños, and cheese team up to create a flavor explosion in every crunchy bite. The recipe is a breeze to make – just mix together cream cheese, cheddar, bacon, jalapeños, green onion, and spices, then wrap the mixture in eggroll wrappers and fry them to crispy perfection. Serve up these mouthwatering eggrolls at your next gathering and watch them disappear in no time! It’s the ultimate appetizer that’s sure to impress your guests and leave them craving for more.
7. Parmesan Roasted Carrot Fries
Get ready for a tasty twist on everyone’s favorite side dish with these parmesan roasted carrot fries! Just peel and slice some fresh carrots, toss them in oil, salt, and pepper, sprinkle on some grated parmesan cheese, and roast them in the oven until they’re tender and crispy. These sweet and savory carrot fries are the perfect addition to any Easter dinner or gathering, and they’re sure to be a hit with everyone at the table. Serve them up with a spicy dipping sauce for an extra kick, and watch them disappear in no time!
8. Easy Cranberry Brie Bites
Get ready to wow your guests with these cranberry brie bites that are as simple to make as they are delicious. All you need is some crescent dough, brie cheese, cranberry sauce, and a few sprigs of rosemary. Just roll out the dough, cut it into squares, fill each one with brie and cranberry sauce, pop them in the oven, and voila – a tasty festive appetizer is ready to impress! These mini bites are a surefire crowd-pleaser that will disappear faster than you can say “Happy Holidays!”
Related: Top 15+ Cold Appetizer Finger Food Ideas That Are Easy to Make Ahead
9. Christmas Tree Puff Pastry
The French know how to do Christmas right, with this homemade Christmas tree puff pastry being a prime example. It’s the ideal addition to your holiday menu – tasty and fancy. This puff pastry Christmas tree is the perfect holiday finger food appetizer to share and serve with a glass of champagne. With just two sheets of puff pastry and some pesto sauce, you can whip up a delicious, fun, and easy treat that will impress your guests. Simply roll out the puff pastry, layer on the pesto, cut and shape the tree, brush with egg, and bake – voila! Your festive, adorable Christmas tree appetizer is ready to welcome your family and friends to the holiday gathering. It’s the perfect blend of taste, simplicity, and holiday cheer.
10. Pigs In Blankets
Get ready to wow your guests with these classic pigs in blankets! All you need are cocktail sausages, streaky bacon, honey, and mustard to create these delicious bites of heaven. Simply wrap the bacon around each sausage, brush with a honey mustard sauce, and bake until crispy. These little guys won’t last long on the appetizer table, so be sure to make plenty for your gathering. Just wait for the compliments to roll in as everyone devours these irresistible bites of goodness. Perfect for any holiday celebration or casual get-together, these pigs in blankets are sure to be a hit with everyone!
11. Wreath Charcuterie Board
Impress your holiday guests with a Christmas charcuterie wreath that not only looks festive but tastes amazing too. Simply skewer your favorite antipasto goodies like salami, mozzarella, olives, and pickles onto toothpicks, then arrange them in a wreath shape. It’s easy, fun, and a great way to serve a crowd without the mess. Add some rosemary for an extra touch of holiday cheer and watch as everyone gathers around this stunning appetizer at your next gathering. Get ready to be the star of the appetizer table with this simple yet show-stopping dish!
12. Christmas Deviled Eggs
Get ready to impress your guests with the cutest Christmas deviled eggs! Simply boil the eggs, cut them in half, and mix the yolks with Dijon mustard, lemon juice, mayonnaise, sea salt, pepper, and a dollop of creme fraiche for extra creamy goodness. Spoon the mixture back into the egg whites and top with ruby red pomegranate seeds and festive rosemary sprigs to create a holly jolly holiday appetizer that will steal the show at your gathering. With just a few simple ingredients and a touch of holiday magic, these deviled eggs are sure to be a hit with everyone at your party!
13. Christmas Donut Tree
Get ready to add some whimsical charm to your holiday gathering with the delightful Christmas donut tree! This fun and festive recipe features a cone made of donut holes attached with toothpicks, creating a stunning edible tree. Top it off with fresh rosemary sprigs and juicy pomegranate arils for a merry touch. It’s a creative and delicious way to spread some holiday cheer at your next party!
The hack to make this Christmas donut tree is to attach the donuts with toothpicks onto a styrofoam cone like this one from Amazon, in a spiral pattern. Fill in any gaps with rosemary sprigs and pomegranate arils for a stunning finish. Dust with powdered sugar for an extra holiday look.
Related: 15 Delicious Finger Food Appetizers for Your Next Party
14. Delicious Christmas Bruschetta
Check out this cute Christmas bruschetta idea – so creative! With just a few simple ingredients like toasted baguette slices, garlic cream cheese spread, grape tomatoes shaped into festive Ho Ho Ho’s, and fresh basil, you can have a mouthwatering appetizer that will impress your guests. The easy steps to make this recipe include toasting the bread, shaping the tomatoes with alphabet cookie cutters (like this set from Amazon), and assembling the bruschetta with a sprinkle of sea salt and pepper. It’s a fun and flavorful dish that’s perfect for any holiday gathering!
15. Sheet Pan Smoked Sausage Cranberry Bites
Get ready to wow your guests with sheet pan smoked sausage cranberry bites! All you need is some smoked sausage, tangy cranberry sauce, a touch of Dijon mustard, and a drizzle of maple syrup. Simply slice the sausage, coat it in the cranberry mixture, pop it in the oven, and voila! In just under 30 minutes, you’ll have a crowd-pleasing appetizer that’s bursting with flavor and perfect for any holiday gathering. Whether it’s a Christmas party or a casual brunch with friends, these bites are sure to steal the show and have everyone coming back for more.
Final Thoughts
Whew! After chatting about all these delicious holiday appetizer ideas, my stomach is officially grumbling! I hope these recipes have sparked some inspiration for your upcoming gathering. Whether you decide to go with the classic pigs in blankets or get fancy with a spanakopita tarte soleil, there’s something here for every taste bud. Don’t stress about the menu – just have fun experimenting and enjoying the delicious results! Happy cooking and happy holidays, my friend! Let’s make this gathering shine with these incredible holiday appetizer ideas.
