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103 Classic & Creative Christmas Appetizers For The Best Holiday Party Ever

Best part? Many of these double as adorable holiday centerpieces.

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spinach artichoke christmas tree skewers
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

With all the holiday shopping, party-hopping, and tree decorating happening this time of year, appetizers and snacks are a MUST, not a maybe. What better way to keep you going and get your holiday (and holiday parties!) started off right than with a few festive Christmas appetizers? If you need to satisfy a crowd before your holiday dinner or just need a treat to keep you going through your holiday movie marathon, we've got all the recipes you need to keep everyone happy and snackin'. Whether you're looking for bite-sized snacks or table centerpieces, there's a holiday appetizer for everyone here.

If you're all about the holiday classics—no stress, we've got you covered. Our cranberry brie bites, our fried mashed potato balls, our stuffed mushrooms, and our cheesy scalloped potato & ham stacks never fail. Looking to get extra festive? We've got dishes that not only taste amazing, but look incredible too (edible centerpiece, anyone?). Whip up our pull-apart Christmas tree, our sausage roll wreath, and spinach-artichoke Christmas tree skewers, or our antipasto Christmas tree cheese ball for apps that are sure to be the talk of your Christmas celebration. Planning a fancier celebration? Our bacon-wrapped dates, our brûléed brie crostini, our spinach puffs, and our smoked trout spread really up your app game.

Also 'tis the season for sweets, and we're not waiting for after the meal to enjoy them! Instead, fill your spread with adorable bites, like our Reese's rudolph bites, our melted snowman cookie dough bites, or our Oreo coal, or add in a sweet, extra shareable option like our gingerbread cheesecake dip, our confetti cookie dough ball, or our tiramisu dip. PSA: the latter are just as delicious as the desserts they're inspired by, but are WAY easier to make.

Want even more holiday treats? Check out our top Christmas cookies and our most festive holiday cocktails too.

1

Cheesy Scalloped Potato & Ham Stacks

layers of russet potatoes soaked in fresh thyme, seasoned half and half, and parmesan layered thinly sliced ham and topped each with melty cheddar cheese
PHOTO: LINDA PUGLIESE; FOOD STYLING: SAM SENEVIRATNE

Fans of our viral potato au gratin stacks, gather 'round! These cheesy scalloped potato and ham stacks are bound to be your next go-to app. They're just like the OG, but to make them their own thing, we added thinly sliced ham and topped each stack with melty cheddar cheese.

Get the Cheesy Scalloped Potato & Ham Stacks recipe.

2

Gingerbread Cheesecake Dip

gingerbread flavored cheesecake dip in a bowl topped with sprinkles and gingerbread cookeis
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

This delightfully festive dip has all the warm, spiced flavors of your favorite holiday cookies transformed into a fluffy and light spread for gingerbread cookies, graham crackers, or pretzels. A mashup of gingerbread and creamy cheesecake, this is a great alternative holiday dessert to serve for your next party.

Get the Gingerbread Cheesecake Dip recipe.

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3

Spinach-Artichoke Christmas Tree Skewers

spinach artichoke christmas tree skewers
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Spinach-artichoke dip is a classic appetizer, but let’s make it a little more festive! Wrapped in puff pastry, the dip can be shaped into cute little Christmas trees and becomes individual apps. The tree gets topped with a little cheese star, as all trees should be.

Get the Spinach-Artichoke Christmas Tree Skewers recipe.

4

Cranberry Brie Bites

crescent dough bites filled with brie and cranberry sauce
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

Our love for crescent roll recipes is no secret. Why make dough from scratch when everyone loves the canned stuff?! These are a fan favorite every year. They always disappear within minutes, probably because the combo of salty, creamy brie, sweet-tart cranberry sauce, and crunchy pecans is PERFECT.

Get the Cranberry Brie Bites recipe.

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5

Merry Mozzarella Bites

merry mozzarella bites
PHOTO: LINDA PUGLIESE; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

These merry mozzarella balls are going to make cocktail hour on Christmas Eve a little more jolly. Marinated ciliegine (or “cherry sized” mozzarella balls) are combined with white balsamic, garlicky chives, and a little crushed red pepper to signify Christmas colors.

Get the Merry Mozzarella Bites recipe.

6

Antipasto Christmas Tree Cheese Ball

antipasto christmas tree cheese ball

Nothing says hostess with the most-est like a charming and delicious antipasto Christmas tree. This cheesy appetizer sculpture will help you decorate for your Christmas party and feed your guests all in one fell swoop.

Get the Antipasto Christmas Tree Cheese Ball recipe.

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7

Elf On The Shelf Mischief Munch

chex mix with red and green candy and icing
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Even if you're not well-studied in the arts of elf antics, you can make this mischief-ful Chex mix. Your kids can even make it with you, so they can leave it out to lure their little pal. It just takes a little cereal, some M&M's and holiday sprinkles, but you could modify it to suit your tastes.

