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Home » Snack Recipes

25 Christmas Appetizers That’ll Be Gone Before You Can Say “Figgy Pudding”

Published: Jul 25, 2025 by Marye

A collage of holiday appetizers with title text overlay for Pinterest

There are two kinds of people at holiday parties: the ones who bring Christmas appetizers that look like they belong in a magazine—and the ones who inhale the entire tray of sausage balls before Grandma finishes grace. Whichever one you are (no judgment here), this roundup has you covered.

Collage of Christmas appetizers with title text overlay.

From easy make-ahead bites to last-minute life-savers you can throw together while the doorbell’s ringing, these festive finger foods are packed with flavor, charm, and just enough holiday chaos to keep things interesting. Whether you're feeding the neighborhood, your in-laws, or just yourself in a sparkly sweater with a cocktail in hand, these appetizers are here to sleigh.

Cranberry jalapeno tortilla rollups

Overhead view of Christmas cranberry pinwheel appetizers for feature image.

Sweet, spicy, and dangerously addictive—these easy Christmas appetizers are basically edible holiday spirit. The tortilla pinwheels look fancy, but take less effort than pretending you like Secret Santa.


Hot ham and cheese sliders

Baked ham and muenster sliders being removed from the baking sheet.

So gooey, golden, and scandalously good they should come with a warning label. That buttery poppyseed glaze? Basically holiday magic in liquid form.


Chicken and waffle skewers with spicy maple syrup butter

Chicken and waffle skewers dipped in buttery maple chipotle sauce.

Sweet, savory, and just spicy enough to make your aunt raise an eyebrow. These are holiday brunch on a stick with main character energy.


Ham and cheddar cups

Overhead view of cheddar ham cups on a cutting board.

Little bites of smoky, cheesy heaven that taste like you actually planned ahead. (We won’t tell anyone you made holiday appetizers from leftovers.)


Pimento cheese sausage balls

Overhead view of pimento cheese sausage balls appetizer with jalapeno ranch dip.

Southern charm rolled up and baked to perfection. These cheesy, little bites disappear faster than Uncle Joe after dish duty.


Sausage balls with cream cheese

A closeup of the finished recipe.

Soft, creamy, and just spicy enough to cause holiday drama. These are the introvert cousin of the original sausage ball—quiet, comforting, and surprisingly intense.


Old fashioned cheese dreams

An overhead view of a pan of baked cheese dreams with a golden brown crust.

Retro, crispy, and smothered in melty cheddar. These cheesy bites taste like Christmas at Grandma’s... without the red Jello mold.


Southern cheese straws

Overhead view of cheese straws cooling on a wire rack.

Delicate, buttery, and cheesier than a dad joke. A Southern classic that doubles as a personality test: too many on your plate? You’re one of us.


Crispy fried pimento cheese bites

Closeup of pimento cheese balls for feature image.

Crispy on the outside, molten cheese sin on the inside. If deep-fried Southern charm had a baby with a cheese plate, this would be it.


Pineapple cheese ball

Pineapple cheese ball covered in pecans with a serving knife.

Tangy, sweet, and coated in crunchy pecans—this retro stunner brings major “hostess with the mostest” energy to your appetizer spread.


Cranberry sauce meatballs

Cranberry sauce meatballs in an iron skillet.

Sticky, sweet, and secretly easy. These are the meatballs your guests will chase with toothpicks like they’re playing holiday whack-a-mole.


Crescent roll pigs in a blanket

Close up of hot dogs wrapped in golden brown puff pastry.

Tiny hot dogs wrapped in golden dough and baked until irresistible. Yes, they're basic. Yes, everyone fights over them anyway.


Cranberry jalapeno dip

Overhead view of creamy cranberry jalapeno dip on a snack board.

Sweet and spicy with a creamy twist—this dip is what happens when festive and feisty go to the same party and bring chips.


Baked brie with apples & bacon

Overhead view of brie appetizer showing appetizer on tray.

Warm, melty brie wrapped in golden pastry, stuffed with sweet apples and crispy bacon—this is the appetizer equivalent of showing up in a cashmere sweater and stilettos. It’s rich, a little extra, and totally worth the hype.


More Christmas appetizers from my favorite bloggers

Because no one wants to run out of snacks during a holiday gathering, I’ve rounded up a few extra bites from bloggers I love. These recipes are delicious, festive, and guaranteed to keep your guests hovering around the appetizer table.

