30+ Christmas Appetizers to Start Your Holiday Feast Right!
Looking for Christmas appetizers that will impress everyone before the feast even begins?
Here are 30 festive and insanely delicious starters that will set the perfect tone for your holiday celebration!
The most magical time of the year is almost here, and I’m already excited for all the holiday fun.
I love how the whole season feels warm and sparkly, especially when I walk around my neighborhood and see homes glowing with Christmas lights.
Everything looks so cheerful, and it always gets me into the holiday spirit.
I also can’t get over how creative people get with their holiday spreads.
I’m always amazed at the beautiful food displays, the cozy setups, and the little touches that make everything feel extra special.
And honestly, nothing beats sipping hot cocoa while watching a Christmas movie, spending time with family, and snacking on all the delicious holiday bites.
When it comes to appetizers during the holidays, I fully enjoy myself.
There is no holding back when the table is filled with cheesy dips, crispy bites, and festive finger foods.
It’s all part of the joy.
Since Christmas is right around the corner, I rounded up some amazing appetizer ideas you’ll want to try this year.
What Are Good Appetizers For A Christmas Party?
If you’re wondering what appetizers work best for a Christmas party, you want something that’s festive, easy to share, and delicious. Think finger foods that guests can grab while mingling.
Good Options Include:
- Stuffed Breadsticks
- Spinach or Cheese-Filled Ones
- Fried Goat Cheese Balls
- Prosciutto-Wrapped Brie Rolls
- Charcuterie boards with cheeses, fruits, nuts, and cured meats
Other Crowd-Pleasers Are:
- Pull-Apart Breads
- Mini Quiches
- Cranberry Dips
- Spinach dip served with Crackers or Bread
How Many Appetizers For Christmas Dinner?
For Christmas dinner, a good rule I follow is planning about six appetizers per guest. It’s just enough to keep everyone happy without spoiling their appetite before the main meal.
If you’re hosting a cocktail-style night, I bump it up to around twelve since people tend to graze more when there’s no sit-down dinner.
Here are a few quick crowd-pleasing appetizers you can pull together in 15 minutes or less:
- Caprese Skewers
- Hummus with Veggie Sticks
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Mini Bruschetta
- Stuffed Olives
- Cheese and Cracker Board
It keeps things simple, fast, and stress-free.
What Holiday Appetizer Always Blows Guests Away?
A holiday appetizer that always impresses is caramelized onion and goat cheese bites.
Peel and thinly slice 2–3 yellow onions and caramelize them in butter.
Season with salt, pepper, and thyme. Deglaze with cognac or white wine if desired.
Use store-bought puff pastry, cut into 2-inch squares.
Place a disc of goat cheese in the center of each square and top with caramelized onions.
Brush edges with egg wash. Bake at 375°F for 18–20 minutes until golden. Finish with fresh thyme and cracked black pepper.
Other hits are deviled eggs or French onion dip made with real caramelized onions.
Christmas Appetizers
Cranberry Brie Bites
These Cranberry Brie Bites are honestly one of those appetizers that look super fancy but take almost no effort to make.
From @cookingwithcurls, they’ve got the perfect mix of creamy Brie, tangy cranberry sauce, and a little crunch from pistachios—all baked in golden puff pastry.
They come out looking so pretty and festive, and every time I make them, they disappear fast.
Simple, cozy, and perfect for any holiday get-together.
Related Post: White Chocolate Cranberry Fudge
Caprese Christmas Wreath
A fresh and festive Caprese Christmas Wreath arranged with mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and basil is the perfect holiday party appetizer.
This cold Caprese wreath needs no cooking at all and comes together in just a few minutes.
Drizzle a little balsamic glaze on top, and you get a simple, elegant, and super cheerful dish that always looks amazing on the table.
Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Ok, how cozy does this spinach and artichoke dip look?
It is creamy, cheesy, and perfect for dipping warm bread or crunchy crackers.
You get that rich mix of spinach and soft artichokes in every scoop, and it always disappears fast at parties.
