30 Holiday Appetizers Recipes for Christmas and New Year Dinner - Christmas Celebrations (2024)

December 23, 2013Anne WalkerChristmas Recipes0

As Christmas approaches, many would be busy bustling around the kitchen and preparing for the much awaited Christmas dinner. Kick start up your dinner with some yummy appetizers for the tummy. It does not need to be elaborate and too sophisticated—reserve the effort for the main course and the desserts! Instead, try these easy to make holiday appetizers recipes for Christmas which will save you time and effort but will not leave you shorthanded with taste and delight.

Easy Holiday Appetizers

Tortellini Caprese BitesPrepare your skewers and skew up some tortellini and tomatoes for a yummy Italian treat! This is perfect for parties as anyone will just have to grab.

Baked Brie Bites –Start up the dinner conversation with these cute, little baked pastry dish with cheese, cranberry preserves and pistachios. The pastry cups can be bought in grocery stores, and you can experiment with other fillings too!

Roasted Lemon Dip –Tickle your party guests’ taste buds with some roast root vegetable chips with a zesty, creamy lemon dip on the side. Their taste buds will be in condition for something tastier and they will still have room for the main course!

Creamy Mushroom Phyllo Triangles –You can store these triangles ahead of time and just thaw and bake them in time for your party. It also makes a good preparation for those surprise Christmas guests!

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Holiday Party Appetizers Recipes

Mushroom Scallop Skewers –This appetizer is three good things stuck in the end of a toothpick: scallops, mushrooms and bacon. Yes, all in one package. Oh, did we mention that it also has an orange-y flavor? Like, ORANGE-your mouth watering right now?

Sweet Potato Casserole Bites –Bake some sweet potato puffs. Caramelize some onions. Resist munching the marshmallows. Skew in order: marshmallow, onion and potato puff. Serve and enjoy.

Saucy Asian Meatballs –Serve these oozing meatballs in your Christmas party. The hoisin and oyster sauces give the sweet and savory flavor to the tender ground beef. This appetizer defines lip-smacking goodness!

Mozarella Balls with Tomatoes and Basil –Got some spare cheese, tomatoes and greens after you’re done with your pasta? Stick them up and serve this simple appetizer that your party guests will surely crave for more!

Healthy Holiday Appetizers Recipes

Tomatoes with Lemon Dill Dip –Get the freshest mini tomatoes in the market while you still can! This zesty tomato appetizer is really easy to make. It’s fresh and guess what, tomatoes are rich in lycopene. In case you haven’t heard yet, lycopene is good for the heart—so this is the perfect dish to serve those who holds your heart!

Cheesy Onion and Tomato Puffs –Make these easy puffs for your Christmas dinner. It’s perfect for the health conscious as these are baked, not fried. Prepare the puff pastries and top with cheese and caramelized onions and tomatoes. Bake for a minute or until the cheese melts.

Spicy Cream Cheese Roll-ups –Perk up the Christmas dinner with these cheese roll-ups with a kick. Roll some cheese with green onions and red peppers (the Season’s colors, you know) in tortillas. Cut into small pieces and you’re spicy appetizers are good to go!

Quick Holiday Appetizers Recipes

Muffuletta Deviled Eggs –The classic favorite, the appetizer that never goes wrong. Why not? It’s very simple to make and tasty! This recipe uses the flavors of olives and the meatiness of salami. Deviled eggs are the appetizers of all appetizers.

Olive Pepperoni Kebabs –These kebabs are really fun to look at. They also don’t need cooking, so you can save time. All you need is stick some cheese, pepperoni, olives and rosemary and you have a tasty appetizer for your party.

Roasted Grape Flatbread with Rosemary –If the name confuses you much, this appetizer stars roasted grapes. Yes, roasted grapes. How do you do this simple recipe? Simply toss the grapes in a bowl, then add some olive oil and seasoning. Make a dough for your flatbread and roll it out into a rectangle. Spread cheese and add the grapes. Pop them into your oven and after 15 minutes you have one delectable appetizer.

Oh yeah, don’t forget to slice it into pieces!

Fun Holiday Appetizers Recipes

Pita tree Appetizers –Wow, these pita pieces sure look attractive! Spread guacamole and sour cream on triangle pita pieces then sprinkle with tiny bits of red bell pepper. Stick a little piece of pretzel to your Christmas tree then bake for a few minutes.

