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10 Appetizers and Small Bites for Your Holiday Party
The holiday season is officially upon us—which means you’re probably gearing up for Christmas shopping, holiday decorating and lots of festive gatherings! And whether you’re hosting or attending a festivity this season, one thing is certain: there’s bound to be lots of food for sharing.
From easy-to-make chilled appetizers to elegant finger foods and warm small bites, we’ve rounded up our favorite appetizer recipes that are sure to bring some holiday cheer to all who indulge. And be sure to check out our cocktail and appetizer pairing guide for tips on mixing and matching your small bites with boozy flavors.
Hungry for more? Explore our library of recipes for more delicious inspiration and ideas!
Classic Swiss Fondue With Crudité
Fondue is a fun appetizer that’s perfect for the holidays, and it can be made in a fondue pot (hint: this is a great gift for the holidays, too!) while guests gather around your table. A good, dry white wine works best with this recipe, elevating the flavors of the Gruyère and Emmentaler cheeses. Serve with apples, bread or veggies for dipping.
Blue Cheese Stuffed Dates Wrapped in Pancetta
For a treat that will impress every part of your guests’ palates, give this one a try.
The sweetness of the dates pairs nicely with the salty, savory blue cheese and it’s all wrapped in bacon—seriously, we want to be invited over to the house of whomever is serving this!
For a vegetarian option, omit the bacon.
Get the Blue Cheese Stuffed Dates Wrapped in Pancetta recipe
Salmon Rillettes
This French spread is an easy appetizer for a party and a perfect dish to bring to your next holiday gathering. This recipe calls for sous vide preparation of the salmon, which ensures even, precise cooking every time and can be made a day or two ahead of time. The crème fraîche adds an extra layer of richness to this dish, but you can sub with sour cream if desired.
Serve with crostini, veggies or crackers for an elegant yet simple pre-dinner snack.
Leek, Parmesan and Ham Quiche
Sure, quiches are usually reserved for breakfast, but this savory dish goes well with a wide variety of cocktails and wines and is a great appetizer to serve for any holiday gathering. The ham is complimented by the addition of leeks and parmesan cheese, making this an excellent option for a more satiating appetizer. Cut it into small, bite-sized squares for easy enjoyment.
Rosemary Beef Skewers with Chimichurri Dipping Sauce
For a delicious, snackable option that will have guests feeling satisfied, try these skewers drizzled in chimichurri.
The herbaceous sauce is a popular condiment in Argentina and pairs endlessly well with lemon and rosemary marinade on the meat. The best part? Once the meat is done marinating, it takes just a few short minutes on a grill or under a broiler for this lip smacking appetizer to come together.
Get the Rosemary Beef Skewers with Chimichurri Dipping Sauce recipe
Grilled Jalapeno Poppers
Sure, jalapeno poppers might be a throwback to the 90s, but we think they’re due for a resurgence in popularity.
This simple appetizer can be whipped up in a cast iron skillet or grill pan and is ideal for chilly nights when all you want is to feel warm from the inside out. Savory cream cheese, salty bacon and a touch of lime tie this together in one neat, delicious and enjoyably spicy package.
Crostini With Homemade Fig Jam And Gorgonzola
Sweet and salty flavors make this easy holiday recipe universally loved. It’s also simple to make and can be mostly prepped ahead of time—the recipe creates about a cup of jam, which can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. Serve on a festive platter to add a little extra holiday cheer to any tablescape.
Get the Crostini with Homemade Fig Jam and Gorgonzola recipe
Baked Brie en Croute with Jam
Guests will love this festive holiday appetizer, which boasts creamy, tangy Brie next to sweet, tart fruit flavors. The phyllo pastry adds great texture to the dish, creating a well-balanced appetizer that looks beautiful plated alongside crostini, crackers and other dipping favorites.
Mini Crab Cakes With Remoulade
The holidays mark the start of crab season, so it’s possible to find some delicious, fresh crab to incorporate into this recipe.
Indulge in this classic Christmas appetizer, which boasts Panko breadcrumbs and the delicious flavors of Dijon mustard, Old Bay seasoning, mayo and—the star of the dish—sweet and light crab. The remoulade elevates the flavor of this small bite, too, with salty and bold flavors like capers and horseradish.
Roasted Garlic Cashew Dip
This bright and festive vegan appetizer is super simple to make and easy to bring to any holiday gathering—it can easily be stored in the fridge and served at room temperature. The roasted garlic is the highlight of this dish, adding a sweet, mellow and slightly nutty note to complement the fresh herbs and cashews.
Serve with fresh crudites, crostini or grilled flatbread.
Hungry for more? Explore our library of recipes for more delicious inspiration and ideas!
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