Just when you think you are off the hook and don’t have to host the Christmas feast, the dread hits you when you are asked to bring an appetizer to your upcoming holiday party. GULP. You see, there are tons of delicious appetizer dishes out there, but for the holidays you want to step up your game a little bit. Luckily for you, I am tasked with bringing appetizers to Christmas and Hannukah every year and I have discovered appetizers that are mostly store bought but delicious, as well as homemade recipes that aren’t too tricky or time consuming. It’s like a Christmakkah miracle, eh? Without any further ado (because c’mon, do you really want to wait any longer to battle the crowds at the grocery store?!?!), here are some Easy and Impressive Holiday Appetizers that will both impress the eyes and the bellies of your friends and family:
HOMEMADE HOLIDAY APPETIZERS
I promise that these recipes aren’t too time consuming…and even better? You can make them ahead and they transfer so easily!
Stuffed Mushrooms
-1 pint whole mushrooms
-1 cup breadcrumbs
-2 cloves garlic
-3 tablespoons melted butter or olive oil
-3 tablespoons parmesan cheese
Clean mushrooms and take out stump. Wash and mince stumps. In a bowl, combine mined stumps, minced garlic, breadcrumbs and cheese. Slowly add in melted butter or olive oil as well as salt and pepper. Stuff insides of mushroom caps with the breadcrumb mixture. Drizzle with olive oil or melted butter before putting the mushrooms into a 375 degree oven for 8-10 minutes. Take mushrooms out once bubbling and brown. Let cool before serving–they will be VERY hot.
Cheeseball
-8 oz package of cream cheese
-8 oz package of shredded cheddar cheese
-1 tsp minced onion
-1 tsp lemon juice
-2 tsp Worchester sauce
-1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
-1 cup chopped pecans
Mix all ingredients and form into a ball. Roll in nuts, equally coating the entire surface. Serve with your favorite crackers.
Meatballs
-2 lbs ground beef
-2 eggs (slightly beaten)
-2 tsp salt
-1/4 tsp pepper
-1 cup breadcrumbs
-2 small onions (grated)
-2 tsp minced parsley
-1/2 cup milk
-4 tbsp butter or margarine
-1 bottle chili sauce
-1 jar (10 0z) currant jelly
Mix together all ingredients (except for chili sauce and jelly) and shape into balls (about 1 tsp). Brown them on all sides in the melted butter. Simmer chili sauce and currant jelly and add meatballs. Cook over low heat for 15 minutes.
STORE BOUGHT HOLIDAY APPETIZERS
Pressed for time or don’t trust yourself in the kitchen? Then these recipes are for you. They require very little work but make a huge and delicious impact.
Roasted Shrimp Cocktail
-Uncooked, shelled and deveined shrimp
-Salt and pepper
-Olive oil
-Store bought cocktail sauce
-Lemon wedges
Lay shrimp on baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast in a 400 degree oven until shrimp are pink, flipping once after 3-4 minutes. Serve alongside store bought cocktail sauce and lemon wedges for garnish.
Baked Brie
-Brie
-Store bought berry jelly
-1/4 teaspoon Red pepper flakes
-Store bought candied walnuts
Impress your guests with this EASY topping to make baked brie feel extra special for the holidays. Add the berry jelly and red pepper flakes to a sauce pan and cook over low heat for 8-10 minutes. Let cool. Top brie with berry sauce and candied walnuts, and serve with your favorite crackers or crusty bread.
Don’t have time to go to the store? Then put that stale bread to use and fill up a tray with whatever goodies you have in the fridge and pantry. And finally, something great to wash down these easy and impressive holiday appetizers with–my signature cocktail! It pairs perfectly with just about anything and only takes five minutes to make!
Bon Appetite!
Amanda
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These all look amazing. I have to make the Twig n Berry!
Cheers!
The avocado chicken bites are such a yummy snack….and much healthier than the cheese ball (but that’s delish, too!).
I’m always looking for easy and delicious appetizers for the holiday parties! I love these appetizer ideas here. They will come in handy for sure.
My kids would flip out for the Nuttella toast!! These are all great ideas for Christmas and the New Year get togethers!
The nutella toast is a nice sweet treat–can you tell I love chocolate?!?
These look like some amazing appetizers. My family would love those avocado chicken bites!
I love everyone of your appetizer ideas and not just for the holidays. Happy holidays!
Agreed. I can eat those avocado chicken bites every day of my life!
I picked up some avocado for our tacos tonight but Im going to have to save some to try those avocado chicken bites. They look delicious!
They are so easy, yummy, and a healthy appetizer option. Enjoy!
The photo of your mocktail is so beautiful. It looks tasty as well, a perfect appetizer!
They all look so delish! Great ideas for holiday parties! Thanks for sharing.
And oh so easy. Enjoy!
My boys really love the meatballs, too.
Mmmm, that sausage and pepper bruschetta sounds tasty. I would definitely make that for a party. Thank you for sharing.
YES! I love simple yet delicious appetizers and that drink looks amazing! I always make a cheeseball and our recipes are similar!
I’m pretty sure that those Nutella toasts would be a winner in my household of boys. Mine would be those Avocado Chicken Bites, oh yumyum!
The avocado chicken bites look so tasty, They sounds pretty healthy as well, so I’ll have to try these out!
The beverage is ADORABLE! (And I think this year I will do a cheeseball as well.)
Be sure to do one of those absolutely adorable turkey cheese balls with the pretzel sticks as tail feathers!
Love all of these. Caprese salad is my to go appetizer. My friend put the little cheeseball and cherry tomatoes on a toothpick with folded mozzarella in the middle. It was easier to serve. Cheese and honey toasts look divine. I need to find good gluten-free baguette.
I love that appetizer, too. So simple yet delicious—and my boys can help to make it!