15 Delicious Appetizers for Holiday Parties
Updated on March 13, 2023
Where we’re from, this week is prime time for holiday parties! It’s also, however, prime time for suddenly being asked to bring dishes to all the parties you’re about to pretend. Years of practice, however, have taught us that, if we must bring something last minute, volunteering to bring an hour d’oeuvres or an appetizer is the best idea. They’re simple and less time consuming than bigger dishes like entrees, but there are so many delicious ideas out there that bringing an appetizer to a party is almost exciting!
Just in case you’ve found yourself in a last minute cooking position like the one we just described, here are 15 of our favourite holiday appetizer recipes that are absolutely perfect for Christmas parties.
1. Cucumber, pomegranate, and bacon canape
When you sat down to search for a holiday appetizer that you can make last minute, did you mean really last minute? In that case, we think Cooking for Dads has a great idea for you! They show you how to top cucumber slices with cream cheese, pomegranate seeds, and bacon bits for a bite sized snack that’s refreshing and flavourful all at once.
2. Sausage and cheese stuffed crescent roll Christmas wreath
Besides tasting like a delicious holiday snack, we love that these sausage and cheese stuffed crescent rolls from Just Short of Crazy are also arranged to look like part of your holiday celebrations! Their tutorial shows you how to make the filling as well as how to make the circular shape and decorate your wreath using a parsley and tomato garnish.
3. Goat cheese and fig bruschetta
Have you been looking for an appetizer that’s just as simple as the ones you’ve seen so far but you were still kind of hoping to make something a little closer to “gourmet” as well? Then we definitely think you should take a look at this goat cheese and fig bruschetta recipe from Follow That Arrow! The taste is high brow even though the steps for making them are simple.
4. Easy olive bites
Did you really only volunteer to bring an appetizer to the party because you know you’re not a whiz in the kitchen and you thought that would be the easiest thing for you to tackle? Well, thanks to recipes like the ones from Side of Sneakers, you were right! They show you how to use premade dough to make cute little pastry cups, as well as how to pop a festively green olive in each one. They even give you delicious dip options for extra taste!
5. Caprese salad and black olive rosemary wreath
Were you very taken with the idea of making a Christmas snack that actually looks specifically like a Christmas snack but you know that many of the people who will be at the party you’re attending are a little more health conscious than that? Then maybe you’d prefer to make something like this caprese salad and black olive rosemary wreath from Ciao, Newport Beach! The rosemary is the green of the wreath and the tomatoes, black olives, and fresh mozzarella balls are the “decorations”.
6. Baked brie with cranberries
Perhaps you were thinking of making a slightly more classic dish than we’ve shown you so far but you still feel like you could use a little guidance in actually making that happen? In that case, we’d suggest trying your hand at this baked brie and cranberries appetizer dish from The Ktchn! Its absolutely scrumptious to dip crackers in and cranberry is a classic holiday taste.
7. Tuna crostini
Perhaps you’re actually looking for a dish that’s a little more unconventional around the Christmas season and might even bring a flavour combination that none of the guests at the party you’re attending have tried before? In that case, we’d suggest bringing something like these tuna and sundried tomato crostini bites from Rockin’ Mama.
8. Cranberry brie pastry bites
Were you intrigued by the cranberry brie idea because you love that flavour combination together but you’d rather bring something with a little more substance than just a dip and some crackers? Then try making these brie and cranberry puffed pastries from Kitchen Sanctuary instead! They’re a little more filling without sacrificing flavour or ruining anyone’s appetite before for the entrée.
9. Christmas tree pull-apart bread
We’ve made plenty of different kinds of pull apart bread before and they’re always delicious but there’s something even more fun about the whole idea when you make the bread in a shape! We love the way Eclectic Recipes made their bread in the shape of a Christmas tree and even made delicious marinara dipping sauce for dipping the pieces you pull off into.
10. Pigs in a blanket wreath
Perhaps there will be kids at the party you’re making quick appetizers for and you’re hoping to make something that they’ll be a little more tempted to snack on than they might be brie with cranberries? Then we think these delicious pigs in a blanket snacks from Delish are a great idea! Kids will especially like that the food looks just like the Christmas wreath that hangs on their door.
11. Cranberry pecan mini goat cheese balls
Have you actually seen quite a few ideas on this list that you’ve really liked the look of but you’re having trouble deciding between them? Well, who ever said you had to decide? Instead of picking and choosing, try taking elements from different recipes you’ve seen and combining them. We love making these goat cheese cranberry pecan balls with pretzels from Mom on Time out.
12. Boozy cherry log
Do you love the look of these cheese dishes, especially the ones involving cranberries, but you’d rather make a version that has a little extra kick of flavour? Then we think you should absolutely take a look at this boozy cherry log snack from Good Housekeeping! The dried cherries in the cheese resemble the flavour of cranberries (though you could just make a swap) and the liquor involves packs a small bite that’s perfect for a party, even if you won’t actually feel the effects of the alcohol.
13. Slow cooker cranberry BBQ meatballs
Perhaps you’ve been asked specifically to bring a meat dish but you’ve been scrolling through our list thinkin about how you haven’t really seen very many protein rich options on our list so far? Well, if you’re willing to put a little more time than it takes to make a cheese dish into your appetizer, then we think you’ll really like these slow cooker cranberry barbecue meatballs from Tastes Better From Scratch! Besides being deliciously tender, the sauce these are cooked in is mouth watering.
14. Cranberry pepper jelly dip
Are you still feeling very much in the cranberry spirit but you haven’t quite found the idea that really appeals to you the most? Then maybe you’d prefer a recipe that has a little bit of kick to it, but not the same kind of kick we were talking about last time! This one involves peppers in a homemade jelly and whether you choose mild or hot peppers is up to you. Check out how Life With the Crust Cut Off made this taste bud tingling dip.
15. Warm figs with goat cheese, pistachios, and balsamic glaze
Were you intrigued by the idea of making an appetizer that involves figs because you can hardly think of anything more holiday appropriate but you weren’t quite convinced by the fig and goat’s cheese crostini idea we showed you earlier on our list? Then check out these delicious stuffed figs instead! Culinary Ginger shows you how to make a filling from goat cheese and pistachios, as well as how to drizzle them with a balsamic glaze.
Do you have other mouth watering holiday appetizer recipes up your sleeve that you make just about every year, but you don’t see anything similar to your favourite dish on our list? Tell us all about how it’s made or link us to recipes and photos of your finished product in the comments section!