better homes and gardens holiday appetizers

Soy Ginger Shishito Peppers on black platter with spoon and small cup of sauce

Credit: Antonis Achilleos

If your holiday appetizers are often an afterthought, start here for quick and easy bite-size delights that take less than a half-hour to prepare. Whether you prefer rich and gooey baked Brie or sweet and crunchy kettle corn, these holiday party recipes aim to please a crowd!

Pumpkin-Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

Credit: Carson Downing

This easy homemade hummus recipe is ready in just 15 minutes! A blend of pumpkin, roasted red peppers, and warm spices like chili powder make this our favorite fall twist on the classic dish. Serve the quick Thanksgiving appetizer with fresh veggies, crackers, and grilled pita bread!

Warm Brie with Fig and Pistachio Tapenade

Credit: Kritsada Panichgul

Baked Brie is a holiday favorite known for its melty, gooey goodness. Plus, all it takes to prep is a quick pop in the oven before topping with a dried fig and pistachio tapenade. Balance this easy party appetizer's sweet honey flavor with a sprinkle of sea salt.

Strawberry-Goat Cheese Bruschetta

Credit: Andy Lyons

Two to three minutes of broiling is all the cooking that's needed to get the strawberries caramelized and the goat cheese mouthwateringly melty. Top these Christmas party appetizers with fresh herbs and prepare for rave reviews.

Sweet Pea Spread

Credit: Blaine Moats

Freshen up classic bean dip by blending in a cup of frozen peas. The color makes this quick and easy appetizer perfect for your holiday gatherings (especially when served with wedges of red bell pepper).

Olive-Pepperoni Kabobs

Credit: Blaine Moats

Why serve appetizers on wooden skewers when fresh rosemary sprigs do the job with added holiday flavor? Simply peel off the sprigs along the branch (leaving a few at the top), then stack with pepperoni, Kalamata olives, and provolone for an easy appetizer that's even easier to devour.

Garlicky White Bean Dip

white bean dip

Credit: Blaine Moats

Provide holiday guests with a healthy snacking option by blending white beans with garlic cloves and olive oil. This skinny dip recipe is ready in a flash and pairs well with a variety of crudites.

Pumpkin Fall-afel

skillet with pita flatbread and pumpkin falafel patties

Credit: Jacob Fox

Put a seasonal twist on classic falafel! Adding pumpkin to the mix keeps this Thanksgiving appetizer recipe moist and tender. Serve the finished dish with Greek yogurt and fresh vegetables.

Two-Tomato Bruschetta

Two Tomato Bruschetta

Credit: Karla Conrad

Dried and roma tomatoes add holiday color to this easy homemade bruschetta recipe. Top the baguette slices with feta cheese for a Mediterranean twist on the classic.

Extra-Easy Spiced Kettle Corn

Credit: Jacob Fox

Using microwave popcorn as the base for this 15-minute Christmas appetizer recipe makes it extra easy to make, no doubt. But what makes it memorable is the unique spice mixture: a combo of sugar, salt, and garam masala!

Mini Everything Bagel Pizzas

Everything Bagel Pizza

Credit: Matthew Clark

These bagel shop-inspired snacks fit the bill when you're seeking easy Christmas appetizer finger foods. Since they start with refrigerated biscuit dough and require less than 10 minutes of cooking time, these are a wonderful option when guests are steps away.

Edamame and Ricotta Toasts

Credit: Andy Lyons

Frozen peas and sweet soybeans become a tasty toast topper when blended with bright lemon and garlic. Spread the mixture onto baguette slices along with creamy ricotta cheese for tempting Christmas party appetizers.

Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus

Credit: Blaine Moats

Five ingredients are all you need for an impressive (and delicious!) holiday starter. Simply wrap skillet-roasted asparagus spears with provolone and prosciutto, then drizzle with balsamic vinegar.

Skillet Vegetables on Cheese Toasts

Skillet Vegetables on Cheese Toast

Credit: Andy Lyons

To make this mouthwatering main dish into a Christmas cocktail party appetizer, swap the bread slices for thin cuts of baguette. Pile high with seasonal veggies, and add silky texture to the toothsome toasts with creamy goat cheese.

Chocolate Almond Butter Fruit Dip

Credit: Andy Lyons

Sweet! This nutty Greek yogurt dip requires zero cooking time and just 15 minutes of prep. Stick to red (strawberries, red pears, red apples) and green (kiwi, grapes, green pears, green apples) dunkers for a fit-for-Christmas look.

Goat Cheese Toasts

Credit: Blaine Moats

As if a velvety goat cheese-honey mixture weren't enough, we've stacked these toasts with juicy slices of grapefruit and salami for the ultimate blend of sweet and savory. And best of all, these easy appetizers are ready in 15 minutes.

