These 20 Christmas appetizers are sure to bring lots of joy this holiday season. These starters are festive, scrumptious, and a hit at any holiday party.
If you are looking for some easy starters for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, you've come to the right place.
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Lobster Bisque
Lobster bisque is one of the best Christmas appetizers to impress your guests. The soup's creamy texture is only further highlighted by the subtle sweetness of the lobster meat. Lobster can make anything seem fancy, so it's the perfect dish for a special occasion.
Serve a bowl of lobster bisque with a slice of fresh bread to make it extra special.
Duck Liver Parfait
Homemade duck liver parfait is easier to make at home than you may expect. Its rich flavor and smooth texture pair wonderfully with a slice of bread or toast. Duck can feel a bit rich, so adding some toppings like Amaretto cherries will help cut through the decadence.
Smoked Salmon Pate
There's nothing wrong with serving up classic Christmas appetizers like this one during a holiday party. Smoked salmon is mixed with cream cheese, lemon juice, and seasonings until it forms a smooth texture. It spreads beautifully on crackers and is a delight to see on any dinner party menu.
Make sure not to eat these all before the guests arrive!
Shrimp Cocktail
What's better than a plate full of shrimp? By seasoning the shrimp with paprika, the sweet meat takes on a delicious smoky flavor that is simply addictive. This delicious recipe is easy to prepare and is paired with a delightful Marie Rose sauce for dipping. It's the perfect dish for entertaining!
Parma Ham and Melon Salad
This is one of the easiest Christmas appetizers to serve at your next party. Slices of sweet melon are wrapped in savory slices of parma ham. It's the perfect blend of flavors that will be a hit at all the holiday gatherings this season.
Take this simple dish to the next level with a drizzle of olive oil and chopped fresh parsley.
Salmon Terrine
Salmon Terrine looks just like a present under the Christmas tree. The cream cheese, crème fraîche, mustard, and smoked salmon filling is wrapped in smoked salmon. With the help of some fresh herbs, the terrine appetizer has a delicate taste that everyone will want more of.
The creamy and saltiness in this dish is a great starter to enjoy before more carb-heavy side dishes like mashed potatoes.
Chicken Liver Pate
If you want a more affordable pate this Christmas, try making this decadent chicken liver pate. With the help of cream cheese, garlic, and paprika, the pate has a subtle smoky flavor that pairs wonderfully with crackers or toasted sourdough.
The richness of the pate can be a bit too much for some guests, so top it with some cranberry chutney for a nice acidity. A food processor will make this recipe much easier and faster to make!
Chicken and Mushroom Vol-au-Vents
These vol-au-vents are some of my favorite Christmas appetizers. The flaky puff pastry soaks up the sauce, making for the ultimate bite. Puff pastry is filled with butter, so it adds so much buttery goodness to the dish!
The elegant snack will be a hit with your friends, so make sure to bake plenty!
Roasted Beetroot Dip
This beetroot dip is a wonderful option for a large crowd. It's an easy recipe to make and pairs with different nuts, oils, and sides. This appetizer recipe uses pistachios, but feel free to use walnuts or pecans.
Not only is it delicious, but dipping into it is so fun! The beetroot creates a stunning pink hue that will have everyone clamoring!
Crab Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes
These stuffed tomatoes look like little presents under the Christmas tree. Each cherry tomato is filled with crab and herbs for a slightly sweet and earthy flavor. Each bite of these Christmas appetizers bursts with fresh and zesty flavors.
If you're looking for a lighter appetizer to start the night with, these may be the best to serve.
Parmesan Crisps
The only thing better than melty cheese is crispy cheese! These parmesan crisps are salty, savory, and have the best crispy texture. Just plop some grated parmesan into the oven and bake it. It's so simple but oh-so tasty.
I recommend serving these crisps with pomegranate seeds as they give a bit of juiciness and acidity that brings out parmesan's sharper notes.
Camembert en Croute
What better way to get the festive mood going than a plate of gooey, melty cheese? Camembert en croute is camembert cheese carefully enveloped in puff pastry dough and then baked in an oven. The butter in the dough adds a lovely fattiness that is simply addictive.