Mini Party Quiches –Awww… don’t these little quiches look cute? A dozen just takes 30 minutes to prepare. What’s more, you can have fun and try different fillings for these cute little baskets of tastiness!

Cheese, Pepper and Grape Tomato Kebab –You don’t need to waste much time on complicated recipes for your appetizers—here’s a very simple one for you! The ingredients are easy to find and you just need to find some sticks and you have a bright-colored dish you can serve your guests. The colors of this appetizer say “It’s Christmas! Have fun and eat me!”

Cheese with Pecorino and Honey Dip –Here’s one easy appetizer for your Christmas party. Buy and slice your favorite cheese and serve them alongside this sweet and flavorful dip. It’s also healthy and all natural.

Christmas Holiday Appetizers

Tuna-Apple Mini Melts –Make some of these healthy appetizers for the holidays. You just have to whip up the tuna filling and fill in phyllo shells that you can buy in stores. You’ll have a fruity appetizer to enjoy plus, you’ll reap the healthy goodness of the tuna and the fruits.

Barbecue Pasties –Want the kick and sweetness of BBQ flavor? Bake this goodness delight to serve your guests. Roll up some dough and toss ground beef with some barbeque flavoring. Bake then serve.

Cheesy Tree –Want do something cheesy for your guests…literally? Why don’t you try this cheesy treat on a stick. It’s just a triangular slice of cheese with some herbs for garnish. Creative + cheesy in one package.

Baby Baked Fingerling Potatoes –This little one is made of baked potatoes and has sour cream and bacon. For sure, this yummy appetizer will make your guests want to take some home!

Quick and Easy Holiday Appetizers

Antipasti de Salumi –This appetizer does not need any cooking or such. You just have to arrange the ingredients attractively on the plate. What will be put to test are your garnishing skills…and your resistance to yummy food.

Prunes Wrapped in Bacon –Try this delicious fruit wrapped in bacon. It’s very simple and easy to make. You can also try other fruits to wrap in bacon. After all, no one goes wrong with bacon.

Popcorn Balls –Are you going to celebrate Christmas with a movie night?Movie night or not, this is a great appetizer for you. Melt some marshmallows in a pan and pour over popcorn and raisins, then roll into balls.

Bacon-wrapped Dates –Another dish to prove that no one goes wrong with bacon. Stuff those dates with almonds then wrap them with bacon. It’s an easy to prepare dish for that Christmas party!

Festive Holiday Appetizers

Holiday Baked Cranberry Cups –Prepare your phyllo cups and brie cheese and whip up some cranberries and walnut. Put a spoonful of cranberry-walnut combination to each cheese-filled cups and serve in a nice plate. You can also add a bit of orange juice for some added kick. Sweet and zesty in one bite!

Pomegranate Arancini with Goat Cheese Fonduta –Though made of rice, this appetizer is not heavy on the tummy. It may be addictive because of the cheese and the wine incorporated in the recipe. Your guests will find their selves going back to the table for more.

Loaded Mashed Potato Cakes –Who does not love mashed potatoes…and who wouldn’t want them for appetizers? Boil your potatoes and roll them into patties. Serve with sour cream and some bacon bits.

Smoked Salmon, Crème Fraîche, and Caviar Potato Skins Recipe –Well, well, well. This food’s name sounds like something off the menu of a 5-star restaurant. If you’re looking for some elegant appetizer to impress your guests, here’s the right one for you. And if you’re wondering where you can use the scooped potato flesh from this recipe, there’s recipe #29 for you.

30 Holiday Appetizers Recipes for Christmas and New Year Dinner - Christmas Celebrations (2024)

FAQs

How many appetizers for Christmas dinner? ›

How Many Appetizers to Make. On average, each guest will have about six appetizers, although this number may double if it's a co*cktail-style event. You want enough to keep your guests satisfied, but not so many that their appetites will be ruined. (Here are some quick crowd-pleasing apps in 15 minutes or less.)

What is the best Christmas party food? ›

Christmas Appetizers: Finger Foods Edition
  • Bacon-Wrapped Scallops. Bacon-wrapped scallops are right up there with shrimp co*cktail as an ultimate holiday party throwback! ...
  • Deviled Eggs. ...
  • Jalapeño Poppers. ...
  • Pecan-Stuffed Mushrooms.

