10+ Appetizer Recipes for Christmas Party That Will Delight Your Guests

The holiday season is a wonderful time to gather with family and friends, and delicious appetizers can set the perfect tone for any Christmas party. The right appetizer recipes can make your celebration memorable and enjoyable for everyone.

Whether you’re hosting a large gathering or an intimate get-together, having tasty bites on hand is essential.

From savory dips to elegant finger foods, there’s a wide array of appetizer options to choose from. You want to impress your guests while keeping the prep simple, so having a mix of classic and creative ideas can help you achieve that balance.

With the right recipes, you’ll create a festive atmosphere that everyone will love.

1) Bacon-Wrapped Dates

Bacon-wrapped dates are a delicious appetizer that brings sweet and savory flavors together. These treats are easy to make and are sure to impress your guests at your Christmas party.

To start, you’ll need whole Medjool dates and bacon. You can add fillings like goat cheese or almonds for extra flavor. Bacon adds a crispy, salty touch that pairs perfectly with the sweet dates.

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Cut the dates lengthwise, but don’t slice all the way through. Stuff them with your choice of filling, then wrap each date with half a slice of bacon. Secure with a toothpick if needed.

Bake the wrapped dates on a wire rack lined with parchment for about 20-25 minutes or until the bacon is crispy. Serve them warm for a tasty bite.

Ingredients

• Whole Medjool dates
• Bacon
• Optional fillings (goat cheese, cream cheese, almonds, or bleu cheese)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Cut dates lengthwise without cutting through.
3. Stuff dates with your favorite filling.
4. Wrap each date with bacon.
5. Place on a parchment-lined wire rack.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes until bacon is crispy.

2) Stuffed Mushrooms with Parmesan

Stuffed mushrooms with Parmesan are a delicious and easy appetizer for your Christmas party. They are sure to impress your guests with their rich flavor and crispy texture.

To start, clean the mushrooms and remove the stems. Chop the stems finely and set them aside. In a skillet, heat some olive oil over medium heat and sauté garlic along with the chopped stems for a few minutes until softened.

Next, mix the cooked stems with breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, and your favorite herbs. Stuff this mixture back into the mushroom caps.

Place the mushrooms on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake them in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 20 minutes until they are golden brown.

These stuffed mushrooms are great for any holiday gathering!

Ingredients

• 12 large mushrooms
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ cup breadcrumbs
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon dried herbs (like parsley or thyme)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Clean the mushrooms and remove the stems.
3. Finely chop the stems.
4. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
5. Sauté garlic and chopped stems for 2-3 minutes.
6. Combine sautéed mixture with breadcrumbs and Parmesan.
7. Stuff the mushroom caps with the mixture.
8. Place them on a lined baking sheet.
9. Bake for 20 minutes until golden brown.

3) Cranberry Brie Bites

Cranberry Brie Bites are a delightful addition to your Christmas party menu. They combine sweet and savory flavors in a flaky puff pastry, making them a crowd-pleaser.

To make these bites, you will need Brie cheese and cranberry sauce. You can add walnuts for an extra crunch. This simple appetizer can be prepared in minutes.

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cut puff pastry into squares, place them in a muffin tin, and fill with cheese and sauce. Bake until golden brown and bubbly.

These bites not only taste great but also look beautiful on a platter. They add a festive touch to your celebration.

Ingredients

• Puff pastry
• Brie cheese
• Cranberry sauce
• Walnuts (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cut the puff pastry into squares and fit them into a muffin tin.
3. Add a piece of Brie cheese to each pastry cup.
4. Spoon some cranberry sauce on top.
5. Add chopped walnuts if desired.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.

4) Honey Garlic Shrimp Skewers

Honey garlic shrimp skewers are a tasty treat for your Christmas party. They are easy to make and packed with flavor. The sweetness of honey and the kick from garlic make these skewers a hit for any gathering.

To prepare, mix honey, sriracha, crushed red pepper, garlic, lime zest, lime juice, and parsley in a bowl. This will be your glaze. Next, thread the shrimp onto skewers and brush them with the glaze.

You can grill or bake the skewers. If grilling, cook at 400°F (200°C) for about 5-7 minutes on each side. For baking, place the skewers on a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes.

These shrimp skewers pair well with a dipping sauce or fresh salad. They’re sure to impress your guests and add a festive touch to your table.

Ingredients

• Shrimp
• Honey
• Sriracha
• Crushed red pepper
• Garlic
• Lime zest
• Lime juice
• Fresh parsley

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix honey, sriracha, crushed red pepper, garlic, lime zest, lime juice, and parsley in a bowl.
2. Thread shrimp onto skewers.
3. Brush skewers with honey mixture.
4. Grill at 400°F (200°C) for 5-7 minutes on each side or bake at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes.

5) Pesto-Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes

Pesto-stuffed cherry tomatoes are a fresh and tasty treat for your Christmas party. They are simple to make and look great on a platter. Plus, they are vegetarian and gluten-free, making them suitable for many guests.

To prepare, start by washing your cherry tomatoes. Cut the tops off and scoop out the insides gently. Fill each tomato with creamy pesto. You can use store-bought pesto for speed or make your own for extra flavor.

Arrange the stuffed tomatoes on a serving tray. They can be served cold or warmed slightly in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 15 minutes. They taste great either way!

