Our BEST Holiday Appetizers!
We are fully immersed in the holiday season, which means fun dinners, get-togethers, parties, and so much delicious food! With all the fun holidays approaching comes so many different ways to celebrate.Â
Whether you plan to enjoy Thanksgiving traditions, celebrate Hanukkah, partake in a cookie exchange or pot luck, go all out for Christmas, or invite a ton of friends over for a New Year’s party, I hope you have something fun to look forward to! And if you do have one or several events coming up and know you’ll need to prepare some delicious dishes to share, I’m here to help.
Here are eighteen of my favorite recipes that are perfect appetizers for any holiday celebration.
Holiday Grazing Board
This classic grazing board is perfect for feeding any large group of people and setting up at a party as a centerpiece and a delicious appetizer option. Feel free to make alterations and substitutions to this recipe – make it your own! Remember that there is no right or wrong way to set up your board… enjoy the uniqueness of every board and make use of any seasonal treasures at your local store.Â
Autumn Veggie DipÂ
Is a party complete without a delicious dip? This one is not only tasty but also super creative and great for the season! Plus, it’s dairy-free, so your lactose intolerant guests, or those just staying away from dairy for whatever reason, don’t have to feel left out.Â
Bacon-Wrapped Cheese Stuffed Dates
These bacon-wrapped cheese stuffed dates are a crowd favorite here at CFC! The salty and sweet combination is perfectly balanced, and the flavors mix so well. And, making the dates won’t take up valuable prep time because the recipe is so simple and easy to do!Â
Roasted Cauli N’ Cheese
This creamy and delicious comfort food with WAY fewer carbohydrates than traditional cheesy Mac and is surprisingly simple to make! Double the recipe and either serve it as a decadent appetizer or a side for any fun holiday meal.Â
Creamy Apple + Pear Salad
Salads aren’t easy finger foods, but they can be a delicious and unique appetizer. Whether you’re sitting around the table waiting for the main course or mingling around the house, this salad can be a great addition to the event. It’s delicious and filled with complimentary sweet and savory flavors combined with creamy and crunchy textures!
Peanut Butter Apple Pie BarsÂ
If you’re more of a sweet appetizer person, then you’ll definitely want to try this peanut butter apple pie recipe. Seasonally appropriate, delicious, simple to make, and easily transportable, these are great for all occasions!Â
Cranberry Crumble BarsÂ
These cranberry crumble bars make the perfect wintertime appetizer, breakfast, dessert, or snack idea! Your guests are going to LOVE these. As a bonus, cranberries offer a considerable range of health benefits and are a great source of many vitamins and antioxidants.
Green Bean and Bacon Bundles
Another super fun idea for the holiday celebrations! Anything is better with bacon, in my opinion, but green beans are some of my favorite vegetables as is. They are high in vitamin K and contain a decent amount of calcium and other vital nutrients.Â
Hummus Cucumber Roll-Ups
Who says food can’t be cute? These hummus cucumber roll-ups are so fun and quick to prepare! They make a great addition to entertaining and feeding guests.
7 Layer Fresh Fruit Salad
Bright and beautiful, every party is made better with a big bowl of delicious fresh fruit! It’s sure to satisfy your sweet tooth and impress your friends. Also, this Salad tastes better after spending a few hours in the fridge, so not only is it BEAUTIFUL, but it’s super convenient to serve guests.
Spiced Roasted Pumpkin
A classic fall and winter ingredient is the highly versatile pumpkin. It’s loaded with vitamins and minerals and a ton of health benefits while also being delicious. This is just one example of a fantastic pumpkin appetizer to serve your guests!
PB Applesauce Mini Muffins
I LOVE muffins, and these peanut butter applesauce mini muffins are some of my favorites. They’re great for a quick breakfast or snack but can also be a fun appetizer. Set them out on a serving platter, and I bet they’ll be gone in no time!Â
Baked Smoky Potato Wedges + Limey Avo Mash
Not quite fries but just as good, these baked smoky potato wedges are my clean eating version of the classic finger food. They’re absolutely fabulous, and paired with the limey avocado mash dip; your guests will love them!
Bacon-Wrapped Pepper Poppers
Obviously, I really love wrapping things in bacon! It’s just too good, and what better time to enjoy treats and indulgences than the holiday season? If you have a larger crowd to serve, you might want to double this recipe because they will be popular.Â
Avocado Hummus
Hummus never lasts long in my house, and I rarely throw a party without serving some! This recipe is quick, easy, and crazy delicious. You can serve it with chips or chopped veggie sticks.
Tuna Cucumber Party Bites
Bite-size snacks and finger foods are great for convenient appetizers. These tuna cucumber bites are super unique, easy to make, and a total crowd pleaser! Feel free to experiment by substituting the tuna with shredded chicken or flaked salmon or whatever is your favorite way to enjoy the party bites!Â
Loaded Sweet Potato Rounds
Another perfect finger food for holiday entertaining! Light, satisfying, and packed full of high-quality nutrition, these sweet potato rounds will be the talk of the party.
Oven-Fried Zucchini Fingers
These zucchini sticks are so full of flavor and satisfying – making for a healthy snack that your guests will actually want to eat. And did you know that zucchini is a powerhouse of essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants? It’s high in fiber, low in calories, and an all-around great food for snacking!
Mini Caprese Skewers
Look no further for fun and delicious little skewers to take to your next get-together. These are super easy to make, so you can put a ton together if you’re entertaining several people. Feel free to mix and match with the ingredients for variety!
Festive Cucumber Bites
Honestly, these are ADORABLE finger food to serve at your next party. Besides being simple, they’re quite tasty with a perfect blend of seasonings and herbs. You can even have the kids join you in the kitchen to make these – they’ll have a great time!
It is officially the season of parties and celebrations and big dinners approaching, and I couldn’t be more excited! I’m already thinking about what to serve at our next fun event, and I’m sure I’m not the only one. That’s why I put together this list because chances are, you’ll need to prepare some finger foods and appetizers for other people, too.Â
Pick your favorite recipes and prepare to wow your friends and family. Let me know in the comments which appetizer is most popular in your house and what fun celebrations you have planned! Remember, you can enjoy delicious food this season while still making healthy decisions.
Happy holidays, CRUSHers and enjoy the festivities!