The holidays are the perfect excuse to go all out with food — especially appetizers. Whether you’re hosting a casual family gathering or a grand Christmas dinner, a beautiful platter filled with bite-sized delights can turn any meal into a celebration. These 24 creative Christmas appetizer recipes are festive, flavorful, and guaranteed to wow your guests — all while being simple enough for any home cook to make.
1. Cranberry Brie Bites
Sweet, creamy, and perfectly festive — these cranberry brie bites bring all the holiday charm in one small, irresistible package.
Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 6 oz brie cheese, cubed
- ½ cup cranberry sauce
- Fresh rosemary
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cut pastry into small squares and press into mini muffin tins.
- Add brie and cranberry sauce.
- Bake 15 minutes until golden.
How to Serve It
Serve warm with honey drizzle and rosemary garnish for a festive look.
2. Caprese Christmas Skewers
Fresh, colorful, and simple — these skewers embody the red, white, and green spirit of Christmas.
Ingredients
- 20 cherry tomatoes
- 20 mozzarella balls
- Basil leaves
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Thread tomato, basil, and mozzarella on skewers.
- Drizzle with olive oil, season lightly.
How to Serve It
Arrange in a Christmas tree shape and finish with a star-cut cheese topper.
3. Pesto Pinwheel Pastries
Crisp, buttery, and full of flavor — these pinwheels are a visual and taste sensation.
Ingredients
- 1 puff pastry sheet
- ¼ cup pesto
- ½ cup parmesan cheese
- 1 egg, beaten
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Spread pesto and cheese, roll, slice into spirals, and brush with egg.
- Bake 15–18 minutes.
How to Serve It
Serve warm with marinara dip or place them around a cheese board for color contrast.
4. Holiday Deviled Eggs
A party staple with a holiday twist — colorful, flavorful, and easy to make ahead.
Ingredients
- 6 hard-boiled eggs
- 3 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tsp mustard
- Paprika and chives
Instructions
- Halve eggs, remove yolks, and mix with mayo and mustard.
- Fill whites and garnish with paprika and chives.
How to Serve It
Shape them into a wreath and add cranberries for decoration.
5. Stuffed Mini Bell Peppers
Crunchy, creamy, and colorful — these peppers are holiday-ready perfection.
Ingredients
- 12 mini bell peppers
- ½ cup cream cheese
- ¼ cup shredded cheddar
- 2 tbsp parsley
Instructions
- Halve peppers, remove seeds.
- Mix filling, stuff peppers, chill before serving.
How to Serve It
Serve in alternating colors and sprinkle with paprika.
6. Smoked Salmon Cucumber Bites
Light and elegant — the perfect appetizer for a classy Christmas dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 cucumber
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 4 oz smoked salmon
- Fresh dill
Instructions
- Spread cream cheese on cucumber slices.
- Add salmon and garnish with dill.
How to Serve It
Arrange on a marble board with lemon wedges.
7. Spinach Artichoke Dip Cups
A handheld version of the beloved dip — cheesy, creamy, and bite-sized.
Ingredients
- 1 cup spinach
- ½ cup artichoke hearts
- ½ cup cream cheese
- ¼ cup mozzarella
- Phyllo cups
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Mix filling, spoon into shells, bake 10–12 minutes.
How to Serve It
Top with parmesan and serve warm with herbs.
8. Christmas Tree Cheese Board
The ultimate visual showpiece — a cheese board turned Christmas art.
Ingredients
- Assorted cheeses
- Grapes
- Rosemary sprigs
Instructions
- Layer cheeses and fruits in a triangle.
- Add rosemary between rows.
How to Serve It
Serve with nuts, honey, and crackers.
9. Mini Meatball Skewers
Savory and hearty, these skewers make perfect cocktail-hour bites.
Ingredients
- 1 lb meatballs
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
- Cherry tomatoes
Instructions
- Heat meatballs in sauce.
- Skewer with tomatoes.
How to Serve It
Serve warm, brushed with extra glaze.
10. Baked Brie with Pecans and Honey
Warm, creamy, and elegant — this dish is pure comfort.
Ingredients
- 1 wheel brie
- ¼ cup chopped pecans
- 2 tbsp honey
Instructions
- Bake brie at 350°F for 10 minutes.
- Top with pecans and honey.
How to Serve It
Serve with apple slices, crackers, and rosemary sprigs.
11. Garlic Butter Shrimp Toasts
Buttery, garlicky, and golden crisp — a seafood lover’s dream.
Ingredients
- ½ lb shrimp, peeled
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Baguette slices
Instructions
- Sauté shrimp in butter and garlic.
- Spoon over toasted baguette slices.
How to Serve It
Sprinkle parsley and lemon zest before serving.
