50 Christmas Appetizers for All Your Holiday Party Needs
These easy-to-make, easy-to-serve appetizers keep the party festive!
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I don't know about your house, but at mine, the holiday season is less about giant sit-down feasts, and more about parties—lots of people gathered around, talking and drinking and eating light bites. And those bites, (If I'm hosting) are typically on this list of my favorite holiday appetizers!
Whether you've got a small gathering with just a few friends, or you've opened your house to one and all for an epic holiday party, these Christmas (or Hanukkah, or New Year's) appetizers are perfect for munching on while mingling.
This list includes everything from sweet-and-salty to cheesy, dips to skewers, sweet to healthy. There’s something for everyone to enjoy! These apps also make great starters if you are serving a big holiday feast.
More Great Christmas Recipes from Country Living:
Cream Cheese Pepper Jelly Christmas Tree
Folks have long known that pepper jelly and cream cheese go amazingly well together as a cracker-topper, but Santa has a couple of tricks up his merry sleeve to make this version magical.
Get the recipe for Cream Cheese Pepper Jelly Christmas Tree.
Sharp Cheddar Sausage Balls
This savory holiday party staple will fly, fly we tell you, off the platter at your gathering. You might want to consider making two batches.
Warm Crab Dip
Nothing says “fancy holiday dip” quite like lump crab meat on the ingredient list. This warm crab dip is all substance, no flash. It’s just what you want: the other ingredients get out of the way, letting the flavorful crab take center stage.
Waldorf Salad
This lightened version of a holiday standard replaces the mayo with a secret ingredient for even tastier results. Everyone from fans of the original to its naysayers can come together and agree: This version should become a new tradition on the family Christmas menu.
Christmas Tree Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs are a staple at any celebratory country gathering. The addition of avocado (and a drop of green food coloring) plus some fancy decorating tricks will make your deviled eggs tray festive for the holidays.
Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Peppadews
Have you ever had a Peppadew? When stuffed with soft cheese and wrapped in a slice of bacon these sweet, slightly spicy peppers make an irresistible hors d'oeuvre for your cocktail party, or a fun snack for any time of year.
Asiago Cheese Biscuits with Prosciutto
These tasty biscuits make a great breakfast or holiday party snack! The salty, nutty flavor of asiago cheese gives these rich buttermilk biscuits extra depth, and a thin slice of prosciutto takes it over the top!
Herb-Spiced Cashews
These sweet, savory, and slightly spicy nuts are perfect for any kind of holiday party. Plus, they're so easy to make!
Apple Cider Fondue
Break out your vintage fondue set! We've got the ultimate holiday dinner party treat for you. Apple cider adds a touch of sweet autumn goodness to this classic cheesy dip.
Sausage-Stuffed Mushrooms
The holidays are a season for timeless recipes that are guaranteed to please. Case in point: these sausage-stuffed mushrooms. Serve these easy hors d'oeuvres at your holiday cocktail party!
Orange-Glazed Pecans
Something pretty magical happens when you toast pecans in orange juice and zest. The combination of flavors is both simple and startling. This classic Southern treat is a must-have for your holiday parties!
Holiday Salsa with Festive Tortilla Chips
Popping with red, green, and white, this flavorful pico de gallo–style salsa makes a great holiday appetizer for Christmas, Hanukkah, or New Year's Eve parties.
Get the recipe for Holiday Salsa with Festive Tortilla Chips.
Fried German Potato Salad Bites
Everything—and we mean everything—tastes better fried. Take this shockingly simple German-style potato salad for instance. Roll it into a ball and fry it up, and you've suddenly got a party snack that will make people's eyes pop with delight.
Sweet-and-Savory Peppermint Popcorn
Popcorn is such a classic, cozy, cold-weather treat that we absolutely had to try our hand at spiffing it up for the holidays. Here, some drizzled white chocolate, crushed mints, and just a touch of flaky sea salt make it so good we couldn't stop eating it!
Cream Cheese Herb Biscuits
These extra delicious biscuits may become your next holiday staple. Serve them with chives, asiago cheese, and a smattering of cream cheese to make them extra delicious.
Honey-Apple Baked Brie with Fried Sage
There's nothing like warm, gooey baked brie and crackers for making Christmas guests feel special—and no one needs to know just how easy it is to throw together.
Sweet-and-Spicy Roasted Pecans
You may want to make extra of these tender roasted pecans if setting out bowls for Christmas guests. They're hard to stop eating!
Smashed Acorn Squash and Garlicky Walnut Crostini
Roasted until it's impossibly sweet, acorn squash makes a tasty toast-topper for a party hors d'oeuvre. Paired with blue cheese crumbles and some quick-fried sage leaves, this appetizer is sure to disappear quickly at your holiday gathering!
Get the recipe for Smashed Acorn Squash and Garlicky Walnut Crostini.
Grilled Apples with Prosciutto and Honey
This easy appetizer makes the most of sweet and savory, and it might just be a new staple on your holiday menu!
Get the recipe for Grilled Apples with Prosciutto and Honey.
Pimento Cheese Bar
This DIY Christmas party spread is perfect for ensuring every guests gets exactly what they want! Serve with a variety of your favorite crackers.
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