Food & Cooking Recipes Holidays & Events Christmas Recipes 20 Christmas Appetizers for All Your Festive Celebrations Classics (like pigs in a blanket) meet new favorites (like shrimp and feta bake). By Rebecca Morris Rebecca Morris Rebecca is a freelance writer for MarthaStewart.com. Editorial Guidelines and Victoria Spencer Victoria Spencer Victoria Spencer is an experienced food editor, writer, and recipe developer. She manages the Martha Stewart recipe archive and is always curious about new ingredients and the best techniques. She has been working in food media for over 20 years. Editorial Guidelines Updated on November 28, 2023 Close Photo: Aya Brackett There's a long and storied tradition of welcoming dinner guests by way of a starter bite or two. Appetizers can also set the mood and be a real party-saver if the main meal is running a little behind schedule. Just remember this: During the holiday season, you'll want to choose appetizers that feel special enough for the occasion. Whether you want to prepare something quick and easy or take the whole day to master a new pastry technique, we have a delicious Christmas appetizer idea for every type of host. Some are rich and decadent, others are meaty classics, and some are just plain fun and delicious. Whichever route you choose, you're bound to delight your loved ones. 18 Best Hors d'Oeuvres and Appetizers for Entertaining 01 of 20 Potato Croquettes Grant Webster A beloved finger food, these crispy potato apps always disappear fast at parties. Serve them with a sauce for dipping. We like Herb Mayonnaise, Three-Ingredient Marinara, or Romesco Sauce. View Recipe 02 of 20 Three-Cheese Artichoke-and-Sun-Dried-Tomato Dip Lennart Weibull A hot cheese dip? Yes please! This sophisticated take blends cream cheese, Colby Jack, and Parmigiano-Reggiano, then adds chopped marinated artichoke hearts and sun-dried tomatoes before the dish finishes in the oven. View Recipe 03 of 20 Smoked Salmon-Radish Deviled Eggs Mike Krautter A luxurious take on that all-time favorite, the deviled egg, this extra-festive deviled egg has smoked salmon blended into the yolk. Little bits of peppery, fresh radish contrast with the richness of the silky salmon and egg. View Recipe 04 of 20 Shrimp Salad Canapés With Endive Anna Williams A bite-sized treat of shrimp paired with bitter endive on crackers. Swap the shrimp for crab if you like. View Recipe 05 of 20 Egg-and-Caviar Dip Marcus Nilsson Eggs, meet eggs. A mixture of hard-cooked eggs, crème fraîche, and minced chives is topped with a colorful layer of trout roe for a salty, surprising pop. With cocktails or Champagne, this upscale appetizer is sure to be a hit. View Recipe 06 of 20 Salmon-and-Mashed-Potato Croquettes Lennart Weibull Crispy and golden brown, these croquettes have a coating of panko breadcrumbs around a filling of fluffy mashed potatoes and salmon. You can use tinned salmon or smoked, but either way, they're the perfect bite for a holiday celebration. View Recipe 07 of 20 Three-Cheese Gougères Johnny Miller These delicate, savory French cheese puffs never fail to impress. They strike that perfect balance between indulgent, but not too filling. View Recipe 08 of 20 Pull-Apart Pigs in a Blanket Kirsten Francis A staple at cocktail parties and get-togethers from the past, this retro favorite will never go out of style. Our pull-apart version takes it to the next level. View Recipe 09 of 20 Rosemary Roasted Nuts Coated with a sweet-savory mixture of rosemary and brown sugar, these party nuts are the crunchy and delicious snack you've been looking forward to all year. View Recipe 10 of 20 Savory Crepe Rollups Lennart Weibull A fun way to incorporate the Christmas colors of red and green into your spread is to roll them up in these savory one-bite appetizers. Tender crepes make a great wrapper and can be made a day or two ahead and refrigerated until you're ready to roll. View Recipe 11 of 20 Baked Brie With Boozy Fruit Aya Brackett It would be unthinkable to leave a brie-en-croute off of a "best-of" appetizer list. This version includes a side of port-spiked fruit compote to balance out the bites of rich gooey cheese and flaky puff pastry. View Recipe 12 of 20 Bette's Chicken-Liver Pâté With Sautéed Maple Syrup Apples A French classic with a seasonal spin, this chicken liver pâté is a classy spread to serve alongside some crostini. The maple-glazed apples included in the recipe are a sweet accompaniment to the rich and velvety spread. View Recipe 13 of 20 Herby Shrimp-and-Feta Bake Johnny Miller A departure from the same-old shrimp cocktail, this Mediterranean-inspired appetizer features the plump, tender shrimp and briny feta practically swimming in an aromatic sea of olive oil. In case it wasn't already clear, serving this dish with crusty bread for dipping is a must! View Recipe 14 of 20 Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Bread Bryan Gardner Go all out with this homemade pull-apart bread that is shaped like a Christmas tree, and decorate it with edible baubles like rosemary, mini mozzarella balls, and tiny chile peppers. View Recipe 15 of 20 Goat-Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms José Manuel Picayo Rivera These cheesy stuffed mushrooms are as delicious as they are easy to make; they come together in just three steps. The creamy filling can get blitzed in a food processor. View Recipe 16 of 20 Devils on Horseback Rachel Marek Here's another retro appetizer that has stood the test of time—and that's because it is one of the simplest bites you could make and has the most going on in terms of texture and flavor. Sweet dates are stuffed with blue cheese and encased in smoky bacon. It's no surprise that we can't get enough. View Recipe 17 of 20 Warm Robiola Cheese With Pine Nuts, Olives, and Golden Raisins If time, willpower, or dietary restrictions won't allow for an en-croute cheese appetizer, give this recipe a try, instead. The mild soft-ripened robiola quickly melts into a dippable delight and is topped off with a festive looking sweet-and-sour relish. View Recipe 18 of 20 Hot Crab Dip A gold standard in the repertoire of many home cooks, this rendition balances out the naturally rich and creamy crab dip with bold seasonings like dry mustard powder, Worcestershire, and lemon juice. View Recipe 19 of 20 Harissa, Goat Cheese, and Herb Tart Bryan Gardner Store-bought puff pastry makes this appetizer quick and easy to make, while toppings of spicy harissa and creamy goat cheese make it special enough to serve for a classier occasion. View Recipe 20 of 20 Beef and Asparagus Negimaki These bite-size bundles are made by wrapping thin slices of beef tenderloin around blanched asparagus. They are then grilled and basted with a sweetened soy sauce. View Recipe Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit