It’s the most wonderful time of the year – Christmas party season is just around the corner! And, let’s be real, what’s a party without some amazing Christmas appetizers to get the festivities started? I mean, can you imagine showing up to a holiday bash with nothing but a sad, store-bought veggie platter? Not on my watch! That’s why I’ve rounded up 15 make-ahead Christmas appetizers that are so easy, delicious, and stress-free, you’ll be the host with the most.
Spinach and Artichoke Dip
This classic party favorite is a cold appetizer that’s perfect for a crowd. I mean, who doesn’t love a good dip?
Ingredients:
- 1 (14.5 oz) can of artichoke hearts
- 1 package of frozen spinach, thawed and drained
- 1 cup of mayonnaise
- 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 clove of garlic, minced
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
2. In a medium bowl, combine the artichoke hearts, spinach, mayonnaise, cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, and garlic.
3. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Why You’ll Love It
This spinach and artichoke dip is a prep ahead holiday food that’s easy to make and can be served with tortilla chips or pita bread. It’s a freezer friendly appetizer that can be made ahead of time and reheated when you’re ready to serve.
Mini Cranberry Brie Bites
These bite-sized easy party snacks are perfect for a Christmas party. They’re easy to make and look adorable on a platter.
Ingredients:
- 1 (8 oz) wheel of brie cheese
- 1/4 cup of cranberry sauce
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- 1 package of frozen puff pastry, thawed
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Roll out the puff pastry and cut out small squares.
3. Place a small piece of brie cheese in the center of each square, followed by a dollop of cranberry sauce.
4. Brush the edges with the beaten egg and fold the pastry in half to form a triangle.
5. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown.
Why You’ll Love It
These mini cranberry brie bites are a Christmas appetizer that’s perfect for the holiday season. They’re easy to make and can be prepped ahead of time, making them a great option for a stress-free holiday party.
Beef-Wrapped Dates
These sweet and savory Christmas appetizers are a crowd-pleaser. Who doesn’t love beef, right?
Ingredients:
- 12 dates, pitted
- 6 slices of beef, cut in half
- 1/4 cup of brown sugar
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Cut a slit in each date and fill with a small amount of brown sugar.
3. Wrap each date with a piece of beef and secure with a toothpick.
4. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the beef is crispy.
Why You’ll Love It
These beef -wrapped dates are a make-ahead appetizer that’s easy to prepare and can be served at room temperature. They’re a great option for a cold appetizer platter.
Mini Quiches
These individual easy party snacks are perfect for a Christmas party. They’re easy to make and can be customized with your favorite fillings.
Ingredients:
- 1 package of frozen puff pastry, thawed
- 1/2 cup of heavy cream
- 1/2 cup of shredded cheese
- 1/2 cup of diced meat
- 1/2 cup of diced bell peppers
- 2 eggs
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Roll out the puff pastry and cut out small squares.
3. In a bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, shredded cheese, diced meat, diced bell peppers, and eggs.
4. Pour the mixture into each pastry square and fold the pastry in half to form a triangle.
5. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown.
Why You’ll Love It
These mini quiches are a prep ahead holiday food that’s perfect for a stress-free Christmas party. They’re easy to make and can be served at room temperature.
Stuffed Mushrooms
These earthy Christmas appetizers are a great option for a holiday party. They’re easy to make and can be filled with your favorite ingredients.
Ingredients:
- 12 large mushrooms, cleaned and stems removed
- 1/2 cup of sausage, cooked and crumbled
- 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup of shredded cheese
- 1/4 cup of chopped onion
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a bowl, combine the sausage, breadcrumbs, shredded cheese, and chopped onion.
3. Fill each mushroom cap with the sausage mixture and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the mushrooms are tender.
Why You’ll Love It
These stuffed mushrooms are a make-ahead appetizer that’s easy to prepare and can be served at room temperature. They’re a great option for a cold appetizer platter.
Caprese Skewers
These colorful easy party snacks are perfect for a Christmas party. They’re easy to make and look adorable on a platter.
Ingredients:
- 1 pint of cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup of fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
- 1/4 cup of fresh basil, chopped
- 10-12 bamboo skewers
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Thread a cherry tomato, a slice of mozzarella cheese, and a leaf of basil onto each skewer.
2. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic glaze.
3. Serve immediately.
Why You’ll Love It
These caprese skewers are a prep ahead holiday food that’s perfect for a stress-free Christmas party. They’re easy to make and can be served at room temperature.
Prosciutto-Wrapped Melon
This simple Christmas appetizer is a crowd-pleaser. Who doesn’t love the combination of sweet and salty?
Ingredients:
- 1 melon, sliced
- 6 slices of prosciutto, cut in half
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Wrap each slice of melon with a piece of prosciutto.
