Ultimate Christmas Appetizer Guide: Over 100 Festive & Easy Recipes (Part II)

Following the tremendous success of Part I of our 73 Appetizer Recipes for an Outstanding Christmas Dinner, we are thrilled to bring you even more magnificent Christmas appetizer ideas! This second installment expands our festive collection, ensuring your holiday dinner menu is nothing short of spectacular. Get ready to explore a diverse world of flavors and textures designed to delight every guest at your Christmas celebration.

In this extensive collection, you’ll discover a variety of unique and inspiring recipes to perfectly complement your holiday feast:

Light Appetizers: Ideal for starting your Christmas menu without overwhelming the palate. These refreshing bites ensure guests still have room for the main course.
Hearty Appetizer Recipes: For those who love something more substantial before the grand meal, these appetizers offer comforting and satisfying flavors.
Mini Appetizer Recipes: Perfectly portioned and easy to handle, mini appetizers are excellent for mingling and adding an elegant touch to your spread.
Simple Appetizer Recipes for a Crowd: Effortless to prepare in larger quantities, these recipes are perfect for bustling holiday parties and gatherings.
Vegan, Spicy, Fruity, and Cheesy Appetizer Recipes: A diverse selection to cater to every taste preference, from plant-based delights to fiery kicks, sweet fruity notes, and rich, gooey cheese.
Healthy and Allergy-Free Recipes: Thoughtfully crafted options to ensure everyone can enjoy the festivities, including gluten-free and other dietary-conscious choices.

As you can see, our curated list ensures there’s a delightful option for every taste and dietary need this holiday season. To make your Christmas cooking even easier, you can conveniently download our comprehensive PDF guide. This handy resource will keep all the recipe links readily accessible, ensuring a smooth and stress-free cooking experience when it’s time to prepare your festive spread!

Prepare to dive into an enchanting world of holiday appetizers! With the combined power of recipes from PART I and this incredible PART II, you’ll be armed with over 100 fantastic ideas. Say goodbye to the stress of finding the perfect appetizer and hello to a truly delicious and memorable Christmas dinner menu!

🎄 You Might Also Like These Christmas Dinner Essentials

73 Easy Christmas Eve Appetizer Ideas
36 Soup Recipes for your Amazing Christmas Dinner Menu
36 Delicious Christmas Dinner Main Course Recipe Ideas
37 Fabulous Christmas Dinner Dessert Recipe Ideas

Further 36 Appetizer Recipes for Your Christmas Dinner Menu

Prepare to be inspired by these additional 36 incredible Christmas appetizer recipes, each promising to add a unique touch to your festive table. From classic comforts to modern delights, there’s something here for everyone.

Delightful Bites & Savory Treats

Baked Mini Gluten-Free + Vegan Mac & Cheese Bites (Allergy-Free)

A healthy & snackable way to enjoy your favorite comfort food! These Baked Mini Gluten-Free + Vegan Mac & Cheese Bites are allergy-free & kid-friendly! Perfect for ensuring everyone, including those with dietary restrictions, can enjoy a delicious Christmas appetizer.

Get The Recipe

Recipe This | Quick Blend Avocado Devilled Eggs

Quick blend avocado devilled eggs. Whether you call them devilled eggs or not where you come from, they are amazing as a healthy eggy snack. This vibrant green appetizer adds a fresh touch to your Christmas spread.

Get The Recipe

Grinch Kabobs (Grinch Fruit Kabobs) – Sula and Spice

These Grinch fruit kabobs will bring a smile to the face of young and old. Your grouchy relatives' hearts will grow 3 sizes!

These festive Grinch fruit kabobs will bring a smile to the face of young and old. A delightful and healthy option, they’re sure to make even the grumpiest relative’s heart grow three sizes!

Get The Recipe

Cranberry BBQ Crockpot Meatballs

With 4 simple sauce ingredients plus frozen meatballs, these sweet and sour crockpot meatballs in cranberry bbq sauce take just minutes to assemble for your easiest appetizer nibble ever. This is an updated take of the old grape jelly and chili sauce slow cooker meatballs recipe.

With just four simple sauce ingredients and frozen meatballs, these sweet and sour crockpot meatballs in cranberry BBQ sauce are incredibly easy to assemble, offering the perfect effortless appetizer for your holiday gathering. A modern twist on a classic favorite!

Get The Recipe

Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball

This Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball Recipe bursts with all your favorite flavors: crisp smoked bacon, spicy minced jalapeno, sharp cheddar, and smooth cream cheese. It’s a perfect holiday appetizer to impress your guests.

Get The Recipe

Smoked Salmon Parcels

These delicious Smoked Salmon Parcels are an elegant starter perfect for a special occasion. Requiring only 15 minutes of prep time, they are surprisingly simple yet incredibly delicious, making them a sophisticated addition to your Christmas menu.

