The Ultimate Christmas Appetizers
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If you’re looking for some delicious appetizer recipes to serve up at your holiday party, you’ve come to the right place. These are the BEST Christmas appetizers that are sure to please a crowd. Whether you’re looking for easy finger food recipes or something a little more elaborate, we’ve got you covered.
The Ultimate Christmas Appetizers
Like a lot of folks, I’m always searching for Christmas appetizers that will tantalize taste buds and add a festive touch to holiday celebrations. And over the past few years, I’ve posted many recipes that do just that.
This collection highlights some Christmas appetizers that my family, friends, and I have especially enjoyed. Each delectable treat is part of joy-filled holiday moments that begin with creating and serving and end with eating and savoring.
They range from savory to salty and even creamy or cheesy. You are sure to find something for everyone’s tastebuds in this large collection of ideas.
FAQs about Christmas appetizers
Below are some questions people often ask about making the best Christmas appetizers. If you don’t see your question in this list, please leave it in the comments.
What is the most popular Christmas snack?
It’s really tough to name the one most popular Christmas snack, but there are things that make some snacks more desirable this time of year. Red and green foods and food that is sugary-sweet are really popular this time of year. Cranberry meatballs are all of these things!
What is the best food for a Christmas party?
All of the ideas in this list are festive and the perfect things to serve at a Christmas party. The olive wreath looks just like a Christmas wreath, and the Christmas tree cheeseball looks like a stunning tree. These are foods that will impress your guests. Looking for more non-traditional Christmas dinner recipe ideas? Check out this post HERE.
What do you put on a nibbles platter?
A nibbles platter is another word for a charcuterie board. The olive wreath and red pepper jelly will look stunning on a nibbles platter. The cheese-filled pull-apart rolls will look lovely on a Christmas appetizers tray too.
Christmas idea and recipe resource list
Before we get to the list of Christmas appetizers, I have some more ideas that will help you plan the most epic Christmas party ever.
I have hundreds of ideas and recipes to add the happy to your holidays. Check out some of my favorite ideas below.
- How I Plan My Christmas Decor
- 20+ Stunning Christmas Tree Design Ideas
- 150+ Creative Christmas Ideas – my favorite resource!
- The Best Christmas Cocktail Recipes
- My Favorite Christmas Cookies
- Christmas Q&A – answering YOUR Christmas questions
- The Ultimate Christmas Music Playlist
- How to add Ribbon to your Christmas Tree – highly popular post!
- The Best Gingerbread Inspired Recipes
Okay, now on to my favorite Christmas appetizer recipes!
Christmas appetizers: Classics with a twist
1. Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts
I amped up this standard with thick-cut bacon and used an entire water chestnut in each to balance all that bacony goodness. Yummy!
2. Roasted Parmesan Garlic Shrimp
If you’re looking for a traditional Christmas appetizer that’s exceptionally delicious and easy to make, this is it. To punch up their flavor, toss medium-sized shrimp in olive oil, spices, Parmesan, and fresh garlic. Then roast the shrimp in the oven and serve them with cocktail sauce.
3. Brown Sugar Glazed Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp
Want another shrimp recipe? Then you must try these brown sugar glazed bacon-wrapped shrimp. These shrimp are loaded with delicious flavor and wrapped with bacon. As Ina Garten would say, “How bad can that be?”
4. Tortilla Roll-Ups with Salsa
These tortilla roll-ups are the perfect Christmas appetizer recipe. Stacked into a tree shape and served with salsa, they are an easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing snack.
5. Really Good Jalapeño Dip
The recipe for this dip came from my dad’s wife. The recipe name is an understatement. It truly is the best jalapeno dip I’ve ever tasted. It has just the right amount of heat, but you can make it hotter if you like.
6. Cheese-Filled Pull-Apart Rolls
Lovingly shape these cheese-filled pull-apart rolls into a Christmas tree to create the ultimate holiday appetizer. Serve with a bowl of marinara sauce for a grand, festive treat!
7. Mini Cheese Truffles
My fondness for cheeseballs is widely known. (Find all of my cheeseball recipes here.) These mini cheese Truffles are a cute and delicious take on this ever-popular Christmas appetizer. What’s especially great is that the presentation stays neat and lovely throughout your event.
8. Everything Bagel Cheeseball
Speaking of cheeseballs, this everything bagel cheeseball is one of the most popular recipes on Inspired by Charm. While I originally created it to look like a pumpkin, you can shape it into a ball to suit any season.
9. Cranberry Meatballs
The addition of cranberry sauce in the glaze nicely complements the onion and other seasonings in these meatballs. Your guests will talk about them and immediately return for more!
10. Really Good Veggie Dip
Although veggies are tasty on their own, this dip will take them to another level. To me, this veggie dip is the “best of the best.” I was lucky enough to get the recipe from the deli in my hometown.
11. Artichoke Wonton Wrappers
My mom has often made these for family Christmas Eve get-togethers. I love the look and taste and recently found out how easy they are to create. A Christmas appetizer triple win!
12. Red Pepper Jelly
Red pepper jelly goes beautifully with cream cheese and crackers. I’ll show you how to make your own red pepper jelly, so you can get just the right amount of heat.
13. Christmas Tree Cheeseball
Deck the halls with cheese and fun! This colorful tree-shaped cheeseball is a show-stopper that is also a delight to put together. (And IBC readers know how much I enjoy decorating Christmas trees!)
