47 Fun & Festive Christmas Holiday Party Appetizer Recipes

The holidays are filled with parties, and nothing makes a holiday party more memorable than fun and festive Christmas party food, appetizers, cocktails, and sweet endings.

Whether you are hosting an informal gathering of friends or an extravagant New Year’s Eve cocktail party, you will find all of the quick, easy, and mostly make-ahead party appetizer recipes and menu ideas you need right here.

From the perfect choice for any occasion, delectable Bourbon Pecan Brie Bites to classic appetizers like Southern Cheese Crackers, there is something for everyone in this impressive roundup.

Cranberry Pecan Mini Goat Cheese Balls – Grits and Pinecones

Cranberry Pecan Mini Goat Cheese Balls, with their festive holiday colors of red and green, are the perfect Christmas appetizer to serve to your family and friends or take to a holiday party.

Chocolate Cranberry Christmas Mini Cakes – Nirvana Cakery

Chocolate Cranberry Christmas Mini Cakes are simple cakes that aren’t complicated to make and that would look great on a festive table. These vegan, gluten-free, and nut-free little sponge cakes are filled with cranberry chia jam and topped with luscious chocolate and fresh cranberries.

Chocolate Christmas Mice – Pudge Factor

Chocolate Christmas Mice are the perfect holiday party food. They’re sure to bring a twinkle to the eyes of the grown-ups and a smile to the faces of your little ones. They are easy to make, and delicious too!

Bourbon Pecan Brie Bites – Grits and Pinecones

Bourbon Pecan Brie Bites are a show-stopping bite-size, make-ahead appetizer that’s perfect for holiday entertaining. Whether you make them for Christmas or New Year’s, no one will be able to resist the flaky phyllo shells full of creamy brie cheese, roasted pecans, brown sugar, and just a touch of bourbon.

Vietnamese Rice Paper Rolls– Recipe Tin Eats

They look great, they taste amazing and they’re (pretty) healthy! The peanut dipping sauce is sensational! These are so fabulously fresh and I’ve got a few tips to make rolling these up a breeze.

Make-Ahead Spinach Artichoke Tartlets – Pudge Factor

Spinach Artichoke Tartlets are just in time for your Christmas or New Year’s Eve appetizer table. The spinach and artichoke mixture comes together in minutes in your food processor and can be made ahead of time. Fill store-bought phyllo shells before your party, pop them into the oven for 15 minutes, and you’re ready to go. Did I mention that they are absolutely delicious?

Jezebel Sauce over Cream Cheese – Grits and Pinecones

Jezebel Sauce is a funny name for an extraordinarily versatile and delicious southern condiment. Spread it over cream cheese and serve it with crackers for an incredible holiday appetizer.

Cranberry Brie Crescent Wreath – My Modern Cookery

This Cranberry Brie Crescent Wreath is the perfect appetizer for the holiday season. Plus, it’s super easy with the help of a can of crescent rolls.

Layered Shrimp Cocktail – Pudge Factor

If you like shrimp cocktail, you’ll absolutely love this New Orleans inspired Layered Shrimp Cocktail Spread. It’s quick and easy to prepare and tastes as good as it looks! It consists of spicy cocktail sauce and succulent shrimp on top of a savory cream cheese base.

Cranberry Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip – Grits and Pinecones

Try this super simple, but deliciously creamy and tangy, make-ahead Cranberry Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip appetizer for your next holiday party or gathering. The red and green colors of the raw cranberry mixture are perfect for the holidays, and you won’t believe how good it is.

Goat Cheese Stuffed Artichoke Bottoms – From a Chef’s Kitchen

Goat Cheese Stuffed Artichoke Bottoms are easy, impressive and so delicious! Best of all, they can be made well in advance! Soon to become your favorite party appetizer!

Easy Cheesy Zucchini Bites – Pudge Factor

Easy Cheesy Zucchini Bites are loaded with grated zucchini, bread crumbs, and cheddar cheese. They’re the perfect appetizer eaten plain or dipped in ketchup or spicy marinara. The mixture can be made ahead of time and baked when you need them. Also, the leftovers are just as good when they’ve been refrigerated and reheated. Did I mention that they are super easy to make?

Cranberry Brie Bites – Grits and Pinecones

Just in time for the holidays, I am bringing you a very merry and festive cranberry and brie Christmas appetizer recipe. Easy Cranberry Brie Bites, with only 3 ingredients, will take you less than 15 minutes to prepare.

