Hosting a holiday gathering means finding appetizers that are festive, flavorful, and easy to scale for large groups.
Whether you’re planning a cozy family get-together or a bustling Christmas party, the right starters set the tone for the entire celebration.
Here are some of the best Christmas appetizers for a crowd, complete with detailed descriptions to help you prepare, serve, and impress your guests.
1. Cranberry Brie Bites
Cranberry Brie bites are a classic bite-sized appetizer that offer the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and creamy.
They’re made using puff pastry squares baked with chunks of Brie cheese and a spoonful of cranberry sauce, making them look elegant while staying incredibly easy to prepare in large batches.
These treats are ideal for crowds because you can assemble multiple trays ahead of time and bake right before serving.
The golden pastry, melted Brie, and festive red cranberry topping make them a visually stunning holiday favorite.
Read full recipe: Cranberry Brie Bites
2. Caprese Christmas Skewers
These simple yet festive skewers bring fresh, vibrant color to your appetizer table.
Cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and fresh basil are threaded onto toothpicks, then finished with a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
They resemble mini red-and-green holiday ornaments and add a refreshing option among the heavier Christmas dishes.
You can prepare the skewers hours ahead and refrigerate them, making them a convenient choice for serving a crowd.
3. Garlic Parmesan Pull-Apart Bread
Pull-apart bread is a warm, comforting appetizer that guests tear into the moment it hits the table.
Made with biscuit or pizza dough coated in butter, garlic, herbs, and Parmesan, it bakes into a golden, fluffy loaf that pulls apart effortlessly.
It’s perfect for crowds because one loaf feeds many, and you can easily double or triple the recipe.
Serve it hot with marinara or a cheesy dipping sauce to keep the party going.
4. Spinach and Artichoke Stuffed Mushrooms
Stuffed mushrooms are a classic holiday favorite, and adding spinach and artichoke filling gives them a rich, creamy upgrade.
The earthy mushroom caps hold spoonfuls of the cheesy mixture, which turns golden on top as it bakes.
These are ideal for serving guests because they’re naturally bite-sized and can be baked on large trays without much hands-on time.
They also reheat well, making them great for long gatherings.
Read More: Pesto Stuffed Mushrooms recipe
5. Holiday Charcuterie Board
A charcuterie board is one of the easiest appetizers to scale for any number of guests.
Fill a large board with assorted meats, cheeses, crackers, fruits, nuts, and holiday-themed touches like rosemary sprigs, pomegranate seeds, or star-shaped cheese slices.
The beauty of charcuterie is its flexibility—you can customize it to your group size and budget, and it requires zero cooking.
It’s a visually stunning centerpiece and gives guests plenty of variety.
6. Sausage Cranberry Stuffed Mini Peppers
Mini sweet peppers are the perfect vessel for festive fillings, and the combination of sausage, cranberry, and cream cheese creates a sweet-savory blend that feels very Christmas-appropriate.
These peppers are quick to assemble, bake beautifully, and stay warm for a long time, making them ideal for buffet-style gatherings.
Plus, they add a colorful pop to your table.
Also Check: 15 Apple Sauce Recipes for Baking
7. Shrimp Cocktail Platter
A shrimp cocktail is simple but always crowd-pleasing.
Arrange chilled shrimp around a bowl of zesty cocktail sauce and add lemon wedges and dill for a festive touch.
This appetizer requires minimal preparation, especially if you buy pre-cooked shrimp, and it’s easy to scale up by adding more platters.
It’s a refreshing option that balances out the richer holiday dishes.
8. Mini Meatball Skewers
Mini meatball skewers are hearty, flavorful, and easy for guests to enjoy while mingling.
You can use homemade or store-bought meatballs, then skewer them with cherry tomatoes, basil, or mozzarella for a festive twist.
They can be kept warm in a slow cooker or served at room temperature.
These skewers are particularly good for larger crowds because you can prepare dozens at once with minimal effort.
9. Baked Brie with Pecans and Honey
Baked Brie is a warm, gooey appetizer that feels luxurious despite being extremely simple to make.
Top a wheel of Brie with chopped pecans, honey, and a sprinkle of cinnamon, then bake until soft and melty. Serve with crackers or toasted baguette slices.
One wheel can serve many guests, and you can easily bake multiple if needed.
The sweet, nutty topping adds a festive holiday flavor that guests love.
10. Deviled Eggs with Holiday Garnish
Deviled eggs are a timeless finger food, and adding festive garnishes like paprika, dill, or tiny diced red peppers gives them a Christmas flair.
They’re budget-friendly, easy to make in large batches, and always disappear quickly.
They hold up well on appetizer tables for hours, making them great for events where guests come and go.
11. Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus
This elegant appetizer combines crisp asparagus with salty prosciutto for the perfect bite.
Roast the asparagus until tender, then wrap each spear with thin prosciutto slices.
It’s a naturally low-carb option that still feels festive and upscale.
These can be served warm or at room temperature and are simple to prepare by the dozen, making them perfect for large holiday crowds.
12. Loaded Christmas Nachos
Give your nachos a holiday twist by layering red and green toppings such as cherry tomatoes, jalapeños, green onions, and festive salsa.
Add melted cheese, chicken, or beans to make them hearty enough for bigger gatherings.
Nachos are great because you can quickly prepare huge sheet pans at once and replenish them throughout the party.
They’re casual, fun, and always a hit.
Read More: 15 fun baking recipes desserts
13. Honey Garlic Cocktail Sausages
This appetizer is both sweet and savory, and incredibly easy to prepare using a slow cooker.
Cocktail sausages simmered in a honey, garlic, and soy sauce mixture become sticky, flavorful, and irresistible.
They stay warm throughout the event, making them perfect for buffets and come-and-go gatherings.
Guests can easily serve themselves using toothpicks.
14. Pesto Christmas Tree Pizza Bread
This fun, festive appetizer is shaped like a Christmas tree using pizza dough balls filled with cheese and brushed with pesto.
The tree is baked until golden, then served with marinara for dipping.
It’s visually impressive and surprisingly simple to assemble, especially when making several trees for a larger crowd.
It doubles as a decorative appetizer and a warm comfort food.
15. Cranberry BBQ Meatballs
Cranberry BBQ meatballs combine traditional holiday flavors with a sweet-tangy twist.
Simmer meatballs in a sauce made from cranberry sauce and barbecue sauce, giving them a glossy, flavorful finish.
This dish scales effortlessly because you can cook large batches in a slow cooker.
They remain warm throughout your event and offer a festive upgrade to classic cocktail meatballs.
