The 85 Best Christmas Party Appetizers, Hands Down, No Contest

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, <10 ingredients, make ahead
• Serves: 8

French onion soup as a dip—who wouldn't want a taste of that? "My take is made with deeply savory caramelized onions and tastes just as obsession-worthy as the original, but with a little more class," former PureWow senior food editor Katherine Gillen asserts. Serve it with thick potato chips and crispy bread, and you’re set.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: high protein, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

Sure, I like these with rice, sliced cucumbers, carrots and slaw. But the meatballs can totally hold their own at cocktail hour if you'd prefer. "The recipe is easy to double for a crowd. You could make them with ground turkey or pork instead of chicken, and they can be pan-fried instead of baked," Gillen states. I'll bring the toothpicks.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, make ahead
• Serves: 12

Pickles are still popular as ever, so I think everyone at the party will be thrilled to dig into this salty, cheesy, dill-kissed Christmas snack. "The key to that mouth-puckering flavor lies with vinegar," Gillen explains. "While a tablespoon of the regular distilled stuff will do the trick, you can also go all out and buy vinegar powder online."

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, special occasion-worthy, one pan
• Serves: 8 to 10

"This sweet and savory baked cheese recipe looks fancy, but it couldn't be easier to make," recipe developer Erin McDowell asserts. Fresh orange cuts through the richness of the Brie, so this dish (which bakes in a single skillet for minimal mess) won't weigh you down. Serve it with fancy crackers, and you’ve got yourself a party.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 1 to 2

Call it a Christmas miracle: This appetizer will be ready to serve in just 15 minutes. Even though it only feeds up to two people, it's a breeze to multiply for a crowd. (Trust me, I created the recipe, and it's as low-lift as it gets.) Bonus points for candying the bacon in maple syrup and brown sugar.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, vegetarian, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 48

No offense to your beloved Kraft mac and cheese, but these delectable bites take your eternal favorite to a whole new level. Even picky kids will ask for seconds (and thirds). "Err on the side of underbaking, if you prefer a less-crispy mac and cheese bite," PureWow VP of editorial Candace Davison says after testing it, "though whatever you do, give it the full 15-minute chill time and be sure to grease the muffin tins."

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegan, make ahead, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 6 cups

Warning: It's practically impossible to stop at one handful. Use any combination of nuts that you'd like, but I suggest a mix of almonds, pecans, walnuts, cashews and pistachios for visual and textural diversity. (P.S.: If sweet nut mixes are more your vibe, try no. 31 on this list.)

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 8 to 10

Crispy, cheesy and served alongside tangy lemon-Dijon dipping sauce—need I say more? This Christmas party appetizer will last about 30 seconds on the table. Plate them with tangy dipping sauce and cute toothpicks, then watch them disappear in a flash.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, kid-friendly
• Serves: 9

So flaky, so savory and so pretty that your guests will think you ordered them from a fancy bakery. Let the compliments roll in—you deserve them. The recipe calls for finishing the pastries with everything bagel seasoning, but you can swap in dried rosemary or thyme instead.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian, one pan
• Serves: 4

I'll eat fondue anytime, anywhere. "I make this mushroom and gouda fondue in a skillet, no special contraptions or metal skewers needed," McDowell raves. "What you will need, however, is plenty of bread for dipping." Double up on the crostini and green apple slices so your guests don't run out in 30 seconds.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 36 bites

These dough-wrapped dip bites are almost too cute to eat—almost. They're teeming with three types of cheese (cream cheese, mozzarella and Parmesan) for maximum decadence, and just tangy enough from the 'chokes.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegan, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
• Serves: 4 to 6

Sneak in a serving of vegetables before the dessert course with these irresistibly crunchy chips. Instead of potatoes, this Christmas party appetizer calls on two types of beets, turnips, parsnips and radishes.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: make ahead, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 36 pieces

Warning: These will be devoured fast. Might I suggest preparing two batches in advance? You'll only need five ingredients to pull them off anyway, so it's not too tall an order, promise.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, vegan, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4 to 6

All aboard the umami express. These irresistibly crunchy 'shrooms will convert any self-proclaimed mushroom hater at first bite, promise. Chalk it up to punchy sherry vinegar and fresh herbs. They'd pair well with a dry white wine (or apple cider!) and a garlicky aioli.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: make ahead, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 18

A quintessential Christmas snack, elevated. This rendition is all about presentation (and bacon). Hard-boil the eggs a couple days ahead of Christmas, if you want to shorten your to-list on the big day.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, vegetarian, make ahead
• Serves: 10 to 12

