~ These Easy Christmas Appetizers will help make your busy life a little simpler at the holidays. So many great ideas to choose from! But all of these munchies come together quickly (most in under 15 minutes) … and many can even be made ahead. Relax, make things EASY for yourself, and give yourself permission to enjoy the holidays with less stress this year! ~
![Pinnable collage of 4 photos with the text overlay "Easy Christmas Appetizer Recipes For No-Stress Parties!".](jpg/easy-christmas-appetizers.jpg)
If you’re like me, then you put even more stress on yourself at holiday time. Trying to make sure everything is just perfect. All the food is extra-special, and everybody you care about feels like you made a little bit of thoughtful, additional effort, just for them.
But you don’t have to make your own holidays more stressful just to create joy for everyone else. And, truly, when you’re relaxed and able to revel in each festive moment, everybody around you will feel all the more relaxed and happy, too.
So make things EASY this year!
Starting with deliciously simple recipe ideas!
These Easy Christmas Appetizers all take just a few minutes to make.
- Most are 5-, 10-, or 15-minute recipes.
- Only a few require any cooking or baking at all.
- And most of them can also be made entirely ahead of time, or at least partially prepped ahead.
I scoured my own recipe archives and asked hundreds of other bloggers to share their favorites. These Christmas party appetizers are all deliciously special, but easy for the chef, too.
So, relax … take things a little easier … and rest assured knowing that you can still create scrumptious holiday magic, without all the effort and stress!
Easy Christmas Appetizers
EASY Christmas Tree Dip
A holiday version of our beloved Layered Pesto Appetizer Dip! This layered Mediterranean dip may look tricky and time consuming, but it's truly not! It only takes about 10 minutes. And, it can be made ahead of time, too. A cream cheese base is highlighted by pretty green pesto and plenty of festive toppings – plus a sprinkling of feta "snow." So festive!
7-Minute Cranberry Salsa
This vibrant, holiday salsa ingeniously slashes refined sugar – succulent pineapple adds sweetness and salsa-y flair. Delicious, quick and easy (and guilt-free, too)! Keeps well for up to 3 days ahead.
Christmas Charcuterie Board (with Kid-Friendly Ideas)
Gonna have kids at the Christmas party? This is an adaptable, fun idea for kids (of all ages)! Toss it together in about 15 minutes, and use the list of suggestions to tailor it to what you like or have on hand. Includes handy "Tips for Success" from someone who's made lots of kid-friendly charcuterie boards.
Easy Candied Pecans (Just 5 Minutes and 4 Ingredients!)
Candied pecans are wonderful little nibbles to offer alongside more hearty appetizers, or at the drinks station. This particular recipe is among the all-time most popular recipes here at Two Healthy Kitchens. It comes together super-fast ... about 5 minutes of hands-on time, plus cooling. It's a must-try, for sure!
Brie and Dark Cherry Phyllo Cups
Dark cherries, luxurious brie, crunchy phyllo, and a drizzle of pure maple syrup. Mmmmmm! Just 4 ingredients and a quick bake, but still special enough for the holidays!
10-Minute Easy Christmas Appetizer "Hummus Wreath"
So quick to make, but this delicious, easy Christmas appetizer is sure to impress! Bonus: it can even be made completely ahead of time!
Slow Cooker Cranberry Turkey Meatballs
This recipe requires a little more time and effort up front, but I've included it here because the meatballs can be stored with the sauce in the fridge for 2-3 days, or the recipe freezes well for up to 3 months. A great make-ahead party recipe! Plus ... you've got that hands-off slow cooker thing happening, too! (Psssst ... love slow cooker recipes? Then don't miss our collection of Easy Christmas Crockpot Recipes!)
Christmas Tree Fruit and Cheese Board
Seriously low on time? Grab some fruit and cheese, plus maybe some herb sprigs and pretzels. You can toss this together in no time, but it's totally Christmas party ready, and perfect with wine! Any variety of fruit will work, and you can use celery sticks or more fruit instead of pretzels if you don't have them. Easy-peasy!
