25+ Fun Christmas Eve Appetizers
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Christmas Eve is one of my favorite nights of the year, but between last minute wrapping, excited kids, and getting everything ready for the big day, I don’t want to spend the whole evening in the kitchen.
These 25+ easy and fun Christmas Eve appetizers keep things simple with plenty of holiday themed snacks, colorful charcuterie boards, creamy dips, and cold and warm finger foods everyone can graze on throughout the evening.
Whether you’re hosting a Christmas Eve party, heading to a potluck, or keeping things cozy at home gathering with family and friends, there’s a little something here for every kind of celebration.
Pick a few favorites, set them out, and enjoy more time with the people you actually want to be with.
Yummy Christmas Eve Appetizers for Kids and Adults
1. Christmas Tree Pinwheels
Christmas Tree Pinwheels turn spinach wraps, creamy ranch filling, cheddar, and red pepper into cute little trees that add instant holiday cheer to your appetizer table.
They’re easy to make ahead and serve cold, making them a fun choice for Christmas eve snacks appetizers, potlucks, parties, or holiday movie nights.
Best of all, there’s no need to spruce up your schedule with extra kitchen time, they’re quick, festive, and easy to customize. Plus add anything to a skewer, and my kids will eat it.
Bring out the leftovers for Christmas breakfast the next day.
Get the recipe: Christmas Tree Pinwheels
2. Grinch Snack Board
How fun would this Grinch Snack Board be for a Christmas Eve party or family gathering?
Green grapes create his famous face, while cheese, pepperoni, salami, and raisins turn simple snacks into an easy centerpiece everyone can nibble on.
My kids find this one especially fun, as we have a ritual of watching The Grinch movie every Christmas Eve. We always argue over the best one… me for the classic 1966 cartoon movie, and my youngest the 2018 movie (which I really do love too.. Can’t go wrong with Benedict Cumberbatch).
Add this playful board to your holiday spread for a little Who-ville fun that might just make your heart grow three sizes!
Add my Grinch pretzels for even more Grinchy fun.
Get the recipe: Grinch Snack Board
3. Cranberry Brie en Croute
If you’re looking for a bit fancier appetizer, Cranberry Brie en Croute brings plenty of holiday flair without being complicated to make.
Creamy Brie, tart cranberry sauce, and fresh rosemary are wrapped in flaky puff pastry and baked until golden and warm.
Serve it at Christmas Eve parties when you want an elegant appetizer that looks as impressive as it tastes.
Get the recipe: Cranberry Brie en Croute
🎄Check out more easy kid approved Holiday appetizers, and fun Christmas themed party food ideas and the most adorable reindeer snacks.
4. Sweet Christmas Reindeer Dip
Need something sweet among all those savory Christmas Eve bites?
Sweet Christmas Reindeer Dip combines Nutella and cream cheese with pretzel antlers, candy eyes, and Rudolph’s signature red nose for an appetizer that’s almost too cute to dip into.
Set it out with graham crackers, pretzels, or fruit for a fun snack or a sweet treat the kids can help decorate too.
Get the recipe: Reindeer Cream Cheese Dip
5. 4-Ingredient Southern Cheese Straws
Crispy, cheesy, and lightly spiced with cayenne, 4-Ingredient Southern Cheese Straws are an easy savory appetizer, that just might start a new tradition.
You only need butter, Old English cheese spread, flour, and cayenne to make these crunchy little bites.
Make a batch ahead of time and set them out for guests to nibble on while everyone gathers for Christmas Eve. T
Get the recipe: 4 Ingredient Southern Cheese Straws
6. Mini Sausage Rolls
Flaky puff pastry wrapped around a savory turkey sausage filling makes these Mini Sausage Rolls one of the best Holiday appetizers for feeding a crowd.
Onion, garlic, herbs, and spices add plenty of flavor, while store bought pastry keeps the prep manageable during a busy holiday week.
Even better, you can assemble them ahead, freeze them unbaked, and pop them straight into the oven when you’re ready to serve.
Get the recipe: Mini Sausage Rolls
7. Christmas Tree Cheese Platter
Holiday magic feels a little different once you have kids, and easy ideas like this Christmas Tree Cheese Platter let you make things festive without adding extra stress.
In about 15 minutes, cubes of Colby Jack and cheddar, juicy cherry tomatoes, and fresh rosemary can be arranged into a colorful tree that works just as well on a regular platter as a festive cutting board.
Keep it affordable with everyday cheeses or swap in your family’s favorite fruits, veggies, meats, and crackers to make it your own.
Get the recipe: Christmas Tree Cheese Platter
8. Mini Holiday Meat Pies
I love me some Mini Holiday Meat Pies like these delicious morsels with spiced ground beef that’s wrapped in a buttery shortcrust pastry.
Just don’t ever give me the mincemeat ones (Yuck! Why was that ever invented, and what exactly is it?).
Made in a muffin tray, they’re perfectly portioned and incredibly easy to prepare ahead of time.
