Holiday Appetizers

If you’re looking for Holiday Appetizers, I’ve gathered some of my favorite easy and festive recipes for entertaining throughout the holiday season.

From warm cheesy bites and crispy appetizers to charcuterie boards, savory snacks, and a few sweet treats, there’s something here for just about every holiday gathering.

I especially love appetizers that look a little special without requiring hours in the kitchen. Whether you’re hosting Christmas dinner, having friends over, heading to a holiday potluck, or celebrating New Year’s Eve, these recipes will give you plenty of ideas for your menu.

And honestly, sometimes the appetizers are my favorite part of the whole meal!

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Easy Holiday Appetizer Ideas

There’s something so inviting about a table filled with little bites for everyone to try.

When I’m putting together a holiday appetizer spread, I like to include a mixture of flavors and textures. Something cheesy, something crunchy, something fresh, and usually at least one recipe that looks especially festive.

The best part is that holiday appetizers don’t need to be complicated.

A beautiful cheeseball, crispy rice sushi, warm bread, or a simple charcuterie board can make a holiday table feel special without creating a lot of extra work.

Here are some of my favorite holiday appetizer recipes from Happy Happy Nester.

Savory Holiday Appetizers

If you’re serving appetizers before dinner or putting together a larger appetizer buffet, I always like to start with savory recipes.

These are the kinds of appetizers guests can easily grab while visiting, and several of them can be prepared ahead or assembled fairly quickly.

The Best Artichoke Dip

My Artichoke Dip is a warm and creamy appetizer that’s always a crowd-pleaser.

It’s made with artichoke hearts, Parmesan cheese, green chiles, garlic, and a few other simple ingredients, then baked until warm and creamy.

I especially love this one for holiday entertaining because you can prepare it ahead of time and warm it just before serving. Add pita chips, crackers, toasted baguette slices, or vegetables for dipping.

Crispy Rice Sushi Recipe

My Crispy Rice Sushi is one of those appetizers that looks impressive on a platter.

I first tried crispy rice sushi at Nobu and knew I wanted to make my own version at home. Crispy golden sushi rice is topped with fresh avocado, ahi poke, and sweet chili sauce.

The combination of the crunchy rice and creamy avocado is so good, and the individual pieces make this an especially pretty appetizer for a holiday party or New Year’s Eve.

Fried Pork Wontons

These Fried Wontons are crispy on the outside with a savory pork filling inside.

The filling combines seasoned ground pork with carrots, water chestnuts, and green onions, all tucked inside wonton wrappers and fried until golden and crisp.

This recipe makes a generous batch, which makes it a great choice for a holiday party or larger gathering. Serve the wontons warm with sweet chili sauce for dipping.

Peach Jalapeno Pepper Jelly

If you like a combination of sweet and spicy, my Peach Jalapeño Pepper Jelly makes an easy holiday appetizer.

Serve the pepper jelly with cream cheese or your favorite soft cheese and plenty of crackers.

I love recipes like this during the holidays because you can put together a pretty appetizer without spending the entire afternoon in the kitchen.

Onion Ring Pizza

My Onion Ring Pizza is a fun appetizer when you want something warm, cheesy, and a little unexpected on your holiday table.

This no-dough pizza combines thinly sliced onions with Parmesan, mozzarella, pepperoni, and seasonings, then bakes until the cheese is golden and crispy around the edges.

Cut it into individual pieces for an easy appetizer guests can pick up and enjoy at a casual holiday party.

Homemade Breadsticks Without Yeast

My Homemade Breadsticks Without Yeast are quick, simple, and perfect when you need something warm to add to the table.

Since there’s no yeast involved, you don’t have to wait for dough to rise.

Serve them warm with butter, cheese, marinara sauce, or your favorite dip. You can also add Parmesan to the dough if you want a more savory version for your holiday appetizer spread.

Cornbread Appetizers

These Cornbread Appetizers are buttery, slightly sweet, and incredibly easy to serve. Cut the cornbread into small pieces and arrange them on a platter so guests can help themselves.

They’re a nice addition when you want something a little different from the usual crackers and cheese.

