In need of some Christmas hors d’oeuvre inspiration? Look no further than these best-ever recipes. With four- and five-star ratings across the board, these appetizers are the perfect crowd-pleasing bites to serve at your next holiday party or to graze on before the big meal. From our Cranberry & Goat Cheese Puff Pastry Wreath to our Whipped Feta with Beets, Pistachios & Honey, these festive recipes are sure to leave a lasting impression.
Cranberry & Goat Cheese Puff Pastry Wreath
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lindsey Lower
This cranberry and goat cheese puff pastry wreath is an easy Christmas appetizer that’s sure to impress. Despite its elegant look, it’s incredibly simple to make, with just a few ingredients and minimal prep time. Whether served as a centerpiece or passed around as bites, this wreath will bring holiday cheer to your next gathering!
Whipped Feta with Cranberries & Walnuts
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Melissa Gray, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
This festive whipped feta dip is the perfect appetizer for any gathering. If the feta seems too thick, add 1 teaspoon water at a time until loosened. Walnuts provide a nice crunchiness, but you could easily swap in another nut like pecans or pistachios. If you have leftover cranberry sauce, try a dollop in some yogurt or oatmeal for an easy breakfast.
Fig & Goat Cheese Puff Pastry Roll
Photographer: Jacob Fox, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Breanna Ghazali
Buttery puff pastry is a tasty shortcut ingredient that can be used in many delicious ways. Here we roll out a pastry sheet and cover it with fig jam and crumbled goat cheese, then roll it up into a log and bake it. The end result is a sweet-and-savory appetizer that looks and tastes impressive, especially considering it has only three ingredients.
Jam-Brie Puff Pastry Bites
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Amanda Hostein, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle.
These Jam-Brie Puff Pastry Bites may look fancy, but they couldn’t be easier to make. Using store-bought puff pastry and mini Brie bites saves time while delivering a delicious combo of flaky, buttery layers and gooey melted cheese. A dollop of fig preserves adds just the right touch of sweetness.
Whipped Feta with Beets, Pistachios & Honey
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Nicole Hopper, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong
This whipped feta is a delicious appetizer that comes together in only 15 minutes. Red beets and green pistachios provide some holiday flair, while a drizzle of honey contributes a sweet note to the savory whipped feta spread. A pinch of Aleppo pepper adds a touch of heat and mild fruitiness that enhances the dish. If you don’t have Aleppo pepper, you can use a mix of sweet paprika and a touch of cayenne or crushed red pepper for a similar flavor profile. Serve with your favorite crackers or veggies.
3-Ingredient Guava & Cream Cheese Bites
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lindsey Lower.
These buttery, flaky puff pastry bites draw inspiration from pastelillos, a Puerto Rican pastry. We fill these bites with guava paste and cream cheese for a bite-size appetizer that couldn’t be easier to make. Using frozen puff pastry keeps prep simple while ensuring light, golden layers that bake up beautifully in the oven. These three-ingredient sweet-and-savory bites are ideal for holiday gatherings.
Puff Pastry Cheese Straws
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf.
Crispy, golden and cheesy, these puff pastry cheese straws with garlic and Parmesan are the perfect holiday party appetizer. They’re easy to prepare ahead, making them ideal for entertaining. Serve warm or at room temperature—they’ll be the most popular three-ingredient appetizer at your gathering.
Goat Cheese–Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Dates
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
These bacon-wrapped dates are stuffed with creamy goat cheese for the perfect salty-sweet appetizer bite. Deglet Noor dates are smaller than Medjool dates and work best. Center-cut bacon is leaner, and you can secure the bacon with a wooden pick before baking if needed.
French Onion–Stuffed Mushroom Bites
Photographer: Brittney Cottrell, Food stylist: Isabelle Easter, Prop Stylist: Keoshia McGhee.
Inspired by classic French onion soup, these stuffed mushrooms pack caramelized onions, melted Gruyère and a hint of sherry vinegar into a bite-size appetizer. A quick broil creates a golden, bubbly finish. Garnish with fresh thyme for a warm, crowd-pleasing starter.
Spinach & Feta Puff Pastry Rolls
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Craig Ruff, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser
These spinach-and-feta puff pastry rolls are an easy appetizer with minimal prep. Spinach and feta are wrapped in store-bought puff pastry and baked in a mini muffin tin for perfectly portioned bites—ideal for parties or potlucks.
Feta & Cherry-Tomato Appetizer Board
Photographer: Kyle Carpenter, Food: Giovanna Vazquez, Props: Keoshia McGhee
This no-cook appetizer uses simple ingredients like feta and cherry tomatoes arranged in a fun checkerboard pattern. Serve with toothpicks or baguette slices for an easy, impressive holiday snack.
Whipped Feta Honey Toast
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling
This whipped feta toast gets a drizzle of honey and herbs. It takes only 10 minutes and has a light, airy texture when made in a food processor, though hand-mixing works too.
Zucchini with Pesto & Burrata
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Julia Levy, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Broiled zucchini slices topped with creamy burrata make a quick and easy appetizer. Swap burrata for mozzarella if desired. Refrigerated pesto offers the freshest shortcut flavor.
The Best Avocado Deviled Eggs
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
These avocado deviled eggs get extra creaminess from mashed avocado and brightness from lime juice. Add bacon for a savory boost and top with pickled red onions for extra zing.
Pear & Goat Cheese Upside-Down Puff Pastries
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Amanda Holstein, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
These easy tarts feature fig jam, goat cheese and juicy pears baked in flaky puff pastry. They’re quick to assemble, elegant and perfect for holiday entertaining.
