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25 Super Simple Christmas Appetizers Your Kids Will Love

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Looking for fun, kid friendly Christmas Appetizers that kids (+ adults) will actually eat?

In this festive time of year, we’re bringing you our favourite kid approved Christmas snacks and finger food recipes. One’s we love to make over the holiday season that we’ve found both adults & kids enjoy eating.

Whether you’re hosting a family get-together, a Christmas party, or simply looking for fun and easy recipes to prepare with your little ones, our list has something for everyone. From savory bites to sweet treats.

Get ready to add a dash of holiday cheer to your table with these irresistible, kid-approved delights!

Four festive and easy Christmas Finger Foods; Christmas Mud Buddies, tortollini skewers, candy cane pastries, tater tot pizzas

Santa Approved Easy Christmas Appetizers

I swear that my kids live off Christmas appetizers from about Dec 20th to Jan 1st.

They would even forgo the whole Christmas dinner with turkey & stuffing for more Christmas finger foods if that was an option. That and copious amounts of shortbread cookies over the holiday season.

Try these best of the best Christmas appetizers for holiday parties or even snacks for dinner at home. Don’t forget your peppermint hot chocolate and festive mulled wine for the adults.

1. Easy Santa & Grinch Fruit Kabobs

Plate of santa and grinch fruit kabobs made out of green grpas, strawberries and mini marshmallows.
Photo & recipe by Suburban Simplicity

Healthy + Cute = the perfect Christmas appetizers kids will adore. Mix up your Grinch fruit kabobs with banana Santas & a few marshmallows & banana slices for delicious appetizers or snacks.

Get the recipe: Easy Christmas Fruit Kabobs

2. Shortcrust Pastry Mini Sausage Rolls

Close up of mini sausage rolls on a baking sheet, for Christmas finger foods.
Photo & recipe by Cookin’ Gorgeous

No holiday party or Christmas season is complete in our household without mini sausage rolls. Flaky puff pastry & seasoned meat is a family favourite.

I sometimes will pile them on the plate in a Christmas tree shape, with grapes in between as ornaments. Then top with a star cut out of cheese for a more festive look.

We like to make extra and heat them up for an easy Christmas morning breakfast too.

Get the recipe: Mini Sausage Rolls

3. Mini Cheese Balls

Close up of bacon, creamcheese mini cheese balls with pretzel sticks to help pick them up.
Photo & recipe by Curry Trail

To be fair, not every kid will love a tasty cheese ball. But these Mini Cheese Balls are a fun idea, that are super veratile and easy.

With just little effort you can roll the cream cheese balls in a bacon, nuts, parsley & green onions mix or get the kids to do it. My kids think this is fun for about 5 or 6 balls, until they start eating them or running off.

Add or subtract ingredients they’ll actually eat for an appetizer both kids and adults will eat.

Get the recipe: Mini Cheese Balls

4. Elf Nibbles Christmas Snack Mix

Clear mug of Elf Nibbles snack mix with cherrios, chex cereal, pretzels , M&M's and cashews.
Photo & recipe by Dizzy Busy & Hungry

Is there a more iconic Christmas Party Food for kids than an Elf Nibbles Snack Mix?

Ho Ho Ho I think not!

​Elf Nibbles are the perfect finger foods to put in tiny bowls around your home, for all the little (and big) elves to eat.

Sweetened with maple syrup (oh yeah!)  it’s one of our fav go-to easy Christmas snacks for kids. This one uses cashews, cereal mix, pretzels & M&Ms (we prefer Smarties….. it’s the Canadian in us).

If you’re using for a school party, just skip the nuts.

Get the recipe: Elf Nibbles Christmas Snack Mix

🎄 Grab more no-bake festive treat ideas here.

5. Healthy Charcuterie Board Christmas Tree

Wooden board with a Christmas tree made out of charcuterie including deli meats, red apples and green grapes.
Photo & recipe by Fit Mama Real Food

Christmas Tree Charcuterie Boards are so versatile & add cheer to your holiday table.

Just add whatever cheese, deli meat & fresh fruit your family likes best. Then include some green grapes, cranberries, or apple slices to add festive colors. 

Get the recipe: Healthy Charcuterie Board Christmas Tree

6. Reindeer Celery Sticks

Photo & recipe by Less with Laur

I love these Reindeer Celery Sticks. They’re sooo cute, quick to make and healthy for the most part.

Plus they’re a classic & simple recipe jazzed up to give your table a festive touch.

All you need are some celery sticks, sunflower butter (or nut butter if no allergies), chocolate, pretzels, raspberries and candy eyes.

A perfect last minute snack for the kids when you’re in a rush. Or say forgot to make something for their Christmas party…….. Which I, er…know nothing about of course.

