18 Christmas Appetizers Recipe Ideas

The holiday season is all about togetherness, laughter, and of course, delicious food.

Whether you’re hosting a big Christmas dinner or a cozy holiday gathering, appetizers set the perfect festive tone.

Here are 18 Christmas appetizer recipe ideas that combine classic flavors, easy prep, and a touch of holiday sparkle.

1. Cranberry Brie Bites

These mini pastry cups are filled with creamy brie cheese and topped with tangy cranberry sauce — a festive blend of sweet and savory flavors.

Ingredients:

• 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed

• 6 oz brie cheese, cubed

• ½ cup cranberry sauce

• Fresh rosemary for garnish

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Cut puff pastry into small squares and place into a mini muffin pan.

3. Add a cube of brie and a spoonful of cranberry sauce.

4. Bake for 12–15 minutes until golden.

5. Garnish with rosemary and serve warm.

2. Bacon-Wrapped Dates

Sweet dates wrapped in crispy bacon — a timeless bite-sized favorite that balances sweet and salty perfectly.

Ingredients:

• 20 pitted dates

• 10 slices bacon, halved

• 20 almonds or goat cheese (optional filling)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Stuff each date with an almond or goat cheese.

3. Wrap with bacon and secure with a toothpick.

4. Bake for 15–20 minutes until crispy.

5. Serve warm with a drizzle of honey.

3. Mini Caprese Skewers

A light and colorful appetizer featuring cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and fresh basil drizzled with balsamic glaze.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cherry tomatoes

• 1 cup mozzarella pearls

• Fresh basil leaves

• Balsamic glaze

• Toothpicks

Instructions:

1. Thread a tomato, basil leaf, and mozzarella onto each skewer.

2. Arrange on a platter and drizzle with balsamic glaze.

3. Serve immediately.

4. Garlic Parmesan Stuffed Mushrooms

These savory mushrooms are filled with a garlicky, cheesy mixture that’s baked to perfection.

Ingredients:

• 20 white mushrooms, stems removed

• 2 tbsp butter

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• ¼ cup breadcrumbs

• ¼ cup grated Parmesan

• 2 tbsp parsley, chopped

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Sauté garlic in butter until fragrant. Mix in breadcrumbs, cheese, and parsley.

3. Fill each mushroom cap with the mixture.

4. Bake for 15–18 minutes.

5. Serve warm and garnish with parsley.

5. Shrimp Cocktail Shooters

A classy, individual serving of shrimp cocktail that’s elegant and easy to make.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb cooked shrimp

• 1 cup cocktail sauce

• Lemon wedges

Instructions:

1. Pour 2 tbsp cocktail sauce into small shot glasses.

2. Hang shrimp on the rim of each glass.

3. Garnish with a lemon wedge and serve chilled.

6. Spinach Artichoke Dip Cups

Creamy, cheesy spinach artichoke dip served in crispy wonton cups for a fun twist.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup chopped spinach

• ½ cup chopped artichokes

• ½ cup cream cheese

• ¼ cup Parmesan cheese

• Wonton wrappers

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.

2. Press wonton wrappers into a mini muffin tin.

3. Mix filling ingredients and spoon into cups.

4. Bake for 10–12 minutes until golden.

5. Serve warm.

Also Check: 18 Christmas appetizers finger foods

7. Smoked Salmon Cucumber Bites

Light and refreshing, these cucumber rounds topped with smoked salmon and cream cheese are perfect for elegant gatherings.

Ingredients:

• 1 cucumber, sliced

• 4 oz cream cheese

• 4 oz smoked salmon

• Dill for garnish

Instructions:

1. Spread cream cheese on cucumber slices.

2. Top with smoked salmon.

3. Garnish with dill and serve chilled.

8. Deviled Eggs with a Twist

Classic deviled eggs made extra festive with paprika, chives, and a dash of Dijon mustard.

Ingredients:

• 6 eggs, boiled

• 3 tbsp mayonnaise

• 1 tsp Dijon mustard

• Paprika and chives for garnish

Instructions:

1. Halve eggs and remove yolks.

2. Mix yolks with mayo and mustard.

3. Spoon or pipe filling back into egg whites.

4. Garnish and chill before serving.

9. Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus

Crispy prosciutto wrapped around tender asparagus spears — elegant and irresistible.

