17 Easy Christmas Appetizers

The easiest Christmas appetizers are the ones you can make ahead: dips, pinwheels, and cold bites that just need to be set out. Save one warm thing for the oven and let the rest do the work.

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Here is the mix I put out, split by how much effort each one takes.

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Dips

Make these a day ahead if you can. Most taste better once the flavors sit.

Easy Spinach Artichoke Dip (Baked)

Creamy spinach artichoke dip made with cream cheese, mozzarella, and garlic. Easy baked recipe perfect for parties, game day, or appetizers.

RECIPE

Cold Spinach Dip With Cream Cheese

Learn how to make the easiest cold spinach dip ever. Made with simple ingredients this creamy dip comes together in minutes, 5 minutes to be precise! Perfect for dunking vegetables in it.

RECIPE

Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip

There's nothing better to enjoy this Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip for Game Day! A perfect combination of Frank's Hot sauce, cream cheese, ranch seasoning, Cheddar cheese, and tender shredded chicken. All these ingredients combined and baked make the best dip for a party night with family and friends. Making a double batch is highly recommended!

RECIPE

Hummus With Roasted Red Pepper

Hummus with roasted red peppers is creamy, savory, with smoky pepper flavors and a little spicy kick to it. Don't limit yourself to boring hummus flavors.

RECIPE

Baked Jalapeno Popper Dip

Jalapeño popper dip is a creamy, spicy appetizer perfect for parties. Made with cream cheese, yogurt, cheese, and jalapeños, serve it with tortilla chips, crackers, or veggie sticks for a healthier option.

RECIPE

Baked Brie en Croute with Cranberry Sauce

A wheel of brie wrapped in puff pastry, topped with cranberry sauce, and baked until the cheese inside is completely melted. Cut in and watch it disappear.

RECIPE

Photo credit: bowlofdelicious.com

Pinwheels and Roll-Ups

Slice and arrange, no last-minute anything.

Bacon Chicken Pinwheels (Skillet or Grill)

These Bacon Chicken Pinwheels are juicy, crispy, and brushed with garlic herb butter. A quick and easy dinner idea ready in just 25 minutes!

RECIPE

Cranberry Feta Pinwheels

A cream cheese base swirled with sweet dried cranberries, salty feta, and green onion, rolled up in a flour tortilla and sliced into easy, make ahead party bites. No baking required, just a quick chill before slicing.

RECIPE

Asparagus Puff Pastry Twists With Prosciutto Ham

Crispy Asparagus Puff Pastry Twists With Prosciutto are the perfect 25-minute appetizer. Easy, elegant, and packed with flavor.

RECIPE

One-Bite

No plates, no forks, just pick one up.

Million Dollar Deviled Eggs

These Million Dollar Deviled Eggs are a rich, creamy, and buttery twist on the classic recipe. A delicious appetizer for holidays and gatherings.

RECIPE

Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball

This cranberry pecan cheese ball is an easy, flavorful, and crowd-pleasing appetizer that will disappear fast at your next party. Whether you're serving it for a holiday celebration, a game day spread, or just because, it's guaranteed to be a hit!

RECIPE

Classic Shrimp Cocktail

Chilled poached shrimp with a sharp, horseradish-forward cocktail sauce. Simple, makes ahead, and always the first thing gone off the table.

RECIPE

Photo credit: cookthestory.com

Sweet and Spicy Meatballs

Sweet and Spicy Meatballs made with hot honey and juicy chicken are the perfect mix of savory heat and sticky sweetness. Great for appetizers, weeknight dinners, or meal prep!

RECIPE

5 Ingredient Cream Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms (Gluten Free)

Easy and quick cream cheese stuffed mushrooms are an incredibly tasty appetizer recipe for any occasion. Made with just a few ingredients, these mushrooms are oven baked to perfection and are soy-free, vegetarian, and gluten free. Only 5 ingredients!

RECIPE

Boards

Build this on arrival with whatever cheese, crackers, and fruit you have on hand. Add a cheese ball as the centerpiece and you barely need a recipe.

Simple Charcuterie Board

Crafting this simple charcuterie board is a breeze and suits any gathering during any season! Brimming with delicious meat cuts, cheeses, fruit, and condiments, it's guaranteed to impress all your party attendees.

RECIPE

Warm, If There Is Oven Space

Worth it if you have room, but nothing here suffers if it comes out a few minutes early or late.

Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers

Air fryer jalapeño poppers are filled with a rich cream cheese mixture, seasoned perfectly, and topped with crunchy tortilla chips. Ready in just 6 minutes per batch, they're a healthier, high-quality alternative to deep-frying.

RECIPE

Crispy Baked Feta Rolls in Air Fryer

These crispy baked feta rolls in the air fryer are a delicious, easy twist on traditional feta dishes, with a golden, crunchy exterior and creamy feta center, topped with cranberry sauce.

RECIPE

Christmas Appetizer FAQs

What Christmas appetizers can I make ahead?

Dips, pinwheels, deviled egg filling, and cheese balls all hold well made a day in advance. Assemble boards the day of.

How many appetizers do I need for a Christmas party?

Two to three bites per person per hour before the meal, spread across three or four different options.

What is an easy last-minute Christmas appetizer?

A cheese ball with crackers, or a store-bought puff pastry baked brie. Both take minutes to put together and look far more impressive than the effort involved.

For the main event see Christmas Dinner Ideas, and for dessert, Christmas Cookies for Gifting.

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