55 Christmas Snacks Even the Busiest Hosts Can Pull Off
You figured out exactly how you're going to cook the ham this year and have a list of epic sugar cookies to tackle for dessert. But what's everyone going to eat while they're chatting in the living room, opening presents or waiting for dinner to be served? Problem solved: We’ve got 55 savory and sweet Christmas snacks that take hardly any time (or effort) to make.
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1. Classy Cheese Balls
You only *think* cheese balls are tacky. A few modern toppings, like pomegranate arils and fresh dill, are here to prove you wrong.
2. Roasted Veggie Chips
Beets, parsnips and radishes have never looked this appetizing.
3. Baked Chicken and Ricotta Meatballs
The earthy, charred broccolini is just a bonus.
4. Cranberry-Brie Pie Crust Bites
A classy appetizer in just 15 minutes? Sounds like a job for store-bought pie crust.
5. Easy Skillet Mushroom and Gouda Fondue
You truly can't go wrong with a skillet of bubbly, melted cheese.
6. Cheesy Bacon Holiday Crack
It’s called “crack” for a reason: cheese and bacon. Yes and yes.
7. Holiday Cheese Board
Prepare for your creation to be featured on every one of your friends’ Insta stories.
8. Deviled Eggs 3 Ways
Your guests can choose from Dijon, roasted garlic, crispy caper and spicy sriracha (or, um, sample all four...).
9. Baked Coconut Shrimp
Honestly, we’d eat coconut shrimp on any day of the year. But it’s Christmas, so we’re having seconds. And thirds.
10. The Best No-Bake Haystack Cookies
No-bake cookies shave precious time off the whole gotta-make-something-for-the-holiday-bake-sale dilemma. Phew, Katie Workman to the rescue.
11. Easy Candied Walnuts
A knock at the door? Toss together Maria Lichty’s candied walnuts in ten minutes. “Oh, so good of you to drop by. Would you like a snack?”
12. Small Batch Chocolate Guinness Cake
Beer bread takes on new meaning with this chocolate Guinness stout cake that’s decadent enough for the holidays (and easy on the host, too).
13. Simple Vegan Creamed Spinach
Everyone will love Gena Hamshaw’s genius side (made with tofu and nutritional yeast), and the cheese lovers at the table will never know the difference.
14. Actually Crispy Baked Chickpeas
If you’re tired of nuts, these crunchy baked chickpeas are packed with spices and ready in less than an hour.
15. French Onion Cups
Anything is possible with store-bought pastry dough. Now, go enjoy your holiday party with these bite-size French onion cups.
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16. Lamb Chops with Crispy Shallots and Pomegranate Sauce
Hearty snacks are great for balancing out all the holiday sweets—and let’s be real, the alcohol. Plus, these chops only take 25 minutes.
17. Easy Yogurt Fruit Dip
Heidi Larsen, you’re a genius. This three-ingredient dip takes minutes to make, and guests who have been to three holiday parties this week will secretly appreciate the fresh fruit option on the buffet.
18. Fluffy Beer Biscuits
These little guys are like savory muffins spiked with beer. In other words, they're our newest holiday tradition.
19. Roasted Grape and Goat Cheese Rounds
Grab a biscuit cutter to perfect the round wheat bread bases for Carlene Thomas’s grape and goat cheese hors d'oeuvres.
20. Ham Sweet Potato Frittata
How to clean out the fridge: Throw your leftovers into a frittata for a quick and easy appetizer. Your guests will be none the wiser.
21. The Most Perfect (and Easiest) Sugar Cookie Recipe
Stash this recipe where you can easily access it. It will quickly become your holiday go-to, whether you decorate your cookies with frosting, sugar or every sprinkle your kids can get their hands on.
22. Buffalo Chicken Bites with Blue Cheese Dressing
There’s no deep-frying involved in these stovetop chicken bites, which are doused in buffalo sauce. Just add blue cheese.
23. Christmas Guacamole
Guacamole’s allure extends far beyond taco Tuesday. Gaby Dalkin tops the avocado dip with pomegranate seeds for a festive touch.
25. Cranberry Orange White Chocolate Fudge
Five ingredients, a few minutes of prep and a gorgeous final product? We’re making this treat for everyone on our list.
