We've gathered 24 of our favorite holiday appetizer recipes to make your season easier, more festive, and stress-free. Whether you're hosting Christmas parties, family gatherings, or New Year's Eve celebrations, this roundup brings together crowd-pleasing bites that are simple, delicious, and guaranteed to impress.
Appetizers were always one of our most requested foods at the catering company, and for good reason - they give guests variety, spark conversation, and capture the festive holiday spirit. The difficult part is always deciding what to serve, so we've done the work for you with this curated list of easy holiday appetizers. Each recipe includes easy instructions, make-ahead tips, and photos to ensure your spread is festive, flavorful, and a hit with your guests!
Jump to:
- Remember the beverages!
- Our Favorite Recipe
- Recipes for holiday appetizers
- Cheese and cheese board appetizers
- Strawberry Goat Cheese Crostini
- Feta, Cilantro and Roasted Red Pepper Spread
- Thanksgiving Cheese Board
- Sugared Pecans
- Parmesan Wonton Crackers (With Video!)
- Easy Baked Feta Bites in Phyllo Dough
- Easy Baked Brandy Pecan Brie
- Citrus Marinated Olives
- Easy Marinated Mozzarella Balls
- Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms
- Herb and Cheese Stuffed Snap Peas
- Feta Deviled Eggs
- Seafood appetizers
- Smoked Salmon Spread
- Appetizer Crab Cakes
- Bacon Wrapped Scallops
- Smoked Salmon Tater Tot Bites
- Hot Crab Artichoke Dip
- Meat appetizers
- Steak Bite with Brandy Cream Sauce
- Brandy Meatballs
- Festive bites
- Grilled Polenta Cakes
- Jalapeno Popper Dip
- Mango Pico de Gallo
- Loaded Tater Tot Cups
- Jalapeño Popper Cups - Easy Puff Pastry Appetizer
- More recipes for the holidays
- 💬 Comments & Reviews
Remember the beverages!
While holiday menus often spotlight the food, festive holiday beverages deserve just as much attention. We've got you covered with our 15 Holiday Beverages post, including plenty of inspiration for creating your own DIY bar. You'll find tips and tricks we perfected while running catering bars, making it easy to serve drinks that feel special and keep guests happy.
Our Favorite Recipe
Every recipe in this roundup is delicious, but during the holidays we always return to our favorite: Feta, Cilantro, Roasted Red Pepper Spread. It's vibrant look screams CHRISTMAS appetizer, it's quick and easy to prepare, and the leftovers make incredible sandwiches.
Recipes for holiday appetizers
To make browsing simple, we've organized these 24 recipes into categories: Cheese and cheese board appetizers, Seafood appetizers, Meat appetizers, and Festive bites. This way, whether you're planning a cozy family dinner or a lively holiday party, you can quickly find the perfect option for your gathering.
Cheese and cheese board appetizers
Strawberry Goat Cheese Crostini
Easy strawberry crostini with goat cheese, honey, balsamic reduction, and mint. A sweet and savory bite perfect for any occasion!
Feta, Cilantro and Roasted Red Pepper Spread
This easy feta, cilantro and roasted red pepper spread is a delicious make ahead, cheese appetizer. A favorite holiday appetizer. Vegetarian.
Thanksgiving Cheese Board
This easy Thanksgiving cheese board is perfect for fall gatherings! Follow our step-by-step assembly photos for a beautiful holiday spread.
Recipes & Photos: Life As A Strawberry
Sugared Pecans
These sugared pecans have a hint of cinnamon and cloves. They're perfect on cheese plates, buffet tables, or for a simple dessert!
Parmesan Wonton Crackers (With Video!)
These easy-to-make, flavorful, crispy parmesan wonton crackers are ready in ten minutes and perfect with your favorite dips or cheeses.
Recipes & Photos: Life As A Strawberry
Easy Baked Feta Bites in Phyllo Dough
Crispy, savory, feta cheese appetizers ready in 45 minutes with just 4 ingredients. A low stress, crowd-pleasing bite sure to impress guests.
Easy Baked Brandy Pecan Brie
Warm, melty brie served with a brandy pecan topping. This baked brandy pecan brie is sure to become a new favorite. Gluten free & vegetarian!
Citrus Marinated Olives
This simple recipe for meyer lemon marinated olives is always a hit. Tangy, briny and perfect for serving up with cocktails.
Recipes & Photos: Coley Cooks
Easy Marinated Mozzarella Balls
Herbs, olive oil, and mozzarella balls are all that's needed for this quick and easy marinated mozzarella ball recipe!
Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms
A delicious cheese stuffed mushrooms appetizer made with goat cheese, cream cheese, sherry, shallot, and parsley. Ready in under 30 minutes!
Herb and Cheese Stuffed Snap Peas
These herb and cheese stuffed snap peas are light and refreshing - the perfect spring or summer appetizer for your outdoor entertaining!
Recipes & Photos: Life As A Strawberry
Feta Deviled Eggs
These Feta Deviled Eggs one of our new favorites! So easy to make with the addition of crumbled feta cheese to the yolk filling.
Seafood appetizers
Smoked Salmon Spread
This creamy smoked salmon spread is the perfect appetizer for any gathering. Serve on buttery crostini for an impressive, delicious bite!
Appetizer Crab Cakes
Amaze your guests with homemade appetizer crab cakes. Easy to make, delicious to eat, and adorable! A sure hit at your next party.
Bacon Wrapped Scallops
Bacon Wrapped Scallops are the most decadent appetizer to serve at your next part. Tender, fresh scallops are wrapped in bacon slices before baked.
Recipes & Photos: Ahead of Thyme
Smoked Salmon Tater Tot Bites
Easy smoked salmon tater tot bites are ready in 40 minutes, and sure to be a hit with your guests at your next gathering!
Hot Crab Artichoke Dip
Hot crab artichoke dip is the ultimate crowd-pleaser! Baked to golden perfection, serve with crackers, veggies, or bread.
Meat appetizers
Steak Bite with Brandy Cream Sauce
This peppered steak bite is a favorite of ours! It's tender and delicious with a spicy note from the pepper and a sweetness from the brandy sauce!
Brandy Meatballs
Easy, delicious, fast to prepare, and a favorite whenever served! These brandy meatballs are a perfect addition to any table!
Festive bites
Grilled Polenta Cakes
These grilled polenta cakes are a great base for so many toppings; spicy prawns, brandy steak, tomatoes, cheese. They are so easy to make, involve little active time, and are a hit with family and friends.
Jalapeno Popper Dip
This easy jalapeño popper dip recipe is a take on one of our all time favorite party foods, stuffed jalapeños! Perfect for holiday parties, super bowl parties, or whenever you want a simple, delicious appetizer.
Mango Pico de Gallo
The best homemade mango pico de gallo. This fresh mango salsa is perfect for tortilla chips or serving with tacos, fish, chicken or pork.
Recipes & Photos: Lauren From Scratch
Loaded Tater Tot Cups
These bite-sized, loaded tater tot cups are ready in just 30 minutes! A guaranteed guest favorite at your next game day, BBQ, or party!
Jalapeño Popper Cups - Easy Puff Pastry Appetizer
These jalapeño popper cups are about to become your new obsession. They're packed with flavor, easy to make, and even easier to devour!
More recipes for the holidays
We hope you loved this Holiday Appetizer guide! If you have any questions, drop a comment below. For more appetizer ideas, visit us at Appetizer Bliss.
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