Roasted-Pumpkin Guacamole

Roasted Pumpkin Guacamole

Credit: Reed Davis

Transition a traditional Mexican dip into the holidays with seasonal veggies. Chunky cubes of roasted pumpkin and a kick of red chile pepper dress up this colorful, 20-minute guacamole.

Savory Baked Pita Chips

Credit: Jason Donnelly

For your next crunchy craving, try baked pita chips. Not only are they a low-calorie snack, but they also take just 12 minutes to bake. Brush this make-ahead Christmas appetizer buffet addition with a garlic powder mixture or sweet cinnamon-sugar.

Blue Cheese Corn Bread Muffins

Blue Cheese Cornbread Muffins

Credit: Maryanne of The Little Epicurean

Give breadsticks the day off and add these corn bread muffins to your easy party appetizers list this year. Real corn kernels and crumbled blue cheese make the texture as noteworthy as the flavor.

Smoked Salmon Zucchini Bites

Credit: Karla Conrad

Flaky smoked salmon is the star of these quick holiday appetizers. Combine with cream cheese and wrap in zucchini strips for speedy, protein-packed bites.

Air-Fried Soy Ginger Shishito Peppers

Soy Ginger Shishito Peppers on black platter with spoon and small cup of sauce

Credit: Antonis Achilleos

It doesn't get easier (or more delicious!) than this easy Christmas appetizer. After a quick cook in the air fryer ($50, Target), toss fresh shishito peppers with a homemade soy-ginger sauce. The entire dish cooks in just 7 minutes!

Ginger Broil

Credit: Blaine Moats

Two minutes under the broiler and these sugar-coated grapefruit slices are ready to enjoy. Top with plain yogurt and a sprinkle of candied ginger.

Herbed Goat Cheese Spread

Credit: Marty Baldwin

Whipped cream and fresh herbs keep this goat cheese spread light and fluffy, while lemon, shallots, and garlic season the mixture. Serve this Christmas appetizer recipe with toasted baguette slices or crudites.

Ricotta, Gorgonzola, and Honey Spread

ricotta, gorgonzola, and honey spread

Credit: Blaine Moats

A drizzle of honey offsets the tartness of Gorgonzola in this easy-to-make spread. Top with walnuts, fresh apple slices, and thyme for a festive-looking, easy party appetizer.

Crab Guacamole

Crab Guacamole on red surface

Credit: Scott Little

Not only does crab make this avocado dip fit with the Christmas theme, but it also makes the dish feel splurge-worthy (rather than like an everyday snack). Try the fast appetizer recipe with tortilla chips or sliced veggies.

Rosemary Roasted Nuts

Credit: Jason Donnelly

These nuts are a triple threat—salty, spicy, and sweet—thanks to a blend of fresh rosemary, brown sugar, and cayenne pepper. Our make-ahead holiday appetizer recipe calls for pepitas, walnuts, and almonds, but prepare it with any nut you prefer.

Gorgonzola-Thyme Stuffed Olives

Gorgonzola-Thyme-Stuffed Olives

Credit: Jason Donnelly

No time? No problem. These party-ready snacks can be made up to a week in advance. Just fill whole pitted green olives with a thyme-Gorgonzola spread and spear with toothpicks.

Creamy Stuffed Peppers

Credit: Marty Baldwin

Your guests will love these low-calorie stuffed peppers. A spicy cream cheese spread packed with chipotle peppers, green onion, and tomato fills these top-rated quick holiday appetizers.

Chipotle Kettle Corn

Credit: Andy Lyons

Chipotle chile and sugar make this stove-top popcorn both spicy and sweet. For even faster prep, microwave two bags of kettle corn and toss with the spice mixture to complete the super-easy party appetizer.

Baked Mozzarella and Tomato-Basil Antipasti

Baked Mozzarella & Tomato-Basil Antipasti

Credit: Andy Lyons

Bring your holiday crowd together with a brimming bowl of gooey mozzarella cheese and your choice of favorite pasta sauce. With only 15 minutes of prep time, this rich spread for toasted baguette slices is simple to make and hard to resist.

Edamame-Lemongrass Hummus

Credit: Jason Donnelly

Sweet edamame take the place of chickpeas in our this blend-and-serve hummus recipe. Green onions, lemongrass, and fresh ginger add bright flavors to this smart party dip that pairs perfectly with your favorite crunchy vegetable dippers. This make-ahead Christmas appetizer can be prepared completely and stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours.

Avocado with Prosciutto

Credit: Mike Dieter

You can make the herby, lemony dressing for these elegant nibbles up to two days beforehand. When it's holiday party go-time, just wrap your avocado slices with prosciutto and lightly drizzle with dressing. Easy-peasy!

Cucumber Tea Sandwiches

Credit: Carson Downing

You'll need just 5 ingredients and 10 minutes to pull together this quick Christmas appetizer. Spread thin bread with garlicky cheese and top with fresh cucumber and radish. A sprinkle of fresh herbs finishes the dish.

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