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This roundup of easy Christmas appetizers has all the best festive inspiration you need to entertain this season! The list is broken into cold, warm, and make-ahead appetizers, so there’s something for everyone.
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry With These 40 Easy Appetizers
One of my favorite things about the holidays is get-togethers with family and friends. Whether I’m the host or someone else takes the reins, making festive nibbles to share while the fire crackles and the Christmas songs play — just like how Santa gets around the world in 24 hours, it’s magic!
Nobody wants to show up empty-handed to a festive gathering, but sometimes deciding what to make or take is just as hard as deciding on what present to get your mate. Not to worry, I’ve got you!
This roundup of easy Christmas party appetizers has all the best festive inspiration you need to entertain this season. The list is broken into cold, warm, and make-ahead appetizers, so there’s something for everyone.
You can never go wrong with classic staples like shrimp cocktail or spinach artichoke dip, but I’m all about mingling new and old. This list runs the gamut, from sweet and savory snacks to eye-catching cocktails perfect for a crowd. So go on, eat, drink, and be merry as you feel the warmth and joy of this holiday season.
Enjoy!
Cold Appetizers
1
Crispy Coconut Shrimp
Super crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, this easy-breezy coconut shrimp takes just 25 minutes to prepare.
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2
Pimento Cheese
This classic Southern spread is loaded with zesty flavor and endless serving possibilities. It's quick and easy to make and so delicious as an appetizer with crudités and crackers.
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3
Shrimp Cocktail Recipe
This shrimp cocktail recipe with my favorite homemade cocktail sauce is so quick and easy for the best shrimp cocktail recipe ever.
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4
Whipped Ricotta Toast Crostini with Roasted Tomatoes
Creamy, peppered whipped ricotta is slathered on slices of crostini toasts and topped with jammy roasted cherry tomatoes to make an easy appetizer or simple breakfast or lunch.
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5
Crab Salad Stuffed Avocados
Lightened-up crab salad stuffed avocados topped with mint and chopped pistachios are an easy and healthy brunch, lunch, or light dinner idea.
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6
Smoked Salmon With Ricotta and Egg Toasts
This simple toast stacked with protein from ricotta cheese, hard-boiled egg, and smoked salmon makes for a supreme breakfast, brunch, lunch, or snack.
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7
Baba Ganoush
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”I love your Baba Ganoush recipe….. thank you so much. This is real thing. Delicious and easy to make.” -Wendi, FoodieCrush reader
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8
Mexican Corn Dip
You can use fresh or frozen corn for this Mexican corn dip. If using fresh corn, allow time to roast it on the grill to take away its raw bite.
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9
Caramelized Onion Crostini with Fig Jam and Blue Cheese
This sweet and savory crostini appetizer recipe with caramelized onion, fig jam, and blue cheese is easy to make, full of flavor, and the perfect, festive bite for a party.
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10
Greek Yogurt Fruit Dip
This easy Greek yogurt fruit dip recipe is made with just 3 ingredients and makes eating your favorite fruits seem like a party. If you've got any picky eaters in your house, this will get them eating the rainbow in no time.
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11
How to Make a Killer Caprese Salad Platter
Tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and basil are the centerpiece of this easy to serve salad platter alongside salty cured meat, olives and the sweetness of fresh stone fruit and berries. Serve this with a drizzle of sweet balsamic glaze for a fresh salad or appetizer where everyone can serve themselves.
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12
Mushroom Crostini Recipe
Thinly sliced onions and chunky mushrooms caramelize in cultured butter before getting a dose of Marsala wine to top crisp crostini bread for an easy appetizer with a silky sweet taste.
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13
The Best Clam Dip Recipe EVER
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”I’ve never been a huge fan of clam dip, I mean – if it was there at the office I’d snack on it BUT then this past week I suddenly craved it and then stumbled onto your recipe! O M G, so simple but FULL OF FLAVOR!” -Tima, FoodieCrush reader
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Hot or Baked Appetizers
14
Seared Scallops Recipe with Brown Butter Sauce
Pan seared sea scallops topped with a brown butter caper sauce taste incredibly decadent but take less than 30 minutes to prepare. Serve as is for a quick appetizer or pair with pasta or rice for a main dish.
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15
Sweet Potato Flatbread Pizza
Ribbons of sweet potato mingle with jammy caramelized onions in this easy flatbread pizza recipe that works as a main dish or appetizer.
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16
Mozzarella Sticks
This mozzarella sticks recipe is so simple to make and easy to prepare in advance (just keep them in the freezer until you're ready to fry and eat!)
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17
Crispy Buffalo Chicken Wings
These crispy baked buffalo wings are bold and flavorful thanks to a dry rub that makes them tender, juicy, and so easy to make without the mess of deep frying.
