16 Holiday Appetizers Your Guests Will Talk About Until Next Year
The best part of any holiday party usually happens before dinner, when everyone gathers around the snack table laughing and catching up. These holiday appetizers are the bites that disappear first and get people asking for the recipe. Every slide includes easy steps, so hosting feels fun instead of stressful. Save room for dessert from our dessert galleries..
Holiday Appetizers Start With a Showstopping Board
Nothing makes guests feel welcome like a big, beautiful board waiting on the table. Among all holiday appetizers, a charcuterie spread is the easiest way to look like a pro host. Cured meats, cheeses, fruit, crackers and a few dips come together in 20 minutes with no cooking at all. Watch people gather around it as soon as they walk in..
You will need: 3 cured meats, 3 cheeses (soft, hard and blue), crackers, a sliced baguette, grapes, figs, olives, a small jar of jam and fresh rosemary.
How to make it: Place small bowls of olives and jam on a large board first. Arrange the cheeses around them, then fold or roll the meats into the gaps. Fill every empty space with fruit, crackers and bread. Tuck in rosemary sprigs and serve at room temperature.
Classic Tomato Bruschetta
Bruschetta is the appetizer that tastes like an Italian summer, even in December. Juicy tomatoes, garlic, basil and olive oil sit on crisp toasted bread. It is bright, fresh and the perfect balance to rich holiday food. Prepare the topping ahead and toast the bread right before guests arrive so it stays crunchy.
You will need: 1 baguette, 4 ripe tomatoes, 2 cloves garlic, 1/4 cup fresh basil, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar and salt.
How to make it: Dice the tomatoes and mix with minced garlic, chopped basil, olive oil, balsamic and salt. Slice the baguette, brush with oil and toast at 400°F for 6 to 8 minutes. Rub each slice with a cut garlic clove and spoon the tomato mixture on top just before serving.
Pomegranate Baked Brie
A wheel of warm, gooey baked brie is pure luxury. Topped with jewel-like pomegranate seeds, nuts and a drizzle of honey, it looks festive enough to be the centerpiece of your table. Guests scoop the melted cheese onto crackers, and it is gone in minutes. It takes just 15 minutes in the oven.
You will need: 1 wheel brie, 2 tablespoons honey, 1/3 cup pomegranate seeds, 1/4 cup chopped pecans, fresh thyme and crackers for serving.
How to make it: Place the brie on a lined baking dish and bake at 350°F for 12 to 15 minutes until soft in the center. Drizzle with honey and scatter the pomegranate seeds, pecans and thyme on top. Serve warm with crackers and apple slices.
Easy Shrimp Cocktail Cups
Shrimp cocktail feels classic and elegant, a little like a fancy steakhouse at home. Serving it in small cups makes it easy for guests to grab while they mingle. The tangy cocktail sauce comes together in two minutes. Keep the shrimp on ice so they stay cold and fresh all night long.
You will need: 2 pounds cooked jumbo shrimp, 1 cup ketchup, 2 tablespoons prepared horseradish, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, a dash of hot sauce and lemon wedges.
How to make it: Stir the ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice and hot sauce together. Spoon a little sauce into the bottom of small cups. Hang three or four chilled shrimp over the edge of each cup and add a lemon wedge. Keep on ice until serving.
Caprese Bites
Caprese is the simplest Italian combination of all: tomato, fresh mozzarella and basil. Served as little bites or a platter, it adds red, white and green color to your holiday table. A drizzle of balsamic glaze makes it extra special. These holiday appetizers take 10 minutes and need no cooking at all.
You will need: 2 cups cherry tomatoes, 8 ounces fresh mozzarella balls, fresh basil leaves, 2 tablespoons olive oil, balsamic glaze, salt and pepper.
How to make it: Thread a tomato, a basil leaf and a mozzarella ball onto small skewers, or arrange them on a platter. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic glaze. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and serve right away.
Sweet and Sticky Meatball Skewers
Cocktail meatballs are a holiday party tradition in many families. This version is glazed in a sweet and tangy sauce and served on skewers, so guests can grab them without a plate. Make them in the slow cooker and keep them warm all evening. Kids and adults both go back for seconds and thirds.
You will need: 2 pounds frozen cooked meatballs, 1 cup chili sauce, 1 cup grape jelly, 1 tablespoon soy sauce and toothpicks or short skewers.
How to make it: Add the meatballs to a slow cooker. Whisk the chili sauce, grape jelly and soy sauce and pour over the top. Cook on low for 3 to 4 hours, stirring once or twice, until hot and glossy. Thread onto skewers and keep warm for serving.
Crispy Cheesy Croquettes
Golden croquettes with a crispy shell and a soft, cheesy middle are irresistible at any party. They can be made ahead, chilled and fried just before guests arrive. Serve them with a creamy dipping sauce. These little bites feel indulgent, festive and perfect with a glass of something bubbly.
You will need: 2 cups mashed potatoes, 1 cup shredded cheddar, 2 green onions, 2 eggs, 1 cup breadcrumbs, oil for frying and a dipping sauce.
How to make it: Mix the mashed potatoes, cheese and green onions and shape into small logs. Dip in beaten egg, then roll in breadcrumbs. Chill for 30 minutes. Fry at 350°F for 2 to 3 minutes until golden, and serve hot with sauce.
Crispy Vegetable Spring Rolls
Crispy spring rolls are always the first thing to disappear from the snack table. Thin wrappers are filled with cabbage, carrots and noodles, then fried until shatteringly crisp. They are easy to make ahead and freeze. Serve them with sweet chili sauce for dipping and a little bowl of soy sauce.