Get the recipe: Reindeer Celery Sticks

7. Christmas Twisted Pizza Wreath

The festive season is here with this scrumptious Christmas Twisted Pizza. Puff pastry filled with tomato and tasty cheese, shaped into a wreath crown.

Promises a crunchy, cheesy delight that all ages will love.

Get the recipe: Christmas Twisted Pizza

8. Apple Christmas Tree

Craft adorable Apple Christmas Trees for kid-friendly appetizers!

Slice apples and decorate with vibrant red fruits as ornaments and garlands. Top with a star and sprinkle with coconut for snow and you’ll have a fun fruit salad.

Get the recipe: Apple Christmas Trees

9. Savory Christmas Veggie Pizza

Savory Rectangle pizza crust, layered with cream cheese mix and topped with broccoli, and cherry tomatoes in the shape of a Christmas tree.
Photo & recipe by On My Kid’s Plate

Transform a classic veggie pizza into a festive, broccoli-topped Christmas tree! A creamy, savory delight, perfect for Christmas parties and easy to enjoy.

One of those surprisingly delicious recipes (+ it’s served cold, a true time saver).  

Get the Recipe: Savory Christmas Tree Veggie Pizza

Young girl reading under the Christmas tree.
Miss S patiently waiting for the Christmas Appetizers to come out! | Photo: Packed for Life

⭐️ More kid friendly holiday recipes from around the world to try.

10. Christmas Guacamole

Bowl of Christmas Guacamole with pomegranate seeds and cherry tomotoes on top.
Photo & recipe by Less with Laur

Would it be a true Christmas party without Christmas Guacamole? Debatable.

I think anytime is Guacamole time, but up your holiday game with a little pomegranate and fresh flavors in under 5 minutes. Serve with tortilla chips.

Get the recipe: Christmas Guacamole

11. Chicken Fingers with 6 Mayo Dipping Sauces

Homemade chicken fingers with 6 mayo based dipping sauces.
Photo & recipe by Chef’s Pencil

In my house, chicken fingers disappear in seconds, like you’d think I never fed my kids ever.

However these tasty morsels are like chicken nuggets, only better, so the adults will love them too. All 6 sauces are mayo based and are super quick to make, so you can pick and choose depending on the day, and time you have to prep.

The dips would be delicious with a veggie platter too.

It’s a crowd-pleasing party food for the holidays.

Get the recipe: Chicken Fingers with 6 Mayo Dipping Sauces

12. Meat Candy (Bacon Wrapped Smokies)

Mini smokies wrapped in sweet bacon with a bowl of spicy dipping sauce.
Photo & recipe by Neighbor Food

Bacon wrapped smokies smothered in brown sugar are just a vehicle for this tasty, slightly spicy dip.

You can’t have one, without the other.

Add this easy recipe to your favorite things list for Christmas Eve.

Get the recipe: Meat Candy (Bacon Wrapped Smokies)

13. Candy Cane Puff Pastry

9 Candy Cane raspberry puff pastries on a wicker plate.
Photo & recipe by Mama Celebrates

Sometimes you need to switch things up and add a little sweetness to your finger food options.

Help your kids and guests satisy their pre-dinner sweet tooth with Candy Cane Puff Pastry. Heck, why not start a new holiday tradition with treats before dinner….. because you only live once!

Sometimes if I’m in a hurry, I use my favourite pre-made raspberry jam.

Get the recipe: Candy Cane Puff Pastry

14. Tortellini Caprese Skewers Recipe

6 Tortellini, mozarella ball and cherry tomotato skewers drizzled in balsalmic glaze.
Photo & recipe by Fit Mama Real Food

Anything pasta is a no brainer for my kids. These Tortellini Caprese Skewers are not only tasty but festive looking & easy to prep ahead too. While the Balsalmic glaze is optional, it tastes rather plain without it.

Side note, I brought these to a work Christmas Party, and everyone devoured them. The mozza balls taste much better when soaked in the balsalmic glaze. Next time I may even soak them in the glaze first.

Get the recipe: Tortellini Caprese Skewers Recipe

15.  Christmas Muddy Buddies

Close up a a bowl of Christmas Muddy Buddies with chex cereal and red and green M&M's.
Photo & recipe by Simply Made Eats

Whether you call it Puppy Chow, Reindeer Chow or Muddy Buddies this no bake recipe is a perennial hit with kids and adults.

A Peanut butter & chocolate chip sauce covers the Chex cereal, with some added red & green M&Ms for a a little festive flair.

Get the recipe:  Christmas Muddy Buddies

16. Pizza Tots

Photo & recipe by Homemade Interest

Pizza Tots, not just for game days!

