10 Holiday Appetizers to Make in December (Easy & Festive)


Hi Reader,

Planning a holiday party?

Here are 10 festive holiday appetizers perfect for a Christmas Day Dinner or New Year's Eve party.

10 Holiday Appetizers to Make in December (Easy & Festive)

More snacking, less talking— my kind of get-together.

Baked Brie With Cranberries, Pecans, Pomegranate

Cranberries, Pecans, Pomegranate make great toppings and taste DELICIOUS on a soft, melted, baked brie cheese. Make your holidays perfect with this baked brie recipe!
TRY THIS RECIPE

Christmas Salad

This simple 20-Minute Christmas Salad features classic holiday ingredients, such as pecans, mandarin oranges, pomegranate seeds, and dried cranberries. They are tossed together with baby spinach, goat cheese, and homemade Honey-Mustard Lime Vinaigrette. This festive holiday salad will pair beautifully with your favorite Christmas main course (ham, prime rib, beef tenderloin, turkey, and even seafood!) and is a great addition to your holiday menu.
TRY THIS RECIPE

Mexican Corn Dip

This Mexican corn dip combines grilled corn, creamy feta cheese, Greek yogurt, sour cream, freshly squeezed lime juice, cilantro, and Southwestern flavors! It's guaranteed to be a hit at summer parties, cookouts, and potlucks. It's just like Elote or Mexican street corn but in a convenient creamy dip form.
TRY THIS RECIPE

Baked Brie With Apples

Baked Brie with Apples is one of the best appetizers you'll ever try! This easy recipe takes only 30 minutes and will add colors and vibrancy to any dinner menu! The apples are caramelized with brown sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice, and honey and then added on top of melting brie cheese. This is a vegetarian and gluten-free recipe.
TRY THIS RECIPE

Bacon & Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms

Bacon and Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms - the stuffing is made with Parmesan and Mozzarella cheeses, cream cheese, bacon bits, finely chopped green bell pepper, with a touch of Cayenne pepper. Baked in a small amount of butter, with a splash of lemon juice.
TRY THIS RECIPE

Bacon, Spaghetti Squash Fritters

Ever wondered how to cook spaghetti squash? Let me show the best way ever: Bacon Spaghetti Squash Fritters with Parmesan. These little spaghetti squash cakes are crazy good!
TRY THIS RECIPE

Easy Spinach Artichoke Dip

Easy homemade Spinach Artichoke Dip - made in just 30 minutes, from scratch, very easy and delicious! Can't beat homemade dip! And, you know exactly what ingredients are in it. It's gluten free!
TRY THIS RECIPE

Strawberry Baked Brie - 30 Minute Appetizer

Strawberry baked brie is an easy party starter that comes together in only 30 minutes! Strawberries are cooked with honey and lemon juice and then poured over the melted brie cheese. This festive party food is a sure crowd pleaser and a delicious appetizer for any occasion, holidays, picnics, and potlucks!
TRY THIS RECIPE

Chicken & Spinach In Puff Pastry

Chicken and Spinach in Puff Pastry - a perfect appetizer or dinner! Your family will love these cheesy puffs stuffed with chicken, spinach, and Parmesan! Only 6 ingredients!
TRY THIS RECIPE

15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad

Strawberry Spinach Salad is a healthy, vibrant, and easy-to-make recipe that comes together in 15 minutes! Featuring Feta cheese, pecans, and a simple Balsamic dressing, this salad will make a perfect side dish for any weeknight dinner. It is also a crowd-pleaser for many holiday occasions, picnics, potlucks, and other friends and family gatherings!
TRY THIS RECIPE

Fresh. Seasonal. 30-Minute Meals!

SEASONAL always wins. Protein-packed main dishes, pastas with personality, and salads that double as dinner. Best of all? 30 minutes in ONE pan. Bring on the FRESH.

Read more from Fresh. Seasonal. 30-Minute Meals!
Creamy Chicken & Wild Rice Soup in a bowl.

Here are my dinner recommendations (and salads!) for the upcoming week (September 15-21, 2025). DAY 1 (NEW): Creamy Chicken & Wild Rice Soup RECIPE HERE DAY 2: Pesto Salmon with cherry or grape tomatoes, Mozzarella cheese, basil pesto (homemade or store-bought), garlic, lemon, oregano, and toasted pine nuts RECIPE HERE DAY 3: Korean Noodles with Marinated Beef & Vegetables RECIPE HERE DAY 4: Greek Shrimp Salad (with tomatoes, cucumber, red onions, and feta cheese) RECIPE HERE DAY 5: Sausage...

Cowboy Pasta Salad (with seasoned beef, corn, black beans, cheddar, bacon, and jalapeños in a tangy BBQ-mayo dressing) in a bowl.

Here are my dinner recommendations (and salads!) for the upcoming week (September 8-14, 2025). DAY 1: Chicken Spaghetti with Burrata Cheese, Cherry Tomatoes, and Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce RECIPE HERE DAY 2: Creamy Pumpkin Gnocchi with Spinach and Sausage (30-Minute, One-Pan) made with pumpkin puree. RECIPE HERE DAY 3: Cilantro-Lime and Black Bean Shrimp and Rice (30-Minute, One-Pan Meal) RECIPE HERE DAY 4 (NEW!): Cowboy Pasta Salad (with seasoned beef, corn, black beans, cheddar, bacon, and...

Shrimp Asparagus Pasta with Bacon, Pine Nuts, and Lemon-Butter Parmesan Sauce in a cast iron skillet.

Here are my dinner recommendations (and salads!) for the upcoming week (September 1-7, 2025). DAY 1: Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Pine Nuts RECIPE HERE DAY 2 (NEW RECIPE): Shrimp Asparagus Pasta with Bacon, Pine Nuts, and Lemon-Butter Parmesan Sauce (30-Minute Meal) RECIPE HERE DAY 3: Italian Sausage Gnocchi with Mushrooms and Bell Peppers RECIPE HERE DAY 4: Cajun Chicken Thighs with Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce (30 minutes, one-pan) RECIPE HERE DAY 5: Shrimp...