Deck the halls with these festive and deliciously easy holiday appetizers!  Perfect for any occasion, there’s something for everybody here!

Holiday recipe round up with text and photos.
Want to save this recipe?
Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you’ll get new recipes from us every week!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

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!

Overhead view of baked brie topped with cranberries and pecans.

Baked Brie Recipe with Cranberries and Bourbon Pecans

4.66 from 23 votes
This baked Brie recipe with cranberry sauce and bourbon candied pecans may become your new favorite holiday appetizer recipe! It's elegant but simple.
View Recipe
Spinach dip in a bread bowl.

Spinach Dip Recipe

4.67 from 18 votes
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!
View Recipe
Close up of a water chestnut that is wrapped in bacon and covered in sauce.

Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts

5 from 2 votes
Bacon wrapped water chestnuts are a simple but elegant appetizer. Watch them disappear at your next party!
View Recipe
Pickle roll ups with ham on a black background.

Pickle Roll Ups with Ham (Pinwheels)

5 from 2 votes
Easy to make and popular with everyone, pickle roll ups (pinwheels) are a fail-proof, always-a-win appetizer recipe.
View Recipe
Straight on image of 7 layer dip to show layers in glass dish.

7 Layer Dip Recipe – THE BEST!

4.53 from 137 votes
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. 
View Recipe
Image of crockpot meatballs with cherry bourbon sauce. Meatballs in slow cooker with wooden spoon, overhead shot.

Crockpot Meatballs with Cherry Bourbon Sauce

4.59 from 24 votes
These easy crockpot meatballs require only 5 ingredients and are always a hit. Let your slow cooker do the work for this holiday appetizer.
View Recipe

Healthier Appetizers

I’ve also included appetizer recipes with which you may already be familiar but I make them a bit healthier.

These vegetable cream cheese roll ups are full of crisp vegetables, flavorful herbs, and smooth cream cheese. They make a great lunch or snack thanks to extra protein in the wrap! Get the easy recipe on RachelCooks.com!

Vegetable Cream Cheese Roll Ups

4.39 from 18 votes
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.
View Recipe
Spinach balls, one with a bite taken out of it.

Spinach Balls (oven or air fryer)

4.53 from 55 votes
Spinach balls are packed with nutritious spinach and are an easy holiday appetizer. Make them ahead and freeze them!
View Recipe
image of homemade french onion dip surrounded by chips

Homemade French Onion Dip

4.80 from 5 votes
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!
View Recipe
Zucchini pizza bites with basil.

Zucchini Pizza Bites

5 from 5 votes
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.
View Recipe

Cheesy Dips

Jalapeño popper dip on a cracker.

Jalapeño Popper Dip

5 from 3 votes
Everyone raves about warm jalapeño popper dip! This melty cheese dip is so good with tortilla chips, crackers, or crudités.
View Recipe
Crispy wonton triangle being dipped into crab and cheese dip.

Crab Rangoon Dip

4.75 from 4 votes
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.
View Recipe
Overhead view of a small black pan with goat cheese dip, sprinkled with fresh thyme.

Baked Goat Cheese Dip

5 from 2 votes
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!
View Recipe
Close up of spinach artichoke dip.

Slow Cooker Spinach Artichoke Dip

5 from 3 votes
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.
View Recipe
Mexican spinach dip in orange cast iron skillet surrounded by tortilla chips.

Mexican Spinach Dip

4.72 from 7 votes
Surprise party guests with this fun and festive take on spinach dip. Mexican spinach dip may become a new favorite appetizer!
View Recipe
Piece of bread dipping into melted cheese and warm tomatoes.

Hot Caprese Dip

4.50 from 57 votes
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.
View Recipe

Creamy Sweet Dips

Overhead view of a sprinkle lined bowl filled with hot chocolate dip, topped with marshmallows and chocolate chips.

Hot Chocolate Dip

5 from 7 votes
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.
View Recipe
Cream cheese fruit dip surrounded by fresh fruit.

Cream Cheese Fruit Dip

4.50 from 8 votes
Light and tangy cream cheese fruit dip is a popular holiday appetizer recipe, with only 4 ingredients. Pair it with colorful seasonal fruit!
View Recipe
With all the great taste of tiramisu, but in an easy, fun, dip-able format, this tiramisu dip is going to become an instant party favorite! Get the easy dessert recipe on RachelCooks.com!

Tiramisu Dip

4.45 from 38 votes
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!
View Recipe
This cherry cheesecake dip with lime is going to become a party favorite. It takes only minutes to make and has fresh and bright flavors thanks to lime juice and zest. Get the easy no-bake dessert recipe on RachelCooks.com! This sweet dip is going to go into regular rotation.

Cherry Cheesecake Dip

5 from 2 votes
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.
View Recipe

Crostini and Bruschetta

Overhead closeup of single crostini with balsamic glaze.

Roasted Tomato and Ricotta Crostini Recipe

4.67 from 3 votes
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!
View Recipe
Image of creamy pea puree spread on crispy bread slices, topped with pancetta and parmesan.

Creamy Pea Crostini with Pancetta

5 from 1 vote
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.
View Recipe
Image of butternut squash crostini topped with pomegranate and pepitas.

Butternut Squash Crostini with Ricotta

5 from 1 vote
These butternut squash crostini appetizers elevate this humble fall gourd to super star status! A beautiful holiday appetizer!
View Recipe
overhead photograph of beets and goat cheese on crostini

Beet Bruschetta with Orange Tarragon Goat Cheese

5 from 1 vote
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!
View Recipe
Image of creamy kale bruschetta, aka crostini

Creamy Kale Bruschetta

5 from 1 vote
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.
View Recipe
Image of the best tomato bruschetta recipe in a bowl served with crostini.

Classic Bruschetta Recipe

5 from 3 votes
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.
View Recipe
image of wild mushroom crostini with goat cheese, garnished with fresh parsley. Arranged with multiple crostini

Wild Mushroom Crostini with Goat Cheese

4.75 from 12 votes
Bursting with earthy flavor, mushroom crostini are a delightful appetizer your guests will clamor for. You'll love how easy they are to prepare!
View Recipe
Image of roasted grape crostini on a black slate board, topped with ricotta, roasted grapes, and a drizzle of honey.

Roasted Grape Crostini with Ricotta and Honey

5 from 2 votes
Your guests will love this crostini appetizer. Simple to make and so delicious and unique. Perfect warm or at room temperature.
View Recipe

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 on a white background.

Spiced Pecans

4.35 from 84 votes
These spiced pecans have everything you want in a spiced nut. They are sweet, crunchy, spicy, and unbelievably addicting.
View Recipe
Candied bacon on a plate with pancakes and eggs.

Candied Bacon Recipe

4.46 from 22 votes
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.
View Recipe
Stuffed pizza bite being dipped into marinara sauce.

Stuffed Pizza Bites with Garlic Butter

5 from 6 votes
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.
View Recipe
Large bowl of puppy chow, coated in powdered sugar. Blue and white linen present.

Puppy Chow Recipe (Muddy Buddies)

5 from 3 votes
This puppy chow recipe will quickly become a favorite. It's easy to make and everyone loves it!
View Recipe
Holiday Quick-Start Guide

Get my Holiday

Quick-Start Guide!

Free email series of my best tips!

FREE BONUS!

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

The maximum upload file size: 1 MB. You can upload: image. Drop files here