Christmas Party Purses – Root and Revel

Do you have any favorite holiday traditions? For me, it’s not Christmas without my favorite holiday appetizer: chicken party purses, a festive mushroom and chicken crepe filled with creamy Boursin cheese. Indulgent, savory, delicious…but so worth it and cleaned up with a gluten-free crepe batter recipe, too. The perfect Christmas party appetizer idea (it’s even shaped like a gift!), and a great way to start your own fun holiday tradition with your family and kids.

Sausage and Cheese Crescent Ring – Pudge Factor

Sausage & Cheese Crescent Ring transforms three simple ingredients into an amazing and crowd-pleasing dish. Watch it quickly disappear when served at a holiday or game day party! Plus, it’s super simple to put together. The Sausage & Cheese Crescent Ring can be assembled ahead of time and baked to perfection in less than 25 minutes.

Roquefort Cheesecake with Roasted Red Pepper and Peach Jam – Grits and Pinecones

Roquefort Cheesecake with Roasted Red Pepper and Peach Jam and topped with crunchy toasted pecans, is not only delicious, but it’s also the ultimate make-ahead holiday party appetizer.

Wild Mushroom and Baked Brie – The View from The Great Island

Wild Mushroom and Hazelnut Baked Brie is a stunning appetizer showcasing gorgeous mushrooms, crunchy hazelnuts, and buttery brie cheese. This easy baked cheese (it looks a lot fancier than it is) will be the star attraction of your next party, just add wine and a roaring fire.

Baked Pears with Gorgonzola and Honey – Happy Kitchen Rocks

Baked Pears with Gorgonzola and Honey: Easy, delicious and elegant appetizer for special occasions. You only need 5 ingredients and 20 minutes to make it!

Holiday Glazed Turkey Meatballs – Pudge Factor

This make-ahead, tender and flavorful turkey meatballs appetizer glazed with a sweet-savory sauce will be a winner at your next holiday gathering.

Santa Claus Christmas Punch – Grits and Pinecones

Santa Claus Christmas Punch is an extra-delicious, easy, make-ahead holiday punch that’s perfect for a Christmas or New Year’s Eve party. This festive alcoholic punch is so good you will want to plan a party just so that you can serve it to your friends.

Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Dates – Cali Girl Cooking

Sweet, juicy dates stuffed with cream cheese and almonds – all wrapped in crispy bacon – make the perfect appetizer for any holiday party. They’re easy to make and quite the crowd pleaser!

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Loaded Hasselback Potato Bites – Pudge Factor

If you like loaded potatoes and Hasselback Potatoes, you’ll absolutely love Loaded Hasselback Potato Bites. They are a mini version of the ever-popular Hasselback Potatoes all dressed up with classic loaded potato fixings. They make the perfect appetizer to serve at your holiday party, or anytime for that matter.

Goat Cheese with Honeyed Fruit and Nuts – The Merchant Baker

Goat Cheese with Honeyed Fruit and Nuts. Cranberries, apricots, dates, pineapple, and walnuts, drenched in honey, then spooned atop creamy goat cheese! This is a perfect appetizer for the holidays. It couldn’t be easier or more delicious!

Cranberry Brie Pull-Apart Bread – Half Baked Harvest

It’s true what they say, sometimes the simplest things are the best, and this bread is simply the best. I mean, come on do you see all that brie? What’s not to love about that? No joke, this bread is full-on amazing and perfect for a holiday appetizer.

Quick and Easy Stovetop Candied Pecans – Grits and Pinecones

Three ingredient Quick and Easy Stovetop Candied Pecans only take about 10 minutes, and you won’t believe how simple they are to make! They are a classic party favorite. Oh, and did I mention they are delicious?

Pinecone Cheese Spread Appetizer – The Gingham Apron

A yummy holiday appetizer made with two different kinds of cheese and decorated with sliced almonds in the shape of a pinecone. Oh so easy, just throw everything in your food processor.

Fig Almond Tartlets Appetizer – Spoonabilities

Fig Almond Tartlets Appetizer is one of our super easy & quick party bites recipes. This appetizer can be whipped up in under 30 minutes and is the perfect appetizer for the holiday season.

Spinach and Goat Cheese Tartlets – Grits and Pinecones

Are you looking for an easy, delicious, festive, make-ahead appetizer to serve at a Christmas or holiday party? If so, check out this incredible recipe for Spinach and Goat Cheese Tartlets.

Cranberry-Sage Mini Meatballs – Gluten-Free with LB

Sage and cranberry mini meatballs are the perfect gluten-free appetizer for your Christmas, New Year’s Eve or holiday party!

Ultimate Blue Cheese Spread with Pecans – Grits and Pinecones

The Ultimate Blue Cheese Spread with Pecans is the perfect holiday appetizer. I have made this easy appetizer recipe every year now for over 20 years for a special holiday party with girlfriends. I wouldn’t think of bringing anything else. It’s a long-standing tradition, and who am I to mess with tradition.