These cheese balls are far from the dated ones you've seen in the past. You'll surely win the crowd over with one...but it can't hurt to go for all three. Take your pick from everything bagel and goat cheese, lemon-dill cheddar or pomegranate-blue cheese.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

Baked to zesty, cheesy perfection. Feel free to substitute squash, carrots, eggplant or sweet potato for zucchini, if you feel so inclined. Packet ranch dressing seasoning infuses it with plenty of herbaceous splendor, so the possibilities are endless.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 8 to 10

A simple yet sophisticated way to dress up Brie. Use a grill pan to get char marks on the bread without stepping foot outside, and feel free to substitute apples, pears or grapefruit for strawberries for a wintry riff. (Charred oranges would work, too.)

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, make ahead, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 8

Fact: Guests love dipping stuff in other stuff. Good thing this salty-sweet star is versatile enough to pair with pretzels *and* sliced fruit. Did I mention this Christmas party appetizer recipe is only eight ingredients away?

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 6 to 8

Don’t mind me, I live under the appetizer table now. Store-bought pizza dough makes these bites a breeze to assemble, while prosciutto offers richness, saltiness and flavor to every crumb. I'll take ten, please—and make it snappy.

• Time Commitment: 2 hours and 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, vegetarian
• Serves: 40 pieces

Skip the neon nacho cheese dip—these salty gems are stuffed with creamy Brie instead. Finish them with coarse or flaky salt to enhance the bready exterior and funky filling. I'd pair them with grainy mustard, honey mustard or cherry jam.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: one pan, <10 ingredients, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 4

This Christmas party appetizer proves how far savory, crispy bacon can carry a recipe. You simply can't go wrong with a skillet dish this decadent. Skip the skewers and serve the fondue with crackers, bread and veggies for dipping.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, vegan, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 40 pieces

Make sure your guests don't lose their appetites before dinner with this vegetarian alternative to cocktail weenies. They're served with an ever-so-sightly sophisticated side of green goddess dressing for dipping, so they might just get carried away after tasting it.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 14 pieces

Because the recipe calls for store-bought dough and prepared cranberry sauce, this starter will only take you 15 minutes to pull together. Fresh thyme is an easy finishing touch that makes this Christmas party appetizer look totally gourmet.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 8 to 10

Tangy goat cheese is just the match for crispy baked polenta. "You know how the crispy corners are pretty much the best part?" McDowell inquires. "That's what every single one of these cheesy polenta bites with Brussels sprouts and pancetta tastes like." Sold.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, vegetarian
• Serves: 8

Your local steakhouse (or the closest Outback) will miss you. It turns out the chain's most iconic starter is easy enough to make at home. The dipping sauce—loaded with tangy sour cream and hot horseradish—would taste heavenly on steak, pork chops, cheeseburgers and fries, too.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, gluten free, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 8 to 10

The hardest thing you'll have to do is wait for the onions to caramelize. The rest is easy peasy and requires no additional cooking (that means simple assembly with bacon, fresh chives and your favorite party-ready crackers or bread).

• Time Commitment: 7 hours and 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: slow cooker recipe, crowd-pleaser, high protein
• Serves: 8

Even the coldest December weather is no match for this hug in a bowl. Just *look* at the white cheddar biscuit topper. Set it to low on Christmas Eve night, then wake up to a heavenly aroma and a party-ready starter on the 25th.

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: no cook, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

Fact: No one is turning down this simple party dip, no matter how classy the function. Pomegranate arils and toasted pumpkin seeds give this traditional guacamole a holiday makeover. It's the perfect appetizer to enjoy while watching a Christmas movie with family, IMO.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 16 to 20

It's the most elegant starter you'll ever serve—and one of the best uses for crusty bread that I've ever come across. No one will realize it only took you nine ingredients to complete (and I won't tell).

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, make ahead, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 8 to 16

Who knew you could make something this dangerously poppable in mere minutes—and without a candy thermometer? I tried them myself and found the nut mixture to be balanced, irresistible and deeply festive. Whether you serve the nuts at cocktail hour or bag them to give as party favors or host gifts, they're guaranteed to impress.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, gluten free, kid-friendly
• Serves: 2 cups

Seven ingredients and one skillet stand between you and this lightened-up crowd-pleaser. Go ahead and prepare a second batch, since the first will only last about a minute. (What? It's healthy-ish anyway.)

