25 Easy Christmas Appetizers

Here’s the best easy Christmas appetizer: the Ultimate Cheese Board! Cheese boards are our go-to for entertaining: they’re simple to put together, easy to customize for various diets, and look simply brilliant. Building a spread like this one can feel intimidating at first, but good news: it’s not! Here’s an easy way to make a cheese board, with loads of ideas to make the spread of your dreams.

Another easy Christmas appetizer: Baked Brie! This simple trick is something for everyone's arsenal. Here’s what you need to know about making a melty, delicious pile of brie. The great part? The toppings are versatile depending on your preferences, and you can make a beautiful platter with little effort. 

This pinwheels recipe is great for anytime, but it's ideal for Christmas with the festive red and green! This finger food is full of Italian-style flavors: mozzarella, sundried tomatoes, spinach, and a blend of spices. They look totally stunning on a platter.

There’s no better easy Christmas appetizer than this warm goat cheese with marmalade! It’s got just 4 ingredients, takes just 10 minutes to bake, and tastes like an absolute dream. The tangy, gooey goat cheese against the citrusy marmalade and herbaceous thyme is pure bliss.

When it comes to simple and satisfying appetizers, this one’s at the top of our list. This Olive Tapenade takes just 5 minutes and explodes with pure Mediterranean flavor! This traditional French spread is made with olives and capers, and the salty, briny flavor is otherworldly. Spread on crunchy crostini for an appetizer everyone will love.

Here’s a spin on spinach artichoke dip that takes this classic to a new level! This tangy, creamy dip recipe is such a crowd pleaser that it might interfere with the conversation when you serve it. It's perfection served with bread or pita chips.

Here’s a classic party appetizer everyone will crowd around: this easy Cheese Ball! This one gives us all the retro vibes, imagining a 1970’s style appetizer spread with shrimp cocktail and party franks. But some foods never go out of style, and this one still pops for parties. This recipe freshens up the classic with cheddar, green onion, Worcestershire, garlic powder and smoked paprika for a creamy, savory punch.

Cranberries and salsa aren’t the most likely pair: until you’ve tried this Cranberry Salsa recipe! This fun fall appetizer is zingy and bright, pairing tart berries with fresh cilantro, onion, and jalapeno for a sweet tart dip. Sugar balances out the tart flavor, and the hint of heat from jalapeno is just right for pairing with the berries.

Looking for a great Christmas appetizer? Try these simple stuffed mushrooms! These little bites have everything going on: they’re savory, meaty, and herby, with a tender exterior and a crunch in each bite. Even better, this recipe is incredibly easy: no need to sauté filling ingredients. Chop them up, fill, and bake!

What's more fun than an appetizer pizza...shaped like a Christmas tree? Use pesto for the green branches, then top with mozzarella snow and fresh vegetable ornaments. It's a crowd pleasing treat that everyone will love!

They’re crunchy, irresistibly sweet and salty, and totally classic: try this homemade Candied Pecans recipe! This is our master recipe that makes perfectly crunchy, sweet candied pecans with little effort. It’s got just the right amount of cinnamon and sweetness, and it takes a load of will power to stop eating them once you make up a batch. 

Looking for a fun, creamy dip that’s simple to whip up for guests? Try this homemade French Onion Dip recipe! Sure, you can easily grab a tub at the store. But making this classic dip at home takes it to a new level. The flavor is fresh, savory, rich and tangy: ideal for drowning salty potato chips or crunchy veggies.

Here's a fun and easy Christmas appetizer recipe: Marinated Mozzarella Balls! Like many Italian-style appetizers, the genius is in its simplicity. Marinade fresh mozzarella balls in a mix of olive oil, chopped herbs and red pepper flakes, and the flavor is a burst of bold and herbaceous. It’s perfect as an antipasti or as part of a cheese board.

Here’s an easy Christmas appetizer that looks stunning and relies on simple, spot-on flavors: Smoked Salmon Bites! The classic combination of smoked salmon, dill, cucumber and cream cheese is a hit every time. Mix the cream cheese with fresh dill, green onion and Dijon for a rich, zingy pop. Make up this platter for a party, and people won’t be able to tear themselves away!

This board of Italian appetizers is an explosion of colors and flavors, and it’s almost guaranteed to be the centerpiece of any party. Add traditional antipasti like cheese, meats, marinated vegetables, olives, crackers, breads, and more to a platter and serve with small plates to let your guests get to snacking. 

Here’s a go-to recipe for Christmas parties: this easy Fruit Dip! Get this: it’s 3 ingredients, takes 2 minutes, and tastes like a dream. That’s right: no need to buy store-bought dip, which is often overly sweet or artificial tasting. This one tastes beautifully natural, simply sweet, and a base of Greek yogurt keeps it healthy and natural. 

Here's an easy finger food: goat cheese stuffed dates! Quick to make, the sweet and savory combo keeps everyone coming back for more. Pair the sweet caramel chewiness of Medjool dates with tangy, fluffy goat cheese, and top them with a dusting of pistachios and a sprinkle of smoked paprika.

This quick and creamy salmon dip has a bit of a retro vibe, which makes it all the more endearing. It’s chock full of rich flavor: hearty cream cheese, tangy yogurt, punchy Dijon, and that intensely smoky flavor that only fresh smoked salmon brings.

Here’s an easy Italian-style appetizer that will wow everyone with minimal effort: Marinated Mushrooms! You know those seasoned mushrooms you find at an Italian deli counter or antipasti bar at the grocery? They’re easy to make at home and full of bold, zesty flavor.

Here’s a quick and creamy dip that will have everyone talking: Whipped Goat Cheese! This Christmas appetizer takes just 5 minutes to make and tastes like a dream! If you love the earthy, savory creaminess of goat cheese, you’ll park yourself right next to the bowl. Flavored with fresh herbs and garlic, this smooth spread is ideal for dipping crackers or crostini.

Here’s an easy Christmas appetizer: Antipasto Skewers! They’re everything that’s great about an antipasto platter, in skewer form. Thread olives, mozzarella, marinated artichokes and tortellini pasta onto a skewer, and it’s easily devoured by eaters of all ages.

Need a great punch recipe for the holidays? Try this Christmas Punch! The flavor is fruity and delicious, with a little sparkle from ginger ale. You can make it with rum for a punch with alcohol, or omit it for non alcoholic. Either way, it tastes incredible! The best part? Garnish it up with sliced citrus, rosemary branches and cranberries.

Shrimp cocktail is a classic Christmas appetizer recipe! While it was popularized in the 1960’s, it truly never goes out of style. This recipe stars perfectly tender shrimp and a zesty homemade cocktail sauce that will have everyone begging for the recipe.

What’s better for parties than a good spinach dip recipe? This one is served cold, perfect for dipping pita chips or serving in a bread bowl. The recipe is a little healthier than most, relying on Greek yogurt for much of the creaminess. Because it’s not baked, it’s quick to put together: just 10 minutes!

Looking for a fun party snack everyone will love? Try this Spiced Nuts! This simple idea gives a crunchy, candy-like coating to the exterior of nuts. They’re spiced with cinnamon, chili powder and bit of cayenne for an intriguing mix of sweet, savory and spicy.

These marinated olives will make an olive lover out of anyone! Using the right olives here results in smooth, rich flavor: not briny or overly salty. The garlic, lemon and herbs make a symphony of flavor! 

Last up in our Christmas appetizers: whipped feta dip! This lusciously creamy dip is ideal drizzled with honey and served with warm bread for dipping. For an even more festive spin, top with pomegranate seeds or fresh herbs like thyme and chopped rosemary.