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Home Round-Ups

15 Holiday Appetizers That Always Go First

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By: Diana Published on December 13, 2025

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Collage of holiday appetizers including a festive cheese and charcuterie wreath, mini quiche cups, a layered Christmas tree cheese dip with crackers, and glazed cocktail meatballs on toothpicks

I always think I made too many appetizers. I never do.

These are the holiday appetizers I make every year because they work. They are easy to prep, great for feeding a crowd, and the kind of food people keep going back to until the plates are empty.



If you are hosting a holiday party or building an appetizer spread for Christmas Eve, start here! And if you are also baking for Christmas cookie boxes, I keep all of those recipes together in my Christmas cookies collection, so it is easy to plan baking ahead.

1
Grapejelly meatballs served on a plate as an appetizer
Big Flavor Grape Jelly Meatballs
Tender meatballs slow cooked in a sweet and tangy sauce that everyone secretly loves. Set them out with toothpicks and expect them to disappear fast.
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2
Slow Cooker Little Smokies
Mini sausages simmered until glossy and flavorful and kept warm right in the crockpot. One of the easiest appetizers you can make for a party.
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3
Christmas tree shaped cheese ball with Ritz crackers around it
Christmas Tree Cheese Ball
A creamy cheese ball shaped like a tree and coated with herbs and crunchy toppings. It looks festive on the table and pairs perfectly with crackers.
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4
Christmas Wreath Charcuterie Board
Cheese, meats, fruit, and snacks arranged into a wreath shape that instantly dresses up your appetizer table. Simple ingredients with big visual impact.
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5
a green ceramic plate holding stacked mini quiches filled with veggies.
Mini Quiche Bites
Bite size quiche baked in a muffin pan with a flaky crust and creamy filling. Easy to customize and perfect warm or at room temperature.
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6
Cranberry Brie Bites
Flaky puff pastry filled with melty brie and cranberry sauce in every bite. These look fancy but come together quickly in a mini muffin pan.
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7
a platter of spinach puffs, viewed from above.
Spinach Puffs
Crisp puff pastry filled with a creamy spinach and cheese mixture. A solid vegetarian option that feels just as special as the rest.
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8
Pigs in a blanket stacked on a white plate
Pigs in a Blanket
A classic party bite wrapped in flaky dough with extra flavor baked right in. Always a hit with both kids and adults.
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9
Sausage stuffed mushrooms served on a white plate
Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms
Juicy mushrooms filled with a savory sausage and cheese mixture, then baked until golden on top. Great make ahead option for holiday hosting.
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10
How to Make Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball served on a wooden board with crackers
Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball
A rich cheese ball loaded with bacon, cheddar, and ranch seasoning, rolled in a crunchy coating. This is the one people hover around all night.
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11
Baked brie in puff pastry served with crackers and thinly sliced apples
Baked Brie in Puff Pastry
A wheel of brie wrapped in golden puff pastry and baked until soft in the center. Slice into it and serve with crackers for an easy centerpiece appetizer.
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12
a bowl of creamy dip with cheese, bacon, green onions and almonds. A hand is dipping two ritz crackers into the bowl.
Million Dollar Dip
A creamy cold dip with plenty of texture and bold flavor that takes minutes to mix. Best served with buttery crackers and a big spoon.
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13
a platter of potato chips with a large bowl of homemade caramelized onion dip on the left side.
Smoky Caramelized Onion Dip
Slow cooked onions mixed into a creamy dip with deep savory flavor. This is the kind of dip people keep asking about.
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14
Dipping hot crab dip with a cracker
Cheesy Hot Crab Dip
Warm, creamy, and baked until bubbly with plenty of crab and cheese. Set it out hot with bread or vegetables for easy scooping.
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15
overhead view of a bowl of cranberry salsa, topped with sliced jalapenos, on a tray with ritz crackers and cilantro.
Cranberry Salsa
Bright, tangy, and fresh with a little heat, this salsa adds color and balance to a holiday spread. Serve it with crackers or tortilla chips.
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