50 Easy Make Ahead Christmas Appetizers and Finger Food
Get Organized Before the Party Starts!
We all know how busy the festive season can get with all the parties and unexpected guests. But never fear - as we've assembled dozens of recipes and ideas that will have you fully prepared long before the celebrations start! So instead of rushing in and out of the room frantically trying to keep on top of boiling pots and smoking ovens - you can relax and enjoy the company of your guests. Right lets get to it!
1) Ravioli in a tomato sauce
2) Bacon cheddar bites
3) Mini charcuterie boxes
4) Mediterranean bruschetta hummus platter
5) Grazing table
6) Turkey shaped veggie bowl with dip
7) Turkey shaped veggie bowl
8) Cheese board
9) Fruit Santas
10) Fruit and cheese Christmas tree
11) Christmas Wreath Bread
Start off by baking slices of crescent rolls in a circle at 375 for 15 mins. Then top with a mixture of 8 oz cream cheese, 4 oz sour cream, 1 tsp dill + pinch of garlic powder. Finally garnish with broccoli, red peppers, yellow peppers and any other vegetables you like!
12) Cheese Ball Snowman
This is like the water cooler of Christmas parties - where people can grab a cracker and spread some lush cheese spread all over it under the watchful eye of the happy go lucky snowman!
Grab your mixing bow and start off with 8oz of cream cheese (softened) then add 1 tsp of salt, 1 tsp of onion powder, 1 tsp of garlic powder, 1/4 tsp of smoked paprika, 1/4 cup of shredded cheddar cheese then give everything a really good mix.
Grab your mixture and roll it into a bowl and then roll it in some finely grated Parmesan cheese. Then wrap it and refrigerate for 1 hour.
13) Christmas Tree Cheese Platter
The Christmas tree cheese, meat and fruit platter is a must have for the festive season - in fact they're so popular and get eaten so quickly it's always handy to have a spare one ready to go just in case!
I've given several ideas for the type of layout you can create (below) so just follow the video at the bottom of the images to see how quickly you can then create your Christmas tree platter.
Make sure to add a good range of different style crackers and some yummy dips too as this will ensure your guests are all happy (not hangry!) until the main course is served!
Christmas Tree Cheese Board
14) Mini Christmas Trees
These look so cool when placed in the center of your Christmas table! So you'll only need three ingredients for these - cheese, cucumber and tomatoes.
Start by making lots of mini cheese stars (with a small star shape cutter). Next cut slivers of cucumber like in the image shown and cut about a dozen cherry tomatoes in half.
Then assemble the appetizers as seen below using a toothpick....yummy!
15) Cherry Tomatoes with Mozzarella Cheese and Basil
Again these are very simple to make and the colors just yell "Christmas!!" from the roof tops!
Grab two dozen cherry tomatoes and slice them down the center. Remove a small amount of the seeds - then fill with tiny slices of mozzarella cheese and add in a small basil leave. Add a pinch of sea salt and black pepper and you're good to go!
16) Christmas Wreath Platter
This is a bit like the Christmas wreath platter - another really festive way to make your Christmas table look awesome! So if you have a round platter start by laying out all your ingredients first so you know exactly what you have to work with.
Start of by placing a glass dish of ranch dip into the middle of the platter. Then working out from the dish, add your cheeses like cheddar, Manchego etc. Make sure you cut them into different sizes to add variety to your platter. Also add your crackers in with the cheese - you can even break the larger crackers into some fun shapes!
So just watch the video below and you'll soon have a gorgeous wreath platter fit for a king!
17) Boiled Egg Snowman
Whats better than a boiled egg? A boiled egg snowman of course! So just follow the steps in the below image and you'll soon have some festive friends that will give your Christmas table a super special holiday vibe!
18) Cheese Star
Here's another really creative way to serve your cheese for the holidays! Grab five of your favorite types of cheese and dice them into even squares. Add some pecan nuts in the center and a few dips and crackers on the side! So simple but it really does look great!
19) Grinch Kabobs
Layer mini marshmallows, strawberry, banana slice and a grape on a toothpick and you get all the glory of a Grinch kabob! Super simple and super yummy!
20) Festive Wands
Grab your mini star cutter and cut about a dozen cheese stars - and simply place your pretzel stick in the end. It's so easy you'll actually think you've cheated!
21) Meat and Cheese Candy Cane
Once again all you need to do is dice some of your favorite cheeses and slice up some meats and arrange in a candy can just like below.
22) Cucumber Christmas Trees
Another simple one - simply slice your cucumber and add to some bread that you've cut into mini Christmas trees then add a cheese star on top!
23) Christmas Tree Hot Dogs
I absolutely love these! Simply cut out Christmas tree shaped pastry (2 slices for each hot dog) baste them in butter and cook them in the oven at 375 for about 12 mins. Kids will absolutely go crazy for these!
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Comments
Rochelle Frank from California Gold Country on December 13, 2020:
These are great presentations.. going to prove the point that "we eat with our eyes". The ingredients are important, but not as much as how they are styled, especially with appetizers. Everyone wants to eat a grinch.