14. Fried Ravioli
This recipe is a fan favorite probably because it’s super easy and oh-so-tempting. It uses store-bought ravioli and three ready-made sauces for dipping. I even recorded a video to show you what to do.
15. Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Peppadew Peppers
These bacon-wrapped stuffed peppadew peppers are a delicious bite-sized appetizer ideal for the holidays. Sweet peppers, cream cheese, AND bacon. Could it get any better than that?
16. Walnut Blue Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms
These mini-portobello mushrooms are divine! Their rich, hearty flavor and convenient bite-size make them a perfect nibble. I promise your guests will be begging for the recipe.
17. BLT Dip
If you’re bored with the classic taco dip, switch things up and try this BLT dip recipe. It’s a personal favorite!
18. Olive Wreath Holiday Appetizer
This olive wreath is a delicious and beautiful holiday appetizer idea. You can assemble it in minutes, and it adds a tasty and colorful touch to any party spread.
19. Christmas Charcuterie Cups
If you want to wow your guests this holiday season with a spectacular appetizer, then you need to make these Christmas Charcuterie Cups. They are individual festive charcuterie boards served in a cup. They are winner in both presentation and flavor.
20. Out-of-this-World Corn Dip
This Out-of-this-World Corn Dip (also know as Crack Corn Dip) is a crowd pleasing appetizer that has become my go-to party recipe. It’s easy to make and will always great rave reviews!
21. Cranberry Brie Bites
Made with rich and creamy brie, homemade cranberry sauce, and mini phyllo shells, these Cranberry Brie Bites are an easy, unique, and flavorful appetizer perfect for the holiday season.
22. Tree Shaped Christmas Cheese Board
This tree-shaped Christmas cheese board is an easy and festive appetizer recipe that will impress your guests and be the centerpiece of your holiday table.
Want more tasty Christmas treats? Try these:
- The Best Christmas Cocktail Recipes
- My Favorite Christmas Cookies
- Cheeseball Recipes for Every Season
- Delicious Gingerbread Inspired Recipes
- The Ultimate Cranberry Recipes
I hope this round-up of ultimate Christmas appetizer recipes has inspired you.
That’s a wrap on Christmas party appetizers!
Which recipes will you be making for your next big party? Which ones will you be surprising your friends or family with on a quiet evening at home during the holiday season? I’m confident everyone will love the Christmas appetizers you create.
Enjoy these festive bites and want more?
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These are great recipes-thank you for sharing!! You have great taste!!
I love these recipes and can’t wait to dig in deeper to your blog. I’ll be making the Christmas tree cheese ball for our company holiday food competition – since we are all still remote it will basically be all presentation. I’ll share the credits and brag about how much fun stuff you have on here. Wish me luck!!
I love love all the great appetizers!! Can’t wait to try them out and thank you for sharing such great ideas. My favorite was the olive wreath it’s not only beautiful but olives are my favorites so it will taste just as delicious!
Michael, You do inspire me ! Thank-you so much for your Awesome site I love getting lost in all your wonderful idea’s and inspiration
Oh, I stand corrected. I see that you do indeed have many ads on your blog. (I don’t get them, but they are needed to pay the bills. Sorry for the first part of the comment I just posted!
I don’t get any ads with your blog Michael. So it must be the server of the reader who complained. It’s something she should look into. I switched servers and requested very limited ads. I don’t remember how. . . . I also wanted to tell you that you are uncanny! These appetizers are just incredible! Everything that could possibly be the most delicious, the most tempting, the most festive appetizers one could have at a party celebrating the holidays! Of course most of us won’t be having big parties, or any gatherings this year. And many of us will be just with our most immediate family-like maybe a party for a few ore even two! But I am absolutely going to make as many of these appetizers as I can – maybe they will be our dinner on New Year’s Eve!!! Thank you so much! I’m not your typical reader, I’m quite an old lady in fact! But I love your blog!
I love your blog but sometimes there are so many ads I give up looking at all the recipes. It’s extremely annoying.
Sorry you feel that way, Gail. I have almost 2,000 posts on my website that took me almost 12 years of work to create. I offer this all for free. My bills every month just to keep the site active and alive are close to $2,000. (If not more.) The ads keep the site alive. The ads allow me to offer this content for free to millions. Yes, ads are annoying. I agree. But in the case, they are essential. I hope you understand and don’t mind the mere seconds it takes to scroll past them or click out of them.
xo Michael
Wonderful recipes and very beautiful too. I loved your Christmas tree appetizer.
You amaze me. These look delish – so kudos to your cooking AND photography skills. I only found you this past Easter, and I’m so glad I did. Your kitchen, Christmas decorations, cocktails and recipes are amazing. Happy Holidays.
This entire menu is perfect for our upcoming Christmas party. 100%
Thank you so much for the great ideas. The olive wreath is my favorite for this Italian girl.
Okay, I need to make all of these. YUM!
Every dish is amazing! I’m so glad you shared them! I’m having a gathering in a couple of weeks and have wanted new appetizers for a change. Can’t say which one is my favorite as they all look and sound delish!
just what I needed, some Christmas appetizer inspiration, thank you, I need some new ideas and these will do very nicely!
Wow wow wow. Fatten a sister yo why don’t you! These look amazing!