After baking for some time, the camembert becomes an oozy, cheesy mess that gets better with each bite. The flaky baked dough only adds to the party! Pair the yummy appetizer with a nice cranberry jam or salad for the best dish ever!
Bacon Wrapped Dates
The best appetizer recipes mix flavors, and this recipe proves that. The salty bacon brings out the date's caramel-like taste, creating a beautiful balance. Each bite is only made more delicious with a stuffing of cream cheese.
Place the bacon-wrapped dates on toothpicks so it's easier for guests to enjoy while walking around the party.
Thai Turkey Meatballs
No one can resist a fun twist on meatballs! These Thai turkey meatballs have a light kick thanks to plenty of garlic, ginger, and a hint of fish sauce. The ground meat in this recipe is turkey, but feel free to use chicken!
Dip these meatballs in a sweet chili sauce or a herby dip to take it up a notch. The Thai spices really pop when you dip them in a sauce full of fresh herbs.
Goat Cheese Ball
Let the festive feelings commence with this goat cheese ball that looks just like a pine cone that fell from a Christmas tree. The goat cheese is mixed with thyme and honey to give a gentle taste that anyone will love. Decorate the cheese ball with toasted almonds to give it that "pinecone" appearance. A sprig of rosemary adds a nice finishing touch!
Other nuts like toasted walnuts and hazelnuts are a great substitute. If you want another easy creamy recipe, this pimento cheese ball is the perfect choice. Don't forget some crispy bread to serve alongside these cheese balls!
Spinach Artichoke Dip
Spinach artichoke dip looks fancy, but it's so easy to make and serve to a large crowd. The dip is cheesy and packed with veggies, so people can still feel healthy. After baking the dip, the texture takes on a whole new level of yummy goodness.
Plate the spinach dip with slices of crusty bread or crackers for the best experience. This dish has a lot of flavor, so try to pair it with something simple.
Fruity Christmas Tree
Why not decorate the holiday table with edible Christmas trees? The festive decorations are fancy and plenty of fruits like grapes, mandarins, strawberries, and more, all arranged in a Christmas tree shape. It's a great sweet and healthy platter that everyone can pick off of.
Everyone can get nitty gritty and eat off the decoration, or you can provide a bowl to each guest for easier serving.
Christmas Charcuterie Wreath
Edible decorations are the best way to get the holiday party started. The charcuterie board is filled with many different appetizers, so everyone has something they can enjoy. This edible wreath board has salami, sliced cheddar, pimento cheese, rosemary, olives, crackers, and more.
Experiment with different types of cheeses, meats, and sweets to fit the needs of your guests.
Baked Brie Bread Bowl
With so much food in the oven, it could be tough to make even more appetizers for Christmas. This recipe bakes the brie in a bread bowl using an air fryer. The brie gets nice and melty in the bread dough, so it's the perfect vessel for some cheesy goodness. Add some olive oil and fig preserves to make it taste even better.
If you don't have fig jam, add a drizzle of honey or maple syrup on top of the cheese to give it that little bit of sweetness.
Pigs in a Blanket
Give Pigs in a Blanket a fun twist by using breakfast sausages and puff pastry dough! The Italian sausage adds a nice savory flavor, while the dough adds a lovely flaky texture. The meaty appetizer tastes great with a horseradish-dijon sauce and a side of roasted brussels sprouts.
Add a bit of cheddar cheese to the wraps or garlic butter to the dough, to give it extra flavor.
How many appetizers do you need for a Christmas party?
One or two appetizers are enough for a group of around five people. You don't want too much food to distract from the main dishes!
What do you put on a Christmas Eve buffet?
Any of the appetizers on the list work well. It's good to have one cheese dish, one protein, and one carb for the spread. But play it by ear. Don't forget the cranberry chutney or sauce though!
What is the best starter for Christmas?
Choose starters that are easy to share, like olives, dips, or cheese. Try making some of the dips in a slow cooker to make starters ahead of time.
What starters go with a roast dinner?
Brussels sprouts are a classic starter to enjoy with a roast dinner, but stuffed cherry tomatoes are a fun starter as well.
What is the most popular starter on Christmas Day?
Pigs in a Blanket and edible wreaths are incredibly popular for Christmas. Have a sauce for dipping to add some fun to the starter spread.
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