14 Christmas Appetizer Recipes

These Christmas appetizer recipes are the perfect way to kick off any holiday celebration.

Whether you’re hosting a Christmas party, planning a family gathering, or looking for Christmas appetizers to share, this collection has plenty of delicious ideas.

You’ll find everything from Christmas tree-shaped appetizers and charcuterie boards to cheesy bites, warm dips, and holiday favorites.

Be sure to save these Christmas snacks and appetizer ideas for later!

Christmas Appetizer Recipes

1. Candy Cane Charcuterie Board

•  Prep Time: 20 minutes 
•  Total Time: 20 minutes 
•  Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 1 cup fresh strawberries
• 1 cup white candy-coated chocolates (or white chocolate-covered almonds)
• 1 pomegranate cut into wedges
• 1 cup blue cheese cut into cubes
• ⅔ cup red jelly candies (or any red candies)
• 1 cup fresh mozzarella pearls
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
• 1 package Laughing Cow Original cheese wedges (8 wedges)
• Fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish

Instructions

1. Arrange the strawberries at the top of the serving board, followed by the white candy-coated chocolates.
2. Add the pomegranate wedges, then arrange the cubed blue cheese beneath them.
3. Continue the pattern with the red jelly candies, followed by the mozzarella pearls.
4. Add the halved cherry tomatoes, then finish the bottom section with the Laughing Cow cheese wedges.
5. Tuck fresh rosemary sprigs between each section to create a festive garland effect.
6. Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate until ready to enjoy.

2. Pigs In A Blanket Wreath

•  Prep Time: 15 minutes 
•  Bake Time: 14 minutes 
•  Total Time: 29 minutes
•  Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tubes (8 count) crescent rolls
• 28 oz little smokies
• 2-3 fresh rosemary sprigs
• 3-4 cracker cheese slices cut into stars
• 1/3 cup cherry tomatoes

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Unroll the crescent roll dough and cut each triangle into three smaller triangles.
3. Wrap each mini sausage in a piece of crescent dough.
4. Arrange the wrapped sausages close together in a 10- to 11-inch circle on the parchment-lined baking sheet.
5. Once the outer ring is complete, fill in the center with a second, smaller ring of wrapped sausages.
6. Bake for 12–14 minutes, or until the crescent dough is puffed and golden brown.
7. Let cool slightly, then, if desired, decorate with fresh rosemary, cheese stars, and cherry tomatoes.

3. Reindeer Cheese Ball

•  Prep Time: 20 minutes 
•  Chill Time: 1 hour
•  Total Time: 1hour hour 20minutes 
•  Servings: 10

Ingredients

• 16 oz (450 g) cream cheese softened
• 2 cups (200 g) shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 tbsp sour cream
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp ground black pepper
• Salt to taste
• 4 tbsp dried cranberries finely chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley finely chopped

For decoration

• 1 cherry tomato 
• 1 large soft pretzel or 2 pretzel twists
• 2 black olive slices or edible candy eyeballs
• 2 ½ cups chopped nuts for coating

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, and seasonings. Beat with a hand mixer or mix with a spatula until smooth and creamy.
2. Stir in chopped dried cranberries, cheddar cheese, and fresh parsley until evenly distributed.
3. Form the mixture into a ball or oval shape to make the reindeer head. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or until firm.
4. Once chilled, roll the cheese ball in extra chopped nuts or parsley for a nice coating.
5. Place cheese ball on a serving plate. Add a cherry tomato for the nose and add black olives or candy eyes for the eyes. 
6. Insert the pretzel antlers into the top of the cheese ball. If using a soft pretzel, cut it in half and place one piece on each side. If using pretzel twists, insert one pretzel twist on each side.

Notes

We used one frozen soft pretzel that was microwaved according to the package directions, then cut in half to create the antlers. Make sure the soft pretzel cools before inserting it into the cheese ball.

