19 Perfect Christmas Appetizers
This selection of elegant appetizers and festive party recipes are delicious and easy to prepare for Christmas and the Christmas holiday season.
from The Ultimate Christmas Book (The Reader's Digest Association, Inc.) and Taste of Home
Photo © The Ultimate Christmas Book
Mini Puff-Pastry Tartlets
These mouthwatering mini tartlets have three different toppings, so every guest should find something to their taste. The steam created by the damp baking sheets helps the pastry to rise quickly and evenly.
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Taste of Home
Christmas Tortellini
Spear green, store-bought spinach tortellini with cherry tomatoes and serve with a cheesy dip for instant Christmas spirit.
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Taste of Home
Appetizer Wreath
Crescent rolls are topped with a cream cheese-sour cream mixture—and then festive broccoli and sweet red pepper turn it into a showstopper.
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Photo © The Ultimate Christmas Book
Crudités with Three Dips
This delicious trio of dips can be whipped up in no time, which comes in handy during the busy Christmas holiday.
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Photo © The Ultimate Christmas Book
Crispy Potato Pancake and Smoked Salmon Canapés
Potatoes make a sophisticated appetizer when transformed into these deliciously crisp pancakes. Top them with sour cream and succulent strips of smoked salmon.
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Taste of Home
Christmas Party Pinwheels
A red-and-green spiked cream cheese dip turns rolled tortillas into a holiday treat.
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Taste of Home
Veggie Christmas Tree
Turn basic crudites into an appetizer your guests will ooh and aah over—all it takes is a little artistic creativity!
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Taste of Home
Onion and Brie Palmiers
Store-bought puff pastry makes quick work of these fancy-sounding treats. Simply wrap the pastry around caramelized onions and Brie and bake until they're golden and sizzling.
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Taste of Home
Almond Cheddar Crostinis
Sharp cheddar cheese, slivered almonds, and bacon are combined with mayonnaise for a tangy, savory topping for crostini.
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Taste of Home
Sausage Wonton Cups
These delicate little cups only look like you spent hours shaping them—while in reality, all you have to do is put store-bought wonton wrappers in muffin tins, stuff with sausage, and bake.
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Taste of Home
Crispy Ham and Cheese Balls
These balls of mashed potato, cheese, and ham balls are then rolled in crispy corn flakes and baked. They're sure to go quickly—what's not to like?
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Photo © The Ultimate Christmas Book
Roasted Vegetable Tart
Vegetarians...this appetizer is for you! Rich and hearty butternut squash, zucchini, red onion, and peppers combine to provide a colorful burst of flavor.
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Photo © The Ultimate Christmas Book
Deliciously Seasoned Seafood Cakes
These rich crab and shrimp cake appetizers are spiced with mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and a little cayenne pepper, then coated in bread crumbs and fried until the outside is a crunchy golden brown.
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Photo © The Ultimate Christmas Book
Pastry-Crowned Tomato Soup
Wow your guests with a piping hot bowl of tomato soup covered with a golden puffed pastry shell. This dish is sure to be the showstopper on your Christmas or holiday table.
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Photo © The Ultimate Christmas Book
Spinach, White Bean, and Bacon Salad
This healthy salad works well with any main meal and helps to keep those extra Christmas calories at bay.
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Photo © The Ultimate Christmas Book
Rosemary New Potatoes
Baby potatoes roasted with lemon and rosemary makes for a finger-licking appetizer that is difficult to resist. Plus, this recipe is super easy to make.
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Photo © The Ultimate Christmas Book
Goat's Cheese and Arugula Salad
Toasty and creamy goat cheese and a tangy garlic-vinegar dressing combine with arugula to create a simple and delicious salad.
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Photo © The Ultimate Christmas Book
Roasted Root Vegetables with Herbs
A nutritious and colorful combination of carrots, potatoes, parsnips, rutabaga, and sweet potatoes are roasted together and are delicious either as an appetizer or served with poultry, meat, or fish.
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Photo © The Ultimate Christmas Book
Sautéed Brussels Sprouts
The smoky flavor of bacon, the citrus zing of the orange, and the crunchy texture of water chestnuts in this recipe give new life to a traditional Christmas vegetable.
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