20 Christmas Appetizers To Kick Off your Holiday Celebrations

Inside: 20 festive Christmas appetizers, including recipes like bruschetta cucumber bites, mini sausage rolls, crostini appetizers, cranberry brie pinwheel bites, and more.

One of my favorite parts of the holiday season is the appetizers because it’s the first chance you get to set the tone for your party and impress your guests.

When it comes to my holiday parties, I love having a mix of easy appetizers on hand that feel just a little bit fancy but are still simple to make.

Here’s a list of my favorite Christmas appetizers that are perfect for both when you’re entertaining or just bringing them to a party.

From recipes like cranberry brie puff pastry pinwheels and elegant crostini and vol-au-vent appetizers to fresh cucumber bites and filled mini toast cups, you’ll find the best holiday bites and platters to serve this season.

Don’t forget to save your favorites to make again next year!

And if you’re preparing for a Christmas party, check out this 10+ Deliciously Easy Christmas Desserts for the Holiday Season article for gorgeous dessert ideas!

My absolute favorite is this elegant Cranberry Mousse recipe!

Fig and Whipped Blue Cheese Crostini Appetizers

These fig and whipped blue cheese crostini appetizers are so simple, but they look and taste like something straight off a fancy holiday menu!

In this recipe, toasted French bread is topped with creamy whipped blue cheese and fresh figs, creating the kind of sweet-and-savory flavor combo that always ends up being a guest-favorite.

These crostini are elegant, festive, and just the thing to serve with a glass of bubbly.

Mini Italian Sausage Rolls With Puff Pastry

These mini sausage rolls are always the first thing to disappear at my holiday parties!

They’re made with Italian-style sausage wrapped in puff pastry that is topped with parmesan and filled with a zesty sauce of mustard, salsa, and balsamic vinegar.

They’re quite filling, full of flavors, and easy to prep ahead if you need a quick and low-effort party bite.

Fig and Goat Cheese Appetizer “Butter” Board With Prosciutto

This holiday-ready goat cheese appetizer “butter” board is a total showstopper and perfect for serving as a Christmas dinner starter.

Here, whipped goat cheese is spread out like frosting, then topped with juicy figs, fig jam, salty prosciutto, and a sprinkle of crunchy walnuts, pine nuts, fresh cranberries, and arugula for extra colors and texture.

It’s totally fancy and a guaranteed party hit!

Pear and Blue Cheese Crostini Appetizers

Juicy pears and tangy blue cheese work incredibly well together, and these crostini appetizers make the most of this delicious flavor combo.

Each slice of toasted French bread in this recipe is layered with fresh pear, creamy cheese, a handful of arugula, and a drizzle of maple syrup, finished with crushed walnuts for texture.

Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Puffs

Elegant and effortless, these smoked salmon and cream cheese puffs will help make your holiday party table a little bit fancier.

The creamy filling is packed with dill and garlic flavor, topped with smoked salmon, and sandwiched between crisp, golden puff pastry shells.

It’s a light, yet flavorful bite that feels right at home at your Christmas Eve gathering!

Cranberry Brie Bites in Mini Toast Cups

If you’re looking for a Christmas appetizer that is totally foolproof, these cranberry brie bites are always a winner.

Mini toast cups made from white bread are filled with creamy, melty brie, then topped with cranberry jam and crushed walnuts for that sweet-salty crunch.

They’re quick to put together and have all the classic holiday flavors packed into one pretty (and cheap!) little appetizer.

Cheese and Fruits Crostini Appetizers Platter

This cheese and fruits crostini platter is an absolute showstopper with its elegant and colorful presentation, making it the perfect Xmas appetizer.

The party tray features a trio of holiday-perfect toppings: fresh figs are paired with a whipped feta and whipped blue cheese base on two kinds of toast, and the third crostini with whipped blue cheese is topped with roasted grapes.

Each bite tastes totally gourmet, yet they’re super simple to put together.

Cranberry Sausage Bites

Sweet, sticky, and packed with flavor, these cranberry sausage bites are the ultimate crowd-pleaser for holiday entertaining.

