50 Best Christmas Appetizers to Kick Off the Holiday Season

Turn a meat and cheese plate into a festive wreath! All you need are some mini mozzarella balls, mixed olives, deli meats, and basil to bring it to life.

Get the Christmas Charcuterie Board recipe.

SHOP SERVING BOARDS

During Christmastime, candy and white chocolate before dinner is totally acceptable—especially when it comes to this Christmas snack mix. Put out a big bowl to greet your guests or pack it up to bring to a holiday potluck—your kids will thank you!

Get Ree's Christmas Chex Mix recipe.

Instead of making a big cheese ball, make these personal-sized balls instead. They're easy to serve and so dang cute!

Get Ree's Festive Goat Cheese Balls recipe.

How adorable are these tiny Christmas tree-inspired deviled eggs? They get their green color from pickle relish and fresh herbs, and they even have mini "ornaments" made from diced bell peppers.

Get the Christmas Deviled Eggs recipe.

Give your classic dinner roll a holiday upgrade with this cheesy, garlicky pull-apart bread. It's great for dipping in a side of marinara sauce.

Get the Pull-Apart Garlic Bread recipe.

SHOP LOAF PANS

Make this creamy herb dip to serve alongside an array of red and green veggies. The red and green colors will get everyone in the spirit!

Get Ree's Christmas Crudités recipe.

If you've never heard of a tapenade before, it's basically just a salty spread made from chopped olives, capers and anchovies. You can add it to a charcuterie board or serve it on crostini with creamy goat cheese.

Get the Olive Tapenade recipe.

Once you start popping these crispy chicken bites into your mouth, you won't be able to stop! Serve them up with ranch, buffalo sauce, or honey mustard for dipping.

Get the Popcorn Chicken recipe.

If you're looking for a heartier appetizer that'll please both kids and adults alike, look no further than ham and cheese sliders! They're warm, toasty, and great for a crowd.

Get the Ham and Cheese Sliders recipe.

These crispy rice balls are stuffed with melty cheese. You'll want to serve them warm so you get that epic cheese pull!

Get the Arancini recipe.

SHOP SERVING PLATTERS

If there are two ingredients that make our heart sing it would have to be bacon and ranch! So when combined in this festive cheese ball, it's like a beautiful Christmas concerto.

Get Ree's Bacon-Ranch Cheese Ball recipe.

These smoky cheese-stuffed dates are a fun twist on a classic appetizer. We added jalapeño slices and a touch of honey for that sweet and spicy flavor.

Get the Bacon-Wrapped Dates recipe.

Ree's twist on mini hot dogs is super-easy thanks to store-bought crescent roll dough. Plus, it's just another excuse to make an appetizer in the shape of a wreath!

Get Ree's Pull-Apart Pigs in a Blanket recipe.

Give homemade hummus a pop of color and tangy flavor by adding a jar of roasted red peppers. Serve it up with pita wedges, crackers, and mixed olives for a festive mezze platter.

Get the Roasted Red Pepper Hummus recipe.

Skip the lines at the airports and make an appetizer inspired by a warm-weather vacation! These crispy shrimp are coated in toasted coconut and served with a sweet and sticky Thai chili sauce.

Get the Coconut Shrimp recipe.

SHOP TOOTHPICKS

Christmastime is full of hearty roasts and decadent desserts so you might want to keep your appetizers light with a seasonal salad. This one showcases raw Brussels and sweet-tart cranberries.

Get the Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad recipe.

Patience is the key to getting the most flavorful, golden caramelized onions. But don't worry—you can make the whole dip in advance and stash it in the fridge.

Get the Caramelized Onion Dip recipe.

Each one of these baby bella mushrooms is stuffed with lump crabmeat, cheese, and diced pimentos. Then, they're topped with breadcrumbs and butter for a crispy finish.

Get the Crab Stuffed Mushrooms recipe.

Start your holiday dinner off with something cozy, like this hearty Italian soup. It has couscous, greens, and tender meatballs.

Get the Italian Wedding Soup recipe.

This dip is literally "whipped" up in 5 minutes flat! Add a drizzle of honey for a sweet and salty starter that everyone will love.

Get the Whipped Feta Dip recipe.

SHOP DIP BOWLS