Ingredients

• Cherry tomatoes
• Pesto (store-bought or homemade)
• Optional: Cream cheese for added creaminess

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) if warming.
2. Wash the cherry tomatoes and cut off the tops.
3. Scoop out the seeds and insides.
4. Stuff each tomato with pesto.
5. Place on a baking dish if warming and heat for 15 minutes, or serve cold.

6) Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus

Prosciutto-wrapped asparagus is a delicious appetizer that’s easy to make. It combines the salty flavor of prosciutto with the freshness of asparagus. This dish is perfect for your Christmas party!

To prepare it, start by trimming the asparagus spears. Then, cut the prosciutto slices into strips. Wrap each asparagus spear tightly with a strip of prosciutto. Make sure to start at the bottom and spiral upward.

Preheat your oven to 425°F (about 220°C). Place the wrapped asparagus on a baking sheet lined with foil. Bake for about 10-12 minutes until the prosciutto is crispy and the asparagus is tender.

This dish is not only simple but also elegant, making it a great addition to any holiday spread.

Ingredients:

• Asparagus spears
• Prosciutto slices

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Trim the asparagus spears.
3. Cut prosciutto into strips.
4. Wrap each asparagus spear with a strip of prosciutto.
5. Place wrapped spears on a foil-lined baking sheet.
6. Bake for 10-12 minutes until crispy.

7) Spicy Deviled Eggs

Spicy deviled eggs are a fun twist on the classic appetizer. They are creamy, flavorful, and just the right amount of spicy, making them a perfect choice for your Christmas party.

To make these tasty bites, you will need boiled eggs, mayonnaise, mustard, and your choice of spices, such as Cajun seasoning or chopped jalapeños. You can also add crispy shallots for a crunchy texture.

Fill each egg half with the spicy yolk mixture. Dust them with paprika for added flavor and color. You can even garnish with an olive half on top.

Refrigerate for about 20 to 30 minutes before serving. Enjoy them cold, and watch your guests come back for more!

Ingredients

• 6 boiled eggs
• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• ½ tsp Cajun seasoning
• Paprika (for dusting)
• Olive halves (for garnish)

Cooking Instructions

1. Slice the boiled eggs in half and remove the yolks.
2. In a bowl, mix yolks with mayonnaise, mustard, and Cajun seasoning.
3. Fill egg whites with the mixture.
4. Dust with paprika and garnish with olives.
5. Refrigerate for 20 to 30 minutes before serving.

8) Smoked Salmon Canapés

Smoked salmon canapés are a delightful addition to your Christmas party. They are simple to make and require no cooking, making them an easy choice for busy hosts.

To start, gather your ingredients. You will need cream cheese, cocktail rye bread, dill, and sliced smoked salmon. These ingredients keep the flavors mild and pleasant, making them a hit among guests.

To prepare, spread cream cheese onto the rye bread slices. Top each slice with a piece of smoked salmon and add a sprinkle of dill for garnish. Arrange them on a platter for an elegant touch.

These canapés are not just tasty; they also add a classy presence to your spread without much effort.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese
• 1 teaspoon fresh dill or 1/4 teaspoon dill weed
• 36 slices cocktail rye bread
• 12 ounces sliced smoked salmon

Cooking Instructions

1. Spread the cream cheese on each slice of rye bread.
2. Place a piece of smoked salmon on top of the cream cheese.
3. Sprinkle dill on top for flavor and garnish.
4. Arrange on a serving platter.

Feta and Spinach Pinwheels

Feta and spinach pinwheels are a delicious and easy appetizer for your Christmas party. They use puff pastry, making them flaky and light. You will love how simple they is to prepare.

Start with fresh spinach and crumbled feta cheese. Mix them together with some olive oil, garlic, and herbs. This flavorful filling goes perfectly with the pastry.

Roll out the puff pastry and spread the filling evenly. Then, roll it up tightly and slice it into pinwheels. Bake them at 400°F (200°C) until golden brown. The aroma will fill your kitchen!

Serve these tasty pinwheels warm or at room temperature. They are sure to impress your guests and add a festive touch to your holiday gathering.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
• 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 package puff pastry
• 1 egg (for egg wash)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a bowl, mix spinach, feta, olive oil, garlic, and herbs.
3. Roll out puff pastry and spread the filling evenly.
4. Roll the pastry tightly into a log.
5. Slice the log into 1/2-inch thick pinwheels.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.

Mini Caprese Skewers

Mini Caprese Skewers are a delightful appetizer for your Christmas party. They are simple to prepare and combine fresh ingredients for a tasty treat. You can make them with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and fresh basil.

To add flavor, drizzle balsamic glaze on top before serving. This adds a sweet and tangy touch that enhances the dish. These skewers are colorful and look great on a platter, making them perfect for festive gatherings.

You can prepare these ahead of time, which makes them a convenient choice when hosting. Plus, they pair well with other appetizers, adding variety to your spread.

Ingredients

• Cherry tomatoes
• Mozzarella balls
• Fresh basil leaves
• Balsamic glaze
• Skewers

Cooking Instructions

1. Thread a cherry tomato onto a skewer.
2. Add a mozzarella ball next.
3. Follow with a basil leaf.
4. Repeat until you fill the skewer.
5. Drizzle balsamic glaze before serving.