Get The Recipe

Christmas Tree Cheese Platter: Easy Christmas Eve Appetizer – Key To My Lime

This Christmas tree cheese platter is the perfect no-bake holiday appetizer! It's festive, delicious, and easy for anyone to make. It's a great recipe to make with kids, too!

This festive Christmas tree cheese platter is the ultimate no-bake holiday appetizer! It’s not only delicious and visually appealing but also incredibly easy for anyone to make, even a fun activity to share with kids.

Get The Recipe

“Pull up a chair. Take a taste. Come join us. Life is so endlessly delicious.”

Ruth Reichl

Gourmet & Elegant Options

Apricot, Cherry, and Candied Walnut Baked Brie | Recipe

This simple yet elegant and impressive appetizer is perfect for get-togethers, small parties, and holidays. With apricot preserves, dried cherries, and candied walnuts nestled in a flaky, buttery puff pastry on top of warm, gooey brie cheese, this indulgent appetizer makes for a well-rounded, flavorful snack that everyone will love. The richness of the cheese, sweetness of the jam, tartness of the cherries, and nuttiness of the walnuts creates a perfect contrast both in flavor and texture.

This simple yet elegant and impressive appetizer is perfect for any holiday gathering. Featuring apricot preserves, dried cherries, and candied walnuts nestled in flaky puff pastry atop warm, gooey brie cheese, it’s an indulgent and flavorful snack everyone will adore.

Get The Recipe

Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates

These goat cheese stuffed dates offer a perfect balance of sweet and savory. Fresh chives and crunchy pecans beautifully complement the rich goat cheese and naturally sweet dates. They are simple to prepare and can even be made in advance, making them an ideal festive appetizer.

Get The Recipe

Sweet Potato Rounds

These Sweet Potato Rounds are effortlessly made with just a few simple ingredients, including sweet potatoes, olive oil, bacon bits, Greek yogurt, and fresh rosemary. They offer a simple yet elegant appetizer, perfect for any holiday party, and can even double as a fantastic side dish.

Get The Recipe

Raspberry Baked Brie: Simple Baked Brie Recipe with Jam and Puff Pastry

Made with warm and flaky puff pastry dough and flavorful raspberry jam, this

This “gift-wrapped” raspberry baked brie, made with warm, flaky puff pastry and flavorful raspberry jam, is a perfect and incredibly easy appetizer for the holidays. Enjoy it simply on its own or paired with crackers, apples, or pear slices.

Get The Recipe

Bacon Wrapped Asparagus – iFOODreal.com

This easy Bacon Wrapped Asparagus bundles are oven roasted in under 30 minutes, until crispy, tender, and juicy. When finished with a drizzle of lemon juice and a sprinkling of salt, these low carb appetizers are irresistible!

These easy Bacon Wrapped Asparagus bundles are oven-roasted in under 30 minutes until perfectly crispy, tender, and juicy. Finished with a drizzle of lemon juice and a sprinkle of salt, these low-carb appetizers are utterly irresistible for your holiday guests.

Get The Recipe

Buffalo Chicken Dip!

If you adore buffalo chicken wings, this hot and melty Buffalo Chicken Dip is a must-try! With just 5 ingredients—shredded chicken, cream cheese, hot sauce, ranch dressing, and a cheese topping—it’s a guaranteed winning appetizer for any festive gathering.

Get The Recipe

Pull-Apart Christmas Tree Homemade Bread Rolls

Crafting pull-apart homemade bread rolls in the shape of a Christmas tree adds an extra special, festive touch to your holiday table, sure to impress your guests.

Get The Recipe

Snag the Ultimate Christmas Dinner Cookbook before it’s gone!

Fresh Salads & Savory Spheres

Pomegranate Salad – Salt & Baker

If you're looking for a festive Christmas appetizer salad then this pomegranate salad is for you! Packed with pomegranate seeds, candied pecans, Gorgonzola cheese, apples, cooked quinoa, and a delicious pomegranate salad dressing, this salad is healthy, festive, and oh-so tasty!

If you’re searching for a vibrant and festive Christmas appetizer salad, this Pomegranate Salad is an excellent choice! Loaded with juicy pomegranate seeds, candied pecans, Gorgonzola cheese, crisp apples, and cooked quinoa, all dressed in a delightful pomegranate dressing, it’s a healthy, beautiful, and incredibly tasty addition to your holiday spread.

Get The Recipe

Arancini Recipe (Rice Balls): An Appetizing Finger-Food

Arancini rice balls offer a fun and delicious twist on classic risotto. These crunchy rice balls feature a gooey, delectable center that oozes mozzarella and Parmesan cheese when bitten into, making them perfect finger food for holiday get-togethers.

