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15 Easy Holiday Appetizer Recipes Everyone Will Love
In many homes, Christmas dinner is a big production, probably just after Thanksgiving on the list of Hectic Family Dinners That Make You Drink A Bottle Of Wine Before 6 p.m. (this is actually an official list). So it goes without saying that in the midst of the craziness of preparation and cooking, it's nice to have something to make that is easy and fast, while still being delicious. It's hard to find a main course that looks elaborate but is also very simple, so this is where appetizers come in.
I've seen a lot of holiday appetizer ideas on Pinterest that look quite impressive, but also just a little bit insane. Options like breaded Brussels sprouts (not a full Brussels sprout, but a sprout that's actually picked apart with each little piece individually breaded) come to mind. In the words of a famous YouTube star, "Ain't nobody got time for that." Especially when "that" is happening while you're also making five other dishes and trying to keep your house/apartment relatively presentable.
If you need some ideas for holiday dinner appetizers that are delicious, pleasing to the eye, and stress-free, you've come to the right place. Here are 15 easy holiday appetizer recipes that will keep you and your guests happy.
Curry Butter Popcorn
Buy small brown paper bags (or something more decorative), and fill them with this delicious popcorn that is really easy to make and sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Everyone loves munching on popcorn, and it’s such a different and unique idea.
Image and Recipe: ABetterHappierStSebastian.com
Baked Brie With Cherries, Pistachios, and Honey
You can’t go wrong when serving delicious cheese. Baked brie seems very elegant and fancy, but is actually so easy to make. The cherries and honey in this recipe make it seem festive and perfect for the holidays.
Image and Recipe: ACozyKitchen.com
Holiday Cheese Dip
A good dip is a party staple, but eating the same kind over and over again during the holidays gets boring fast. This option is so different — who would think cheese, pecans, and green olives would go together so well?! — and will leave everyone happy.
Image and Recipe: ACozyKitchen.com
Spiced Rosemary and Thyme Nuts
Few things remind me of Christmas as much as the scent of fresh rosemary and thyme. Nuts are a great and easy appetizer choice. They’re simple to make, and then you can leave them out all night for people to munch on whenever the craving strikes.
Image and Recipe: AFarmGirlsDabbles.com
Bacon-Wrapped Tater Tot Bombs
This recipe may be indulgent, but it’s the holidays — who cares?! All you have to do is wrap frozen tater tots in bacon and cook them. They’ll be so delicious that no one will realize just how simple they are. Just try not to eat them all on your own before you serve them.
Image and Recipe: DamnDelicious.net
Sweet and Tangy Balls
The sauce on these meatballs is so unique and flavorful that I doubt anyone will notice you used frozen meatballs. You could make them if you want, but who really has the time for that? Mini meatballs are always nice to have on the menu.
Image and Recipe: TableForTwo.com
Garlic Parmesan Roasted Shrimp
Shrimp cocktail is good, but it’s also something that you can find at literally any party. Stand out from the crowd by roasting shrimp with garlic and parmesan. It’s incredibly easy and leaves you with some great finger food. You can serve this with cocktail sauce if you’d like, but I think it’s fine on it’s own.
Image and Recipe: DamnDelicious.net
Roasted Eggplant Dip
Eggplant dip is easy to make and is something a little bit different than what everyone else makes. It seems gourmet, but it’s actually so simple! Serve it with some crackers, and watch everyone fall in love with eggplant like they never have before.
Image and Recipe: BloggingOverThyme.com
Spicy Chili Lime Roasted Chickpeas
If you have never tried roasted chickpeas before, you are really missing out. They’re delicious, and they’re incredibly easy to make. Make a bunch so everyone can snack on them — and you can have leftovers.
Image and Recipe: GoodLifeEats.com
Buffalo Chicken Dip
Even if it’s not exactly festive, a good buffalo chicken dip is always a crowd-pleaser. This is even better if you have some kids coming over, because they always love this. Plus, a party is your best opportunity to eat this delicious dip!
Image and Recipe: AFarmGirlsDabbles.com
Warm Honey Fig Dip with Blue Cheese and Garlic Pitas
There is no combination quite like figs, honey, and cheese, and this dip puts everything together perfectly. You won’t be able to stop eating it! Plus, if you put it together the right way, it’s actually really pretty. Serve this with garlic pitas as suggested, or crackers that are a little bit more simple.
Image and Recipe: HowSweetEats.com
Roasted Cinnamon Pear Bruschetta
Take advantage of winter flavors, and make this unique bruschetta. It’s festive, it’s sweet, it’s almost like enjoying dessert before dinner, and who doesn’t love doing that? Plus, this looks much more impressive than the effort it actually takes.
Image and Recipe: HowSweetEats.com
Prosciutto Caprese Bites
Take the classic appetizer combo of fresh mozzarella and tomatoes, and shake it up a bit by adding prosciutto and putting it all on a little skewer for easy eating. This is perfect for a true Italian Christmas dinner, but it will really work for any kind of celebration.
Image and Recipe: APrettyLifeInTheSubarbs.com
Brie Toasts With Basil, Pine Nuts, and Golden Raisins
I can’t stress how awesome brie is as a holiday party appetizer. Assembling these shouldn’t take too long, and the sweet and salty pay-off will be well worth it. Plus, this requires almost no cooking — just toasting, mixing things together, and making them look kind of pretty.
Image and Recipe: ASpicyPerspective.com
Bacon-Wrapped Water Chestnuts
Is there anything that screams Christmas more than chestnuts? OK, so these aren’t actual chestnuts, they’re water chestnuts, but still. They’re wrapped in bacon, and they’re a timeless classic. They’re also really easy to put together, so overall, they’re a total win.
Image and Recipe: SavorySweetLife.com