Ingredients:

• 20 asparagus spears

• 10 slices prosciutto, halved

• Olive oil

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.

2. Wrap asparagus with prosciutto.

3. Drizzle with olive oil.

4. Bake for 12–15 minutes until crisp.

5. Serve warm.

10. Holiday Cheese Ball

A creamy cheese ball coated with nuts and cranberries, perfect for spreading on crackers.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz cream cheese

• 1 cup shredded cheddar

• ¼ cup dried cranberries

• ¼ cup chopped pecans

Instructions:

1. Mix cheeses and cranberries.

2. Shape into a ball and roll in chopped pecans.

3. Chill for 1 hour and serve with crackers.

11. Mini Meatballs with Cranberry Glaze

Juicy meatballs coated in a sweet-tangy cranberry glaze for a flavorful holiday treat.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef

• ½ cup breadcrumbs

• 1 egg

• ½ cup cranberry sauce

• ¼ cup barbecue sauce

Instructions:

1. Mix beef, breadcrumbs, and egg; form small balls.

2. Bake at 375°F for 20 minutes.

3. Simmer cranberry and BBQ sauce in a pan.

4. Toss meatballs in glaze and serve warm.

12. Puff Pastry Sausage Rolls

A crowd-pleasing British-inspired snack with flaky pastry and savory sausage filling.

Ingredients:

• 1 sheet puff pastry

• ½ lb sausage meat

• 1 egg (for brushing)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.

2. Spread sausage on puff pastry and roll up.

3. Cut into pieces, brush with egg wash.

4. Bake for 20 minutes until golden.

13. Bruschetta with Tomato & Basil

Crispy baguette slices topped with juicy tomatoes, garlic, and fresh basil.

Ingredients:

• 1 baguette, sliced

• 2 cups diced tomatoes

• 2 cloves garlic

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• Basil leaves

Instructions:

1. Toast baguette slices.

2. Mix tomatoes, garlic, and oil.

3. Spoon onto toast and top with basil.

14. Baked Brie with Honey and Pecans

Melted brie topped with honey and crunchy pecans — simple yet luxurious.

Ingredients:

• 1 wheel brie cheese

• 2 tbsp honey

• ¼ cup chopped pecans

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. Bake brie for 10 minutes.

3. Top with honey and pecans before serving.

15. Stuffed Mini Peppers

Colorful mini bell peppers filled with herbed cream cheese — vibrant and tasty.

Ingredients:

• 10 mini bell peppers

• 8 oz cream cheese

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• Chives

Instructions:

1. Cut peppers in half and remove seeds.

2. Mix cream cheese with garlic and chives.

3. Fill peppers and chill before serving.

16. Cranberry Meatballs in Slow Cooker

Perfect for parties — tender meatballs slow-cooked in a sweet and tangy cranberry sauce.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs frozen meatballs

• 1 can cranberry sauce

• 1 cup barbecue sauce

Instructions:

1. Combine ingredients in a slow cooker.

2. Cook on low for 3–4 hours.

3. Stir and serve warm.

17. Pesto Pinwheels

Flaky puff pastry swirled with pesto and cheese, baked to perfection.

Ingredients:

• 1 puff pastry sheet

• ¼ cup pesto

• ¼ cup shredded mozzarella

Instructions:

1. Spread pesto and cheese on pastry.

2. Roll tightly and slice into rounds.

3. Bake at 375°F for 15 minutes until golden.

18. Cranberry Goat Cheese Crostini

Crispy crostini topped with creamy goat cheese and tart cranberry relish — elegant and festive.

Ingredients:

• 1 baguette, sliced

• 4 oz goat cheese

• ½ cup cranberry relish

Instructions:

1. Toast baguette slices.

2. Spread with goat cheese and top with cranberry relish.

3. Garnish with mint and serve.

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These 18 Christmas appetizer recipe ideas are perfect for entertaining guests or adding sparkle to your holiday menu.

From sweet and savory bites to creamy dips and elegant canapés, there’s something here to delight every palate.

Serve them at your Christmas Eve gathering, festive brunch, or cozy family dinner — and watch your guests go back for seconds.