Food & Cooking Recipes Holidays & Events Christmas Recipes Our Best and Brightest Christmas Appetizers By Rebecca Morris Rebecca Morris Rebecca is a freelance writer for MarthaStewart.com. Editorial Guidelines Updated on November 4, 2022 Trending Videos Photo: Aya Brackett Start your holiday meal with a few of these delicious Christmas appetizers. 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. 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 sate the appetite. Plus, they can 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 the right appetizers for the occasion—ones that feel extra special. Whether you want to prepare something quick and easy or take the whole day to master a new pastry technique, this gallery has delicious Christmas appetizer ideas for every type of host. 01 of 18 Tomato, Feta, and Red Pepper Cazuelas Frédéric Lagrange Inspired by the Spanish tradition of tapas, this app is easy to pull together and matches the Christmas color palette quite nicely. Pro tip: Purchase hothouse-grown tomatoes—they're the best off-season tomato option. View Recipe 02 of 18 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 03 of 18 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 04 of 18 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 05 of 18 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 06 of 18 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 07 of 18 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 08 of 18 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 09 of 18 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 10 of 18 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 11 of 18 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 12 of 18 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 13 of 18 Devils on Horseback 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 14 of 18 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 15 of 18 Crisp Spring Rolls With a filling made from ground chicken, pork, fish sauce, and dried mushrooms, these crunchy spring rolls pack a big umami presence and are a great way to start a big feast. View Recipe 16 of 18 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 17 of 18 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 18 of 18 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