Need ideas for Christmas Eve appetizers this year? I have 21+ mouthwatering recipes that everyone will love – even the pickiest of eaters. The best part? Most of these appetizers are so easy to make.
21+ Mouthwatering Christmas Eve Appetizers That Are Perfect For Sharing And Snacking
1. Crisp Salami Cup Appetizers
Ditch the phyllo dough and use slices of salami to create little cups that hold a delicious Mediterranean salad. Just pop the salami in a muffin tin, bake for 15 minutes, fill and enjoy. Feel free to get creative with the salad, but the recipe calls for zucchini, tomato, kalamata olives, fresh herbs, feta and Italian dressing.
2. Bacon-Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese
I always make these when we’re entertaining or need to bring an appetizer to a party. They’re so easy to make and always a hit with everyone. Just slice open your dates, fill with goat cheese, wrap the whole thing in bacon and bake. The mildly sweet and savory flavors are a match made in heaven.
3. Sheet Pan Smoked Sausage Cranberry Bites
These little bites will quickly become one of your favorite Christmas Eve appetizers. Sausage, cheddar cheese, cranberry sauce – what’s not to love? Bake the sausages on a sheet pan, stack slices of cheese and a dollop of cranberry sauce on top. Add a toothpick (try these cute ones!) and you’re ready to go.
4. Cranberry Brie Pull-Apart Bread
Pull-apart bread is the perfect appetizer because it’s made for sharing. This recipe adds delicious brie, dried cranberries, pecans and brown sugar into the mix. I recommend making at least 2-3 loaves because they won’t last long.
Related: 15 Italian Christmas Appetizers to Try This Year
5. Christmas Wreath Appetizers
These wreath appetizers are adorable – and every bit as delicious. Delicate rice crackers are topped with whipped cream cheese and topped with a slice of jalapeno for a little spice. Tiny pink peppercorns and a parsley leaf transform this appetizer into a festive dish. If you can’t find rice crackers in your local shop, feel free to use any other round cracker.
6. Fresh Fruit Christmas Tree
Give your guests a healthier appetizer option with this fruit Christmas tree. To build the tree itself, you’ll need a foam cone, some toothpicks and plastic wrap. You can use any fruit you want, but grapes, berries and citrus are great options that will stay put on the toothpicks.
7. Cranberry Goat Cheese Balls
These goat cheese balls are festive, delicious and deceptively easy to make. All you need are a few ingredients: goat cheese, cream cheese, pecans, cranberries, parsley and cinnamon. Garnish with honey and add a toothpick or pretzel rod for easy snacking.
8. Christmas Meatballs
Want to serve something a little more substantial? These Christmas meatballs are sure to be a hit. Slow-cooked in a sweet red wine sauce, these meatballs are so rich and flavorful. I like to set out these disposable bamboo soup bowls when serving these meatballs. It makes it easier for guests to eat comfortably without harming the environment.
9. Festive Christmas Charcuterie Wreath
Take your charcuterie board to the next level and transform it into a festive wreath. Fill your board with salami roses, cranberries, strawberries, red grapes, cheese, blueberries, crackers and other goodies. Add fresh rosemary sprigs for a splash of green color. I recommend sneaking in little white chocolate squares for a sweet surprise.
10. Cranberry Pistachio Cheese Log
Cheese logs are a classic Christmas party appetizer. They’re so easy to make, and they’re always a crowd-pleaser. This recipe adds tart cranberries and salted pistachios, along with fresh herbs, winter spices and honey. I like to serve this with crackers, but you can also use mini toasts.
11. Christmas Sausage Roll
Savory sausages baked in a flaky puff pastry crust and served with a tasty cranberry sauce dip. To make this dish more festive, arrange your slices in a circle to create a wreath. Place the dip bowl in the middle and add a few sprigs of rosemary for some green color. This sausage roll won’t last long, so I recommend making at least two.
12. Christmas Tree Veggie Skewers
These Christmas Eve appetizers are so simple, but they’re still delicious and festive. To build your veggie skewer trees, use half of a grape tomato as the base of the toothpick tree. Add a thin slice of cucumber in a wavy fashion. Top with a pepper jack cheese star (you’ll need a star cookie cutter to make this). Feel free to add or substitute any ingredients you want. For example, you can use slices of zucchini instead of cucumber and red pepper for the base instead of tomato.
