The 75 Best Christmas Party Appetizers, Hands Down, No Contest

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

Sweet, salty and spicy, these meatballs are the full package. Serve with plenty of toothpicks and napkins.

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

Orange cuts through the richness of the Brie, so this dish won't weigh you down.

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

Your favorite cheesy soup, now in bite-size form. It's got all the essentials, from the fresh thyme to the gooey Gruyère.

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

Our go-to vegetable does it again. Plenty of Parmesan cheese takes this humble, healthy starter over the top.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, vegetarian, make ahead

You’ll win with one—or all three. Take your pick from everything bagel and goat cheese, lemon-dill cheddar or pomegranate-blue cheese.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why We Love It: vegan, make ahead, crowd-pleaser

Warning: It's practically impossible to stop at one handful. Use any combination of nuts that you'd like, but we used almonds, pecans, walnuts, cashews and pistachios.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
• Why We Love It: make ahead, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser

Onion dip is a must-have party appetizer. (And acorn squash is the seasonal twist you didn't know you needed.)

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, beginner-friendly

Crispy, cheesy and served alongside tangy lemon-Dijon dipping sauce. They'll last about 30 seconds on the appetizer table.

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

So flaky, so savory. They're so pretty that your guests will think you ordered them from a fancy bakery.

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

We will eat cheese dip anytime, anywhere. Double up on the crostini and green apple slices.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why We Love It: vegetarian, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser

These dough-wrapped dip bites are almost too cute to eat. Almost.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why We Love It: vegan, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, make ahead

Sneak in a serving of vegetables before dessert time with these addictively crunchy chips.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why We Love It: make ahead, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients

Warning: These will be devoured fast. Might we suggest preparing two batches in advance?

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, vegan, beginner-friendly

All aboard the umami express. These will convert any self-proclaimed mushroom hater.

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

A quintessential party snack, elevated. This rendition is all about presentation (and bacon).

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

No offense to our beloved Kraft mac, but these delectable bites take our eternal favorite to a whole new level.

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

Baked to zesty, cheesy perfection. Feel free to substitute squash, carrots, eggplant or sweet potato for zucchini.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly

A simple way to dress up Brie. Use a grill pan to get char marks on the bread without ever stepping foot outside.

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

Fact: Guests love dipping stuff in other stuff. Good thing this salty-sweet star is versatile enough to pair with pretzels *and* sliced fruit.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly

Don’t mind us, we live under the appetizer table now. Store-bought pizza dough makes these bites a breeze to assemble.

• Time Commitment: 2 hours and 30 minutes
• Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, vegetarian

Skip the neon nacho cheese dip. These salty gems are stuffed with creamy Brie instead.

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

How can you go wrong with a skillet dish this decadent? Skip the skewers and serve it with crackers, bread and veggies for dipping

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why We Love It: kid-friendly, vegan, crowd-pleaser

Make sure your guests don't lose their appetites before dinner with this vegetarian alternative to cocktail weenies.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly

Because the recipe calls for store-bought dough and prepared cranberry sauce, this starter will only take you 15 minutes to pull together.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, special occasion-worthy

Tangy goat cheese is just the match for crispy, cornbread-like baked polenta.

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

Your local steakhouse will miss you. The dipping sauce would taste heavenly on fries, too.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, gluten free, <10 ingredients

The hardest thing you'll have to do is wait for the onions to caramelize. The rest is easy peasy.

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

Even the coldest December weather is no match for this hug in a bowl. Just *look* at the white cheddar biscuit topper.

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

Pomegranate arils and toasted pepitas give this classic guac a holiday makeover.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why We Love It: vegetarian, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy

It's the most elegant starter you'll ever serve—and one of the best uses for crusty bread we've come across.

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, make ahead, crowd-pleaser

Who knew you could make something this dangerously poppable in 10 minutes?

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, gluten free, kid-friendly

Go ahead and prepare a second batch, since the first will only last about a minute.

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

Some call it breakfast, some call it dessert. We think it's a great anytime snack (including before dinner), and once you try that eggnog glaze, we know you'll agree.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser

Don't worry about making homemade puff pastry. The produce is what makes this starter shine.

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

Just combine five ingredients and bake until the Brie is soft. Then, serve it with crackers, pretzels and fruit.

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

Admit it: You've never seen a casserole this tiny (or adorable) before.