Stuffed Italian Pizza Bread

My Stuffed Italian Pizza Bread is another warm appetizer that disappears quickly.

It’s similar to a stuffed pizza loaf and can be pulled apart or sliced into individual portions after baking.

Serve it warm with marinara sauce for dipping, and you have an easy appetizer that works especially well for a casual Christmas party or family gathering.

Festive Holiday Appetizers

Sometimes you want one appetizer that immediately makes the table feel like Christmas.

These are the recipes I love for that!

They’re festive enough to become part of the holiday decorations while still being delicious and easy for guests to enjoy.

Easy Snowman Cheeseball

My Easy Snowman Cheeseball has to be one of my favorite Christmas appetizers.

It starts with a simple mixture of cream cheese, Parmesan, mozzarella, garlic, and seasonings. Then everything is shaped into an adorable little snowman.

Add his hat, face, and pretzel-stick arms and surround him with crackers, vegetables, cheese, and other little snacks.

It makes such a cute centerpiece for a Christmas appetizer table.

Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board

A Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board is another easy way to make ordinary appetizers feel festive.

Arrange cheeses, meats, fruit, nuts, crackers, and other favorite snacks in the shape of a Christmas tree. I like adding fresh rosemary sprigs because they instantly give the board that pretty evergreen look.

The nice thing about a charcuterie board is that there really is something for everyone.

Easy Holiday Snacks for a Party

Not every holiday appetizer has to be something you serve on a platter.

I always like having a few bowls of snacks around the room so guests can grab something while they’re visiting.

They’re especially helpful if people will be arriving at different times.

Caramel Chex Mix

My Caramel Chex Mix has been a family favorite for years.

It combines caramel popcorn, Corn Chex, peanuts, and crunchy chow mein noodles with a sweet caramel coating.

Pour it into a big bowl for everyone to share or divide it into smaller bowls and place them around your entertaining area.

You can even package some in pretty bags for guests to take home.

Sweet Holiday Appetizers and Treats

Although I usually think of appetizers as savory, I love adding one or two sweet bites to a holiday spread.

They’re especially nice for an open-house-style party where people are snacking throughout the evening rather than sitting down for a formal meal.

Chocolate Covered Apples for Christmas

My Chocolate Covered Apples for Christmas are colorful, festive, and surprisingly easy to make.

Fresh apple slices are dipped in chocolate and decorated with Christmas candies and sprinkles.

They’re a fun holiday treat to make with kids, too. Put out bowls of different toppings and let everyone decorate their own apple slices.

Christmas Cookie Charcuterie Board

If you want to add something sweet to your appetizer table, make a Christmas Cookie Charcuterie Board.

Fill a board with homemade cookies, store-bought favorites, chocolates, peppermint bark, candies, and other little holiday treats.

I love this idea because you don’t have to bake everything yourself. Mixing homemade treats with a few pretty store-bought sweets makes putting the board together much easier.

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Holiday Appetizers for a Crowd

When I’m serving appetizers to a larger group, I try not to make ten complicated recipes.

Instead, I choose a few special appetizers and fill in the rest of the table with simple foods.

Start with something warm, like pizza bread or breadsticks. Add a cheeseball or pepper jelly with crackers, then make a charcuterie board with cheeses, meats, nuts, fruit, and vegetables.

A bowl of snack mix gives everyone something crunchy to nibble on, too.

The trick is having a variety without making everything from scratch.

How to Put Together a Holiday Appetizer Table

I love making the food table feel like part of the holiday decor.

Start with your largest item, such as a charcuterie board or cheeseball, and build the rest of the table around it.

Use cake stands or small risers to create a little height. Then add smaller platters and bowls for dips, crackers, nuts, and bite-sized appetizers.

Fresh rosemary is one of my favorite little additions during Christmas. Tuck a few sprigs around a cheese board or platter and everything instantly looks more festive.

And don’t feel like you need special Christmas serving pieces.

White platters and bowls work beautifully. Add greenery, pretty napkins, candles, and a few ornaments nearby, and suddenly the whole table feels ready for the holidays.

Make-Ahead Holiday Appetizer Ideas

Anything I can prepare before guests arrive is a winner during the holidays.