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18
Baked Brie with Sun Dried Tomato and Pine Nuts
Sun dried tomatoes, pine nuts and just a touch of garlic with fresh torn basil give this baked brie a Mediterranean vibe.
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19
Velveeta Queso Recipe
This sublimely creamy queso dip is so easy to make. It features the smooth melt of Velveeta and cream cheese plus amped-up flavor from Hatch green chiles and fresh jalapeños, RO*TEL tomatoes, onion, and spices for the ultimate game-day snack or magnetized party dip.
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20
BBQ Meatballs
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”These are so good! I love how simple this recipe is and that it’s made just in a skillet.” –Claire, FoodieCrush reader
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21
Hot Crab Dip
This hot crab dip requires less than 10 minutes of hands-on prep and is a crowd pleaser every time. It's simple, but oh so good!
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22
Baked Brie With Blueberries and Lemon Marmalade
This baked brie recipe hits all the sweet spots for a unique appetizer or sweet and savory dipping dessert.
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23
Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
Get all of the flavor of buffalo chicken wings but a whole lot less mess in these baked chicken meatballs in buffalo sauce.
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24
Spinach Artichoke Dip
This spinach artichoke dip without mayo is so simple to make and can even be made in the slow cooker, for a baked hot and extra cheesy dip you will absolutely love.
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25
Puff Pastry Pigs in a Blanket
Everyone's favorite hot dog appetizer are rolled in flaky puff pastry to create an ageless appetizer perfect for every occasion.
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26
Slow Cooker Little Smokies
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Love the flavor of this recipe! I did add cornstarch in the end just to thicken the sauce and it was perfect!” -Lisa, FoodieCrush reader
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27
Cheesy Texas Trash Dip
This favorite Mexican bean dip gets its popular flavor from taco seasoning, and green chiles baked in a mix of cream cheese, sour cream, and Mexican cheese. Start dipping!
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28
THE BEST Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe
This easy buffalo chicken dip recipe is loaded with awesome buffalo chicken flavor and comes together in just 30 minutes.
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Make-Ahead Appetizers
29
Antipasto Christmas Wreath
Make this festive appetizer with any selection of antipasto ingredients. If making ahead of time, use sturdy herbs that won't wilt for your Christmas wreath base, such as rosemary or bay leaves.
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30
The BEST Crab Cake Recipe
This simple crab cake recipe is so flavorful, easy to make, and can even be prepared in advance and cooked the next day.
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31
How to Make an Asian-Inspired Cheese Board
Whether you call it a cheese board or a cheese plate, all that matters for this twist on the loaded appetizer platter is that it’s piled high with a variety of Asian-inspired bites.
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32
Deviled Eggs
These fluffy, classic deviled eggs can be dressed up or down to go the distance at any picnic or potluck, brunch or backyard barbeque, and even star as the most sought-after appetizer at the fanciest party.
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33
Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers with Gorgonzola
These Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers are topped with gorgonzola cheese and BBQ sauce and can be prepped ahead of baking. They're the perfect appetizer for a party and disappear fast.
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34
Herbed Parmesan Crisps
With just 4 ingredients and 10 minutes in the oven, these Parmesan crisps couldn't be simpler to make. Enjoy them for snacking, as a soup topper, or in salads, in lieu of croutons.
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35
How to Make an Instagram-Worthy Charcuterie Board
Charcuterie boards loaded with all the antipasti snacks have taken over the internet. Here’s my tips for how to make your meat and cheese plates Instagram-worthy, along with a special treat for all to share.
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36
Spanakopita
This authentic spanakopita recipe features spanakopita triangles (Greek cheese and spinach pies) in a buttery, flaky phyllo dough that's filled with a creamy feta, spinach, and pine nut filling for a classic party appetizer everyone will love.
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37
How to Make a Kid-Friendly Cheese Board Even Adults Will Love
Cheese boards aren’t just for adults anymore. Here are my top 10 tips for creating the ultimate kid-friendly cheese board that kids will love and the host will serve proudly at the main table.
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38
Marinated Olives
These Italian marinated olives with lemon zest, garlic, and herbs, are such a fast and easy appetizer, you'll always be ready to party.
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39
French Onion Dip
This caramelized onion dip will be the hit of the party. Be patient while caramelizing the onions, time is the secret ingredient to caramelizing the onions to become super sweet and jammy.
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40
How to Make an Awesome Antipasto Salad Platter
Making a salad for a crowd doesn’t get any easier than adding all the antipasto toppings like olives, pickled veggies, artichokes, pepperoncini, salami, salumi, prosciutto, pasta, and mozzarella balls to a big pile of lettuce for an Italian salad everyone will love.
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If you make one of these recipes, please let me know! Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating on this recipe below and leave a comment, take a photo and tag me on Instagram with #foodiecrusheats.
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Judith Skehan
What a phenomenal array of holiday food and drink! No need to look any further! Everything I need to host a get together is right here! Thank you so much!