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: make ahead, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 8

Some call it breakfast, some call it dessert. I think it's a great anytime snack (including before dinner), and once you try that eggnog glaze, I know you'll agree. Save some for a lazy, post-holiday morning in—and wash it down with mulled cider, boozy coffee or an eggnog latte, if I may be so bold.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 8 to 12

Don't worry about making homemade puff pastry. Lean on store-bought to save yourself the time and effort, since the produce is what makes this starter shine. (Shredding the Brussels sprouts is a breeze, trust.)

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 8

Just combine five ingredients and bake until the Brie is soft. Then, serve it with crackers, pretzels and fruit. The toasty, herby maple nuts would also make a stellar Christmas party appetizer all their own.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 12

Admit it: You've never seen a casserole this tiny (or adorable) before. Take some time to get fancy with the crust toppers; your guests will be totally wowed by the presentation, so much so that they'll hesitate before digging in.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: Instant Pot recipe, vegan, make ahead
• Serves: 4

Do you always have a tough time cutting squash? A few minutes in the microwave will make it soft and easy to chop. (That said, I wouldn't judge you for skipping this step entirely and buying the pre-cut stuff.)

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 16

A 15-minute appetizer that sounds like something you'd order at a fancy restaurant? Coming right up. Salty prosciutto, funky blue cheese, crunchy almonds and a drizzle of honey makes this poppable Christmas party appetizer remarkably balanced.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, dairy free
• Serves: 4

Sure, you could make your usual kale Caesar salad. Or, you can upgrade the green with chickpeas, dried apricots and persimmons (a winter fruit that's like a cross between a roasted sweet pepper and a mango). The choice is yours.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, no cook
• Serves: 4

Don't let all the good stuff get stuck at the bottom of a serving bowl. Instead, plate your salad on a pretty cutting board. This makes it easier for your guests to serve themselves and score their fair share of toppings without having to do a full excavation.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 6

The only thing easier than baking this half-hour Christmas party appetizer? Devouring it. The recipe calls for using your choice of grainy bread, but baguette, crostini or crackers would work too if you're feeding folks (read: finicky kids) who'd pick out the seeds.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 6 to 8

Between the pecans, pomegranate arils, orange zest and rosemary, this app simply screams Christmas. If you're feeling extra ambitious, dip the rosemary sprigs in water, shake them off, then roll them in sugar for a bonus dose of sweetness.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, no cook, vegetarian
• Serves: 4

You'll want something light to serve before the glazed ham and mashed potatoes hit the table, right? This seasonal gem is sure to hit the spot, and it'll be ready in 20 minutes flat without a moment of cooking. Yep, you can thank me later.

• Time Commitment: 7 hours and 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: slow cooker recipe, kid-friendly, special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 6

"Set it and forget it" never sounded this promising. (Chalk it up to the cheese-encrusted baguette on top.) This dish is traditionally made with beef broth for a rich, meaty flavor. But you could easily swap in chicken broth, or vegetable stock to make it plant-based. 

• Time Commitment: 4 hours and 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegan, gluten free, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 8 to 10

It's vegan, gluten-free and filled with the nuttiest, spiciest vanilla-ginger cashew cream ever made. Don't let the time commitment scare you: It's mostly hands-off chilling time. (In other words, this is a great project for the 24th.)

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 9 pastries

These grown-up lollies are made with frozen puff pastry, prepared cranberry sauce and Brie, so all you'll have to do is assemble and bake. If you aren't a fan of cranberry, you could sub in any sweet-tart jam, preserve or relish you'd like.

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, no cook, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 12

It boasts everything from kumquats to aged cheddar to pistachios. But the best part of this cheese board is that it doesn't need to be cooked. Or is it that it's Insta-worthy, endlessly riffable and ready to feed a dozen relatives in one fell swoop?

• Time Commitment: 2 hours and 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, make ahead
• Serves: 8

This golden-brown loaf is studded with figs, blue cheese, prosciutto and herbs to create one of the best Christmas party appetizers around. Serve it with goat cheese or ricotta for spreading, if you're feeling decadent.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, one pot
• Serves: 8

A soul-warming soup that doesn't break the bank? Don't mind if I do. Dole it out in tiny mason jars with toothpicks or tiny spoons so people can get a small portion before the Christmas feast begins (but have plenty on deck for serving alongside the main meal).