Cold dips, cheeseballs, pepper jelly, snack mixes, and many charcuterie board ingredients can be prepared or portioned ahead of time. My Artichoke Dip is another great make-ahead option since you can prepare it ahead and bake it before serving.

You can also chop vegetables, slice cheeses, prepare serving dishes, and decide where everything will go the day before.

Then save your warm appetizers for last.

I find entertaining much more enjoyable when I’m not trying to finish five recipes as everyone is walking through the door!

Quick Holiday Appetizers for Last-Minute Entertaining

We’ve all had those moments when we suddenly need an appetizer.

Maybe someone is stopping by, you forgot you promised to bring something, or you simply don’t have time to make an elaborate recipe.

Keep a few dependable ingredients around during the holidays: crackers, a good cheese, nuts, olives, pepper jelly, and perhaps a package of cured meat.

Put everything on a pretty board, add some fresh rosemary, and you have an appetizer in minutes.

A simple appetizer served beautifully can feel every bit as special as something that took hours to prepare.

What to Serve with Holiday Appetizers

If appetizers are just the beginning of dinner, I usually keep the selection fairly small so everyone still has room for the main meal.

But if appetizers are the party, you’ll want more variety.

Try including something warm, something cheesy, a charcuterie board, a crunchy snack, fresh fruit or vegetables, and a sweet bite.

Don’t forget the drinks!

Sparkling water, holiday punch, coffee, tea, and festive mocktails all work beautifully alongside appetizers.

The goal isn’t to make dozens of recipes. It’s to give everyone enough choices that they can find a few things they love.

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More Holiday Appetizers From My Friends

I always love seeing what my friends are making during the holidays, and these recipes would be wonderful additions to a party menu.

Holiday Pretzel Mix

This Holiday Pretzel Mix from Half Baked Harvest is a crunchy combination of seasoned pretzels and nuts.

It would be easy to put out in bowls for guests to snack on throughout a holiday party. You could also package it up and give it as a homemade holiday gift.

Smoked Turkey with Cranberry Orange Muffins

My friend Leslie created these Smoked Turkey with Cranberry Orange Muffins, and I love the combination for the holidays.

The cranberry and orange flavors feel especially seasonal, while the smoked turkey turns the little muffins into a savory bite.

These would look so pretty arranged on a holiday appetizer platter!

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Frequently Asked Questions About Holiday Appetizers

What are good appetizers for a holiday party?

A good holiday appetizer menu includes a mix of flavors and textures. I like to serve something warm, a cheese or dip, something crunchy, and a lighter option such as fruit or vegetables. A charcuterie board is an easy way to add several choices without making another recipe.

What are easy holiday appetizers to make ahead?

Cheeseballs, dips, pepper jelly, snack mixes, and many charcuterie board ingredients are great make-ahead holiday appetizers. Prepare cold appetizers and serving dishes the day before, then save anything that needs to be baked or warmed for shortly before guests arrive.

How many appetizers should I serve per person?

If you’re serving appetizers before a full meal, plan on about 4 to 6 appetizer pieces per person. If appetizers are the main food for the party, plan on roughly 10 to 12 pieces per person, with several different choices. I also like to make a little extra of the appetizers I know will be popular.

What are some quick holiday appetizers?

Some of the easiest options are cheese and crackers, pepper jelly with cream cheese, seasoned nuts, olives, charcuterie, and snack mixes. You can also combine a few store-bought items with one homemade appetizer for an easy holiday spread.

How can I make simple appetizers look festive?

Presentation can make even simple appetizers feel special. Arrange food on pretty platters or wooden boards and add fresh rosemary, cranberries, herbs, or other seasonal garnishes. You can also arrange foods in a Christmas tree or wreath shape for an easy holiday touch.

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If you’re planning your holiday menu, you can find even more ideas in my Best Christmas Cookies collection and browse all of my recipes for more holiday inspiration.

There are plenty of simple recipes you can mix and match to create a holiday menu that works for your family and your celebration.

I hope these holiday appetizer ideas make your entertaining a little easier this year.

Happy holidays and happy hosting!