Christmas Wreath Cheese Board
Or, if you'd rather shape your cheese board as a festive wreath instead of a Christmas tree, try this idea! Includes great tips, like the suggestion that a wreath-shaped cheese board looks terrific with lots of ball-shaped items such as cherry tomatoes, cocktail onions, olives, and grapes (in addition to things like cheese cubes).
5-Minute Pomegranate Salsa
This Pomegranate Salsa looks like Christmas in a bowl! A unique but super-fast holiday appetizer that wins huge raves every single time. You can make it up to 1-2 days ahead, too.
5-Minute Avocado Ranch Dip with Greek Yogurt
Surround this easy dip with red and green veggies to create a vibrant Christmas appetizer platter in just moments!
Greek Dip with Tomatoes and Feta
All you need here is 5 simple ingredients. Layer them up in a serving dish, and you've got a lovely red and green appetizer dip ... in practically no time at all!
Easy Asparagus Mushroom Tart
Ok ok ... you do have to fire up the oven for this one. But beyond that, this appetizer really is super easy to make. And I love that the combo of veggies highlights those red and green colors of Christmas!
Holiday Vegetable Wreath
About the easiest possible way to turn a typical vegetable tray into a celebration-worthy holiday appetizer! Use hummus or whatever dip you prefer, but stick with red and green veggies to keep the Christmas vibe.
Cheesy Apple Bites
Simply spread thinly sliced apples with cheese and sprinkle them with fresh chives, crunchy celery, toasted walnuts, and jewel-toned pomegranate. And VOILA! Your gorgeously festive and delicious appetizer is ready to serve!
Individual Charcuterie Cups (Jar-Cuterie)
Want to take your charcuterie board in a whole new, creative direction? These are easy and super adaptable, with loads of great tips all along the way!
Healthy Spinach Stuffed Mushrooms
Stuffed mushrooms may seem like a fussy, time consuming appetizer. BUT ... this recipe can be assembled ahead and stored in the fridge until you're ready to bake them. Or, it can even be frozen, either before or after baking. Then, when it’s time, just pull it out and bake. You don’t even need to thaw the stuffed mushrooms before you bake them!
Cranberry Dip
Serve this merry dip sprinkled with goat cheese and piled beautifully on crostini, or offer it with crackers alongside – so versatile! It's irresistibly tart and creamy, and can be prepped almost entirely ahead in about 10 minutes flat.
Cucumber Hummus Bites
Dollop some store-bought hummus on refreshing cucumber slices, then top with tomato, parsley and feta. Poof! Done! A Christmas-colored finger food that just couldn't be simpler to make!
Antipasto Skewers
These take just 5 minutes to prepare, with no cooking and minimal chopping. All you have to do is thread everything onto a skewer! Adapt the recipe to use up what you have in the fridge. These can be made ahead, too, since they store really well in an airtight container.
Nutty Cranberry Goat Cheese Shots
A clever but ridiculously easy way to make your dip a little extra-special, a little classier!
Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates with Walnuts and Mint
You can make this classic holiday appetizer ahead and store it in the fridge, but be sure to follow the advice to add the mint at the last minute, so it doesn't wilt.
15-Minute Chicken Salad Bites with Cranberries
Ready in only 15 minutes! Just stir cooked chicken together with the Greek yogurt dressing, and then spoon it into wonton cups or purchased phyllo cups. Lots of flavor and texture!
Pssssst … still need even more ideas for terrific Christmas party recipes? Check out our list of fun-shaped, CUTE Christmas Appetizers, too!
Thanks for all these great ideas for healthy, deliscious, appetizers!!!
You’re so welcome, Sheila! I’ve got two Christmas parties coming up this weekend (and of course, more to come after that), so you can bet I’m needing cute appetizer ideas, once again this year, too! Glad this collection gave you some inspiration for new recipes to try! Happy holidays! 😀 ~Shelley
It’s really nice list to follow. I saved it with Christmas coming. Thanks for sharing and love your site!
Thanks, Carolyne! I had fun putting this list together – so many yummy but still EASY appetizer ideas. It’s just what I need, since our extended family has quite a few different Christmas parties, all within a week or so – I’m always on the lookout for ways to make foods special but still EASY (so I don’t spend the entire week in the kitchen between parties lol). I thought these ideas might help other people out, too! Thanks again, and Merry Christmas! ~Shelley