12. Holiday Antipasto Wreath
A fun, festive way to serve antipasto without the board.
Ingredients
- Salami, mozzarella balls, olives, tomatoes
- Rosemary sprigs
Instructions
- Thread onto small skewers.
- Arrange in a circle.
How to Serve It
Add a ribbon bow for a holiday touch.
13. Mini Sausage Rolls
A comforting, savory classic that guests devour fast.
Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry
- 8 sausages
- 1 egg, beaten
Instructions
- Wrap sausages in pastry, brush with egg.
- Bake 20 minutes at 400°F.
How to Serve It
Serve with mustard or cranberry dipping sauce.
14. Stuffed Mushrooms
Earthy, creamy, and irresistible in every bite.
Ingredients
- 12 mushrooms
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup cream cheese
- 1 garlic clove
Instructions
- Mix filling, stuff mushrooms.
- Bake at 375°F for 15 minutes.
How to Serve It
Garnish with chopped parsley and parmesan.
15. Cranberry Meatballs
A holiday favorite combining sweet and savory notes.
Ingredients
- 1 lb cooked meatballs
- ½ cup cranberry sauce
- ¼ cup barbecue sauce
Instructions
- Combine sauces and heat.
- Add meatballs, simmer until coated.
How to Serve It
Serve with toothpicks and sprinkle rosemary.
16. Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus
Elegant and salty-sweet — a classy bite for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 12 asparagus spears
- 6 prosciutto slices
Instructions
- Wrap asparagus, bake at 400°F for 12 minutes.
How to Serve It
Serve warm with parmesan dusting.
17. Cheesy Pull-Apart Bread
Soft, cheesy, and shareable — a true crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
- 1 round bread loaf
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella
- ¼ cup butter, melted
- 1 garlic clove
Instructions
- Slice bread into a grid, stuff cheese and butter mixture inside.
- Bake 15 minutes at 375°F.
How to Serve It
Serve hot, sprinkled with herbs.
18. Christmas Nacho Platter
A fun and colorful twist on the classic snack.
Ingredients
- Tortilla chips
- 1 cup cheese
- Bell peppers
- Sour cream
Instructions
- Layer chips and toppings, bake until cheese melts.
How to Serve It
Top with guacamole and red salsa.
19. Spiced Nut Mix
Crunchy, aromatic, and perfect for snacking with cocktails.
Ingredients
- 2 cups mixed nuts
- 2 tbsp honey
- ½ tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Roast nuts with honey and cinnamon for 15 minutes at 350°F.
How to Serve It
Serve in small bowls with dried cranberries mixed in.
20. Mini Spinach Quiches
Delicate, savory, and easy to make ahead.
Ingredients
- 4 eggs
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup spinach
- ¼ cup cheese
Instructions
- Mix filling, pour into mini muffin tins.
- Bake 20 minutes at 375°F.
How to Serve It
Serve warm with a dollop of sour cream.
21. Fig and Goat Cheese Crostini
Sweet, creamy, and elegant — perfect for pairing with wine.
Ingredients
- Baguette slices
- 4 oz goat cheese
- 4 fresh figs
- Honey
Instructions
- Toast baguette, spread cheese, add fig slices, drizzle honey.
How to Serve It
Garnish with thyme or rosemary.
22. Bacon-Wrapped Dates
Sweet, smoky, and utterly delicious — a timeless party snack.
Ingredients
- 12 dates, pitted
- 6 bacon slices
Instructions
- Wrap dates in bacon, secure with toothpicks.
- Bake 15 minutes at 400°F.
How to Serve It
Serve warm with maple glaze drizzle.
23. Bruschetta Trio
A colorful variety platter your guests will love sampling.
Ingredients
- Toasted baguette slices
- Tomato, avocado, roasted peppers
- Olive oil, salt, and basil
Instructions
- Mix toppings separately, spoon over toast.
How to Serve It
Arrange by color for a festive gradient effect.
24. Mini Chicken Pot Pie Bites
Comfort food in mini form — warm, flaky, and flavorful.
Ingredients
- 1 sheet pie crust
- 1 cup shredded chicken
- ½ cup peas and carrots
- ¼ cup gravy
Instructions
- Mix filling, cut crust into circles, fill, and bake at 375°F for 20 minutes.
How to Serve It
Serve warm on a platter with fresh thyme.
Conclusion
A holiday table filled with these 24 Christmas appetizer platters is guaranteed to impress. Each bite brings its own touch of joy, color, and comfort to your celebration. Mix and match sweet and savory options, play with presentation, and make your party unforgettable. So grab your favorite serving board, pour a glass of something festive, and let the appetizers steal the show!
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