Ranging from elegant seafood nibbles to hearty picks like meatballs, hot dips, and deviled eggs, these Christmas appetizer recipes were chosen specifically for this season's most festive gatherings. Find finger buffet ideas for easygoing holiday nibbles-and-sips parties, Christmas appetizer ideas to kick off a grand holiday feast, and more ways to irresistibly celebrate the season, bite by bite.
Butternut-Sage Crostini with Ricotta and Hazelnuts
These decadent, creamy bites are perfect for the holidays, thanks to a dab of seasonal squash and a sprinkle of fresh sage on top. Savory cayenne-spiced ricotta in between adds richness to one of our favorite Christmas appetizers.
Make-Ahead Mini Cheese Balls
"Cute” isn’t the first word that usually comes to mind when you think of a cheese ball, but when you roll one into individually sized portions, the little gems become darling indeed. What a fun way to add color and charm to your Christmas buffet menu.
Two Tomato Bruschetta
We don’t try to match all of our Christmas Eve appetizer ideas to the colors of the season, but sometimes it just turns out that way! Here, tomatoes, feta cheese and fresh herbs provide a seasonal red, white, and green appeal. Better yet, guests can't help but love this recipe, which is quick to make for a crowd.
Blue Cheese and Pine Nut Puffs
Light, rich, and crisp, this truly delightful holiday appetizer will impress your guests. Using a pastry bag, pipe the blend of Roquefort and Gruyere cheeses into pretty star shapes, and bake
Crab and Horseradish Havarti Dip
Any table of Christmas party appetizers needs at least one warm-and-cheesy dip! And isn’t there something about shellfish that says, “holiday special”? You can have it all in this luscious and colorful recipe.
Zarela's Pineapple-Ginger Wings
Sit back and watch these saucy wings fly off your Christmas buffet! Ginger and citrus team up with pineapple for a sweet-and-spicy party appetizer recipe that's downright irresistible.
Bacon and Cheese Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs—with bacon? That’s what we call a win-win situation. This recipe takes it one step further with some cheddar cheese, making it a crowd-pleasing holiday appetizer.
Beet and Onion Jam Galette
When you need a few Christmas appetizer ideas that are on the hearty side, this savory beet and onion tart will fit the bill. And talk about easy: It starts with store-bought onion jam. As one reviewer raved, "The combo of flavors was delicious."
Mini Bacon-Mushroom Quiches
These bite-size cheesy quiches will tide holiday guests over until dinnertime. A puff pastry crust holds the warm egg filling and fresh green onion topper. We used shiitake mushrooms in the filling for the most flavor.
Manchego-Stuffed Mushrooms
Add a twist on the beloved classic to your Christmas buffet menu with these cheesy stuffed mushrooms. To make, simply wipe the mushrooms clean, snap off their stems, spoon in the filling, and bake them to perfection.
Hot Greens Dip
This twist on classic spinach-artichoke dip is filled with shredded collard greens. Fold the cooked greens into a creamy mix of Havarti cheese, Parmesan cheese, and sour cream. Bake until bubbly and serve with chips and crackers.
Sweet-Spicy Barbecued Chicken Sliders
Yes! Sliders can be festive enough to score a spot on your roster of Christmas appetizer ideas. Bake up this big-batch recipe using shredded rotisserie chicken, chopped pineapple, and barbecue sauce.
Test Kitchen Tip: Assemble this make-ahead Christmas appetizer recipe up to 8 hours before serving.
Spicy Apple-Glazed Meatballs
When dreaming up your list of Christmas finger food buffet ideas, don’t forget the meatballs! Here, the crowd-pleasing party-food favorite gets into the holiday spirit with a spicy apple and brown sugar glaze.
Chicken-Feta Phyllo Cups with Tzatziki Sauce
Each crispy bite of this easy Christmas appetizer recipe is filled with spinach, chicken, feta, and couscous. The whole dish bakes in amuffin tin for just 10 minutes. Serve each cup with homemade Tzatziki sauce and fresh lemon wedges.
Spiced Potato Pastry Pockets
Stuff refrigerated pie crust dough with a mix of mashed potatoes, herbs, and peas. Our take on the classic Indian samosa is best served with mango chutney, mint chutney, or tamarind sauce.
Chicken Nachos with Wasabi Guacamole
This take on a classic party appetizer adds wasabi paste to the guacamole and soy sauce to shredded chicken. Top the tray with sliced jalapenos, fresh radishes, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.