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Easy Christmas Appetizers (Holiday Finger Foods) 

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Delight your taste buds during the holidays with these easy Christmas appetizer ideas and finger foods! They are delightful for any crowd or family dinner during the most wonderful time of the year. If you are looking for the perfect appetizer to eat with your hands, this list is for you.

Collage of different recipes for Christmas.

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What Makes The Best Christmas Appetizers And Finger Foods?

The best Christmas appetizers and finger foods are those that can be easily shared and savored. They are typically bite-sized, allowing for simple yet satisfying snacking. A great appetizer fuels the festive spirit without being overly filling, leaving room for the main meal. 

Variety is key, offering options for all tastes – from the richness of cheese and charcuterie to the freshness of veggies and dips. Traditional festive flavors, like cranberry, rosemary, and spiced nuts, often feature prominently. 

However, the ultimate Christmas gathering finger food is not just about taste. It is also visually appealing, with vibrant colors and creative presentation that add to the perfect party food.

When Is The Best Time To Prepare Appetizers For Christmas Eve?

The ideal time to prepare appetizers for Christmas Eve can be determined by the complexity of the dishes you choose to make. Some appetizers, such as dips or a cheese board, can be prepared a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator. This not only saves you time on Christmas Eve but also allows the flavors to marinate and develop for a tastier result. 

Baked goods, like mini quiches or sausage rolls, can also be made ahead and frozen, then just reheated on the day. However, for fresh items like vegetable crudites or canapes, it’s best to prepare them on the day to maintain their freshness and crispness. 

Just remember, regardless of when you prepare your appetizers, always keep them properly stored to maintain their quality and safety.

Christmas Eve Finger Foods With Meat & Seafood

I have always adored bacon-wrapped dates, the flavor combination is addictive! They will surely have you in a festive mood and be a crowd favorite.

Bacon wrapped dates on a white plate.
Photo Credit: Simply Scrumptious Eats.

Garlic Parmesan Turkey meatballs are the perfect Christmas Eve finger foods because they are easy to hold with a took pick. 

Garlic Parmesan Turkey Meatballs in a pan.
Photo Credit: Kim Schob.

Simple grilled chicken wings are easy and fun to eat with your hands.

Grilled Chicken Wings on a white plate.
Photo Credit: Budget Delicious.

If you love Buffalo sauce, then these chicken wings are perfect for your holiday party. Serve with some creamy blue cheese dressing.

Buffalo Chicken Wings and celery on a plate.
Photo Credit: Budget Delicious.

Meat on meat is where the party’s at! These Christmas Eve finger foods will put a smile on everyone’s face. 

Bacon wrapped sausage on a shiny plate.
Photo Credit: Flawless Food.

These appetizers are essentially thin filo pastries stuffed with a spicy lamb and spinach filling. 

Borek Meat and Spinach piled on a plate.
Photo Credit: Cooking Gorgeous.

Crab cakes are simple to whip up in your air fryer and equally easy to eat with your hands. 

Partially-eaten Crab Cakes on a white plate.
Photo Crerdit: xoxoBella

Surf and turf come together perfectly in these bacon-wrapped scallops that everyone will love.

Bacon Wrapped Scallops on a white plate.
Photo Credit: Recipes From A Pantry.

If you don’t like scallops, try crispy bacon-wrapped shrimp instead! Serve with some cocktail sauce for dipping.

Bacon Wrapped Shrimp on a white plate.
Photo Credit: Recipes From A Pantry.

Serve up this spicy tuna dip with your favorite crackers or chips. Creamy dip is a great way to keep your guests happy while preparing your main course.

Bowl of Spicy Tuna Dip with a spoon.
Photo Credit: Greedy Girl Gourmet.

This cheddar lobster recipe is the perfect hot dip to serve to a crowd during the holidays.

Cheddar Lobster Dip in a white, oblong dish.
Photo Credit: Ask Chef Dennis.

Christmas Eve finger foods like seasoned chips are so tasty when served up with this garlic Parmesan shrimp dip. Your Holiday meal will be complete with this appetizer at the table.

Bowl filled with Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Dip.
Photo Credit: Kim Schob.

Cheeses & Bread 

The best part about these puff pastry garlic cheese twists is that your guests can hold them in one hand while walking around a party to socialize during the holiday season.

Puff Pastry Garlic Cheese Twists piled in a dish.
Photo Credit: xoxoBella.

You will love the ingredients in these Mediterranean crescent wreath rings such as; spinach, artichokes, two cheeses, roasted red peppers, and olives.

Mediterranean Crescent Ring on a baking sheet.
Photo Credit: Erica’s Recipes.

Pastry pinwheels are packed with labor and so versatile. You can add various meat, cheeses, and vegetables and serve them up at your Christmas party.

Colorful Puff Pastry Pinwheels on a white plate.
Photo Credit: Life Love And Good Food.

These little jalapeño popper cream cheese balls will really burst with flavor in your mouth.

Jalapeño Popper Cheese Balls and crackers on a wooden board.
Photo Credit: Choco Late Moosey.

Bacon and cheddar cheese are a match made in heaven, and this recipe surely will impress your guests.

Bacon Cheddar Cheese Ball surrounded by crackers on a plate.
Photo Credit: Choco Late Moosey.

Another delightful meat and cheese Christmas finger food to please a crowd.

Mini Salami Cheese Balls with pretzels sticking out.
Photo Credit: Mindy’s Cooking Obsession.

What is in this recipe for Turkish rolls? The tasty ingredients include filo pastries, feta cheese, halloumi cheese, parsley, mint, dill, and spices. 

Red bowl filled with Turkish Rolls.
Photo Credit: Cooking Gorgeous.

Easy Christmas Eve finger foods like this cheddar pecan cheese ring are fantastic for a party or crowd. 

Partially-eaten Cheddar Pecan Cheese Ring surrounded by crackers.
Photo Credit: Lana’s Cooking.

You only need a handful of simple pantry staples to make this recipe for cheese gougeres. They are light, fluffy, and stuffed with Gruyère cheese.

Bowl piled high with Cheese Gougeres.
Photo Credit: A Baking Journey.

I love the combination of creamy brie cheese and sweet jam. It’s a heavy combination that’s addictive.

Brie and Jam Puff Pastry Bites on a wooden board.
Photo Credit: Simply Scrumptious Eats.

Whip up some pull-apart pepperoni pizza monkey bread for your Christmas Eve bash.

Pull Apart Pizza Monkey Bread on a white plate.
Photo Credit: Kim Schob.

These garlic bread rolls are buttery, garlicky, cheesy, and easy to make and eat with your hands. They will be the winning side at your holiday table.

Pile of Cheesy Garlic Bread Rolls.
Photo Credit: Kim Schob.

Delicious Appetizers With Vegetables

All you need to make zucchini fritters are some simple pantry stables like Parmesan cheese, panko-style breadcrumbs, oil, and spices! 

Sliced Zucchini Fritters with white sauce on top.
Photo Credit: Kim Schob.

Bhindi pakora fried okra is the easy Christmas Eve finger food idea you have to make this year!

Plates of Bhindi Pakora Fried Okra.
Photo Credit: A Mummy Too.

Spinach artichoke dip is a popular classic for the holidays because it’s creamy and scrumptious.

Chips in a bowl of Spinach Artichoke Dip.
Photo Credit: Slow Cooker Meals.

Crab stuffed mushrooms will put a smile on everyone’s face at your holiday get-togethers

Crab Stuffed Mushrooms on a white plate.
Photo Credit: Ask Chef Dennis.

Puff pastry jalapeño poppers are the ultimate appetizer because the flavor and texture combinations are mouthwatering.

Person holding a Puff Pastry Jalapeño Popper.
Photo Credit: 24Bite.

Christmas guacamole is easy to make and can be made ahead of time. Squeeze extra lime juice and cover with plastic wrap to keep it fresh longer.

Ring of Christmas Guacamole that looks like a wreath on a plate.
Photo Credit: Two Pink Peonies.

