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23 Delicious Make-Ahead Christmas Appetizers for Your Next Holiday Party

December 20, 2019 By sandi 3 Comments

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collage of make ahead Christmas appetizers

When it comes to party food, the only thing I love more than a good appetizer is a WHOLE SPREAD of good appetizers. Especially during the holidays. But between wrapping presents, cookie exchanges, music programs, and moving your Elf on a Shelf, you don’t have time to spend hours making the perfect appetizer for that night’s holiday event.

You need to find a way to save time and make your appetizer. That’s why today I’m sharing 23 make-ahead Christmas appetizers that you can make for your next holiday party or family gathering.

Whether you’re looking for something healthy or decadent, you’ll find something to love here. Let’s dig in!

23 Festive Make-Ahead Christmas Appetizers for Your Next Holiday Party

1

Cranberry Salsa

With cranberry sauce, green chiles, cilantro, and green onions, this Cranberry Salsa is the perfect sweet and savory combo for the holiday season. Serve over cream cheese with crackers.

2

Holiday Charcuterie Board (with Aldi Cheese Board Ideas)

Make this festive holiday charcuterie board all with ingredients you can get from Aldi!

3

Easy Christmas Appetizer "Hummus Wreath" - Two Healthy Kitchens

Photo Credit: twohealthykitchens.com

Made by layering hummus, a parsley mixture, and cherry tomatoes, this hummus wreath is easy to make and a beautiful appetizer for your table.

4

Cranberry Maple Baked Brie

Photo Credit: www.willcookforsmiles.com

With dried cranberries, gooey melted brie, and maple syrup, this appetizer is sure to please your guests.

5

Bacon Cheeseball Bites - Saving Dollars & Sense

Photo Credit: savingdollarsandsense.com

These miniature bacon-y cheeseballs are the perfect bite-sized snack for a party.

6

Italian Antipasti Skewers - Keto/Low Carb

Photo Credit: ketocookingchristian.com

Need a low-carb option? These antipasti skewers combine high-quality ingredients to make a delicious appetizer (you won't even miss the carbs).

7

The Best Spinach Artichoke Dip

Photo Credit: www.zestedlemon.com

Make this cheesy spinach artichoke dip whenever you like and then pop it in the oven right before your party.

8

Sweet Italian Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms

Photo Credit: www.savvysavingcouple.net

Your guests will love these delicious mushrooms filled with sausage, cream cheese, and breadcrumbs.

9

Easy Marinated Olives & Cheese Ring Appetizer

Photo Credit: www.aforkstale.com

Marinated olives and cheese -- what's not to love about this easy and pretty appetizer?!

10

Simple Three-Ingredient Cranberry Sauce Meatballs

Photo Credit: www.hunnyimhomediy.com

These cocktail meatballs get a spicy holiday twist when they're heated up with cranberry sauce and chili sauce.

11

Wedge Salad Skewers Recipe

Photo Credit: princesspinkygirl.com

Give your guests something healthy with these adorable wedge salad skewers.

12

Merry Little Christmas Deviled Eggs

Photo Credit: www.shekeepsalovelyhome.com

What's an appetizer table without deviled eggs? And these add a festive touch with bow made of pink peppercorns and parsley.

13

Pomegranate Cranberry Relish

Photo Credit: thekitchengirl.com

This pomegranate cranberry relish is perfect for serving over melted brie or cream cheese. Delicious and pretty!

14

Whole30 Cucumber Bites | Hot Pan Kitchen - GF, Paleo, & Whole30

Photo Credit: www.hotpankitchen.com

Make these pretty cucumber and prosciutto bites for your Whole30 friends and they will love you forever for including something they can eat at your party.

15

Chicken Bacon Ranch Sandwich Sliders

Photo Credit: keytomylime.com

These sliders with the winning flavor combo of chicken, bacon, and ranch will make a great hearty addition to your appetizer table.

16

Cornbread Spinach Cheese Bites

Photo Credit: www.krazykitchenmom.com

Served with blue cheese dressing, these cornbread spinach cheese bites are unique and easy to make.

17

Pomegranate Guacamole Recipe (Holiday Festive!)

Photo Credit: downshiftology.com

Pomegranate guacamole? It might sound weird, but somehow it works. And it couldn't be more festive!

18

Veggie Christmas Tree Appetizer

Photo Credit: cincyshopper.com

Why not make this veggie Christmas tree? Made with broccoli, cherry tomatoes, and cauliflower (with a cheese star), it's both creative and a healthy appetizer.

19

Mini Salmon Cakes with Sriracha Lemon Aioli

Photo Credit: tasteandsee.com

Mini salmon cakes are an amazing appetizer idea, and with a tasty sriracha lemon aioli, they're sure to be the hit of your appetizer spread.

20

Spicy Chex Mix

Photo Credit: thecozycook.com

Complete with instructions for making it gluten-free, this spicy Chex mix is the perfect grazing food.

21

Candied Bacon {3 Simple Ingredients!}

Photo Credit: www.spendwithpennies.com

This candied bacon couldn't be easier to make with just three ingredients that everyone has in their kitchen. (And your guests won't be able to keep their hands off them!)

22

Mini Candied Pecan Cranberry Goat Cheese Balls

Photo Credit: peasandcrayons.com

Need a little sweetness in your appetizer spread? These goat cheese balls are rolled in a pecan and brown sugar candy coating. So different and yummy!

23

Olive Christmas Tree Appetizer

Photo Credit: www.cookingonthefrontburners.com

Could this olive Christmas tree be any prettier? Made with different colored olives, marinated peppers and mozzarella balls, it's definitely a show-stopping appetizer.

Whether you’re getting together with friends or family, I hope one of these delicious starters will make your Christmas (or even New Year!) get-together menu a hit. I don’t know about you, but I want to eat all of them. Which one do you want to try?

Tell me in the comments below. And don’t forget to pin this post for later!

Filed Under: Appetizers, Roundups

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Katie Crenshaw | A Fork's Tale says

    December 22, 2019 at 5:50 pm

    How can a party go wrong with all of these fantastic appetizers to nibble on? EVERYTHING looks festive and delicious! I can’t wait to make these.

    Reply
  2. Chef Paul says

    June 10, 2022 at 2:31 am

    Such a great list of appetizers to choose from. I loved these, really delicious.

    Reply
  3. Caitlin | CC's Table says

    November 29, 2022 at 1:38 pm

    These all look so delicious! Perfect for any holiday party– and I love that you can prep them ahead!

    Reply

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Hi, I’m Sandi!

I love connecting with friends and family over a good meal, and I want to help you gain confidence to invite people over for dinner. I believe friendships grow when you gather around the table.
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