4. Spinach Stuffed Mushrooms

•  Prep Time: 10 minutes
•  Cook Time: 25minutes
•  Total Time: 35minutes 
•  Servings: 9

Ingredients

• 8 oz 8 oz baby bella mushrooms
• ½ cup ricotta cheese
• ¼ cup cup frozen spinach thawed and well drained
• 2 tbsp grated parmesan
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• Fresh parsley to garnish

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Wash and remove the stems from the mushrooms, and arrange them upside down in a small baking dish.
3. Mix the ricotta, spinach, parmesan, and garlic together in a medium bowl. Use a spoon to stuff the mushrooms with the mixture.
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes.
5. Top with fresh chopped parsley to serve.

5. Christmas Cheese Trees Appetizer

•  Prep Time: 10minutes 
•  Total Time: 10minutes 
•  Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 5.4 oz package Laughing Cow Cheese Wedges (8 wedges)
• 1 tbsp chopped pistachios
• 1 tbsp chopped dried cranberries
• 1 tbsp sunflower seeds
• 4 pretzel sticks

Instructions

1. Carefully unwrap the cheese wedges.
2. Mix the pistachios, dried cranberries, and sunflower seeds together in a small bowl. Pour onto a small plate.
3. Set a cheese wedge on top of the mixture, then flip over and set on a platter. Gently press the mixture so it sticks to the cheese.
4. Break the pretzels in half, and insert one half into the bottom of each cheese wedge.
5. Chill until ready to serve.

6. Hot Crab Dip

•  Prep Time: 10minutes 
•  Cook Time: 20minutes
•  Total Time: 30minutes 
•  Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 6 oz can crab meat drained
• 8 oz cream cheese softened
• ¼ cup sour cream
• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp hot sauce
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 green onion sliced

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Slice the green onion.
3. In a medium bowl, stir together the cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, minced garlic, Old Bay seasoning, and paprika until well combined.
4. Stir in the cheese and crab meat.
5. Spoon the mixture into a shallow baking dish and spread it out. Top with the sliced green onions.
6. Bake for 20 minutes, until warm and bubbly.

7. Mini Christmas Tree Pizzas

•  Prep Time: 15minutes 
•  Cook Time: 7 minutes
•  Cooling time: 30 minutes
•  Total Time: 52 minutes 
•  Servings: 24

Ingredients

• 8 oz tube Crescent Dough sheet
• 4 oz cream cheese softened
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 oz packet dry ranch seasoning mix
• ½ cup chopped carrots
• ½ cup chopped broccoli
• ½ cup chopped red pepper
• ½ cup chopped yellow pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Chop your vegetables into very small pieces.
3. Unroll the crescent dough sheet onto a cutting board, or right on the baking sheet. Press the cookie cutter into the dough, shaking it side to side as needed to completely cut through the dough. Arrange the dough onto the baking sheet and bake for 5-7 minutes, until slightly golden. NOTE: You can roll the dough out if desired after you have made your cuts, to make more.
4. Allow the trees to cool completely.
5. In a medium bowl, stir together the cream cheese, sour cream, and ranch seasoning. 
6. Spread a little mixture onto each of the trees. 
7. Mix the veggies in a bowl, then sprinkle over the trees.
8. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

8. Christmas Wreath Charcuterie Board

•  Prep Time: 30minutes 
•  Total Time: 30minutes 

Ingredients

• 2 oz prosciutto
• crackers, small cookies
• 1/3 cup mini mozzarella
• 1 package of brie cheese (4 oz.)
• 3 ounces of hard cheese
• 1 cup grapes
• 1/4 cup olives
• 1/2 pomegranate
• 12 pcs Slim Jim’s or any beef sticks
• 3 oz salami

Instructions

1. Use small cookie cutters to shape the cheese slices into festive stars, Christmas trees, and snowflakes, then arrange them on the board.
2. Slice the brie wheel horizontally. Make two snowmen from the brie using a cookie cutter or knife, then cut the remaining brie into small cubes.
3. Make a prosciutto bow by folding each slice accordion-style, then secure the center with a salami strip to form the bow knot.
4. Lay fresh sage leaves around the edge of the round board. Add the brie cubes and prosciutto bow.Arrange the Slim Jim appetizer and brie snowmen opposite each other to create a mirror image. Add salami roses and mini mozzarella.
5. Fill in the board with crackers, olives, nuts, and grapes. Break apart the pomegranate and tuck the pieces in symmetrically.Add the cheese trees, stars, and snowflakes. Finish with small edible flowers and scatter a few pomegranate seeds for color.

9. Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

• Prep Time: 10minutes
•  Cook Time: 20minutes
•  Total Time: 30minutes 
•  Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 18 stalks asparagus
• 6 slices bacon

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
3. Place 3 asparagus spears into a bundle and wrap a slice of bacon around the center.
4. Place the bundles on the prepared baking sheet.
5. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the asparagus is tender.

Notes

Thinner bacon will cook faster; thick-cut may take longer.

10. Christmas Fruit Platter

•  Prep Time: 15 minutes 
•  Total Time: 15 minutes 

Equipment

• Cutting Board
• Sharp knife
• 9×13 inch serving platter

Ingredients

• Rosemary
• 2 – 2 ½ cups Green grapes
• 1 – 1 ½ cups Red grapes
• 8 oz block sharp cheddar cheese cubed
• 3 oz raspberries

Instructions

1. Cut the cheese into cubes.
2. Arrange two sprigs of rosemary at the bottom of the platter.
3. Above that, put two rows of green grapes, making the second row slightly smaller. 
4. Put two small sprigs of rosemary above the grapes on each side.
5. Now add two rows of red grapes, narrowing the rows as you go up.
6. Now fill it in with another layer (not row) of green and red grapes. You will have two layers of fruit at this point.
7. Next add two rows of cheese in the same fashion, then rosemary above on each side.
8. Add another layer of cheese.
9. Now to rows of raspberries, and then another layer of raspberries and rosemary.
10. Finish the top of the tree with a few more green grapes and red grapes at the very top.
11. Place a cheese cube at the very center of the bottom for the tree trunk.

11. Snowman Cheese Ball

•  Prep Time: 15minutes 
•  Cook Time: 2hours
•  Total Time: 2hours hours 15 minutes
•  Servings: 20

Ingredients

• 2-8 oz blocks of cream cheese softened
• 16 oz finely shredded white cheddar cheese room temperature, 1 cup set aside
• 1 oz package ranch seasoning mix
• 1 baby carrot
• 14 whole peppercorns
• 2 pretzel sticks

Instructions

1. Beat the cream cheese in a large bowl until fluffy. Mix in the ranch seasoning.
2. Measure one cup of the shredded cheddar and set aside for later.
3. Beat the remaining cheddar into the cream cheese mixture.
4. Set out a sheet of parchment paper and two sheets of plastic wrap. Using plastic gloves (to make this part less messy), form the cheese mixture into two balls, one slightly larger than the other.Place them on the parchment paper and slightly flatten into disks. Wrap each disk separately in plastic wrap and chill for 2 hours, or until ready to serve. 
5. Arrange the disks on a sheet of parchment so that they’re touching, and gently push them together.Top with the one cup of cheese that you set aside, and gently push into the cheese disks. Carefully transfer to a serving platter using a large spatula.
6. Stick a baby carrot into the center of the top disk.
7. Arrange two peppercorns slightly above it, and to each side. Then add seven peppercorns slightly below to make the mouth.
8. Arrange 5 peppercorns down the center of the bottom disk to make the buttons.
9. Serve with crackers, pretzels, and/or veggies and enjoy!

Notes

Take the 1 cup of shredded cheese out of the refrigerator 1 hour prior to serving so that it can come to room temperature.