Get the Elf On The Shelf Mischief Munch recipe.

8

Mini Phyllo Feta Bites

feta wrapped in phyllo and fried served with honey
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

These mini phyllo feta bites are the perfect easy bite-sized appetizer for a party. Salty, gooey feta cheese is wrapped in the flakiest golden-brown layers of phyllo dough. Everything gets drizzled in sticky-sweet honey and topped with flaky salt for extra crunch, and voilá: You have an elegant hors d’oeuvre with just six ingredients.

Get the Mini Phyllo Feta Bites recipe.

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9

Sausage Roll Wreath

sausage roll wreath with cranberry sauce for dipping
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

Every holiday gathering needs a showstopper on the table. That being said, maybe you want something new this holiday season. Enter: this classic British sausage roll with a Christmas–appropriate makeover.

Get the Sausage Roll Wreath recipe.

10

Cranberry Cream Cheese Spread

cranberry cream cheese spread
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: SAM SENEVIRATNE

Our cranberry whipped feta dip rocked the Internet last year, so we’re coming back with a cranberry-topped whipped cream cheese spread—it's so luxurious, it's almost unreal. There are two easy parts to make this dip pop: the tangy sweet cranberry sauce finished with brandy, and a lemony whipped cream cheese layer.

Get the Cranberry Cream Cheese Spread recipe.

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11

Pesto Pizza Stuffed Star Bread

pesto star bread
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Here’s an easy and festive holiday appetizer that looks way more impressive and complicated than it actually is. Using homemade pizza dough and pesto is great, but if you go the store-bought route, this star bread takes very little effort.

Get the Pesto Pizza Stuffed Star Bread recipe.

12

Crispy Domino Potatoes

crispy domino potatoes on a white platter topped with thyme and flaky salt
PHOTO: LINDA PUGLIESE; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

If a pan of scalloped potatoes and a bag of chips got together, these domino potatoes would be their love child. Crisp and buttery on the edges, but soft and creamy in the center, these potatoes will reset the bar for everything you thought a potato could be.

Get the Crispy Domino Potatoes recipe.

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13

Stuffed Mushrooms

stuffed mushrooms with breadcrumbs
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

Baby bella mushrooms stuffed with garlicky, herby bread crumbs and plenty of cheese... Honestly, what could be better? Stuff them ahead of time and bake them off when you're ready to serve.

Get the Stuffed Mushrooms recipe.

14

Hot Cocoa Dip

hot cocoa dip served with cookies
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Want to make hot chocolate extra shareable? Enter this sweet, creamy hot cocoa party dip. It’s topped with swoops of whipped cream, a shower of mini marshmallows, and sprinkles, if you're feeling fancy. Pair with all your favorite Christmas cookies for dipping!

Get the Hot Cocoa Dip recipe.

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15

Crispy Feta Pockets

crispy feta pockets drizzled with honey
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

Baked brie fans, you’ve got to try our newest baked cheese recipe: crispy baked feta. Saltier and more tangy than brie, feta is irresistible wrapped in a crunchy, Greek-inspired phyllo dough shell with a nice drizzle of honey for sweetness.

Get the Crispy Feta Pockets recipe.

16

Pull-Apart Christmas Tree

pull apart christmas tree
Ethan Calabrese

This Christmas tree pull-apart bread not only brings the cheesy, herby pizza-vibe to our spread, but it’s so easy to prepare. Using simple ingredients like store-bought pizza dough and mozzarella sticks also means it comes together in under an hour, making it an ideal last-minute appetizer.

Get the Pull-Apart Christmas Tree recipe.

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17

Fancy Christmas Cheese Ball

fancy christmas cheese ball covered in pomegranate seeds
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI ; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Looking for a stunning Christmas app that comes together in no time? Look no further than the humble cheese ball. They’re a retro idea that we’ve really run with here at Delish, taking them fully into modern times with creative ingredients and decorating methods.

Get the Fancy Christmas Cheese Ball recipe.

18

Cannoli Bites

individual cannoli bites topped with chocolate chips, crushed pistachio and powdered sugar
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: LENA ABRAHAM

The combination of the crunchy exterior and creamy filling of a cannoli is one of the world’s best bites, and these bite-sized treats make it even easier to indulge. They're the perfect way to serve the classic Italian treat to guests this holiday season without all the mess and stress.

Get the Cannoli Bites recipe.

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19

Oreo Coal

oreo coal vertical
Lindsay Conchar

These Oreo truffles shaped like coal will make you wish you were on the naughty list! Make a batch and trick your friends and family this Christmas.

Get the Oreo Coal recipe.

20

Cranberry-Glazed Turkey Meatballs

turkey meatballs covered in a red cranberry glaze
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

With a sweet and tangy glaze made with cranberry sauce and thyme- and sage-speckled turkey meatballs, these are great for serving with toothpicks as an app or over fluffy mashed potatoes for a low-key dinner.

Get the Cranberry-Glazed Turkey Meatballs recipe.

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