  1. Brown sugar baked brie from Bowl Me Over - Molten brie, brown sugar, and pecans—basically dessert disguised as an appetizer. It’s classy, melty, and just sweet enough to distract people from your overcooked turkey.
  2. Peanut butter celery reindeer sticks from Crayons and Cravings - Festive, kid-friendly, and adorable enough to make you forget they’re healthy(ish). These little guys are Rudolph-approved and chaos-proof.
  3. Christmas tree cheese ball from Princess Pinky Girl - Shaped like a tree, packed with cheese, and covered in herbs—aka the only tree your guests will actually be excited about decorating.
  4. Bacon wrapped smokies from Spaceships and Laserbeams - Sweet, smoky, and wrapped in bacon. If you’re not making a double batch, you’re just setting yourself up for disappointment.
  5. Bourbon pecan brie bites from Grits and Pinecones - Boozy, buttery, and bougie in all the best ways. It’s like your favorite aunt after a couple cocktails—warm, rich, and slightly dangerous.
  6. Louisiana hot crab dip from Bowl Me Over - Creamy, spicy, and just the right kind of fancy. This one brings that “I’m from the Gulf Coast and I know what I’m doing” energy.
  7. Italian pinwheels from All Our Way - Cheesy, meaty, and rolled tight. Basically the party version of your favorite sub sandwich in Spanx.
  8. Christmas tree pull-apart bread from I Heart Naptime - Fluffy, garlicky, and shaped like a tree—what more could you want? Oh right, melty cheese inside. Done.
  9. Antipasto Christmas wreath from Mom on Timeout - All the best parts of a charcuterie board, but shaped like a wreath and way less commitment. Bonus: no one will know you bought everything pre-sliced.
  10. Honey butter Old Bay shrimp from Bowl Me Over - Sweet, spicy, and totally finger-lickable. These shrimp bring the coastal cottage vibe to your holidays.
  11. Cream cheese pepper jelly dip from Butter Your Biscuit - Classic, foolproof, and gone in 60 seconds. If you know, you know—and if you don’t, bless your heart and fix that now.

Whether you're hosting a full-blown holiday shindig or just showing up with something fabulous so your co-worker doesn't talk smack, these Christmas appetizers will keep your snack game strong and your stress level low. From melty cheese to crispy sausage balls, there’s something here for every kind of hungry elf in your life.

Tried one of these? Got a party trick of your own? Leave a comment below and tell me what’s on your holiday appetizer tray this year—or tag me on Instagram @marye_restlesschipotle so I can swoon over your snack board like it’s Santa in uniform.

Now go pour a drink and start preheating that oven. You've got appetizers to conquer. 🎄

More Appetizers and Snacks

  • Overhead view of cheddar ham cups on a cutting board.
    Cheddar Ham Cups
  • Chicken and waffle skewers dipped in buttery maple chipotle sauce.
    Chicken and Waffle Skewers
  • Baked ham and muenster sliders being removed from the baking sheet.
    Ham and Muenster Cheese Sliders
  • Overhead view of pimento cheese sausage balls appetizer with jalapeno ranch dip.
    Pimento Cheese Sausage Balls

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About Marye

Meet Marye Audet, a wizard in the kitchen and a storyteller at heart. Marye is like your eccentric but fun aunt who knows all the secret recipes and isn't afraid to spill them.

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  1. Nicol Huff says

    July 25, 2025 at 9:29 pm

    My mouth is watering everytime I read your blog. I would love to go to the party that served all these snacks. What a Merry Christmas that would be. I bet Christmas is festive at your house!

    Reply
  2. Sherri Rochester says

    July 25, 2025 at 8:39 pm

    I think that the cream cheese sausage balls are the top appetizer for me. Hot n spicy sausage, cream cheese, sharp cheddar cheese. Pick and choose an addition (I choose minced chives) and you have a party in your mouth!

    I will eat and enjoy any of them, so please bring one of them to the part. I will be waiting for your arrival!

    Reply
  3. Rita Joy says

    July 25, 2025 at 6:14 pm

    Marye, I just love all these appetizer recipes that will be PERFECT for parties! I always struggle to know what to take when the host says, "just bring an appetizer!" I'll be remembering to refer back to this great list when I'm stumped for ideas. So many great ideas, but I think the one I'll try first is the retro pineapple cheese ball. It looks easy and make ahead friendly, too!

    Reply
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Marye Audet-White, founder of Restless Chipotle Media

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NY Times bestselling author. 10 cookbooks. Mom of 8 kids. Homeschooling mom for 22 years. Addicted to Hallmark Christmas Movies. Collector of old cookbooks.

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