26. Turkey and Kale Butternut Squash Egg Muffins
Gluten-free, dairy-free and paleo—Ali Maffucci’s egg muffins work for plenty of your guests’ dietary restrictions.
27. Chocolate Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies
If you’re feeling stressed about hosting this year, meet the easiest treats in the universe.
28. Eggnog Bread
Maria Lichty’s eggnog quick-bread can be served for breakfast through dessert, making it one of the most versatile holiday snacks for a busy hostess.
29. Roasted Squash and Pepita Pesto Dip
Big party? Don’t sweat it. Aida Mollenkamp’s roasted squash and pumpkin seed pesto dip serves up to 12 guests.
30. Oreo-Stuffed Brownie
Cookies or brownies? We vote both. Bonus points: These Oreo-stuffed goodies are ready in less than an hour.
31. Mac and Cheese Cups
If it were up to us, we’d eat mac and cheese for every meal. Get one step closer by making your favorite dinner a finger food.
32. Loaded Christmas Tree Bark
You probably remember a neighbor always gifting you Christmas bark—it’s a tried-and-true holiday recipe. Give it a festive twist by adding sprinkles and white chocolate chips.
33. Salty, Sweet and Smoky Popcorn Snack Mix
Liz Harris’s savory and sweet snack mix—including popcorn, cranberries and smoked almonds—can be made two days in advance.
34. Tahini Buckeyes
Jess Larson’s buckeye balls get a nut-free update with tahini. That means they’re safe for everyone at the school holiday party.
35. Mom’s Easy Fudge Recipe
Let your refrigerator do the work when you whip up Heidi Larsen’s homemade fudge. The secret? It’s all in the evaporated milk.
36. Roasted Mixed Nuts
The best pairing for a winter cocktail: a handful of mixed nuts. Make your own in just 15 minutes flat.
37. Avocado Toast with Persimmon, Pomegranate and Fennel
A healthy Christmas snack that includes winter ingredients like persimmon and pomegranate on our trusty favorite, avocado toast.
38. Mushroom Bruschetta with Triple Cream Brie, Sage and Truffle Oil
Our favorite recipes are those that look more fancier and more complicated than they really are.
39. Healthy French Onion Dip with Leeks and Shallots
Powdery soup mix? Surely you jest. You can make French onion dip from scratch in just 30 minutes. Phoebe Lapine will show you how.
40. Goat Cheese Stuffed Figs with Pancetta
An elegant bite that doesn't require a second of cooking? That's just what the doctor ordered.
43. Holiday Baked Brie
Olives and pickled peppers offer briny brightness to decadent cheese and savory dough bites.
44. Honey Ricotta Dip
We'd be lying if we said we weren't tempted to dive in face-first.
45. Crispy Parmesan Brussels Sprout Bites
Fair warning, you'll want to slather the Dijon-lemon dip on everything.
46. Sweet Potato Crostini
Swapping traditional bread for roasted sweet potato slices makes these beauties look so sophisticated.
47. Coconut Choux Bites
They're like super crunchy, lightly sweet cream puffs—minus the cream filling.
48. Pear, Brie and Rosemary Flatbreads
Wondering how this 15-minute gem is even possible? Store-bought naan.
49. Easy Baked Goat Cheese Marinara Dip
Make sure you have lots of bread for generous scooping.
50. Peanut Butter Dip
Serve it alongside a pile of pretzels for a one-way ticket to sweet-and-salty bliss.
51. Roasted Winter Vegetable Platter with Miso Aioli and Romesco Sauce
Raw sliced veggies are a lot more fitting in the summer. Roasting is a better approach in the colder months.
52. Beet Hummus
Pair this pretty-in-pink starter with cucumbers for a play on the Christmas color scheme.
53. Strawberry, Cardamom and Pistachio Pavlova Bites
Light as air, herbaceous and fancy enough to serve to Santa himself.
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54. CARAMELIZED ONION, SPINACH AND CHEDDAR PASTRIES
So flaky, so savory. These puff pastry bites are the perfect addition to any holiday table.
55. Coconut Choux Bites
This light-as-air traditional French treat is easy to make at home.