12. Tomato Puff Pastry Tartlet

•  Prep Time: 15 minutes 
•  Cook Time: 15 minutes
•  Total Time: 30 minutes
•  Servings: 18

Ingredients

• 2 sheets puff pastry dough
• 1 pc egg
• 1 tbsp water
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes washed and sliced in half
• 1 tsp olive oil
• Salt and Pepper
• 1 cup Mozzarella cheese
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1-2 leaves fresh basil cut into thin strips

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Cut the tomatoes in half and the basil into strips.
3. Unroll the pastry sheets and cut each into 9 equal squares. Arrange them on a prepared baking sheet.
4. Use a butter knife to score a smaller square just away from the edge of each cut square. Use a fork to prick the smaller square a few times.
5. Whisk the egg and water in a small bowl, and use a pastry brush to lightly cover each square in the egg wash.
6. Add the tomatoes to a medium bowl, along with the olive oil and salt/pepper to taste. Toss to coat.
7. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese in the center of each pastry square, then sprinkle with Italian seasoning, and top with 3-4 tomato halves, cut side up.
8. Transfer the baking sheet to the oven, and bake for 13-15 minutes, until golden brown.
9. Remove from the oven and top with a few strips of shredded basil to serve.

13. Christmas Tree Smoked Salmon Dip

•  Prep Time: 20 minutes 
•  Chill Time: 30 minutes 
•  Total Time: 50 minutes 
•  Servings: 10

Ingredients

• 8 ounces (225 g) cream cheese softened
• 4 ounces (115 g) smoked salmon divided
• 3 tbsp sour cream
• 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tbsp lemon zest divided
• 1/4 cup pitted olives
• 3 sprigs fresh dill
• 2 slices white cheese provolone, mozzarella, or Swiss
• Pretzel sticks for the tree trunk
• Star-shaped cracker for decorating
• Green onion tops cut into short pieces
• Round crackers for serving

Optional Garnishes

• Pomegranate seeds
• Dried cranberries
• Fresh dill sprigs
• Other crackers in decorative shapes

Instructions

1. Using a small snowflake cookie cutter, cut snowflakes from the cheese slices. Set aside the snowflakes and reserve any leftover cheese pieces.
2. Reserve a few pieces of smoked salmon for decorating. Add the remaining smoked salmon, cream cheese, sour cream, olives, dill, lemon juice, most of the lemon zest, and the reserved cheese scraps to a food processor. Blend until smooth and creamy.
3. Arrange several pretzel sticks at the bottom of a Christmas tree-shaped serving board to create the trunk.
4. Spoon the smoked salmon mixture onto the board and shape it into a Christmas tree. Smooth the surface lightly with the back of a spoon.
5. Decorate the tree with the reserved smoked salmon, cheese snowflakes, star-shaped crackers, and any additional decorative crackers. Sprinkle with the remaining lemon zest.
6. Cut the green onion tops into short pieces and tuck them around the edges of the dip to resemble pine needles.
7. Garnish with pomegranate arils or dried cranberries, if desired.
8. Serve immediately with round crackers, or refrigerate for up to 2 hours before serving.

Notes

Serving: We used a Christmas tree-shaped serving board for presentation. If you don’t have one, simply spread the dip onto a large platter and shape it into a Christmas tree before decorating.

Seasoning: Taste the dip before adding any salt, as the smoked salmon and olives already add plenty of saltiness.

Make Ahead: For the best flavor, cover and refrigerate the dip for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to blend together.

14. Cheesecake Deviled Strawberries

These are our favorite sweet appetizers, and they pair perfectly with savory options!

 CourseDessert

•  Prep Time: 15minutes 
•  Total Time: 15 minutes 
•  Servings: 15 – 20 deviled strawberries

Ingredients

• 1 lb strawberries
• 8 oz cream cheese softened
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ¼ cup graham cracker crumbs

Instructions

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Wash and dry the strawberries thoroughly. Slice each strawberry in half lengthwise. Carefully cut a small slice off the back of each half so they sit flat.
3. Use a small spoon or melon baller to gently scoop a shallow indent into the center of each strawberry half so it can hold the filling.
4. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet.
5. In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, salt, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
6. In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
7. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until well combined and fluffy. Be careful not to deflate the whipped cream.
8. Transfer the filling to a piping bag (or a zip-top bag with the corner snipped off). Pipe the filling onto the cut side of each strawberry half.
9. Sprinkle graham cracker crumbs over the top of each deviled strawberry.

Notes

Best served fresh, but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.

More Christmas Appetizers For The Holidays

• 40 Amazing Holiday Appetizers