Plus your dip options are endless.
Ketchup for the kids, or try a tangy fruit chutney or cranberry sauce for a more Christmasy spin.
Get the recipe: Mini Holiday Meat Pies
9. Dill Pickle Dip
Calling all Pickle lovers.
You may just want to keep this Dill Pickle Dip recipe close.
The creamy, tangy mix of dill pickles, ranch, sour cream, and cream cheese is seriously snackable.
After first trying it at a friend’s backyard get together, it quickly became a family favorite, with the kids reaching for tortilla chips and pretzels while I prefer crackers or crunchy veggies.
Best of all, four simple ingredients and about 15 minutes are all you need for an easy cold dip to add to your holiday appetizers.
Get the recipe: Dill Pickle Dip
🎄 Add these deliciously quick no bake Christmas treats, perfectly easy fudge recipes and holiday themed cookies to your Christmas Eve menu too!
10. Yummy Apple Pie Dip
When it’s cold outside, this warm and cozy Apple Pie Dip is the best.
It’s creamy, cinnamon spiced, and baked until golden with a buttery streusel on top.
We’ll usually use graham crackers, Nilla Wafers or pretzels for a sweet and salty fix.
Get the recipe: Yummy Apple Pie Dip
11. Antipasto Wreath Charcuterie Board
No cooking required for this colorful Antipasto Wreath Charcuterie Board, which I find is especially welcome when the kitchen is already busy with holiday dinner prep.
Salami, prosciutto, mozzarella, olives, artichokes, tomatoes, and pepperoncini are threaded onto skewers and arranged with fresh herbs for plenty of salty, creamy, tangy bites.
Despite its impressive presentation, the whole wreath takes less than 30 minutes to assemble and is easy to customize with your favorite meats, cheeses, and antipasto extras.
Get the recipe: Antipasto Charcuterie Board
12. Reindeer Mini Cheese Balls
How cute are these?
Rudolph and his crew are ready to join the holiday appetizer table with these adorable Reindeer Mini Cheese Balls. Great for the kids and fun loving adults.
Sharp cheddar, chives, toasted pecans, Dijon, and a touch of maple give the creamy filling plenty of savory flavor, while pretzel antlers and tiny red noses complete their festive look.
Make the cheese balls ahead, then add the decorations shortly before serving for an easy individual appetizer guests can grab and enjoy.
Get the recipe: Reindeer Mini Cheese Balls
13. Cranberry Brie Bites
Golden puff pastry, creamy melted Brie, and bright cranberry sauce give these Cranberry Brie Bites all the festive colors and flavors of the season.
Each buttery little cup delivers that sweet-and-savory combination guests can easily enjoy in a couple of bites, with optional herbs or nuts for a finishing touch.
Using frozen puff pastry keeps them surprisingly simple, even though they look elegant enough to earn a spot on your Christmas Eve appetizer table.
Get the recipe: Cranberry Brie Bites
14. Slow Cooker Cranberry Jalapeno Meatballs
I love a good dump-and-go recipe when the holiday season gets busy, and these Slow Cooker Cranberry Jalapeno Meatballs definitely fit the bill.
Cranberries, jalapeños, and a touch of honey or maple syrup create that sweet, tangy, slightly spicy flavor that keeps you going back for another bite.
Take the easy shortcut with premade meatballs, toss everything into the slow cooker, and let it do the work while you tackle the rest of your holiday to do list.
Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Cranberry Jalapeno Meatballs
15. Christmas Tree Cheese Ball
Part centerpiece, part snack, this Christmas Tree Cheese Ball gets its festive look from fresh rosemary “branches” and bright pomegranate seed.
Underneath all that Christmas color is creamy, herby Boursin with little bursts of sweet tart pomegranate in every scoop.
It takes only a handful of ingredients and minimal effort to shape, decorate, and serve alongside crackers, bread, or crunchy veggies.
Get the recipe: Christmas Tree Cheese Ball
16. Christmas Tree Deviled Eggs
Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree, how tasty are your branches!
These Christmas Tree Deviled Eggs swap the usual mayo for creamy avocado, giving the filling its naturally green color before bell pepper “ornaments” and a little yellow bell pepper tree topper are added.
Shortcuts like store bought hard boiled eggs and a ziploc bag instead of a piping tip make these festive little trees much easier to decorate than they look.
My pumpkin deviled eggs are also a fun holiday appetizer.
Get the recipe: Christmas Tree Deviled Eggs
17. Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
My daughter can eat her weight in chicken skewers, and when we traveled through Vietnam for three months, she regularly did!
That’s why I love adding these Teriyaki Chicken Skewers to our Christmas Eve snacks. At least I know she’ll eat something with plenty of protein that isn’t pure sugar and spice.
Juicy chicken thighs are coated in a simple hoisin and soy marinade, threaded onto skewers, and cooked in the oven for an easy savory bite that takes about 30 minutes from prep to plate.