Get The Recipe

Raspberry Cranberry Jello Salad – Easy Budget Recipes

This Raspberry Cranberry JELLO Salad is an easy and festive side dish or dessert. It keeps well and can be made up to three days in advance.

This Raspberry Cranberry JELLO Salad is a wonderfully easy and festive side dish or even a light dessert. It holds up beautifully and can be prepared up to three days in advance, making it a perfect make-ahead option for your busy holiday schedule.

Get The Recipe

Easy Vegan Mushroom Crostini • Happy Kitchen

These festive vegan mushroom crostini recipe is an easy and impressive appetizer perfect for holidays. Crunchy baguette with grilled vegan mozzarella topped with sweet caramelized onions and mushrooms with a hint of balsamic and Dijon mustard will surely be a show stopper.

These festive vegan mushroom crostini are both easy and impressive, making them perfect holiday appetizers. Crunchy baguette slices topped with grilled vegan mozzarella, sweet caramelized onions, mushrooms, and a hint of balsamic and Dijon mustard are sure to be a show-stopper.

Get The Recipe

Mini Potato Bites

Mini Potato Bites are fantastically simple and delicious, making them a go-to appetizer that satisfies everyone. These bites are a great recipe for those seeking a quick, easy, and family-friendly finger food for any party or holiday gathering.

Get The Recipe

Vegan Cheese Ball with Cranberries and Pistachios – Pink Fortitude, LLC

It's not a party until the cheese spread comes out. It's the perfect appetizer for any holiday gathering, game day, ladies brunch, or party in general. This vegan cheese ball is dairy-free, is covered with cranberries and pistachios, is easy to make, and is absolutely delicious.

A party truly begins when the cheese spread makes its appearance! This dairy-free vegan cheese ball, adorned with cranberries and pistachios, is incredibly easy to make and utterly delicious. It’s the perfect appetizer for any holiday gathering or festive occasion.

Get The Recipe

Instant Pot Cranberry Cornbread Jingle Bells

Instant Pot Cranberry Cornbread Bites shaped like Christmas Jingle Bells, pair up for the perfect bite of sweet and tart spiced cranberries.

These Instant Pot Cranberry Cornbread Bites, shaped like festive Christmas Jingle Bells, offer the perfect blend of sweet and tart spiced cranberries in every delightful bite, making them a charming holiday appetizer.

Get The Recipe

More Festive Finger Foods

Homemade Red Pepper Jam + Goat Cheese Crostini | Sip + Sanity

Serve Red Pepper Jam Goat Cheese Crostini at your next gathering and watch your guests keep going back for more. There is nothing better than tangy, pungent goat cheese contrasted with this sticky, sweet, and a tad spicy, jam.

Serve these delectable Red Pepper Jam + Goat Cheese Crostini at your next gathering and watch your guests eagerly return for more. The tangy, pungent goat cheese, beautifully contrasted with the sticky, sweet, and subtly spicy jam, creates an unforgettable flavor experience.

Get The Recipe

Vegan Spinach Artichoke Cups

These Vegan Spinach Artichoke Cups are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, offering a delicious and dairy-free spin on a classic favorite. Each bite delivers a burst of flavor tucked inside a crispy and flaky shell, perfect for holiday entertaining.

Get The Recipe

Easy Cranberry Brie Bites

These easy Cranberry Brie Bites are the perfect appetizer, boasting a sophisticated taste and appearance. Gooey, melty brie cheese with tart cranberry sauce, all encased in golden, buttery, flaky puff pastry, creates delightful bite-sized snacks ideal for your next holiday gathering.

Get The Recipe

Christmas stuffed mushrooms

These delicious Christmas stuffed mushrooms, filled with a delightful mix of walnuts, cranberries, and goat’s cheese, offer a perfect vegetarian alternative or addition to your Christmas Day appetizer spread. They are packed with festive flavors.

Get The Recipe

Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip

This Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip is an affordable and incredibly easy appetizer to prepare. This spicy, creamy dip is generously loaded with chicken and cooks up in mere minutes in your pressure cooker, making it perfect for last-minute holiday guests.

Get The Recipe

Easy Prosciutto Wrapped Pears with Arugula – Whole30 – Cook At Home Mom

This is the perfect no-cook appetizer for your next holiday party or get-together! Prosciutto Pears with Arugula Salad are deliciously sweet AND savory - plus they're Whole30, Paleo & Gluten Free!

This is the ideal no-cook appetizer for your next holiday party or gathering! Prosciutto-Wrapped Pears with Arugula Salad offer a deliciously sweet and savory combination, and they’re also Whole30, Paleo & Gluten-Free, ensuring everyone can indulge.

Get The Recipe

“Food is for eating, and good food is to be enjoyed… I think food is, actually, very beautiful in itself.”

