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19 Festive Christmas Snacks for Munching and Crunching

November 06, 2024
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A well-placed snack can help get everyone through hours of caroling or Christmas shopping.

Photo: Armando Rafael Moutela ©
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Our Best Christmas Snack Recipes

Big, lavish feasts get a lot of the attention around the holidays but Christmas snacks keep the table (and our bellies) full of cheer. Whether they are sweet or salty, a yummy bite is the fuel you need for decorating cookies, trimming the tree or wrapping gifts. There are plenty of options no matter what you have time for, from quick nut mixes to creative baked breads. Choose one (or a few) to set out while you prepare your mains and sides to keep hungry guests out of the kitchen. Made too much? No problem. Some of these snacks can even be packaged for gifting, to save you from last-minute shopping.

Whip up these colorful skewers ahead of time and pull them out whenever your family needs a little snack between meals during the holidays. Green spinach tortellinis, red cherry tomatoes and white cubes of fresh mozzarella combine to give the platter a Christmas feel. Add a drizzle of pesto flavored with a touch of vinegar to dress the skewers just before serving.

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Photo: Brian David Photography
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Holiday Nut Medley with Cranberries

A warm bowl of spiced mixed nuts is the perfect thing for your family to graze on in between meals during the holidays. Toss some nuts in the oven with chopped rosemary, thyme, brown sugar and a pinch of cayenne pepper for heat and this simple snack is ready to go. A final addition of dried cranberries keeps the theme festive and adds a sweet contrast.

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Photo: Matt Armendariz
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Christmas Tree Pesto Breadsticks

Spoonfuls of green pesto and some creative slicing and twisting transform a sheet of refrigerated pizza dough into a holiday pull apart “tree” for friends and family to nibble on. This recipe walks you through a chunky, homemade pesto sauce or you can save time by picking up a store-bought version. Pair it with warm marinara for dipping or serve it as is.

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Figs with Ricotta, Pistachio, and Honey

These figs with ricotta, pistachios and honey by Ellie Krieger are a simple yet elegant Christmas snack, offering a naturally sweet and creamy bite that's perfect for festive gatherings.

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Christmas Crudités

A healthy platter of chopped fresh vegetables never looked so festive. Carefully select red and green veggies and arrange them into a circle to give the platter a wreath-like look. Pair it with a bright, herby dip and you have a tasty snack that won’t ruin dinner.

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Photo: Tara Donne ©
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Rosemary Roasted Cashews

These warm rosemary roasted cashews from Ina Garten are the ultimate holiday snack, perfectly seasoned with a touch of heat and sweetness for a festive and incredibly easy treat.

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Photo: Matt Armendariz ©
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Snowman Cheese Ball

A cheese ball is a classic hors d'oeuvre that never disappoints. Plus, it couldn't be easier to dress one up for the holidays. With a few simple additions, like a carrot nose and black olive eyes, you can have a party-ready snowman in no time.

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Photo: Armando Rafael Moutela ©
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Holiday Roll Ups

Stuffed roll ups take just 10 minutes to prep (plus some chill time before serving). A mix of red and green bell peppers give this tasty snack a bit of holiday flair that tastes delicious with the ranch-flavored cream cheese filling. When your guests are getting a bit peckish, just slice and serve.

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Garlic-and-Herb Star Bread

If you’re familiar with making yeast breads, this gorgeous star-shaped loaf could make for a delicious and beautiful snack. Some quick knife work transforms the dough into a wintery shape that’s almost to pretty to eat. The inside is stuffed with a cheesy, chile-spiced mixture to give each pillowy bite a burst of flavor.

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Photo: Matt Armendariz ©
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Christmas Brownie Trees

A little green frosting and some well-placed candy canes give a simple pan of brownies a holiday makeover. Cutting the brownies into triangles gives them a tree shape while the candy acts as the “trunk”. Add whatever sprinkles you wish to decorate the trees or turn it into a fun activity for the whole family.

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White Chocolate Peppermint Popcorn

There’s nothing like munching on popcorn while watching your favorite Christmas movie. This sweet recipe mixes kettle corn with colorful sprinkles, crushed peppermint candies, and melted white chocolate.

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Photo: Matt Armendariz
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Pizza Candy Cane Crescent

Pizza snacks are a guaranteed hit any time of the year. This festive take gets bonus points for coming together quickly and easily (thanks to refigreated crescent dough) and looking just like a candy cane, trimmed with a pretty basil bow.

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Photo: Chantell Quernemoen
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Gingerbread Snack Mix

It wouldn’t be Christmas without a crispy cereal mix for some families. This one has crumbled gingerbread cookies and spices mixed in to amp up the holiday vibes plus a scoop of tahini to give each bite a richer, nutty flavor. Finish it off with chocolate candies and sprinkles for extra festivity.

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Pigs in a Wreath

Pigs in a blanket is a classic snack that’s a cinch to make. With some creative arranging, the dish can be shaped into a wreath for holiday snacking. Each delectable dog can be dipped in a cheesy mustard and sour cream dip.

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Photo: Brian David
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Holiday Pizza Dip (aka Roasted Cherry Tomato Dip) with Pizza Crackers

A combination of roasted cherry tomatoes and fresh green basil is what gives this cheesy dip its Christmas theme. Some help from the stand mixer whips the cheesy dip into a light and fluffy consistency. Pair it with easy crackers made from some store-bought pizza dough.

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Photo: Armando Rafael ©
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Simple Fig and Walnut Tart

A sheet of frozen, store-bought puff pastry can be transformed into a quick but impressive snack in no time at all. Caramelized onions, dried figs, chopped walnuts and a sprinkle of crumbled feta top this tart which can be cut into as many pieces as needed to serve your guests. The shell can be baked a day ahead and finished in the oven in just a few minutes when you’re ready to serve.

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Photo: Armando Rafael ©
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Baked Brie with Cranberry-Pecan-Bacon Crumble

No one can resist the call of a baked brie. A whole wheel bakes into a gooey, spreadable consistency in the oven in just thirty minutes. A simple topping of dried cranberries, rosemary, crispy bacon and candied nuts gives a nice flavor and texture contrast to the melted cheese.

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Christmas Tree Pizza

Refrigerated bread or pizza dough can be rolled into balls to create a quick and easy pull apart bread that’s perfect for serving a crowd. Arrange the balls into the shape of a Christmas tree (or any holiday shape of your choice) before topping it with Alfredo sauce, pesto, and cheese. A few halved cherry tomatoes, slices of pepperoni and green bell peppers act as the ornaments and garland for this fun snack.

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Reindeer Chow

Nothing goes together like a crunchy handful of sweet coated cereal mix and a piping mug of hot cocoa. Edible glitter and holiday-colored chocolate balls give the mix an extra fun twist that can be customized to your liking. Serve this snack in a communal bowl or package it for easy gifting.

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