Get the recipe: Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
18. Cheesy Biscuits (Turkish Peynirli Kurabiye)
A little salty, a little cheesy, and wonderfully crumbly, Cheesy Biscuits (Turkish Peynirli Kurabiye) are a savory Turkish style bite that practically melts in your mouth.
Sharp cheddar is mixed right into the delicate dough, with sesame, pumpkin, sunflower, or Nigella seeds adding an optional crunchy finish.
Don’t skip the chilling time, the dough stays quite delicate, and that softness is exactly what gives these biscuits their unique texture.
Get the recipe: Cheesy Biscuits (Turkish Peynirli Kurabiye)
19. Candy Cane Charcuterie Board
Red and white ingredients do all the decorating for you on this festive Candy Cane Charcuterie Board.
Strawberries, pomegranate, tomatoes, creamy cheeses, and a few sweet treats are arranged into the classic striped shape, with fresh rosemary adding a pop of green.
I love that there’s no cooking involved, it takes about 20 minutes to assemble, and you can easily swap ingredients based on what your family likes or what you already have on hand.
Get the recipe: Candy Cane Charcuterie Board
20. Christmas Tree Pull Apart Bread
Few things tempt everyone to reach for a piece quite like warm, cheesy bread, and this Christmas Tree Pull Apart Bread makes it extra fun for the winter and holiday season.
Each fluffy pizza dough ball hides gooey mozzarella inside, then gets brushed with garlic herb butter and Parmesan before baking into a golden tree.
Have a bowl of warm marinara ready for dipping and watch those cheesy branches get pulled apart one by one.
Get the recipe: Christmas Tree Pull Apart Bread
21. Christmas Wreath Fruit Board
For a fresh break from all the rich seasonal treats, add this colorful Christmas Wreath Fruit Board to the table.
Red and green fruit forms the wreath, while cubes of cheese and pecans bring in savory flavor, crunch, and a little extra visual interest.
Switch up the fruit, nuts, or cheese to suit your crowd while keeping that simple red and green Christmas look.
Get the recipe: Christmas Wreath Fruit Board
22. Hot Cocoa Dip
If hot chocolate is always a hit at your house, this creamy Hot Cocoa Dip is a fun way to turn those same cozy flavors into something everyone can share.
It takes just five ingredients and 10 minutes to make, with marshmallow fluff and Cool Whip giving it a light, fluffy texture that’s made for dipping.
Set it out with candy canes, gingerbread cookies, strawberries, pretzels, or brownie bites for a sweet addition to your Christmas Eve snacking.
Get the recipe: Hot Cocoa Dip
23. Whipped Ricotta Dip
Looking for an easy appetizer dip for your Christmas Eve menu?
This Whipped Ricotta Dip combines creamy ricotta and bright lemon with a warm thyme-infused honey drizzle and crunchy pistachios for a delicious balance of sweet and savory.
Ready in just 10 minutes, it’s an easy one to serve with toasted bread, crackers, or fresh veggies for dipping.
Get the recipe: Whipped Ricotta Dip
24. Reindeer Pigs in a Blanket
Classic pigs in a blanket get a Rudolph makeover with these fun Reindeer Pigs in a Blanket.
Premade crescent dough and cocktail wieners keep things simple, while pretzel antlers, candy eyes, and a dab of ketchup for the red nose turn each one into a cute little reindeer.
Assemble them ahead of time and bake just before serving so they’re warm and golden when everyone is ready to dig in.
Get the recipe: Reindeer Pigs in a Blanket
25. Snowman Vegetable Platter
Do you want to build a snowman?
This Snowman Vegetable Platter turns cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, tomatoes, and olives into a fun Christmas project the kids can help make, which might even convince them to sneak a few extra veggies along the way.
Add ranch, your favorite veggie dip, or my Dill Pickle Dip recipe in the middle.
Get the recipe: Snowman Vegetable Platter
26. Holiday Cranberry Baked Brie
Cranberries and baked Brie are such classic tastes of Christmas and the holidays, and this Holiday Cranberry Baked Brie brings them together in one warm, gooey dish.
The rich cheese is topped with a sweet-tart cranberry compote flavored with honey, orange, and warm spices, then finished with fresh herbs for a festive touch.
Serve it straight from the oven with crackers, fresh fruit, and extra cheese while the Brie is at its melty best.
Get the recipe: Holiday Cranberry Baked Brie
Final Thoughts: Easy Christmas Eve Appetizers
Christmas Eve is really about being together, and the last thing I want is to spend the whole night stuck in the kitchen while everyone else is having fun.
Whether you’re looking for Christmas Eve dinner ideas appetizers, cute treats for the kids, or Easy Christmas Finger Foods everyone can grab as they wander by, I hope you found a few recipes here your family will love.
Pick a couple you can make ahead, add something warm and cheesy, and don’t be afraid to take a shortcut or two. There’s enough to do this time of year!
Pour yourself something festive, put on the Christmas music, and enjoy all the food, laughter, and little traditions that make Christmas Eve feel special.