Christmas Tree Charcuterie Tray – Cooking with Janica

What I love about this Christmas charcuterie tray is it’s very much festive and fun to build. You can add and change whatever you want, and that’s the beauty of it, you can be creative and add your own little spin on things.

Elegant (but Easy) Dark Chocolate Bites – Hello Fun Seekers

I am in love with these homemade dark chocolate bites. Don’t they look practically gourmet? Many of my friends and families received a bag of these beauties as part of their holiday gifts last year and they make a sweet statement on your party food table.

Fig Walnut Rosemary Crackers (Vegan & Gluten-Free) – Nirvana Cakery

I’ve got another yummy recipe for the party season for you – Fig Walnut Rosemary Crackers. They are everything crackers should be, crispy, full of flavor and so moreish. I could not stop myself from eating them! Inspired by my ever so popular Buckwheat Rosemary Crackers these are much nuttier and just as amazing. Only missing some cashew cheese to dip in.

Artichoke Stuffed Mushrooms – Grits and Pinecones

Whether you are looking for appetizers for a Christmas, New Year’s Eve or for Super Bowl party, I have you covered with these delicious and Easy Artichoke Stuffed Mushrooms. If you like hot artichoke dip and also like stuffed mushroom caps, you will love the combination in Easy Artichoke Stuffed Mushrooms.

Sweet Potato Toasts Appetizer – Happy Healthy Mama

If you are scrambling to find a last-minute appetizer for your holiday party, I have you covered. This Sweet Potato Toasts Appetizer is super quick to make, you quite possibly have all of the ingredients in your pantry, and they are delicious!

Low-Fat Bacon Jalapeno Cheese Ball – A Well Fed Life

My low-fat Bacon Cheddar Jalapeño Cheese ball is creamy, a little spicy, a little smokey and you won’t miss any of the fat or the calories. I like to serve the cheeseball with Rye Crisp crackers; they are light, crispy, a tad salty and not high in calories.

Cranberry Pecan Baked Brie – Damn Delicious

Simple, elegant and an absolute crowd-pleaser! Best of all, this is one of the easiest appetizers EVER with only 5-10 min prep!

Crostini with Fig and Prosciutto – Pass Me Some Tasty

Crostini with fig and prosciutto is a clever food redirect disguised as a hospitable and tasty appetizer featuring prosciutto, your favorite soft cheese (I love Port Salut or Brie), fig spread, arugula, and a tasty drizzle of balsamic glaze. It’s easy peasy and won’t take up any precious oven space. All you need is 15 minutes friend.

Easy Frozen Cranberry Margaritas – Grits and Pinecones

I have the perfect Christmas cocktail to kick off the holidays, Easy Frozen Cranberry Margaritas! Not only are they a beautiful rosy color, but they are delicious and oh so easy to make.The secret to this delectable cranberry margarita recipe is canned cranberry sauce! Yes, you read that right, canned cranberry sauce! It gives these mouthwatering libations a beautiful color and delightful cranberry flavor.

Spinach Phyllo Roll-Ups – Trial and Eater

Spinach phyllo roll-ups – use your phyllo dough for this simple holiday appetizer (or party finger food). Eat your vegetables while having the option to customize to your favorite flavor combo!

Veggie Skewers with Creme Fraîche – Fork in the Kitchen

Veggie Skewers with Creme Fraîche Dip – beautiful vegetables ready for dipping in a creamy, herb-filled, tangy sauce.

Elegant Make Ahead Mushroom Croustades – Pudge Factor

Make-Ahead Mushroom Croustades is an elegant bite-sized holiday appetizer. With rich and creamy mushroom filling in a crispy toasted bread shell, they will WOW your most discerning guests.

Paleo Coconut Shrimp with Pina Colada Dipping Sauce – My Natural Family

This version of Paleo Coconut Shrimp is awesome because it is so simple and healthy. It only has a little bit of honey in the sauce to sweeten and comes together very quickly. It also has both coconut flour and shredded coconut for lots of good coconut flavor.

Easy Creamy Crab Mornay Dip – Grits and Pinecones

This fabulous and Easy Creamy Crab Mornay Dip is a flavorful appetizer and perfect for holiday parties or anytime you are entertaining and want to serve your family or guests something special!

Easy Cheesy Sausage Balls – Pudge Factor

Easy Cheesy Sausage Balls are a perfect appetizer. With only three ingredients, these little gems have it all. They’re super simple to make, taste incredible warm or at room temperature, freeze beautifully, and are just as good reheated. Who could ask for more?