Deck the halls with these festive and deliciously easy holiday appetizers! Perfect for any occasion, there’s something for everybody here!
Whether it’s a cocktail party, family get-together, impromptu neighborhood gathering, or formal dinner, these fun holiday occasions usually include appetizers.
Maybe you’re hosting the party or maybe you’ve volunteered to bring an appetizer to a party. At this busy time of year, you want a holiday appetizer that’s a little festive, awesomely delicious, and not too time-consuming to make.
Are you scrambling to find the best recipes for easy-yet-sort-of-fancy finger foods that are crowd pleasers? Make this collection of easy holiday appetizer recipes a go-to source whether you’re looking for make-ahead appetizers or easy last minute appetizers. Be sure to take a look at my complete list of appetizers and snacks, too.
If you’re looking something to sip with your appetizers, I’ve got you covered, too! Check out my list of favorite cocktail recipes.
These holiday appetizer recipes are perfect for any special occasion. And the best part? None of the recipes will have you slaving away in the kitchen for hours!
Favorite Classic Appetizers
I’m sure you’ll recognize a few of the appetizers as long time favorites!
Baked Brie Recipe with Cranberries and Bourbon Pecans
This baked Brie recipe with cranberry sauce and bourbon candied pecans may become your new favorite holiday appetizer recipe! It's elegant but simple.
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Spinach Dip Recipe
Creamy spinach dip is always a hit as a holiday appetizer, served in a bread bowl or with crisp crackers. It's easy to make!
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Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts
Bacon wrapped water chestnuts are a simple but elegant appetizer. Watch them disappear at your next party!
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Pickle Roll Ups with Ham (Pinwheels)
Easy to make and popular with everyone, pickle roll ups (pinwheels) are a fail-proof, always-a-win appetizer recipe.
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7 Layer Dip Recipe – THE BEST!
This isn't your ordinary 7 layer dip recipe – it has a couple unique layers that make it really stand out from the crowd. This easy appetizer is popular all year round.
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Crockpot Meatballs with Cherry Bourbon Sauce
These easy crockpot meatballs require only 5 ingredients and are always a hit. Let your slow cooker do the work for this holiday appetizer.
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Healthier Appetizers
I’ve also included appetizer recipes with which you may already be familiar but I make them a bit healthier.
Vegetable Cream Cheese Roll Ups
Vegetable cream cheese roll ups are full of crisp vegetables, flavorful herbs, and smooth cream cheese. Make them with thinly sliced red pepper and cucumber for a festive Christmas appetizer.
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Spinach Balls (oven or air fryer)
Spinach balls are packed with nutritious spinach and are an easy holiday appetizer. Make them ahead and freeze them!
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Homemade French Onion Dip
Homemade French onion dip is made with Greek yogurt and homemade seasoning for a healthier version of this popular dip. Dress it up with caramelized onions!
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Zucchini Pizza Bites
Zucchini pizza bites are a low carb pizza appetizer thanks to a zucchini "crust." This simple appetizer recipe is surprisingly good, with lots of festive color.
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Cheesy Dips
Jalapeño Popper Dip
Everyone raves about warm jalapeño popper dip! This melty cheese dip is so good with tortilla chips, crackers, or crudités.
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Crab Rangoon Dip
You have to try this unbelievably good crab rangoon dip! We like to serve this appetizer with easy homemade wonton chips and sweet chili sauce.
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Baked Goat Cheese Dip
Perfect with crackers, crostini, or naan, creamy baked goat cheese dip is hard to resist. It's a wonderful appetizer that's always a hit!
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Slow Cooker Spinach Artichoke Dip
Creamy and delicious, crockpot spinach artichoke dip is so easy to make, great with a variety of dippers, and always a hit at parties. It can be baked in the oven if you prefer.
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Mexican Spinach Dip
Surprise party guests with this fun and festive take on spinach dip. Mexican spinach dip may become a new favorite appetizer!
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Hot Caprese Dip
With melty cheese and fresh tomatoes, hot caprese dip recipe is a winning appetizer. Fresh basil and roasted cherry tomatoes are decorative and so, so scrumptious.
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Creamy Sweet Dips
Hot Chocolate Dip
Fluffy and sweet, hot chocolate dip will be a hit at your next party – all the flavors of hot cocoa in an irresistible cool dip! Serve it with Oreos, chocolate chip cookies, or graham crackers.
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Cream Cheese Fruit Dip
Light and tangy cream cheese fruit dip is a popular holiday appetizer recipe, with only 4 ingredients. Pair it with colorful seasonal fruit!
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Tiramisu Dip
With all the great taste of tiramisu, but in an easy, fun, dippable format, rich velvety tiramisu dip is sure to be an instant holiday favorite!
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Cherry Cheesecake Dip
Celebrate the season with brilliantly colored cherry cheesecake dip. It's creamy, sweet, and easy to make. Serve it with pretzel thins or shortbread cookies.
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Crostini and Bruschetta
Roasted Tomato and Ricotta Crostini Recipe
Roasted tomato and ricotta cheese crostini, drizzled with rich balsamic vinegar, is a classic appetizer. Everyone loves these and they're super easy to make!
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Creamy Pea Crostini with Pancetta
Beautiful "matcha green" creamy pea puree spread on crisp crostini, sprinkled with bits of pancetta and shredded Parmesan cheese, and flavored with mint, chives, and lemon, these pea crostini appetizers are unforgettable.
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Butternut Squash Crostini with Ricotta
These butternut squash crostini appetizers elevate this humble fall gourd to super star status! A beautiful holiday appetizer!
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Beet Bruschetta with Orange Tarragon Goat Cheese
Imagine ruby red beets and tangy goat cheese, flavored with orange zest and fresh tarragon, layered on crispy slices of toasted bread and sprinkled with walnuts. Beet bruschetta with orange tarragon goat cheese are irresistible!
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Creamy Kale Bruschetta
Reminiscent of spinach dip, creamy kale bruschetta will knock your socks off. Crisp bread topped with warm, creamy sauteéd kale, enhanced by a hint of garlic and nutmeg, make this appetizer distinctively delicious.
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Classic Bruschetta Recipe
A classic Italian antipasto made with fresh tomatoes, garlic, and basil, this tomato bruschetta appetizer recipe is bright and delicious, and super easy to make.
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Wild Mushroom Crostini with Goat Cheese
Bursting with earthy flavor, mushroom crostini are a delightful appetizer your guests will clamor for. You'll love how easy they are to prepare!
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Roasted Grape Crostini with Ricotta and Honey
Your guests will love this crostini appetizer. Simple to make and so delicious and unique. Perfect warm or at room temperature.
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Particularly Addicting Apps
You won’t want to make these too far in advance or you’ll find that they’ve disappeared before the guests arrive!
Spiced Pecans
These spiced pecans have everything you want in a spiced nut. They are sweet, crunchy, spicy, and unbelievably addicting.
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Candied Bacon Recipe
Candied bacon, "pig candy", bacon candy, pork candy, call it what you will, this irresistible treat will have everyone calling for more! This candied bacon recipe is easy to whip up and is a favorite holiday appetizer.
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Stuffed Pizza Bites with Garlic Butter
These cheesy stuffed pizza bites are guaranteed to be a hit! They’re brushed with garlic butter and paired with marinara for dipping, making them extra delicious.
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Puppy Chow Recipe (Muddy Buddies)
This puppy chow recipe will quickly become a favorite. It's easy to make and everyone loves it!
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