Easy Holiday Appetizers

The holidays are a time for friends, family, and feasting. If you’re hosting a holiday gathering, you’ll want to have a spread of festive and tasty appetizers to keep your guests satisfied. But what if you’re not a master chef? Never fear – there are plenty of easy holiday appetizers that even the most kitchen-challenged host can make.

Whether you’re heading to a holiday party this week or are looking for some fun recipes for Christmas Eve like we are, these holiday appetizers for parties will hit the spot.

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We have a family tradition that started when my husband was a kid, and we’ve continued it with our own children. All day on December 24th, we spend the day cooking and enjoying appetizers and desserts (instead of a planned meal).

Each family member gets to pick a new recipe to try. Plus, we include our usual favorites (my kids love pigs-in-a-blanket). We have a very relaxed day of playing board games and watching movies. These easy holiday appetizers and finger foods make it really fun!

Are these holiday appetizer recipes?

While these holiday appetizers often are served at Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings, they’re good any time of year! Many people enjoy making homemade appetizers to watch football as a family or just as a special treat.

We do have a roundup of Christmas appetizers that are red and green or shaped like Christmas icons. And if you’re looking for super easy recipes, here are our 3-ingredient appetizer recipes.

Appetizer dips

Dips are always a favorite appetizer! They’re easy to serve with vegetables like carrots, celery, bell peppers and cucumbers. Or you could offer crackers, pretzels, or breadsticks for dipping.

Whether you’re looking for Cold Dips For Parties or prefer warm ones like Hot Cheese Dip with Bacon and Baked Artichoke Spinach Dip, there are so many easy appetizer dip recipes.

If you’re looking to accommodate food allergies, try our 50+ Dairy Free Dips. Most dips are naturally gluten-free, so you can offer gluten free crackers or a nice variety of vegetables.

Appetizer pinwheels

We are huge fans of pinwheel appetizers. They’re easy to make ahead of time, and you can make so many different kinds. Change up the flavor and color of the tortilla, add different spice mixes to the softened cream cheese, and then use whatever meats, cheese or vegetables you prefer.

Ready-made appetizers

If you really want to keep things simple for your holiday party, consider buying appetizers from your local grocery store or a favorite independent restaurant. It’s not the cheapest option, of course, but you’re paying for the convenience of having it done for you.

A compromise would be buying frozen appetizers. That will cost less than ordering from a restaurant, but you’ll save time over making your own.

Keep it simple for yourself

Besides sticking with easy appetizer recipes, there are more things you can do during holiday party season. Here are some simple tips you can follow to make prep and cleanup a breeze.

For example, holiday finger foods are always a hit. By sticking to bite-sized foods that can be easily eaten with your hands, you’ll save yourself the hassle of having to provide forks and plates.

Set up a self-serve buffet so your guests can help themselves to food and drinks. This will minimize the amount of time you spend running back and forth from the kitchen. You want to enjoy the party, too!

When it comes time to clean up, simply toss any paper plates and napkins in the trash.