40 Christmas Appetizers That’ll Make Your Holiday Party Festive
What better way to kick off your holiday party than with some festive Christmas appetizers?
We’ve rounded up the best holiday starters, from Christmas-themed charcuterie boards to cranberry brie bites and pomegranate salsa.
These Christmas appetizers are so good that they’ll outshine the main course.
Christmas Deviled Eggs
Serving deviled eggs is always a crowd-pleaser, and these get a holiday makeover with red bell peppers and fresh rosemary sprigs. The garnishes give the eggs a pop of Christmas colors.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Deviled Eggs
Christmas Charcuterie Board
This festive charcuterie board is filled with sweet and savory snacks that guests can enjoy before the main course. Using a cookie cutter to make the star shape in the brie is such a fun idea.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Charcuterie Board
Ranch Snowman Cheeseball
Who can resist a tasty ranch cheeseball shaped like an adorable snowman? Adding shredded mozzarella cheese to the cheeseball gives it a snow texture; what a clever idea!
Get the Recipe: Ranch Snowman Cheeseball
Cranberry Meatballs
Chicken meatballs are covered in a cranberry sauce infused with orange, cinnamon, and honey flavor. This appetizer isn’t heavy and is perfect for saving room for the main course.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Meatballs
Christmas Wreath Guacamole
Shaping guacamole into a wreath will be a hit at any Christmas potluck or party. Garnishing the wreath with pomegranate seeds and cherry tomatoes adds even more holiday cheer to this appetizer.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Wreath Guacamole
Charcuterie Tree
While this charcuterie tree might take a little more time to make than some of the other appetizers on this list, the extra effort will impress everyone.
Included are easy step-by-step instructions so you can easily make this showstopping charcuterie Christmas tree.
Get the Recipe: Charcuterie Tree
Pigs in a Blanket Wreath
An appetizer both kids and adults will enjoy, this pigs in a blanket wreath only takes 10 minutes to prep. Adding tomatoes and rosemary sprigs is a beautiful touch.
Get the Recipe: Pigs in a Blanket Wreath
Christmas Queso
This queso recipe is ready in just 25 minutes, and the chopped tomatoes and cilantro on top give it a pop of festive color. There are directions for making it on the stove or in a slow cooker.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Queso
Puff Pastry Christmas Tree
This cheesy garlic puff pastry tree will win over everyone at your Christmas party. It’s loaded with fresh garlic and is such a cute appetizer.
Get the Recipe: Puff Pastry Christmas Tree
Christmas Tree Cheese Ball
One look at this impressive Christmas tree cheese ball will have everyone saying, “Wow!” This cheeseball is packed with sundried tomatoes, cheddar cheese, green onions, and other yummy flavors.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Tree Cheese Ball
Santa Brie Charcuterie Board
Using pepperoni to make Santa’s hat is so clever! We love this easy holiday charcuterie board because it’s made with just four ingredients, and you can easily make it ahead of time.
Get the Recipe: Santa Brie Charcuterie Board
Pomegranate Salsa
Using pomegranates in salsa is such a unique idea that guests will go crazy for. The spice level is customizable depending on how much chopped jalapenos are added to the salsa.
Get the Recipe: Pomegranate Salsa
Festive Goat Cheese Balls
These goat cheese balls are packed with dried cranberries, cream cheese, and pistachios. It’s one of those appetizers that is fancy enough to impress everyone but is super easy to make.
Get the Recipe: Festive Goat Cheese Balls
Christmas Tree Veggie Pizza
Made with Crescent dough sheets, this cold veggie pizza is loaded with whipped chive cream cheese and an assortment of veggies.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Tree Veggie Pizza
Basil Pesto Star Bread
Impress your friends and family with this gorgeous basil pesto star bread. This pull-apart bread recipe is perfect for someone who wants a fun holiday baking project.
Get the Recipe: Basil Pesto Star Bread
Pineapple Cranberry Brie Crescent Ring
A must-make holiday appetizer, this beautiful brie crescent ring features pineapple, cranberry, and pecans.
Get the Recipe: Pineapple Cranberry Brie Crescent Ring
Pesto Ornament Cheese Balls
Hands down, this is one of the cutest cheese balls and looks just like a Christmas ornament. It’s filled with sun-dried tomatoes and pesto in every bite.
Since these are smaller, you’ll want to make more than one cheese ball to feed a crowd.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Ornament Cheese Balls
Pull Apart Christmas Tree Bread
This recipe calls for frozen rolls, which will save you so much time than making everything from scratch. It’s decorated beautifully with rosemary sprigs and cherry tomatoes.
Get the Recipe: Pull Apart Christmas Tree Bread
Cranberry Compote with Brie
The fresh cranberry compote and brie are a lip-smacking combo and taste amazing on toasted bread.