Delia Smith

Classic & Modern Starters

Caesar salad with home made dressing

Caesar salad with homemade dressing makes a perfect, refreshing appetizer for a Christmas dinner menu, particularly if you’re planning an American-inspired Christmas feast. Its crisp flavors are a delightful prelude to heavier courses.

Get The Recipe

Shrimp Appetizers – Easy Party Appetizers-Healthy Life Trainer

These Candied Nuts are salty-sweet, perfectly crunchy, insanely moreish and satisfying. They're super easy as they take less than 10 minutes to make, are made using basic ingredients and are made in a frying pan (not the oven). They're vegan, gluten-free, refined sugar free optional, not too sweet, a good source of protein and fibre and are much healthier than the shop-bought version.

These Shrimp Appetizers are incredibly easy and perfect for any party. They offer a light yet satisfying start to your meal, a healthy life trainer option that’s quick to prepare for your festive gathering. (Note: The description for candied nuts was accidentally included in the original HTML for shrimp appetizers. This recipe is for shrimp appetizers.)

Get The Recipe

Vegan Mushroom Pâté (GF)

This Vegan Pâté is rich and meaty, smooth and silky and so easy to make. It's nutritious and makes a great appetizer that everyone will love! Made with mushrooms and walnuts, it's a delicious and elegant recipe that tastes just like a vegetarian version of French liver pâté!

This Vegan Mushroom Pâté is rich, “meaty,” smooth, and incredibly easy to prepare. Nutritious and elegant, this appetizer made with mushrooms and walnuts is a delicious, crowd-pleasing plant-based alternative that rivals traditional French liver pâté.

Get The Recipe

Deep Fried Mac and Cheese

Creamy macaroni and melty cheese coated in a crispy, crunchy batter. Satisfy your craving with this tasty appetizer! Loved by kids and adults, this is true comfort food.

Indulge in creamy macaroni and melty cheese, all coated in a crispy, crunchy batter. This Deep Fried Mac and Cheese is a true comfort food appetizer, beloved by both kids and adults, perfect for satisfying holiday cravings.

Get The Recipe

Cheese Boards & Festive Creations

Holiday Cheese Ball Trio

Caramelized onions, sharp white cheddar, and minced garlic form the delicious base for this stunning Holiday Cheese Ball Trio, beautifully adorned with fresh parsley, festive cranberries, and crunchy almonds. It’s a holiday appetizer that will undoubtedly be a cherished favorite!

Get The Recipe

The Best Cheese Roll Recipe

This cheese roll recipe is a twist on the traditional cheese ball. Make this cheese log as an appetizer for your next party!

This cheese roll recipe offers a delightful twist on the traditional cheese ball. Easily prepare this elegant cheese log as a stunning appetizer for your upcoming holiday party, promising both beauty and flavor.

Get The Recipe

Holiday Cheese and Appetizer Board | Amanda Wilens

A delicious board filled with cheeses, charcuterie, fruits, and snacks. The perfect appetizer platter to put out at your next gathering!

A beautifully arranged board brimming with a variety of cheeses, delectable charcuterie, fresh fruits, and savory snacks. This Holiday Cheese and Appetizer Board is the perfect impressive platter to present at your next festive gathering.

Get The Recipe

Irresistible Holiday Morsels

Cranberry Brie Bites | crinkledcookbook.com

Cranberry Brie Bites are an impressive appetizer with vibrant colors and the perfect combination of sweet and savory. The ingredients are easy to keep on hand during the holiday season so you can prepare these in a snap.

Cranberry Brie Bites are truly an impressive appetizer, featuring vibrant colors and a harmonious blend of sweet and savory flavors. The ingredients are easily kept on hand during the holiday season, allowing you to whip these up in a snap for unexpected guests.

Get The Recipe

Crispy Garlic Smashed Potatoes (Baked and Air Fryer!) – Urban Farmie

Crispy garlic smashed potatoes that are the perfect finger food appetizer to start your Christmas dinner! You can make them in an oven or an air-fryer, and it's sure to be a hit with the whole family!

Crispy Garlic Smashed Potatoes are the perfect finger-food appetizer to kick off your Christmas dinner! Whether baked in the oven or air-fried, these savory bites are guaranteed to be a huge hit with the entire family, offering a delightful crunch and rich flavor.

Get The Recipe

We hope this second installment of our Christmas appetizer collection provides you with even more inspiration and exciting ideas to make your holiday entertaining truly special. Whether you’re planning an intimate family dinner or a large festive party, these easy, delicious, and varied recipes ensure your Christmas dinner menu will be unforgettable.

Don’t forget to explore Part I for more fantastic appetizers, and enjoy a season filled with good food, great company, and cherished memories. Happy holidays and happy cooking!