13. Pepper Jelly Cheese Dip
Dips are always a welcomed appetizer at a holiday party. Instead of the usual sour cream-based dips, try this pepper jelly cheese recipe. It starts with a cream cheese and goat cheese base that’s topped with pepper jelly and baked until warmed. Fresh chives and honey add a hint of sweetness and savoriness to this dip. Serve with crackers of slices of toasted baguette.
Related: 25+ Best Christmas Eve Finger Food Ideas On A Budget
14. Cranberry Orange Meatballs
Sweet and spicy meatballs slow-cooked to perfection. These meatballs are cooked in a divine sauce made of cranberry sauce, barbeque sauce, marmalade and orange zest. If you’re in a hurry, you can cook these in a pan. Otherwise, use a slow cooker to lock in the flavor.
Serve on a pretty platter with toothpicks for easy snacking.
15. Spinach-Artichoke Crescent Candy Cane
Pillsbury offers such a cute candy cane-looking recipe that is made with crescent dough, spinach and artichoke. You’ll need cream cheese, chopped spinach, mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, artichoke hearts, Pillsbury crescent rolls, mozzarella cheese, roasted red bell pepper, butter and some seasoning.
Rolling out and cutting the dough is time-consuming, but this recipe is well worth the wait.
16. Mini Fig and Brie Puff Pastry Bites
Figs, puff pastry and brie come together for a delish appetizer that is light yet filled with flavor. You’ll need two 12-cup muffin tins for this recipe to hold your frozen pastry puffs, and it’s a really simple recipe to follow.
You’ll start by preheating your oven to 350F and lightly greasing your tins. Softened butter works best.
The puff pastry will need to be laid out on a floured surface and cut into 24 small squares – or as many as you would like to make. Each square will be placed in the tin, along with brie and fig jam.
Bake for 10 minutes or so, allow to cool and enjoy.
17. Homemade Bruschetta
If you’re short on time this holiday season (who isn’t?), these bruschetta are some of the easiest that you can make. You can even make them a few days before and they’ll still be delightful
But there’s a twist. You’ll replace the bread with cucumber slices. This 16-serving recipe is made with tomatoes, red onions, cloves, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, fresh basil, salt and pepper.
18. Cheese Stuffed Dates Wrapped in Prosciutto
These stuffed dates wrapped in prosciutto are sure to become a staple in your line-up of Christmas Eve appetizers. And the total cook time is just 10 minutes. European-inspired, you’ll need:
- Cocktail sticks
- French roule cheese
- Medjool dates
- Prosciutto slices
And all you need to do is assemble these appetizers – no cooking or baking required.
19. Beef Tenderloin Crostini with Parmesan Wine Cream Sauce
Beef. Crostini. What’s not to love? Dry white wine, heavy cream and spices are added to create the delish wine sauce that the recipe’s author teaches you how to make. If you’re a fan of beef tenderloin, you’ll love the taste of these appetizers.
I recommend an internal thermometer to make sure that your meat is thoroughly cooked.
You’ll need about 45 minutes to make these appetizers, but they’re more substantial than some others on the list and will keep you satiated.
Related: 25+ Best Christmas Appetizer Ideas to Wow a Crowd
20. Hoisin & Honey Chipolatas
Sweet and savory flavors mix perfectly together with these hoisin and honey chipolatas. And if you had chipolatas (they’re a type of sausage), all you need is some hoisin sauce, sesame seeds and runny honey.
21. Bourbon Infused Cranberry & Goat Cheese Bites
Goat cheese bites are quickly becoming a favorite of mine. And you only need five ingredients to get started:
- Brown sugar
- Fresh cranberries
- Bourbon
- Phyllo cups
- Goat cheese
22. Sweet and Spicy Seasoned Crackers
Simple yet delicious. Spicy and sweet crackers are a great appetizer that people can’t get enough of when they’re out on the table. You’re going to preheat your oven to 300F, put two baking sheets on a rack and then make a spread that you’ll layer on top of your Ritz before baking for 15 – 25 minutes.
The spread is made out of:
- Brown sugar
- Butter
- Oregano
- Sage
- Paprika
- Cayenne pepper
- Salt
- Red pepper flakes
- Onion powder
23. Andouille Sausage Puffs
Do you like pigs in a blanket? If so, this is a fancy version of this classic with a flaky crust that adds to the sausage flavor. Served with Dijon mustard, these mouthwatering puffs take twenty minutes to make and only require:
- Andouille sausage links
- Puff pastry
- All-purpose flour
- Dijon mustard
- Honey
- Mayonnaise
And if you have two baking sheets and some parchment paper, these are easy appetizers everyone will appreciate this holiday season.