Baked with a delicious mix of cranberry sauce, sweet chili, soy, and a splash of lime, they’re savory with just the right amount of zing.

Set out a platter and watch these disappear faster than you can say “Merry Christmas!”

Bruschetta Cucumber Bites Appetizers

These bruschetta cucumber bites are as fresh as they are festive. Sliced cucumber rounds are topped with a classic bruschetta mix, mini mozzarella balls, and a decorative slice of olive to make things a little bit fancy.

They’re light, refreshing, and a great no-bake option to balance out richer dishes on your Christmas table.

Turkey Pinwheels With Dried Cranberries

These festive little turkey cranberry pinwheels are basically Christmas dinner wrapped up into a bite-sized snack.

Cream cheese, dried cranberries, turkey ham, and a little salad get rolled into soft tortillas for a colorful, make-ahead appetizer that’s perfect for parties.

They’re super easy to slice and serve, and they’re definitely a crowd-favorite!

Deviled Egg Dip

This deviled egg dip is such a fun twist on the classic party appetizer, and it’s just perfect for Christmas snacking.

It’s made with the same delicious ingredients as classic deviled eggs, except it’s all chopped up and mixed into a creamy, tangy party dip.

It tastes great when served with pretzels and toasted bread, and you’ll love how much easier it is to make!

Surimi Vol Au Vent Appetizers

These elegant little vol-au-vent bites are made with crisp puff pastry shells and filled with a creamy surimi salad made from cucumber and mayonnaise, then topped with a delicate piece of smoked salmon and fresh chives.

These appetizer bites are light yet rich at the same time, and perfect for serving on a silver tray with cocktails or bubbly on Christmas Eve.

Cranberry Brie Pinwheel Bites With Puff Pastry

These flaky cranberry brie pinwheel bites are one of my go-to Christmas party starters.

Puff pastry gets filled with creamy brie, tart homemade cranberry sauce, and a sprinkle of chopped walnuts, then baked until golden and puffed.

These pinwheels are festive, buttery, and perfectly bite-sized, great for serving on a holiday platter or as a warm, melty treat fresh from the oven.

Whipped Ricotta Dip With Roasted Grapes

This whipped ricotta dip is a great party appetizer just meant for sharing!

Blended with cream cheese and a mix of dried thyme and garlic into a creamy goodness, it tastes amazing with the oven-roasted grapes. It’s really easy to dress up into something really cute and elegant, too.

Serve it with toasted French bread and watch your guests go back for seconds (and thirds!).

Goat Cheese Spinach Puffs

These goat cheese spinach puffs are a bite-sized puff pastry appetizer that is totally holiday-ready!

The creamy goat cheese filling mixed with steamed frozen spinach gives them that festive green pop, all tucked between flaky puff pastry shells that feel fancy but come together so easily.

They’re perfect for your Christmas party spread – really pretty, so delicious, and gone in minutes!

Fig and Whipped Feta Crostini Appetizers

These Italian-style crostini are a beautiful balance of flavors – sweet, juicy figs get paired with creamy, savory whipped feta, all piled on top of crunchy, toasted baguette slices.

It’s a simple yet sophisticated appetizer option that will look absolutely gorgeous on a holiday party platter.

Serve them with sparkling wine or mulled cider for an elegant bite.

Cherry Tomato and Burrata Appetizer With Puff Pastry

This puff pastry appetizer is bursting with flavor thanks to sweet roasted cherry tomatoes, creamy burrata cheese, and a drizzle of pesto.

A sprinkle of shredded fresh basil on top adds a bright pop of green, so the whole thing is full of festive colors.

This appetizer feels totally gourmet but comes together easily, making it perfect for a holiday gathering.

Apple and Brie Crostini Appetizers

These apple and brie crostini are another great option for a Christmas Eve appetizer spread. They’re warm, sweet and savory at the same time, and totally indulgent.

Crisp apple slices, creamy brie, and serrano ham all sit atop toasted crostini, with arugula and crushed walnuts adding a bit of color and crunch. A drizzle of maple syrup ties it all together beautifully.

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