Looking for easy holiday appetizers? Everyone will love the smashed brussels sprouts with olive oil, fresh garlic, and Parmesan cheese.

Smashed Brussel Sprouts in a bowl.
Photo Credit: The Bella Vita.

Spice up your Christmas Eve finger food menu with these crispy yet tender Shishito peppers made in your air fryer.

Shishito Peppers on a small, white plate.
Photo Credit: The Short Order Cook.

Platters & Charcuterie 

What do you need for this platter? Grab some cheddar cheese cubes, Swiss cheese cubes, mozzarella balls, rosemary, pepperoni, olives, crackers, and sliced baguette!

Cheese, crackers, and other foods set on a board in the shape of a Christmas tree.
Photo Credit: Two Kids and a Coupon.

This easy Christmas charcuterie board of meat and cheese is fun, festive, and perfect for a crowd on Christmas Eve.

Breads, meats, olives, cheese, and other foods as part of a Charcuterie board.
Photo Credit: Kim Schob.

Are you already planning your holiday menu? This charcuterie wreath is easy to assemble and will really pop on your party platter. 

Meats, cheeses, and other foods on toothpicks and arranged like a Christmas wreath.
Photo Credit: I Heart Eating.

Scrumptious miniature festive cheese balls that are coated in chopped nuts, and cranberries and then arranged in the shape of a wreath.

Balls of food arranged on a plate to look like a Christmas wreath.
Photo credit: Best Appetizers.

Christmas Eve finger foods assembled on this holiday party platter will be the star of the show. This recipe is precisely what you need for a large crowd so they can graze as they socialize.

Vegetables, fruits, cheeses, meats, and other foods arranged like a Christmas tree on a wooden board.
Photo Credit: Best Appetizers.

One of the hottest meal trends for the holidays and pretty much any time is charcuterie.

Food arranged to look like a Christmas tree, including a star of cheese on the top.
Photo Credit: The Cagle Diaries.

Present something fun and unique that will impress all your friends and family, like this seafood party platter.

Seafood Platter crowded with seafood, dips, and other foods.
Photo Credit: Lawless Food.

How festive is this platter with skewers featuring delicious meat, cheese, and bright pickled vegetables? 

Antipasto on toothpicks arranged to look like a Christmas wreath.
Photo Credit: Healthy World Cuisine.

Other Ideas 

Bright red for Christmas Eve, these Bloody Mary deviled eggs will knock the socks off a crowd. 

Bloody Mary Devilled Eggs on a baking sheet.
Photo Credit: xoxoBella.

This recipe for pasta chips went viral on Tiktok for a good reason, they’re so easy and delicious. They are an easy appetizer that everyone will adore.

White bowl of pasta chips.
Photo Credit: Kim Schob.

Christmas Eve finger foods like garlic Parmesan fries are always a crowd pleaser!

Garlic Parmesan Fries on a plate.
Photo Credit: Kim Schob.

What’s easier to eat with your hands than meat on a stick? These Greek chicken kebabs are served with a lovely tzatziki sauce.

Greek Chicken Kabobs on a white plate.
Photo Credit: Kim Schob.

Turkey cranberry sliders are the perfect little sandwich to serve on Christmas Eve because they’re festive and delicious. These are so good they could even be your main course.

Turkey Cranberry Sliders on a wooden board.
Photo Credit: Kim Schob.
What Is The Best Finger Food For Christmas Eve?

The best Finger food for Christmas Eve will be something that is easy to assemble, tastes amazing, and is simple to eat with your hands. For example, chips and dip, chicken skewers, sliders, and more. See this list of fantastic recipes for more ideas. 

Now, you’re ready to serve the perfect finger food recipe or bite-sized snacks at your holiday parties. The Christmas season is all about family, fun, and food!

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11 Comments

  1. Oh wow – so many great options to choose from! Where do I even start? Probably I will try the sliders first…. Hmm…

  2. This is such a great resource for finger food ideas. I bookmarked it and will definitely refer back for more inspiration. Thank you for putting this all together in one place!

  3. I am really excited about all the seafood appetizers in this list. They all look and sound marvelous. Bookmarking for future reference.