Easy, Elegant Holiday Appetizer Recipes
The holidays are all about hosting family and friends. Make entertaining easy with these simple, pre-dinner bites.
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The Perfect Start
If you ask us, one of the best parts of the holiday season is the snacking that happens before the main meal. Who wouldn’t want to mix up a festive cocktail or two and treat themself to an assortment of small bites before a special holiday dinner? Cheese balls and cheese logs, party-ready dips, wow-worthy platters — with so many delicious options, choosing what to make can be difficult. One of the recipes we always include in our pre-dinner spread however, is this baked brie. We like to dress it up for the holidays; we stuff it into little golden parcels of puff pastry along with a hit of cranberry sauce and crunchy walnuts — for the ultimate sweet-and-savory bite.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Brie Bites
Holiday Cheese Ball Wreath
Bring your outdoor holiday wreath inside with this festive and easy cheese ball. Use a small Bundt pan to form a wreath shape, or roll the mixture into a ball or log. For a cheese ball worthy of any big gathering, skip the Bundt pan and colorful garnish and roll the ball in toasted sliced almonds instead.
Get the Recipe: Holiday Cheese Ball Wreath
Crab-and-Cheese-Stuffed Mini Peppers
Sweet crab, creamy cheese and crunchy mini peppers come together for a super simple appetizer that will be a guaranteed crowd pleaser at your next event.
Get the Recipe: Crab-and-Cheese-Stuffed Mini Peppers
Almost-Famous Spinach-Artichoke Dip
Get the Recipe: Almost-Famous Spinach-Artichoke Dip
Creamy Shrimp Scampi Dip
This rich, garlicky dip caused a feeding frenzy in the Food Network test kitchen. We've taken a beloved shrimp-and-pasta dish and made it into a creamy, crowd-pleasing appetizer. You can make it ahead to take to a nearby potluck, then ask your host if you can borrow some oven space to quickly bake it.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Shrimp Scampi Dip
Italian Wedding Soup
Homemade meatballs are the secret to this soup's authentic Italian flavor. Giada uses curly endive for color and texture.
Get the Recipe: Italian Wedding Soup
Swedish Meatballs
Get the Recipe: Swedish Meatballs
Baked Brie with Cranberry-Pecan-Bacon Crumble
This easy melted cheese dip is a crowd-pleaser, so you might want to double the recipe to have a backup ready! Feel free to change up the dried fruit-cherries, raisins, dates and figs would all work nicely.
Get the Recipe: Baked Brie with Cranberry-Pecan-Bacon Crumble
Pull-Apart Deviled Egg Wreath
Deviled eggs are everyone's favorite appetizer and this fun display is perfect for the holiday season. Parsley and scallions color the herby green filling for the wreath. The bow is made up of a deconstructed pimento cheese: the eggs are stuffed with a spiced Cheddar spread and chopped pimentos provide a brilliant red blanket on top.
Get the Recipe: Pull-Apart Deviled Egg Wreath
Pan-Fried Onion Dip
Get the Recipe: Pan-Fried Onion Dip
Toasted Ravioli
Get the Recipe: Toasted Ravioli
Spinach and Goat Cheese Tartlets
Get the Recipe: Spinach and Goat Cheese Tartlets
Baked Brie
This party-perfect recipe couldn't be simpler. Just drizzle Brie with honey and bake for five to seven minutes so the cheese is soft and spreadable. Serve it with crackers and fruit.