They’re the perfect addition for holiday festivities that kids will yum up. Using crispy tater tot cups with your favourite pizza toppings.

Get the recipe: Pizza Tots

⭐️ Tasty shortbread cookie recipes for Christmas to make this year.

17. Reese’s Cup Rudolph Treats

6 mini Reese's cup Rudolp treats with candy eyes, M&M nose and Pretzels for antlers.
Photo & recipe by The Soccer Mom Blog

An adorable sweet treat for your potluck Christmas table, these Reese’s Rudolph Treats will be a favorite.

You’ll need only a few simple ingredients to make this a jolly time for the parents too.

Get the recipe: Reese’s Cup Rudolph Treats

18.  Cheddar Cheese Bites

Stack of three round cheddar cheese bites.
Photo & recipe by All Nutritious

Cheesy cheddar cheese bites are made with only 4 simple ingredients. They’re slightly crunchy, and perfect for dipping in your favourite sauces.

Try them as a kid friendly snack or finger food at your next gathering. We also like to put them in our kid’s lunch box.

Get the recipe:  Cheddar Cheese Bites

19. Kids Christmas Charcuterie Board

Kids Christmas Charcuterie board with deli meats, cheese, pickles, kiwis, raspberries, M&Ms.
Photo & recipe by My Mini Chefs

Whip up a Christmas Charcuterie Board for kids in less than 15 minutes.

Mix your favorite festive treats for a fun, colorful snack feast they’ll adore.

Get the recipe: Kids Christmas Charcuterie Board

20. Crockpot BBQ Meatballs

Bowl of crockpot BBQ meatballs with toothpicks sticking out of them.
Photo & recipe by Family Dinners

A big batch of BBQ meatballs will be a crowd pleaser, for any season and for any type of party.

We’ll usually make up a huge batch of these ahead of time, and then just thaw and cook them as needed. Our kids usually don’t mind helping us roll the balls. Especially when they know they’ll be getting one of their fav snacks in the future.

But if your short on time, you can also simmer frozen ready made meatballs with the homemade sauce while you go about your other party prep. My kinda cooking!

Get the recipe: Crockpot BBQ Meatballs

21. Cute Christmas Appetizers

Mini toothpick skewers with star shaped bread, cheese, meat on them.
Photo & recipe by Love From The Oven

Make these adorable, no-bake holiday appetizers in minutes, with just a cookie cutter and toothpicks! They use common ingredients you can find at home.

A cross between a sandwich and a skewer, they’re a fun, and super simple way to celebrate.

Get the recipe: Cute Christmas Appetizers

22. Festive Coconut Snowballs

Plate piled high with no bake coconut snowballs.
Photo & recipe by The Green Loot

Indulge guilt-free with Vegan Coconut & Rum Snowballs! These no-bake, gluten-free delights, are the perfect easy, treat for your Christmas celebration.

Sweet, coconut-y and if you use rum extract, it will put you in a more festive mood too.

Get the recipe: Festive Coconut Snowballs

23. Mac and Cheese Bites

Close up of Mac and Cheese bites beside a bowl of tomato dipping sauce.
Photo & recipe by 100 Days of Real Food

Kids and Mac and Cheese Bites go together like PB&J.

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food, with these Mac and Cheese Bites. A nostalgic, crispy, creamy delight in every bite.

Perfect as finger food, appetizers, or snacks for holiday entertaining. Adults like them too.

Get the recipe: Mac and Cheese Bites

24. Toasted Pita With Pea & Feta Cheese Dip

Close up of a dish of feta and green pea dip with pita strips.
Photo & recipe by Nutrition 2 Nourish & Flourish

We love the festive green color and textures of this Healthy Pea and Feta Creamy Dip with toasted pita strips.

I like to put it out with pretzels or carrot sticks too, and serve it in a Christmas themed dish.

It’s a healthy, easy holiday appetizer you can whip up in less than 10 minutes.

Get the recipe: Toasted Pita With Pea & Feta Cheese Dip

25. Christmas Tree Mini Quiches

Photo & recipe by Happy Kitchen

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas tree 🎶 how lovely these would look on your holiday table (bet you sang that too!).

Potato-based fluffy mini quiches make easy party food for the whole family. 

Get the recipe: Christmas Tree Mini Quiches

Final Thoughts: Yuletide Yum Christmas Finger Foods

I hope you found some kid-friendly Christmas party appetizers to bring out this year. Whether you’re looking for something savory, sweet, or a bit of both, these recipes will delight even the Grinchiest of Grinches.

So, gather your little helpers, roll up your sleeves, and dive into the joy of the holidays.

We love making festive appetizers throughought the year for all occasions, like these fun Halloween appetizers too!

Merry Christmas!

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