The Christmas holidays are all about getting into the spirit. From ideas for Christmas snacks and Christmas appetizers to Christmas cookies and Christmas treats, we’ve rounded up 20 terrific recipes for finger foods, hors d’oeuvres, dips, and just general things to serve as a pregame to your holiday gathering pre-game or to bring to the next potluck party.
Here are some great ways to make it merry!
Parmesan-Ranch Sweet Potato Snack Mix
Sweet potatoes feel like autumn holidays, but a zesty, salty combination of Parmesan and ranch make this a repeat you’ll be noshing on all winter long. It comes together in the oven to give each ingredient a perfect level of toastiness.
Sweet-and-Hot Nuts
While Jack Frost may be nipping at your nose, it doesn’t necessarily have to be chestnuts roasting on an open fire. Make it cashews, almonds, pecans, and hazelnuts instead as you steer into the sweet sand salty trend for your holiday snack mix. The ginger, cinnamon, and cloves make it perfect for the season.
Cheesy Skillet Artichoke Dip
Save room on your Christmas entertaining table and room in your sink for cleanup, because this one-skillet version does it all. Baking buttery dinner rolls right on top of the cheesy vegetable dip means you don’t need a separate bowl for its usual vehicles, like chips, and anything served in a warm iron skillet is always a draw for guests.
Salami Chips with Grainy Mustard Dip
Charcuterie is expected. Charcuterie as chips? Way less so! And in a day and age where meat and cheese have become di rigeur for cocktail hours, presenting your salami as low-carb crispy chips might even be more remarkable—and certainly less work!—than an assembled board or charcuterie house.
Pumpkin-Tahini Dip
Make this for those pumpkin spice lovers who aren’t quite ready to let go of fall! Using full fat Greek yogurt and a healthy dose of tahini makes this dip extra-rich.
Spicy Apple-Glazed Meatballs
What cocktail party is complete without some kind of sweetly sauced meatball? While apple is a fall flavor, brown sugar is quintessentially Christmas, and these easy-to-serve, unique bites are sure to be a warming hit with their soy sauce and cayenne pepper notes. But go ahead and tone down the pepper or use it only in the glaze or meatballs if you prefer.
Roasted Boozy Pears Crostini
Crostini is such a simple concept: thinly sliced super-toasted bread with a spread and topping(s). But it’s because of its simplicity that it lends itself to infinite options! We offer ten thought-starters here, but for Christmas, you can’t go wrong with pears roasted in bourbon, maple syrup, and cinnamon.
Banh Mi Bruschetta
Crostini’s cousin bruschetta gets an Asian makeover with a Vietnamese combo that will be sure to give your guests something delightfully unexpected. A light layer of mayonnaise stands in for the usual olive oil, and refreshing cucumber, carrots, cilantro, and jalapeno slices add a bite of healthy veggies to your spread.
Flatbread with Balsamic Greens and Prosciutto
No one can say no to hot, freshly baked topped flatbreads, much less in the middle of winter when salty prosciutto and fragrant balsamic vinegar just sound like an especially good idea. Nestle the gourmet cured meat in kale to once again slide that sly veggie serving in.
Crispy Rice Sushi Bites
Sushi always brings the oohs and ahhs when spotted at a holiday party, but you can bring on the gasps by making it crispy and golden. It’s a perfect foundation for spicy tuna and—bonus!—with this recipe in hand, you’ll know exactly how that magic comes together.
Herb- and Goat Cheese-Stuffed Mushrooms
Stuffed mushrooms are another nearly-always perfect bite, irresistibly cute and all-too-poppable. Upgrade the standard with goat cheese, shallots, panko, and pine nuts for this version, and don’t forget the fresh chive garnish to brighten up both plate and palate.
Mini Bacon-Mushroom Quiches
Can’t get enough mushrooms? Neither can we! Plus, eggs can be for anytime, and this recipe for mini quiches proves exactly that. Make your happy hour appy hour with these easy and adorable snacks as frozen puff pastry takes out a good bit of the work.
Roasted Dates with Bacon
The last recipe only used a few strips from the pack, so here’s an idea of what to do with the rest. Wrap fresh or dried pitted dates around smoked almonds, then wrap bacon around this tidy little package. Done in only 15 minutes, it’s a Christmas gift in a bite.
Make-Ahead Mini Cheese Balls
Many holiday party spreads and Christmas snack trays will have big cheese balls as a default, and why not? They’re delicious and spectacular! But for yours, make them even better: mini and colorfully dressed in toppers that will allow you to decorate them as if they were Christmas ornaments.
Marshmallow Popcorn Balls
Even more classic than a cheese ball as a Christmas appetizer are popcorn balls as a Christmas snack! Try this festive version that uses red food coloring and a splash of red sprinkles to tint them and easily dress the balls in their holiday best.
Hot Cocoa Cupcakes
The comforting flavor of hot cocoa isn’t just for drinking—turn them into darling cupcakes with this from-scratch recipe, which includes directions on how to make Marshmallow Coffee Frosting, which brings out the espresso notes in the cake. Toast the iced tops with a kitchen torch for added texture, flavor, and effect.
Chocolate-Marshmallow Peanut Clusters
In more marshmallow fun, peanuts have joined the chat. This no-bake dessert takes only ten minutes to prep and just as few to cook. Store them in the refrigerator between sheets of waxed paper and break them out for guests throughout the holiday season—they’ll keep for about a week.
Pistachio Bars
When you see light green on the dessert table, it can only mean mint or pistachio, and neither are ever a disappointment! However, this luscious recipe gives peppermint the spotlight for the season and instead, features our favorite green nut, in both fine and coarse textures and instant pudding filling. Together, it’s an elegant look that no one would guess was a no-bake effort that took only half an hour to prep.
Chocolate-Peppermint Waffle Cookies
No Christmas dessert spread is fully complete without the appearance of some peppermint! These waffle cookies look as chocolatey as they are, the better to make sweet, cooling mint and candy cane flavors pop. You can make the cookies themselves using your waffle iron up to three months in advance, but wait until just before serving to glaze them.