It is one of those snacks everyone enjoys, and it is super easy to set out on the table when guests arrive.
Christmas Tree Spinach Dip Breadsticks
Easy to make Christmas Tree Spinach Dip Breadsticks are warm, cheesy, and loaded with a delicious spinach filling tucked between two layers of soft pizza dough.
They’re shaped into a festive Christmas tree that looks fancy but is surprisingly simple to pull together.
This fun holiday appetizer can be made in advance and baked right before serving.
Pull apart each twisted branch and dip into that flavorful, creamy spinach combo for a bite that’s merry, tasty, and perfect for any holiday spread.
Fried Goat Cheese Balls
Here’s a fun way to make goat cheese even better.
These fried goat cheese balls from Lisa at Short Stack Kitchen taste amazing because they mix creamy cheese with a crunchy panko coating.
The tangy goat cheese softens as it warms, giving each bite a smooth, rich center.
Start by rolling your goat cheese into small balls and coating them in seasoned panko.
Once they hit the hot oil, they fry up golden and crisp.
For the best flavor combo, dip them into a quick hot honey sauce. The sweet heat works perfectly with the creamy cheese.
If you want to switch things up, you can bake or air fry them too.
Prosciutto Wrapped Baked Brie Rolls
For a holiday appetizer that’s guaranteed to be a hit, Prosciutto Wrapped Baked Brie Rolls are the perfect choice.
These little bites are simple to make, full of flavor, and look super festive on any table.
Start by wrapping slices of creamy Brie cheese in salty prosciutto and then tuck them into store-bought puff pastry.
Bake until the pastry is deeply golden and the cheese inside is melty.
The prosciutto crisps up just a little for extra texture. Serve them warm or at room temperature for maximum enjoyment.
Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board
For a fun and festive holiday twist, try making a Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board.
Start by arranging wedge-shaped cheeses and fresh sprigs of herbs into a tree shape on your serving board.
Add fresh and dried fruits, nuts, and ribbons of prosciutto to decorate the tree and make it visually appealing.
Use pretzel sticks at the base for the trunk, which are also perfect for snacking.
Serve with assorted crackers, jams, mustards, and other condiments so guests can build their own bites.
This charcuterie board is not only easy to assemble, it’s a crowd-pleasing appetizer that brings both flavor and festive cheer to any holiday gathering.
Bacon-Wrapped Dates
Sweet, stuffed dates wrapped in crispy bacon are the ultimate sweet-and-savory treat.
Puff Pastry Baked Gruyere with Fig Jam & Rosemary
This 6 ingredient savory appetizer recipe by Jess from Cooking In My Genes is Puff Pastry Baked Gruyère with Fig Jam and Rosemary.
Despite sounding fancy, it’s really simple to make at home.
Here’s What You Need:
- Puff pastry
- Gruyère cheese, cut into cubes
- Fig jam
- Egg, beaten
- Fresh rosemary, minced
- Honey
The puff pastry makes a golden, flaky base while the Gruyère cheese melts inside for a rich, cheesy bite.
You can add sweet fig jam but make sure to brush the pastry with a beaten egg gives it a beautiful golden shine.
Fresh rosemary adds a fragrant, herbal note, and a drizzle of honey at the end ties all the flavors together.
Cranberry Brie Pull-Apart Bread
This Cranberry Brie Pull-Apart Bread is festive and fun to make.
It’s all about layering soft bread with melty Brie and tangy cranberries for a delicious, shareable appetizer.
To start, slice your bread into thick layers.
Spread Brie cheese evenly between each layer.
Sprinkle dried or fresh cranberries over the cheese for that holiday tang.
Stack the layers back together carefully, letting the cheese and cranberries peek out.
Bake until the cheese melts and the bread is golden and warm.
Pull apart the slices to serve, and you’ll have a crowd-pleasing appetizer that’s perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any winter celebration.
This Post Is All About Christmas Appetizers to Start Your Holiday Feast Right!
