10+ Best Christmas Appetizers Your Guests Will Love

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These Christmas appetizers will have everyone gathered around the table in seconds. Everyone loves a festive bite, party dip, and more! And you’ll love that these appetizers are easy to make, absolutely delicious, and some can even be prepared ahead of time to make your holiday planning a bit more stress-free.

Mediterranean baked feta with a cracker.

Why You’ll Love These Christmas Appetizers

Between the big Christmas dinner with family, and all the holiday parties with friends, having this go-to list of appetizers is an absolute must for me, and now you! These tried-and-true recipes have been a hit every single time I’ve served them. Rest assured, whatever you choose will be a crowd favorite. Here’s what else you’ll love about them:

  • They’re classic and creative options. If someone else is already making traditional Christmas appetizers such as deviled eggs or stuffed mushrooms, I say get creative this year with a few fun ideas listed below.
  • They’re easy to make. Complicated recipes are the last thing we want to worry about during the holidays. These appetizers are simple, stress-free, and perfect for any party menu.
  • They’re make-ahead friendly: Many can be partially or fully prepared in advance. I’ll include helpful tips in each recipe to guide you on prepping ingredients or making the dish a day ahead.

10 Best Christmas Appetizers

A plate of stuffed mushrooms.

Stuffed Mushrooms: This is one of my most loved Christmas appetizers. Tender mushroom caps are stuffed with a cheesy, herby filling, and topped with chopped pecans for a crunchy touch. No need for breadcrumbs here!

A baking dish with crab dip and crackers.

Crab Dip: If you’re looking for another way to serve crab this Christmas, everyone will love this creamy and cheesy crab dip. It’s layered with savory, spicy flavors, and a variety of cheeses for that delicious, cheesy pull.

Deviled eggs are hard boiled eggs where the yolk is mixed with mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, salt and pepper. A little sprinkle of paprika on top helps make these the best deviled eggs recipe.

Deviled Eggs: You can never go wrong with a platter of deviled eggs for the holidays. And don’t forget to read through my post on how to make hard-boiled eggs for seamless prep work.

Baked brie with cranberry sauce.

Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce: Baked cheeses are here to stay, and this baked brie topped with my homemade cranberry sauce belongs on every holiday table. That festive presentation alone will brighten up your dinner spread!

Spinach artichoke dip in a white casserole dish.

Healthy Spinach Artichoke Dip: This dip always has a special place at dinner parties. And with how good this version is, no one will even realize it’s completely dairy-free. This makes it great for everyone to enjoy.

Shrimp cocktail on a platter with sauce.

Shrimp Cocktail: Skip the store-bought platters because making your own is incredibly easy. Not to mention, this cocktail sauce is hands down better than any jarred versions.

Salmon cheese ball on a plate surrounded by crackers.

Smoked Salmon Cheese Ball: If you’re looking for the perfect cheese ball recipe, this is it. It’s actually my mom’s signature appetizer, layered with smoked salmon, onion, pecans, and plenty of fresh herbs.

A bowl of homemade hummus next to a napkin

Classic Hummus: This creamy, nutty hummus is another delicious dip that always gathers people around the table. I love to serve this on a crudite platter with plenty of sliced vegetables such as celery, carrots, or bell peppers. But you can also serve with your favorite crackers.

Mediterranean baked feta.

Mediterranean Baked Feta: This one is a personal favorite and one of my signature appetizers for dinner parties. Each scoop is the perfect bite of warm, soft feta cheese with an herb-infused green olive and sun-dried tomato topping.

A tortilla chip scooping up pomegranate guacamole.

Pomegranate Guacamole: Give this fan-favorite guacamole a festive spin with bright red pomegranate seeds! They add an unexpectedly tart, refreshing crunch, and boast the perfect colors for a Christmas appetizer.

A bowl of whipped feta with roasted tomatoes.

Whipped Feta Dip: This is another great way to enjoy feta as an appetizer! The combination of creamy whipped feta and roasted herby tomatoes is a savory combination you didn’t know you needed.

If you make any of these Christmas appetizers, I’d love to hear how they turn out in the comment box below! Your review will help other readers in the community. And if you’re hungry for more food inspiration (and exclusive content), join my free newsletter.

Christmas appetizers.

10+ Best Christmas Appetizers Your Guests Will Love

5 from 1 vote
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 8 minutes
Total: 13 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Author: Lisa Bryan

Description

Shine bright at all your holiday festivities with these Christmas appetizers! They're easy to make (with some that can be made ahead of time), absolutely delicious, and perfect for sharing with friends and family. Like this baked Brie with cranberry sauce that I know everyone will love!

Equipment

  • Brie Baker The perfect dish to cook brie in and carry to holiday parties!

Ingredients  

  • 8 ounce round Brie cheese
  • ½ cup cranberry sauce
  • 2 tablespoons roughly chopped pistachios
  • Optional garnish: fresh herb sprigs and orange zest

Instructions 

  • Prep the Brie. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the Brie on a parchment-lined baking sheet or in a Brie baker.
    A sheet pan with parchment paper and brie.
  • Top and bake. Top with the cranberry sauce, then bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese is soft and melty.
    Brie on a sheet pan with cranberry sauce.
  • Serve. Sprinkle the pistachios on top and garnish with fresh herbs.
    Baked brie with cranberry sauce and pistachios.

Nutrition

Calories: 192kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 38mg | Sodium: 239mg | Potassium: 114mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 246IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 76mg | Iron: 0.5mg
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Baked Brie, Baked Brie Recipe, Christmas appetizers
Did you make this recipe?Mention @downshiftology or tag #downshiftology!

About the author

Lisa Bryan

Lisa is a bestselling cookbook author, recipe developer, and YouTuber (with over 2.5 million subscribers) living in sunny Southern California. She started Downshiftology in 2014, and is passionate about making healthy food with fresh, simple and seasonal ingredients.

5 from 1 vote

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