15 Easy Appetizers Perfect for the Holidays
Nicole Austin
I’m always looking for a way to save some time without making other sacrifices, and one of the big hurdles I face during the holiday season is meal prep.
Whether it’s appetizers, entrees, or desserts, I want to provide a flavorful experience while saving time for everything else happening.
Sometimes it feels like we're so busy trying to make everything so special that we forget to save time for what's truly special - time with those we love.
I know I am a better mother when I allow myself room to breathe and relax so I can be my best self, and stop trying to outshine everyone else!
That's one reason why I am huge fan of making a spread of appetizers to snack on throughout the day or as a meal itself. It's simple and delicious.
Whether you're hosting a party, planning a formal meal or looking to keep things super relaxed, these easy appetizers are perfect for the holidays.
1. Cherry Goat Cheese Crostini with Thyme Recipe
A sophisticated yet simple crostini that will delight, this cherry goat cheese crostini recipe boasts an epic flavor combination of creamy goat cheese, sweet and tart cherries, thyme and almonds for the perfection balance of flavor and texture. Add a drizzle of honey and balsamic vinegar and this sweet, tangy combo makes an appetizer that is guaranteed to be unlike any other.
2. Smoked Salmon Avocado Cream Cheese Pastries Recipe
This is one of those somewhat magical, easy appetizers will seem like you spent hours in the kitchen when in reality you can have whip together these smoked salmon avocado cream cheese pastries in just minutes. I love cream cheese paired with smoked salmon, and this recipe adds new dimension with avocado, garlic, dill, chives, and capers. So good!
3. Harissa Goat Cheese Deviled Eggs Recipe
I love deviled eggs as the ultimate go-to of easy appetizers, but let’s be serious - they become a little bit too expected and over played sometimes. This harissa goat cheese deviled eggs recipe will liven things up by bringing creamy goat cheese and and rich harissa sauce into the mix, making your deviled eggs come to life in a whole new way. As easy to make as the original but special enough for the holidays, you will love this recipe!
4. Garlic Butter Baked Mushrooms Recipe
I love mushrooms! They just taste so good with anything. Sautéed with other veggies or any meat, stuffed and baked, or standing alone with other awesome flavors such as with our beloved garlic butter baked mushrooms recipe. These garlic butter mushrooms fit the bill for a perfect appetizer, since they can be eaten alone, on top of, or alongside anything.
5. Garlic Herb Baked Pretzels Recipe
Freshly baked bread is always going to please friends and family members of all ages guaranteeing that these delicious garlic herb pretzels will be a huge hit on any occasion with just about everyone. When you pair our garlic herb baked pretzels with our cider cheese dip, you’ll get compliments all day long! We love making these pretzels for game day, but they're amazing for the holidays.
6. Whipped Goat Cheese Recipe
Perfect as a topping for lightly toasted baguette or a dip for crackers of any kind, our whipped goat cheese recipe is so simple to make that it’s almost criminal. I love how customizable it is making it so simple to add your favorite herbs or combinations to create new flavors. When we talk about easy appetizers, it literally does not get any easier than this whipped goat cheese.
7. Goat Cheese Asparagus Tart Recipe
There's something about asparagus that seems to class up just about any dish and this easy appetizer is no exception. I love everything about this asparagus and goat cheese tart, from the texture to the taste. Filling without being overwhelming, it makes the perfect appetizer. Savory, tart, buttery, easy to make and one of our very favorite appetizer recipes of all time.
8. Lentil Hummus Recipe
Great on crackers, chips, fresh veggies, you name it - this lentil hummus is hearty, savory and satisfying. The fresh, lively flavors of tahini paste, garlic, cumin, cayenne pepper, and lemon juice make this hummus anything but bland, which is why it ranks as one of our go-to easy appetizers for the holiday season and beyond. Nothing beats a good hummus recipe and this one included.
9. Garlic Herb Goat Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms Recipe
Fancy but not fussy, these garlic herb goat cheese stuffed mushrooms are going to disappear faster than it took to make them - which is extremely fast, by the way! Delicious, filling stuffed mushrooms that are vegetarian and gluten-free make the perfect way to wow your guests or hosts this holiday season. I've already mentioned how much I love mushrooms so it should come as no shock that these are one of my favorite easy appetizers.
10. Marinated Olives Recipe
Salty, flavorful, healthy and delicious, olives are the absolute perfect party food that also travels and stores well. As if you needed another excuse to indulge, olives easily take on other flavor profiles and are a breeze to customize with our marinated olives recipe. When we talk about easy appetizers, this is the epitome of what we're talking about! Simple, quality ingredients that come together beautifully and with loads of flavor.
11. Baked Goat Cheese with Harissa Recipe
Harissa, a sauce crafted with chili peppers and spices, is so deliciously simple to incorporate into just about any recipe that could use a little livening up. Paired with soft, creamy goat cheese, this recipe for our baked goat cheese is the perfect mixture of comfort food, spice, and warmth. It is flavorful, unique and feels totally festive during the holidays. Serve with toasted baguette and enjoy!
12. Chicken Meatball Sliders Recipe
I’m a huge fan of sliders, not only because they are satisfying and delicious, but also because they’re so cute. Yeah, I said cute! Something about miniature food is just appealing because teeny sandwiches are, frankly, adorable. These tiny sliders are made with chicken meatballs and they're so easy to make your own. One of these chicken sliders paired with sides makes a mini meal all its own.
13. Smoked Salmon Dip Recipe
When it comes to easy appetizers perfect for the holiday season, this smoked salmon dip spread over bagel chips or toasted bread will rock your world. I love the fancy yet not out of reach ingredients in this recipe, including the unexpected addition of both dill and horseradish. Simple ingredients with a few little twists feels elevated and festive while still being so easy to make.
14. Cauliflower Fritters Recipe
I’ve been playing around more with cauliflower. My daughter is a vegetarian and my entire family recently tried and loved snacking on Buffalo cauliflower nuggets. These cauliflower fritters are delicious alone, with a hummus spread, or dipped into your favorite sauces. Also, try them as a meat replacement in your sliders for your vegetarian loved ones!
15. Guacamole Wontons Recipe
These guacamole wontons are one of our most popular appetizer recipes and for good reason! They combine my love for all things avocado with fried food and I am not about to turn that down. Not to mention that these are an easy appetizer that my daughter, who says no to meat, will also love to eat. These taste great on their own or dipped into salsa or hot sauce.
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