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

Do you always have a tough time cutting squash? A few minutes in the microwave will make it soft and easy to chop.

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

A 15-minute appetizer that sounds like something you'd order at a fancy restaurant? Check.

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

Sure, you could make kale Caesar salad. Or, you can upgrade to chickpeas, dried apricots and persimmons (it's a winter fruit that's like a cross between a roasted sweet pepper and a mango, BTW).

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

Don't let all the good stuff get stuck at the bottom of a serving bowl. Serve salad on a pretty cutting board instead.

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

The only thing easier than baking this half-hour wonder? Devouring it.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, beginner-friendly

Between the pecans, pomegranate arils, orange zest and rosemary, this app simply screams Christmas.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why We Love It: <30 minutes, no cook, vegetarian

You'll want something light to serve before the glazed ham and mashed potatoes hit the table.

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

"Set it and forget it" never sounded this promising. (Chalk it up to the cheese-encrusted baguette on top.)

• Time Commitment: 4 hours and 15 minutes
• Why We Love It: vegan, gluten free, special occasion-worthy

It's vegan, gluten-free and filled with the nuttiest, spiciest vanilla-ginger cashew cream of all time.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian, beginner-friendly

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.

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

It's got 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.

• Time Commitment: 2 hours and 25 minutes
• Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy

This golden-brown loaf is studded with figs, blue cheese, prosciutto and herbs.

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

A soul-warming soup that costs less than $5 per serving? Don't mind if we do.

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

You so don't need to settle for the canned stuff, especially when making it from scratch is this simple.

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

Sure, it sounds delicious already. But just wait until you taste the cranberry-balsamic dressing.

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

Want to know our secret to making the cutest tiny tartlets you ever did see? Baking them in mason jar lids.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly

They'll get snatched up in no time during cocktail hour, but they'd also make a killer impression at Christmas brunch.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why We Love It: dairy free, make ahead, vegetarian

The homemade jam is as simple as combining cranberries, dried figs and pantry basics on the stove until thick and shimmery.

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

It's not like this autumn gourd goes out of style come December. In fact, it's striped skin makes these handhelds timeless in our book.

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

In case your Christmas party could use a hint of Hanukkah. Serve with classic sour cream for dipping.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, vegetarian

Five ingredients + 15 minutes = sweet-and-salty bliss. Frying the sage makes it impeccably crunchy.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why We Love It: no cook, vegetarian, beginner-friendly

The dressing couldn't be more basic. It lets the vibrant winter produce speak for itself.

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

The kids' favorite dinner, only poppable and twice as crunchy.

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

Scoop it up with cookies, graham crackers, pretzels or fruit. Did we mention it'll only take you five minutes to make?

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

Pro tip: Slice the citrus fruit 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.

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

Not all hors d'oeuvres have to be fancy. These wraps are as basic as they come, but we’re willing to bet they’ll be gobbled up in 10 minutes or less.

• Time Commitment: 55 minutes
• Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly

Hummus and pita? Boring. Jazz things up with these irresistible, unexpected phyllo rolls with ricotta and Peppadew peppers.

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

Yep, you’re allowed to use store-bought pizza dough. Your guests won't know the difference.

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

The quickest way to make anything look extra fancy for the holidays? Crown it with edible flowers.

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

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.

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

Just look at those caramelized cuties. Store-bought puff pastry makes this recipe both fancy looking *and* lightning fast.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, one pot

Complete with pumpkin seed-pine nut crunch. A swirl of coconut yogurt or heavy cream won't hurt either.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly

Call it a Christmas miracle: This appetizer will be ready to serve in just 15 minutes. Bonus points for candying the bacon in maple syrup and brown sugar.

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

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.

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

Sure, we like these with rice, sliced cucumbers, carrots and slaw. But the meatballs can totally hold their own at cocktail hour if you'd prefer.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, kid-friendly, vegetarian

It'll disappear in mere minutes if served as an appetizer, but this dish also works as a dessert if you serve it with fruit and wine.

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

Let us repeat: Honey. Butter. Glaze. These rolls are like a hybrid of a crispy biscuit and a soft bun.

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

Pickles are having a big moment right now, so we think everyone at the party will be thrilled to dig into this salty, cheesy, dill-kissed snack assortment.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
• Why We Love It: make ahead, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients

Leave it to the Barefoot Contessa to pull off a party-ready appetizer that only requires six ingredients (many of which are likely in your pantry already).