Get the Recipe: Baked Brie
Buffalo Chicken Cheese Balls
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Cheese Balls
New Orleans Barbecue Shrimp Dip
Get the Recipe: New Orleans Barbecue Shrimp Dip
Pizza Wreath
A sausage and pepperoni pizza morphs into a festive wreath for the holiday season. Top with a golden-brown dough bow and sprinkle with fresh basil for a dish that's almost too cute to eat.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Wreath
Shrimp Cocktail with Tomatillo-Horseradish Sauce
Bobby puts his spin on the classic seafood appetizer by first poaching the shrimp with lemon, peppercorn and coriander, then serving with them a dipping sauce of roasted tomatillo, jalapeno and horseradish.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Cocktail with Tomatillo-Horseradish Sauce
Gouda-and-Beer Fondue Bread Bowl
Get the Recipe: Gouda-and-Beer Fondue Bread Bowl
Spinach Artichoke Baked Brie
Holiday appetizers have met their match with this spinach artichoke baked brie. The crispy puff pastry encases a layer of creamy spinach and melty brie, making the perfect mashup. Spread onto your favorite crackers or crostini and enjoy all season long.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Artichoke Baked Brie
Buffalo Chicken Dip
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Dip
Spicy Roasted Olives
Get the Recipe: Spicy Roasted Olives
Hummus
This holiday appetizer is ready in just 10 minutes. Ina keeps the hummus simple with garlic and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Serve it with crisp vegetables on the side for dipping.
Get the Recipe: Hummus
Cheese Puff Tower
Use cream cheese, goat cheese and Parmesan to hold this cheese puff croquembouche together.
Get the Recipe: Mount Chevrest
Crostini with Thyme-Roasted Tomatoes
Get the Recipe: Crostini with Thyme-Roasted Tomatoes
Stuffed Artichoke Casserole
Love stuffed artichokes but too busy? Make this easy casserole instead — it has all the same flavors and can be done in half the time.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Artichoke Casserole
Onion-Herb Focaccia
Get the Recipe: Onion-Herb Focaccia
Pastrami Meatballs
Molly uses lots of fragrant spices to give these mini meatballs their pastrami-inspired flavor. They're super tasty and so easy to pop in your mouth — just be careful not to fill up before dinner!
Get the Recipe: Pastrami Meatballs
Baked Antipasto Cheese Bread
Forget all other stuffed cheese things: This ooey-gooey bread is a perfect holiday appetizer and has all the flavors of antipasto.
Get the Recipe: Baked Antipasto Cheese Bread
Flatbread with Bacon and Scallion Pesto
Baked pizza dough is the base of Alex Guarnaschelli's elegant flatbread appetizer, which is layered with lemony creme fraiche, scallion pesto and crisp bacon.
Get the Recipe: Flatbread With Bacon and Scallion Pesto
Cheese-Stuffed Pepper Christmas Tree
This festive kale tree decked with cheese-stuffed mini chile pepper lights is the perfect centerpiece for your next holiday party. Your guests can help themselves to the chile peppers with a quick tug of a bow.
Get the Recipe: Cheese-Stuffed Pepper Christmas Tree
Walnut-Pepper Spread
Get the Recipe: Walnut-Pepper Spread
Mozzarella and Pesto Twists
Talk about your easy appetizers: These cheesy, pesto-filled twists come together with just three ingredients--crescent dough, mozzarella and pesto (plus a dusting of flour). This means more time with your guests and less time in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Mozzarella and Pesto Twists
Easy Cheese Board
Ina (the ultimate party planner!) has the formula for easy hosting: the perfect cheese board, complete with four crowd-pleasing cheeses and fruit and crackers to pair with them.
Get the Recipe: Easy Cheese Board
Shrimp-Stuffed Jalapeno Poppers
You've got shrimp lovers and jalapeno popper lovers to please. Fry shrimp-stuffed jalapenos for a crunchy, kicked-up appetizer that'll make everyone happy.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp-Stuffed Jalapeno Poppers
Sausage Balls
Get the Recipe: Sausage Balls
Prosciutto-Wrapped Scallops
Giada first coats scallops in a pesto of sun-dried tomatoes, basil and black olives, then she wraps them in slices of prosciutto. After the scallops are baked, they're served atop an arugula salad.