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
• Serves: 10

You so don't need to settle for the concentrated stuff, especially when making tomato soup from scratch is this simple. Since tomatoes are out of season at this time of year, feel free to sub canned whole tomatoes for fresh.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, vegetarian
• Serves: 6

Sure, it sounds delicious enough, but just wait until you actually taste the cranberry-balsamic dressing. It's punchy and bright with fresh citrus, vinegar and 100 percent cranberry (or pomegranate!) juice.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 6

Want to know the secret to making the cutest tiny tartlets you ever did see? Baking them in mason jar lids. Keeping the ingredients to a minimum—and starting with store-bought pie dough—helps too.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 4 to 6

They'll get snatched up in no time during cocktail hour, but they'd also make a killer impression at Christmas brunch. These feel-good fritters are an unexpectedly delicious way to repurpose leftover mashed potatoes to boot.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: dairy free, make ahead, vegetarian
• Serves: 24 crostini

The homemade jam is as simple as combining cranberries, dried figs and pantry basics on the stove until thick and shimmery. Here, it's served with bread, Roth Grand Cru (or Gruyère) cheese and walnuts, but the pairing possibilities are truly limitless.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, vegetarian
• Serves: 8

It's not like this autumn gourd goes out of style come December. In fact, its striped skin (which it totally edible and doesn't need to be peeled—really) makes these handhelds totally timeless in my book. Don't even get me started on the zippy dipping sauce.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, kid-friendly, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 4

In case your Christmas party could use a hint of Hanukkah, these delightfully crisp latkes fit the bill. Of course, you can opt for classic potato latkes instead. Either way, serve them with classic sour cream and apple sauce for dipping.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, vegetarian
• Serves: 24 bites

Five ingredients + 15 minutes = sweet-and-salty bliss. This Christmas party appetizer is giving swanky. Frying the sage makes it impeccably crunchy, as well as the ultimate seasonal finishing touch, if I do say so myself.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: no cook, vegetarian, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4 to 6

The dressing couldn't be more basic (well, minus the red wine). It lets the vibrant winter produce—as well as pistachios and fresh herbs—speak for itself. Plus, it's awfully easy on the eyes, no?

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, kid-friendly
• Serves: 8

The kids' favorite dinner, only poppable and twice as crunchy as its sauce-drenched predecessor. Grown-ups will appreciate a range of dips and garnishes for these, like crushed red pepper flakes, pesto and marinara.

• Time Commitment: 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, <30 minutes
• Serves: 8

Greek yogurt has never felt so much like dessert. Scoop it up with cookies, graham crackers, pretzels or fruit, and pile on all the holiday sprinkles (or better yet, let your kids do the work) your heart desires. Did I mention it'll only take you five minutes to make?

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, no cook, <10 ingredients, make ahead
• Serves: 6

Pro tip: Slice the citrus—you can't go wrong with a sunset-hued mix of oranges, clementines, tangerines and grapefruit—in advance and store it in the fridge for up to three hours. Sprinkle the pistachios on top just before serving so they stay crunchy, then let everyone dig in.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, no cook
• Serves: 6

Not all hors d'oeuvres have to be fancy. These wraps are as basic as they come, but I’m willing to bet they'll be gobbled up in ten minutes or less while everyone opens presents. Best of all, the recipe is no-cook, flexible and foolproof.

• Time Commitment: 55 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, make ahead
• Serves: 24 rolls

Hummus and pita? Boring. Jazz things up with these irresistible, unexpected phyllo rolls with ricotta and Peppadew peppers. They also freeze like a charm, in case you want to get ahead on some Christmas day prep.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, vegetarian
• Serves: 10

Yep, you're allowed to use store-bought pizza dough for the holidays. Your guests won't know the difference, and your secret is safe with me. The only danger? Keeping yourself from eating every mini pizza before your guests get some.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, make ahead, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 12

The quickest way to make a Christmas party appetizer look extra fancy for the holidays? Crown it with edible flowers. (You can also fashion a floral design with vegetables and fresh herbs instead.) Garden focaccia will never go out of style, if you ask me.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: high protein, beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy, dairy free
• Serves: 4

How are these sweet-and-savory ribs ready to eat in just 40 minutes, you ask? They're deep-fried instead of being smoked or grilled. If you'd prefer these as a main, I'd recommend serving them with sticky white rice.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
• Serves: 4

Just look at those caramelized cuties. Store-bought puff pastry makes this recipe both fancy looking *and* lightning-fast. It's a gorgeous pairing for steak, pot roast, London broil and brisket alike.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, one pot
• Serves: 4 to 6

Complete with pumpkin seed-pine nut crunch. A swirl of coconut yogurt or heavy cream won't hurt either. "Be sure to cook the vegetables down enough that they begin to stick to the pan slightly without burning," recipe developer Aran Goyoaga suggests. "The goal is to really toast those natural sugars in the carrots, fennel and miso."

