The holiday season is a time of joy and togetherness, and what better way to enhance the festive spirit than with delicious, better-for-you, and well-curated holiday snacks? As hosts, we have the power to create a memorable experience for our guests through thoughtfully selected treats that tantalize taste buds and nourish the body.
From mouthwatering appetizers to guilt-free indulgences, these snacks become the heart of gatherings, fostering a sense of warmth and celebration. As we craft a menu of healthy holiday snacks, we weave a tapestry of flavors that ensure a season filled with joy and health.
20 Holiday Party Snacks for Your Festive Gathering
As you gear up for festive gatherings this year, one of the first things on your mind is probably what dishes you’d like to share. If your goal is to combine a variety of flavors, textures, colors, and aromas, this list is for you. Here are 20 holiday party snacks that are sure to please the crowd.
1. Spiced Nuts
Roasted nuts provide healthy fats and protein and are an easy holiday snack. For a festive blend, combine cinnamon, nutmeg, and sugar to coat perfectly roasted nuts, offering a crunchy and flavorful snack for holiday gatherings.
2. Cheese and Charcuterie Board
Build a sophisticated array of cheeses, cured meats, crackers, olives, veggies, and fresh fruits, creating a visually stunning and palate-pleasing centerpiece for any festive occasion. Arrange your items on a decorative platter or wood chopping block. Need inspiration? See our post How to Make a Healthy Charcuterie Board.
3. Stuffed Mushrooms
For a savory bite-sized dish, stuff mushroom caps with a savory mix of herbs, breadcrumbs, and cheese to deliver an explosion of flavor. These could be made using larger portobello mushroom caps or a smaller variety, like white button mushrooms.
4. Cranberry Brie Bites
Make mini pastry cups that cradle the creamy richness of brie and the tart sweetness of cranberry sauce, combining for an elegant and delicious hors d'oeuvre.
5. Healthy Holiday Snack Mix
In a festive dish, combine some healthier ingredients for a grab-and-go snack mix. For instance, a mixture of nuts, pumpkin seeds, dark chocolate, pretzels, and dried fruit like raisins, mango, or pineapple.
6. Caprese Skewers
Bring this favorite simple salad to parties in a hand-held form. Cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil come together on skewers, drizzled with balsamic glaze, creating a colorful and delectable appetizer.
7. Spinach Artichoke Dip
Make it creamy and cheesy, laden with spinach and artichokes, and serve with pita chips, slices of baguette, or a variety of sliced veggies. Whether you make this traditional recipe or a non-dairy version, it’s an irresistible crowd-pleaser. Consider adding other veggies to the mix, like chopped asparagus or leeks.
8. Bruschetta
The perfect vehicle for flavorful, nutritious ingredients, create Bruschetta using toasted bread generously topped with a vibrant mix of diced tomatoes, garlic, and fresh basil.
9. Deviled Eggs
Fill protein-packed hard-boiled eggs with a seasoned yolk mixture, boasting a classic and comforting holiday snack.
10. Mini Quiches
These are delightful, bite-sized quiches with various healthy fillings such as spinach, broccoli, mushrooms, and cheese, providing a miniature taste of savory perfection. You could even toss in some chopped Chomps Italian Style Beef Sticks.
11. Fruit Kabobs
There’s no wrong way to make these! Use whatever you have on hand to create skewers laden with a rainbow of fresh, juicy fruits, offering a refreshing and healthy alternative amid the festive indulgence.
12. Stuffed Avocados
Avocados are creamy and tasty on their own, offering a lovely vehicle for other flavors in their natural inner pocket. Serve them stuffed with cooked quinoa, diced mango, and Chomps Jalapeno Beef Sticks.
13. Chocolate-Covered Strawberries
Many argue that there’s no better combination than chocolate and berries. Try plump strawberries dipped in luscious melted chocolate, a sweet and elegant dessert option.
14. Vegetable Crudité Platter
The veggie platter always gets eaten when there are yummy dips involved. Make an arrangement of crisp, colorful vegetables with an assortment of things like hummus, ranch, guacamole, or queso.
15. Citrus Salsa
A citrus-centered take turns everyday salsa into a festive and bright dipping condiment perfect for a holiday party snack spread. You can use ingredients like diced mango, oranges, or pineapple along with avocado, cilantro, lime, scallions, and other seasonings of choice. Serve with tortilla chips.
16. Pigs in a Blanket
A holiday party isn’t complete without these little piggies. You can make them with mini sausages, Chomps Original Beef Sticks, or vegan dogs for your plant-based friends. Simply wrap them in golden crescent roll dough, bake, and serve with honey mustard.
17. Caramelized Onion and Gruyere Tartlets
Create a delectable bite-sized snack with these mini tarts filled with the sweet richness of caramelized onions and the savory depth of melted Gruyere cheese.
18. Hummus and Pita Chips
This is a classic and crowd-pleasing combination of velvety hummus and crunchy pita chips, providing a satisfying and wholesome snack option. You might also include fresh veggies to dip or consider adding a twist to your recipe, like making sweet potato, edamame, or beet hummus.
19. Cucumber Bites with Herbed Cream Cheese
Here’s a light and refreshing alternative among heartier festive fare. Serve a plate of sliced cucumber discs topped with herbed cream cheese.
20. Air Fryer Veggie Chips
Pretty much everyone who has an air fryer is obsessed with it, so why not use it to your advantage this holiday season? This is a great tool to make seasoned veggie chips out of things like thinly sliced potatoes, carrots, zucchini, or even kale.
Creating Unforgettable Celebrations with These Irresistible Holiday Snacks
Despite the many factors that make us all unique, food is a common thread that brings people together. While this is true all year long, the holidays are a special season where food becomes a celebratory centerpiece among community.
What we remember the most about festive gatherings during this time of year isn’t just the people we spent time with or the places we visited, but also the food we shared. Consider trying some of the holiday snack ideas above to create your own memorable holiday gatherings this year.