This is our top pick if you need an impressive starter for your holiday dinner. No one will guess how simple this dish is to make.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Compote with Brie
Charcuterie Chalet
If you want something different from your basic charcuterie board, why not make a whimsical charcuterie chalet? It’s similar to a gingerbread house but made with savory charcuterie board fixings.
Get the Recipe: Charcuterie Chalet
Tortellini Caprese Skewers
Made with fresh cherry tomatoes, basil, and balsamic, these tortellini Caprese skewers couldn’t be easier to assemble.
Get the Recipe: Tortellini Caprese Skewers
Festive Christmas Focaccia
This homemade focaccia bread recipe is just about the best thing ever. We’re loving the Christmas tree garnishes on top, so creative!
Get the Recipe: Festive Christmas Focaccia
Cranberry Brie Bites
Using canned crescent roll dough cuts down on the amount of ingredients you need to buy and is practically foolproof. The pistachios give these cranberry brie bites the perfect amount of saltiness.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Brie Bites
Fruit Christmas Tree
Take your holiday table to showstopping status by showcasing this edible Christmas tree made of colorful fruit.
Guests will appreciate that you’ve also included a healthy option for them to snack on before filling up on Christmas goodies.
Get the Recipe: Fruit Christmas Tree
Christmas Tree Pizza Bites
Grab some store-bought puff pastry sheets and make the easiest Christmas tree shaped pizza bites. Pile on your favorite pizza toppings and watch them disappear right off the plate.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Tree Pizza Bites
Charcuterie Wreath
Need a no-bake Christmas appetizer that’s easy to make? This charcuterie wreath features an assortment of salami, prosciutto, pepperoncini peppers, mozzarella bars, and more.
Get the Recipe: Charcuterie Wreath
Spicy Cranberry Shrimp
This shrimp recipe is filled with cranberry flavor, and the jalapeno gives it the perfect kick. You can use jellied or whole-berry canned cranberry sauce to make this yummy appetizer.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Cranberry Shrimp
Puff Pastry Pesto Trees
You only need three ingredients and 10 minutes of prep time to make these puff pastry pesto trees. They come out perfectly golden and are the perfect portable appetizer.
Get the Recipe: Puff Pastry Pesto Trees
Christmas Tree Cheese Appetizer
These adorable cheese wedge Christmas trees are made with just four ingredients. Using a pretzel rod for the Christmas tree trunk is a great idea.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Tree Cheese Appetizer
Festive Brie Bruschetta
This brie bruschetta crostini appetizer has the perfect balance of sweetness from the pomegranate seeds and apricot preserves.
Get the Recipe: Festive Brie Bruschetta
Pull Apart Sausage Roll Wreath
This pull-apart wreath consists of pieces of sausage wrapped in puff pastry. Also included is a recipe for apple cranberry sauce for dipping.
Get the Recipe: Pull Apart Sausage Roll Wreath
Italian Burrata Stuffed Tomatoes
Made with only four ingredients, these stuffed burrata cheese tomatoes only take 10 minutes to make.
Get the Recipe: Italian Burrata Stuffed Tomatoes
Christmas Tree Appetizers
Both kids and adults will gobble up these tasty Christmas trees made with sausage, cheese, and bread. Make sure to remove the toothpick before serving to younger children.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Tree Appetizers
Charcuterie Cones
These cones are a great alternative to a charcuterie board, and since they’re a handheld appetizer, your guests can walk around and socialize.
To make this appetizer even more festive, tie a holiday-colored ribbon around the cones.
Get the Recipe: Charcuterie Cones
Hummus Wreath
This make-ahead hummus wreath is a lighter option that won’t make you too full for the main course. This recipe uses store-bought hummus and jazzes it up with feta, green onions, and other ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Hummus Wreath
Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip
You can’t go wrong with spinach artichoke dip, and this recipe only takes five minutes to prep. Some tasty flavor variations are included, such as adding hot sauce for a little heat.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Artichoke Dip
Italian Cream Cheese Pinwheels
These Italian pinwheels are made with cream cheese, roasted red peppers, olives, and other ingredients. Either stacking the pinwheels to make a big Christmas tree or shaping them into smaller trees is such an adorable idea.
Get the Recipe: Italian Cream Cheese Pinwheels
Fresh Feta Dip
Anyone who enjoys feta will love this cold Greek yogurt-based dip. It’s made with wholesome ingredients and will have everyone begging for the recipe.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Feta Dip
Mediterranean Crescent Ring
With almost 80,000 shares on social media and excellent reviews, this recipe is guaranteed to be good.
It’s made with Mediterranean-inspired ingredients and is a fabulous vegetarian appetizer option.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Crescent Ring
Christmas Butter Board
This viral Tik-Tok inspired butter board is a unique appetizer your friends and family will love. They’ll love loading up bread with butter, smoked salmon, herbs, caviar, and other tasty goodies.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Butter Board