Get the Recipe: Prosciutto-Wrapped Scallops
White Cheddar Gougeres with Apple Filling, Prosciutto and Sage
Get the Recipe: White Cheddar Gougeres, Apple Pulp, Prosciutto and Sage
Bruschetta with Shrimp, Tarragon and Arugula
Get the Recipe: Bruschetta with Shrimp, Tarragon and Arugula
Chestnut Soup with Fried Parsley
Get the Recipe: Chestnut Soup With Fried Parsley
Ham and Cheese Croquettes
Get the Recipe: Vince's Ham-and-Cheese Croquettes
Marinated Feta Three Ways
With just a few ingredients and some hands-off time, feta cheese can be transformed into a delicious appetizer to serve with crostini or as an accompaniment to grilled vegetables and meat. We came up with a trio of super versatile flavor combinations that are all made following the same method. By marinating the feta in glass jars, you’ll be able to see the colors of the aromatics, for a beautiful and delicious gift too.
Get the Recipe: Marinated Feta Three Ways
Herbed Goat Cheese Sandwiches
Get the Recipe: Herbed Goat Cheese Sandwiches
Shrimp Bisque
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Bisque
Eggplant Ricotta Bites
Get the Recipe: Eggplant Ricotta Bites
Warm Spinach Salad
Get the Recipe: Warm Spinach Salad
Scallop and Shrimp Cocktail
Get the Recipe: Scallop and Shrimp Cocktail
Layered Crab Rangoon Dip
Get the Recipe: Layered Crab Rangoon Dip
Crudo on the Half Shell
Fresh seafood at its best needs little adornment. Here, Ted tops raw scallops and clams with olive oil, salt and minced jalapeno. Quality is key in this recipe: Use a trusted supplier and let him or her know you will be eating the fish raw.
Get the Recipe: Crudo on the Half Shell
Roasted Broccoli and Cheddar Cheese Dip
Get the Recipe: Roasted Broccoli and Cheddar Cheese Dip
Seven-Layer Cranberry Cobb Dip
Get the Recipe: Seven-Layer Cranberry Cobb Dip
Rosemary-Olive Oil Potato Chips
Get the Recipe: Rosemary-Olive Oil Potato Chips
Sweet Roasted Grapes
Get the Recipe: Sweet Roasted Grapes
Avocado-Feta Dip
Get the Recipe: Avocado-Feta Dip
Prosciutto and Brie Crostini
Crostini always look so elegant as part of an appetizer spread — and they couldn't be easier to make. These simple toasts are topped with ham, cheese and honey for a pretty presentation and the perfect balance of sweet and salty flavor.
Get the Recipe: Prosciutto and Brie Crostini
Kielbasa and Honey Mustard Pinwheels
This is a unique spin (or spiral!) on pigs in a blanket, the classic appetizer that's perfect for any occasion. We've swapped in diced kielbasa for the usual hot dogs, and baked honey mustard into the swirls of puff pastry. The best part: You can assemble the three-ingredient apps ahead of time and then cook them off just before your guests arrive.
Get the Recipe: Kielbasa and Honey Mustard Pinwheels
BLT Salad Bites
Upgrade the classic sandwich into a no-fuss bite-size appetizer with crispy pancetta and chive mayo served on fresh lettuce boats.
Get the Recipe: BLT Salad Bites
Pretzel Monkey Muffins
These individual pretzel monkey muffins are the perfect party appetizer! The key is using non-flaky biscuit dough, so it doesn't fall apart in the baking soda bath. Each muffin is filled with Cheddar and baked until the center is melty and the exterior is chewy and golden brown.
Get the Recipe: Pretzel Monkey Muffins
Loaded Baby Potatoes
Mini-loaded potatoes bring comfort food to cocktail hour. Prep the dish in advance, and then reheat the potatoes under the broiler right before you want to serve.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Baby Potatoes
Cayenne Cheese Straws
Score big points for baking your own cheese straws this holiday season; no one will know how easy they are to make. Grate your own cheese, though, as the ingredients used to prevent clumping in the pre-shredded variety can mess with the end product.