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 12

Your favorite cheesy soup, now in bite-size form. It has all the essentials, from the fresh thyme to the gooey Gruyère. Pair these delightful bites with a warm holiday drink, like mulled wine or creamy hot cocoa, for a festive treat. Your guests will be so busy noshing that they won't clock the store-bought puff pastry.

• Time Commitment: 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: no cook, crowd-pleaser, <30 minutes, vegan
• Serves: 6

If you're *really* behind schedule, let canned white beans come to the rescue. They're combined with fresh herbs, sliced almonds and a few pantry staples in five minutes, and can chill in the fridge until your guests arrive.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 8

Sweet, salty and spicy, these meatballs are the full package. Serve this Christmas party appetizer with plenty of toothpicks and napkins. No one will suspect you started with frozen, store-bought meat. Trust.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, kid-friendly, vegetarian
• Serves: 2 to 4

It'll disappear in mere minutes if served as a Christmas appetizer, but this dish also works as a dessert if you serve it with fruit and wine. Either way, the six-ingredient treat couldn't be easier to master.

• Time Commitment: 2 hours and 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: make ahead, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 12 rolls

Let me repeat: Honey. Butter. Glaze. These unconventional dinner rolls are like a hybrid of a crispy biscuit and a soft bun, so they're an easy win for the holidays. Their color, courtesy of mashed sweet potato, makes them doubly festive.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, gluten free
• Serves: 6

My go-to vegetable does it again. A handful of pantry spices that you already have in your kitchen and plenty of Parmesan cheese take this humble, healthy starter way over the top without too much effort from the chef.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: make ahead, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 24 to 28 crackers

Leave it to the Barefoot Contessa to pull off a party-ready appetizer that only requires six ingredients (many of which you most likely already have access to). "The texture reminded me of a flaky pie crust, while the flavor gave hints of Cheez-It or even cheddar biscuit," says Gillen, who tested and reviewed the recipe.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 8

It's almost like a giant lasagna, sans noodles—count me in. A duo of dried and fresh herbs bring canned crushed tomatoes and tangy, earthy goat cheese to life in an instant and make the starter look decidedly gourmet.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: no cook, <10 ingredients, <30 minutes
• Serves: 8

This Christmas party appetizer is basically a one-bite lox bagel. Serve these classy bites with individual mimosas (or better yet, a DIY mimosa bar with a variety of flavor options) and you're set.

• Time Commitment: 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, vegan, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 8

It's light and refreshing, unlike most other holiday foods, and the bright green color is absolutely spectacular. Top it with something red (like crushed red pepper flakes, dried cranberries or pomegranate arils) for a festive color scheme.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, high protein
• Serves: 24

It may not be a traditional "holiday food," but everyone and their mother is going to love it. Maybe offer some BBQ chicken wings too, just to be safe. (You never know who's sensitive to spice.)

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: make ahead, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 4

A little spicy and deliciously savory, this dip tastes like everything you love about street corn. Of course, you could serve it in a regular bowl...but a bread bowl is just more fun, no? Plus, the dipping element is built right into the app.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 8

Sweet and savory notes make this one of the most tantalizing dips out there. Consider serving the baked cheese delight with focaccia or rosemary flatbread, or even garlic bread—swoon.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: make ahead, no cook, vegetarian
• Serves: 8

Hot take: Charcuterie is great, but mezze is better. This Mediterranean party platter features all the essentials, like hummus, tabbouleh, almonds, lavash, feta, olives and more. Most importantly, all you need to do is assemble, so you won't need to crowd the oven.

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, no cook, vegan
• Serves: 8

Mean, green and so refreshing. Who doesn't love some nice, crunchy crudités? Vegetable options include string beans, broccoli, cucumber, celery and green bell peppers, but go wild with whatever produce you like.

• Time Commitment: 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: no cook, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 8

Leave it to bacon to steal the show every chance it gets. This quick and easy dip is an incredible last-minute addition to any feast, since it only requires six ingredients and minimal cooking to come together.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: make ahead, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 6 to 8

Onion dip is a must-have Christmas party appetizer, if you ask me—and acorn squash is the seasonal twist you didn't know it needed. Plate it with toasted pita, potato chips, raw veggies or, my favorite, French fries.