2. Serve immediately.
Why You’ll Love It
This prosciutto-wrapped melon is a make-ahead appetizer that’s easy to prepare and can be served at room temperature. It’s a great option for a cold appetizer platter.
Mini Beef or Turkey Sliders
These bite-sized easy party snacks are perfect for a Christmas party. They’re easy to make and can be customized with your favorite toppings.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound of ground beef or turkey
- 1/2 cup of shredded cheese
- 1/4 cup of chopped onion
- 1/4 cup of chopped pickles
- 1 package of small hamburger buns
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
2. Form the ground beef or turkey into small patties.
3. Grill the patties for 3-4 minutes per side, or until cooked to your desired level of doneness.
4. Assemble the sliders with your favorite toppings.
Why You’ll Love It
These mini beef or turkey sliders are a prep ahead holiday food that’s perfect for a stress-free Christmas party. They’re easy to make and can be served at room temperature.
Pigs in a Blanket
These classic Christmas appetizers are a crowd-pleaser. Who doesn’t love the combination of sausage and pastry?
Ingredients:
- 1 package of mini hot dogs
- 1 package of croissant dough, thawed
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Roll out the croissant dough and cut into small squares.
3. Wrap each mini hot dog with a piece of croissant dough.
4. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown.
Why You’ll Love It
These pigs in a blanket are a make-ahead appetizer that’s easy to prepare and can be served at room temperature. They’re a great option for a cold appetizer platter.
Spinach and Feta Pinwheels
These easy party snacks are perfect for a Christmas party. They’re easy to make and look adorable on a platter.
Ingredients:
- 1 package of puff pastry, thawed
- 1/2 cup of spinach, chopped
- 1/2 cup of feta cheese, crumbled
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Roll out the puff pastry and spread with the chopped spinach and crumbled feta cheese.
3. Roll up the pastry and slice into pinwheels.
4. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown.
Why You’ll Love It
These spinach and feta pinwheels are a prep ahead holiday food that’s perfect for a stress-free Christmas party. They’re easy to make and can be served at room temperature.
Meatballs
These Christmas appetizers are a crowd-pleaser. Who doesn’t love a good meatball?
Ingredients:
- 1 pound of ground beef
- 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and egg.
3. Form into small meatballs and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until cooked through.
Why You’ll Love It
These meatballs are a make-ahead appetizer that’s easy to prepare and can be served at room temperature. They’re a great option for a cold appetizer platter.
Mini Tacos
These easy party snacks are perfect for a Christmas party. They’re easy to make and can be customized with your favorite toppings.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound of ground beef or chicken
- 1/2 cup of shredded cheese
- 1/4 cup of chopped onion
- 1/4 cup of chopped cilantro
- 1 package of small taco shells
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
2. Form the ground beef or chicken into small patties.
3. Grill the patties for 3-4 minutes per side, or until cooked to your desired level of doneness.
4. Assemble the tacos with your favorite toppings.
Why You’ll Love It
These mini tacos are a prep ahead holiday food that’s perfect for a stress-free Christmas party. They’re easy to make and can be served at room temperature.
Bruschetta
This classic Christmas appetizer is a crowd-pleaser. Who doesn’t love the combination of tomatoes and basil?
Ingredients:
- 1 baguette, sliced
- 1 pint of cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup of fresh basil, chopped
- 1/4 cup of mozzarella cheese, sliced
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toast the baguette slices for 2-3 minutes, or until lightly browned.
3. Top each slice with a cherry tomato, a sprinkle of basil, and a slice of mozzarella cheese.
Why You’ll Love It
This bruschetta is a make-ahead appetizer that’s easy to prepare and can be served at room temperature. It’s a great option for a cold appetizer platter.
Chicken Wings
These Christmas appetizers are a crowd-pleaser. Who doesn’t love a good chicken wing?
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds of chicken wings
- 1/2 cup of buffalo sauce
- 1/2 cup of ranch dressing
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss the chicken wings with the buffalo sauce and ranch dressing.
3. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until cooked through.
Why You’ll Love It
These chicken wings are a prep ahead holiday food that’s perfect for a stress-free Christmas party. They’re easy to make and can be served at room temperature.
Conclusion
In conclusion, these 15 Christmas appetizers are perfect for a stress-free holiday party. They’re easy to make, delicious, and can be prepped ahead of time. Whether you’re looking for cold appetizers, easy party snacks, or freezer friendly appetizers, there’s something on this list for everyone. So go ahead, get cooking, and make this holiday season one to remember!
With these recipes, you’ll be the host with the most, and your guests will be talking about your Christmas appetizers for years to come. Happy cooking!