Get the Recipe: Cayenne Cheese Straws
Creamy Potato and Roasted Red Pepper Dip
Get the Recipe: Creamy Potato and Roasted Red Pepper Dip
Fig and Blue Cheese Bruschetta
Sweet fig preserves pair perfectly with tangy blue cheese in this super simple appetizer that is ready to serve in just 20 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Fig and Blue Cheese Bruschetta
Shrimp Remoulade Sliders
Stick these seafood-based sliders with fancy toothpicks for an added touch of holiday decor.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Remoulade Sliders
Cheesy Mini Peppers
Stuff jalapenos and sweet red peppers with store-bought cheese spread for an appetizer that you can make in just about 5 minutes. Make sure to tell your guests the types of peppers that are on the plate so they know what heat level they’re biting into.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Mini Peppers
Christmas Tree Pizza
Ree takes pizza to whole new level when she transforms it into a Christmas tree! She even decks it out with cherry tomato ornaments and green pepper tinsel.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Tree Pizza
Salami Roll-Ups
These tasty one-bite appetizers require only four ingredients and are easy to pack up — perfect for entertaining on a whim.
Get the Recipe: Salami Roll-Ups
Tiny Tomato Tarts
Frozen puff pastry saves the day when you’re entertaining and strapped for time. These tiny tarts require only four ingredients and are ready to serve in just about 40 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Tiny Tomato Tarts
Greek Mezze Platter
Ina uses a combination of store-bought ingredients (like hummus and stuffed grape leaves) and homemade ingredients (like marinated feta and pita chips) to put together her simple Greek spread.
Get the Recipe: Greek Mezze Platter
Roasted Tomato, Ricotta and Basil Crostini
Crostini are Italian appetizers of toasted bread topped with almost anything; this version is topped with roasted tomatoes and herbed ricotta. Prepare separate components ahead of time and then put it all together right before you're ready to serve to avoid soggy toast.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Tomato, Ricotta and Basil Crostini
Fondue-Stuffed Mushrooms
Stuffed mushrooms are made even better with melty raclette. Your guests will love the creamy cheese stuffing and crunchy breadcrumb topping combo.
Get the Recipe: Fondue Stuffed Mushrooms
Christmas Tree Deviled Eggs
Give your typical deviled eggs a holiday makeover and turn them into tiny trees! Ree adds parsley, cilantro, pickles and avocado to the mayonnaise for a nice green color and tops everything off with a yellow pepper star.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Tree Deviled Eggs
Cranberry-Brie Knots
Two of the holiday season's most popular ingredients—cranberries and Brie—team up in this easy appetizer. Twist them with fluffy pizza dough and bake until golden for the ideal handheld starter.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry-Brie Knots
Deviled Bacon and Eggs
Deviled eggs get the breakfast treatment. Ree tops this classic party dish with crispy peppered bacon for a new take on bacon and eggs.
Get the Recipe: Deviled Bacon and Eggs
Prosciutto Bruschetta
Rub a whole clove of garlic against slices of toasted bread to create the flavorful base of this bruschetta; the rough exterior of the bread acts as a grater and extracts garlic flavor with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Prosciutto Bruschetta
Vegetable Bundles with Tarragon-Citrus Dip
These veggie bundles are a nice break from the heavy food that normally shows up throughout the holidays. Get the kids involved with party preparation and have them tie the bundles together with chives.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Bundles with Tarragon-Citrus Dip
Lobster Hushpuppies with Horseradish Cream
These high-class hushpuppies look and taste impressive, but take less than an hour to put together. Although big chunks of lobster are the star of the dish, you’ll find lobster flavor in every bite because some of the tail meat is blended right into the batter.
Get the Recipe: Lobster Hushpuppies with Horseradish Cream
Gougeres with Gruyere Mornay and Beer Mustard
Gougeres are savory puffed pastries made with choux dough, the same type of dough used to make profiteroles, eclairs, French crullers and many others. While they look impressive and may sound intimidating to take on, gougeres are actually pretty hard to mess up. Geoffrey Zakarian even advises to let them get a little over-caramelized in the oven — the bitterness works well with the rich, creamy Mornay sauce.
