Easy Christmas Appetizers (Holiday Finger Foods) 

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.

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

• Bacon Wrapped Dates 

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.

• Garlic Parmesan Turkey Meatballs 

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

• Grilled Chicken Wings 

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

• Buffalo Chicken Wings 

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

• Bacon Wrapped Sausage 

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

• Borek Meat & Spinach  

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

• Air Fryer Crab Cakes 

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

• Bacon Wrapped Scallops 

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

• Bacon Wrapped Shrimp

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

• Spicy Tuna Dip 

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.

• Cheddar Lobster Dip 

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

• Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Dip

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.

Cheeses & Bread 

• Puff Pastry Garlic Cheese Twists 

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.

• Mediterranean Crescent Ring 

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

• Puff Pastry Pinwheels 

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.

• Jalapeño Popper Cheese Balls 

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

• Bacon Cheddar Cheese Ball

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

• Mini Salami Cheese Balls 

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

•  Turkish Rolls 

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

• Cheddar Pecan Cheese Ring 

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

• Cheese Gougeres

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.

• Brie & Jam Puff Pastry Bites

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

• Pull Apart Pizza Monkey Bread 

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

• Cheesy Garlic Bread Rolls 

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.

Delicious Appetizers With Vegetables

• Zucchini Fritters

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

• Bhindi Pakora Fried Okra 

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

• Spinach Artichoke Dip 

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

• Crab Stuffed Mushrooms 

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

• Puff Pastry Jalapeño Poppers 

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

• Christmas Guacamole 

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.

• Smashed Brussel Sprouts 

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

• AF Shishito Peppers 

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

Platters & Charcuterie 

• Christmas Tree Board 

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

• Easy Holiday Charcuterie 

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

• Charcuterie Wreath 

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

• Christmas Ball Wreath 

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

• Holiday Party Platter 

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.

• Holiday Charcuterie 

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

• Seafood Party Platter 

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

• Antipasto Platter 

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

Other Ideas 

• Bloody Mary Devilled Eggs 

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

• Tiktok Pasta Chips 

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.

• Garlic Parmesan Fries 

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

• Greek Chicken Kabobs 

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

• Turkey Cranberry Sliders 

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.

More Holiday Recipes To Try

• Santa Hat Cupcakes
• Best Melted Snowman Bark Recipe for Winter
• Easy Christmas Crack Candy with Saltine Crackers
• Christmas Ornament Oreo Truffles
• Festive Christmas Tree Cupcakes
• Donut Cake Pops
• Homemade Spiced Pear Sauce With Cranberry
• Reindeer Donuts
• See all our Christmas Themed Recipes!

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!