You will need: 20 spring roll wrappers, 3 cups shredded cabbage, 1 cup shredded carrot, 1 cup cooked glass noodles, 2 green onions, 1 tablespoon soy sauce and oil for frying.
How to make it: Stir fry the vegetables briefly, then toss with noodles and soy sauce and let cool. Place a spoonful on each wrapper, fold in the sides and roll tightly, sealing with water. Fry at 350°F until golden, about 3 minutes. Serve with sweet chili sauce.
Mini Savory Tartlets
Mini tartlets look fancy, but store bought pastry shells make them easy. Fill them with creamy cheese, herbs and toppings like smoked salmon, roasted peppers or caramelized onions. They are perfect finger food because there is no mess. Bake a few different flavors so every guest finds a favorite.
You will need: 24 mini pastry shells, 8 ounces cream cheese, 1/4 cup sour cream, 2 tablespoons chopped dill, 4 ounces smoked salmon and lemon zest.
How to make it: Bake the pastry shells according to the package and let cool. Beat the cream cheese, sour cream, dill and lemon zest until smooth. Pipe or spoon into the shells and top each with a small piece of smoked salmon and a dill sprig.
Honey Garlic Party Wings
No holiday game night is complete without a big platter of wings. These are baked until crisp, then tossed in a sticky honey garlic glaze that everyone loves. Set out napkins and a bowl of ranch or blue cheese dip. They are one of those holiday appetizers that guests remember long after the party ends.
You will need: 3 pounds chicken wings, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/3 cup honey, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 4 cloves garlic and 2 tablespoons butter.
How to make it: Toss the wings with baking powder and salt and bake on a rack at 425°F for 45 to 50 minutes, flipping halfway. Simmer the honey, soy sauce, garlic and butter for three minutes. Toss the hot wings in the glaze and serve with dip.
Loaded Sheet Pan Nachos
Sheet pan nachos are the ultimate crowd pleaser, crunchy, cheesy and loaded with toppings. Everyone grabs from the same pan, which makes it fun and casual. Layer the cheese twice so every chip gets some. Set out bowls of salsa, guacamole and sour cream on the side for dipping.
You will need: 1 large bag tortilla chips, 3 cups shredded cheese, 1 can black beans, 1 pound cooked ground beef or chicken, jalapeños, salsa, guacamole and sour cream.
How to make it: Spread half the chips on a lined sheet pan and top with half the cheese, beans and meat. Repeat with another layer. Bake at 400°F for 8 to 10 minutes until the cheese melts. Top with jalapeños and serve with salsa, guacamole and sour cream.
Old Fashioned Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs have been a holiday table classic for generations, and they are always the first tray to go empty. Creamy, tangy yolks are piped back into the whites and dusted with paprika. They take a little patience, but they are inexpensive and so loved. Grandma would be proud.
You will need: 12 eggs, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon white vinegar, salt, pepper and paprika.
How to make it: Hard boil the eggs for 12 minutes, cool in ice water and peel. Halve them and scoop the yolks into a bowl. Mash with the mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, salt and pepper. Pipe the filling back into the whites and sprinkle with paprika.
Prosciutto and Fig Crostini
Crostini are tiny toasts you can top with almost anything, which makes them perfect for parties. This version combines salty prosciutto, sweet fig jam and creamy goat cheese, finished with fresh greens and a drizzle of balsamic. They look elegant on a platter and taste even better.
You will need: 1 baguette, 4 ounces goat cheese, 1/3 cup fig jam, 4 ounces prosciutto, a handful of arugula, olive oil and balsamic glaze.
How to make it: Slice and toast the baguette brushed with olive oil at 400°F for 6 to 8 minutes. Spread each toast with goat cheese and a little fig jam. Top with a folded piece of prosciutto and a few arugula leaves. Drizzle with balsamic glaze.
Easy Holiday Cheese Platter
A cheese platter is one of the easiest holiday appetizers you can put together, yet it always feels special. Pick a few different textures, add sweet grapes, crunchy crackers and a little honey, and you are done. Let the cheese sit out for 30 minutes before serving so the flavor really comes through.
You will need: 1 soft cheese like brie, 1 aged cheddar, 1 blue cheese, 1 bunch grapes, assorted crackers, dried apricots, walnuts and honey.
How to make it: Take the cheeses out of the fridge 30 minutes early. Place them on a board with space between each. Add grapes, crackers, apricots and walnuts around them. Set a small dish of honey on the side and a knife for each cheese.
Warm Marinated Olives
Warm marinated olives are a simple appetizer that feels cozy and fancy at the same time. Mixed olives are warmed in olive oil with garlic, orange peel and herbs until fragrant. Serve them in a small bowl with a dish for pits and plenty of crusty bread to soak up the oil.
You will need: 2 cups mixed olives, 1/3 cup olive oil, 3 cloves garlic, 2 strips orange peel, 1 sprig rosemary and a pinch of chili flakes.
How to make it: Warm the olive oil in a small pan over low heat with the garlic, orange peel, rosemary and chili flakes for five minutes. Add the olives and stir until warmed through. Serve warm with crusty bread.
Creamy Hot Spinach Dip
Hot spinach dip is the warm, cheesy dip everyone hovers around at holiday parties. It is creamy, rich and packed with spinach and melted cheese. Bake it in a pretty dish and serve with tortilla chips, crackers or bread. Make extra, because it always runs out first.
You will need: 1 package frozen spinach (thawed and squeezed dry), 8 ounces cream cheese, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, 1/2 cup Parmesan and 2 cloves garlic.
How to make it: Mix the cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise and garlic until smooth. Stir in the spinach and most of the cheese. Spread in a baking dish and top with the remaining cheese. Bake at 375°F for 20 to 25 minutes until bubbly and golden.