Get the Recipe: Gougeres with Gruyere Mornay and Beer Mustard
Caprese Skewers with Plum Balsamic Drizzle
Ree uses fresh rosemary sprigs as skewers to add flavor and presentation value to a classic appetizer combination. If you don’t have a squeeze bottle on hand, use a spoon: Holding a bowl of balsamic reduction over the platter of skewers, dip a spoon into the reduction and gently drizzle over the skewers.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Skewers with Plum Balsamic Drizzle
Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce
Ree’s easy chicken satay is served at room temperature, so you can prepare the dish long before guests arrive.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce
Spinach-Artichoke Soup
Turn a classic dip into an elegant soup course. Thinned creme fraiche and chives make a simple, fancy garnish.
Get the Recipe: Spinach-Artichoke Soup
Prosciutto Persimmons
Try this cold-weather riff on prosciutto-wrapped melon. Like citrus fruit, winter is peak persimmon season.
Get the Recipe: Prosciutto Persimmons
Popcorn-Crusted Popcorn Shrimp
Consider this another way to use popcorn during the holidays without stringing it on your tree. Popcorn and panko make a nice, light breading for shrimp.
Get the Recipe: Popcorn-Crusted Popcorn Shrimp
Steak Au Poivre Potatoes
You don't have to save steak and potatoes for the main course. Together, they make the perfect bite-sized party app served with a dab of sour cream.
Get the Recipe: Steak Au Poivre Potatoes
Creamy Escarole and White Bean Dip
Put out a crudite platter with pride at your next holiday party. You'll be shocked at how quickly this fresh dip flies off the plate.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Escarole and White Bean Dip
Mini Meatball Crostini
This appetizer mashup is the perfect mix of elegance and comfort food. Mini meatballs fit perfectly atop crostini toasts for a hearty and heavenly finger food.
Get the Recipe: Mini Meatball Crostini
Butternut Squash-Spinach Tart
If you love slab pies, this tart will be a savory hit. A three-ingredient homemade crust couldn't be easier and the veggie filling complete with three cheeses is just the right amount of indulgence before your holiday feast.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash-Spinach Tart
Spicy Ginger Shrimp Cocktail
This is not your average shrimp cocktail. You'll mix chili sauce and hot mango chutney into the cocktail sauce for something sweet and spicy and amp up jumbo shrimp with ginger and other spices to serve something special.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Ginger Shrimp Cocktail
Cocktail Meatballs
Meatballs look like something special with a simple garnish. A sprinkling of scallions adds color and freshness to this unassuming app.
Get the Recipe: Cocktail Meatballs
Whipped Ricotta with Raisins and Pine Nuts
Save room in your oven with this sweet and savory cheese dip. You'll combine ricotta cheese and capers in a food processor and top the mixture with simmered raisins, pine nuts and a honey drizzle. Yum!
Get the Recipe: Whipped Ricotta with Raisins and Pine Nuts
Mustard-Onion Jam Crackers with Figs
Aida Mollenkamp tops crisps with ricotta and a mustard, orange and onion jam for a sophisticated appetizer. Fresh figs are a beautiful, flavorful finishing touch.
Get the Recipe: Mustard-Onion Jam Crackers With Figs
Porchetta and Polenta
Ted Allen tops crisp polenta rounds with slow-roasted, herb-stuffed pork and pickled onions. For easy party prep, make the pork roast up to three days ahead.
Get the Recipe: Porchetta and Polenta
Rosemary-Cheese Spritz Cookies
These savory cookies from Food Network Kitchen contain two kinds of grated Italian cheese (pecorino and Parmesan), and they are flecked with chopped rosemary leaves.
Get the Recipe: Rosemary-Cheese Spritz Cookies
Festive Baked Brie Bites
If you love a good, sweet-and-savory bite then this is the perfect appetizer to enjoy before dinner.
Get the Recipe: Festive Baked Brie Bites
Brown Rice Crab Cakes
A sophisticated seafood dish that is totally doable, you can make these in advance and keep them in your refrigerator until you’re ready to fry!
Get the Recipe: Brown Rice Crab Cakes
Spicy Potato Chips
Get the Recipe: Spicy Potato Chips
Sausage Parmesan Palmiers
These savory biscuits are made easy with store-bought puff pastry. Don’t skip the chilling step! Resting the dough in the fridge helps maintain the shape of the biscuit as you slice.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Parmesan Palmiers