What should I bring to a Christmas dinner party? ›

– If you don't know the host well, play it safe with flowers, a house plant, a bottle of wine, or a box of boutique chocolates. – If you know the host well, choose a gift you know they will like—a small artwork, a six-pack of their favorite craft beer, or a special Christmas tree ornament.

How many different appetizers for 30 guests? ›

If you're hosing 25 -35 guests, plan 3-4 bites per person if a full dinner is to be served afterwards, or 5-7 bites per person if a lighter meal will be served. If you're hosting a party of 50, then you can offer 6 to 9 different items.

What are the most popular finger foods for parties? ›

Easy Finger Food Recipes to Make Ahead
  1. Fried Pickles. Treat your guests to fried pickles for fun finger food ideas. ...
  2. Fried Mac and Cheese Rolls. ...
  3. Deviled Eggs. ...
  4. Honey Garlic Meatballs. ...
  5. Garlic Breadsticks. ...
  6. Salted Soft Pretzels. ...
  7. Whipped Ricotta Crostini. ...
  8. Vietnamese Spring Rolls.
2 days ago

What is the most popular item on a Christmas dinner plate? ›

Roast potatoes and gravy are the most ubiquitous items on the Christmas dinner, with only around half opting for turkey.

What are the top 10 Christmas dinner foods? ›

Top 10 most popular Christmas recipes
  • Nut roast.
  • Ultimate roast potatoes. ...
  • Mary's Berry Christmas chutney. ...
  • Sausage, sage & onion stuffing. ...
  • Cola ham with maple & mustard glaze. ...
  • Sticky spiced red cabbage. ...
  • Christmas pudding with citrus and spice. ...
  • Yule log. ...

What is a traditional Christmas dinner menu? ›

Traditional Christmas dinner features turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, and vegetables. Other types of poultry, roast beef, or ham, are also used. Pumpkin or apple pie, raisin pudding, Christmas pudding, or fruitcake are staples for dessert.

What do you bring to a Christmas party as a guest? ›

Bring a gift for your host.

Some ideas include a bottle of wine, a box of chocolates, or even some homemade bread or cookies. If you'll be attending a lot of events during the holiday season, buy a few traditional hostess gifts, tie each one with a pretty ribbon, and put them in the trunk of your car.

What are the most popular holiday foods? ›

Contents
  • Roast Goose.
  • Pumpkin Pie.
  • Green Bean Casserole.
  • Corned Beef and Cabbage.
  • Collard Greens and Black-eyed Peas.
  • Latkes.
  • Eggnog.
  • Matzah.

How do you throw an awesome holiday party? ›

Top 10 Tips for Hosting The Ultimate Holiday Party
  1. Plan Your Menu. Everyone will appreciate a varied menu that appeals to guests with diverse palates and preferences. ...
  2. Pick a Color Scheme. ...
  3. Make Menu Cards. ...
  4. Create a Signature co*cktail. ...
  5. Set The Mood. ...
  6. Have Awesome Music. ...
  7. Make Some, Assemble Some. ...
  8. Make Something Cute.

How many appetizers per person holiday party? ›

Generally, plan for 2-3 appetizers per person, per hour if served before or after meal times, and 5-6 pieces per person, per hour if served as a meal. Food is a big part of any party, and you should especially provide food at any party where alcohol is served.

How many appetizer options should I have? ›

Here's a quick guide to how many appetizers you should serve at your party: 10-12 guests = 5 appetizer selections. 25 guests = 9 appetizer selections. 50 guests = 13 appetizer selections.

How many appetizers per person for dinner? ›

For an event during mealtime, plan on 12-15 total pieces per guest so that they're appetite is satisfied. If the event occurs between standard mealtimes, allocate 8 – 10 pieces per person for nibbling. Finally, for longer parties lasting longer than 4 hours, allocate 2 additional pieces per person, per hour.

How many appetizers do I need for 25 people? ›

Caterers often plan a minimum of 4 different choices for groups of 25-100 or more, adding an additional choice for each 25 people. A good rule of thumb for a dinner party, allow for 6 appetizers per person. For a co*cktail party consider making 12 appetizers per person.

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