20 Holiday Appetizers for an Easy, Crowd-Pleasing Party

The holiday season is upon us, and nothing gets the festivities rolling faster (and tastier) than a spread of easy, crowd‑pleasing holiday party appetizers. Whether you're hosting a family gathering or an upscale winter soirée, easy holiday appetizers set the tone for any event.

Great appetizers for holiday party events should be full of flavor and simple to prepare. This list brings together make‑ahead favorites, elevated classics, and Chomps‑infused recipes that let you spend less time cooking and more time celebrating.

Best Holiday Appetizer Recipes

Below, you'll find ideas for crowd-pleasing holiday party hors d’oeuvres to bring to your next gathering.

 Chomps Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels

• Why It’s Great: Spicy, creamy pinwheels that combine savory turkey sticks with cream cheese and tortillas.

• Key Ingredients: Chomps Turkey Sticks (finely chopped), cream cheese, spinach tortillas.

• Quick Tip: Chill these easy holiday appetizers for 1 hour before slicing for clean cuts.

Chomps Beef Stick Stuffed Mushrooms

• Why It’s Great: Chomps add a meaty, smoky twist to the classic stuffed mushroom.

• Key Ingredients: Chomps Original Beef Sticks (diced), cream cheese, parmesan, mushrooms.

• Quick Tip: Bake these holiday party appetizers until golden and bubbly for best results.

Holiday Charcuterie Board with Chomps

• Why It’s Great: Elevates a standard cheese and charcuterie board by featuring high-quality, grass-fed and finished beef sticks.

• Key Ingredients: Chomps beef sticks (sliced), assorted cheeses, nuts, dried fruits, crackers.

• Quick Tip: Add beef stick slices for visual variety on your board of easy holiday appetizers.

Vegan Stuffed Mushrooms with Artichokes & Kale

• Why It’s Great: A plant-based, hearty, flavorful, and elegant option among easy holiday appetizers by dietitian Melissa Traub.

• Key Ingredients: Artichoke hearts, kale, vegan cream cheese (or cashew cheese), baby bella mushrooms.

• Quick Tip: Prepare the filling ahead to make assembly quick.

Baked Brie in Puff Pastry

• Why It’s Great: Melty, elegant, and irresistible crowd-pleaser that looks complicated, but really isn’t. 

• Key Ingredients: Brie, puff pastry, jam or cranberries, nuts.

• Quick Tip: Consider chilling these easy holiday appetizers before slicing for a cleaner presentation.

Deviled Egg Bar

• Why It’s Great: Classic with a twist, a deviled egg bar is creamy, customizable, and always a hit.

• Key Ingredients: Eggs, mustard, mayo, sliced Chomps, or herbs (optional).

• Quick Tip: Use a piping bag for neat filling these holiday party appetizers.

Slow-Cooker Cocktail Smokies

• Why It’s Great: Requires minimal effort for maximum flavor and is perfect for continual grazing.

• Key Ingredients: Smoky sausages, grape jelly, chili sauce.

• Quick Tip: Keep these holiday appetizers on low to stay warm throughout the party.

Holiday Cheese Ball

• Why It’s Great: Retro favorite jazzed up and festive, cheesy and fun to share.

• Key Ingredients: Cream cheese, cheddar, seasoning, bacon, pecans.

• Quick Tip: Roll these holiday appetizers in nuts or herbs for texture and look.

Spinach Artichoke Dip

• Why It’s Great: Warm, creamy, veggie-packed universal favorite.

• Key Ingredients: Spinach, artichokes, cheese, cream.

• Quick Tip: Serve these holiday party appetizers in a bread bowl to soak in all the goodness.

Roasted Rosemary Snack Cups 

• Why It’s Great: Herby, savory nut cups paired with Chomps sticks create an elegant and portable snack.

• Key Ingredients: Mixed nuts, dried rosemary, cayenne, maple syrup, Chomps meat sticks.

• Quick Tip: Serve these easy holiday appetizers in small jars with toothpicked apples for easy sipping and crunch.

3-Ingredient Pepper Jelly & Cream Cheese Bites

• Why It’s Great: So simple yet bursting with sweet-spicy contrast.

• Key Ingredients: Cream cheese, pepper jelly, crescent rolls.

• Quick Tip: Chill these holiday party appetizers l before serving for a clean slice.

Prosciutto & Cantaloupe Skewers

• Why It’s Great: Sweet-savory duo that's elegant, so pretty, and almost effortless.

• Key Ingredients: Prosciutto, cantaloupe melon.

• Quick Tip: Serve these easy holiday appetizers chilled for contrast.

Crudité and Ranch Cups

• Why It’s Great: Fresh veggies and ranch in a grab-and-go cup, topped with Chomplings.

• Key Ingredients: Assorted veggies, homemade ranch, Chomplings.

• Quick Tip: Make ranch ahead and layer veggies loosely for easy grabbing.

Fire Crackers (Spiced Saltine Crackers)

• Why It’s Great: Addictive, spicy, crunchy, a great spicy chip alternative.

• Key Ingredients: Saltine crackers, oil or butter, red pepper flakes, spices. 

• Quick Tip: Double-bake the crackers for extra crispness in these easy holiday appetizers.

Caramelized Onion, Goat Cheese & Arugula Tart 

• Why It’s Great: Elegant, savory tart with rich flavors and a beautiful presentation by dietitian Christina Iaboni.

• Key Ingredients: Puff pastry, caramelized onions, goat cheese, arugula.

• Quick Tip: Add arugula just before serving to preserve the freshness of these holiday party appetizers.

Pepperoni Pull-Apart Christmas Tree Rolls

• Why It’s Great: Festive pull-apart rolls with savory Chomps venison and cheese make a perfect centerpiece for your holiday party.

• Key Ingredients: Chomps Salt & Pepper Venison, wild mushrooms, sharp cheddar, pizza dough.

• Quick Tip: Brush these best holiday appetizer recipes with herb butter and serve warm with marinara for dunking.

Baked Goat Cheese with Herbs

• Why It’s Great: Warm, tangy, herbaceous, this dip spreads like a dream.

• Key Ingredients: Goat cheese, herbs, bread for dipping.

• Quick Tip: Broil these easy holiday party appetizers briefly for a golden top. 

Whole30 Jalapeño Poppers

• Why It’s Great: Spicy, creamy, and made with simple whole food ingredients, these are perfect for your health-conscious guests.

• Key Ingredients: Chomps Jalapeño or Habanero Beef, Whole30 cream cheese, jalapeño halves.

• Quick Tip: Bake these easy holiday appetizers until filling is bubbling; serve immediately.

Spinach and Mushroom Quiche

• Why It’s Great: Hearty, protein-packed, and easy, this quiche is great for brunch-style holiday gatherings.

• Key Ingredients: Pie crust, spinach, mushrooms, Chomps Original Beef (sliced), eggs, gruyère, parmesan.

• Quick Tip: Use gluten-free crust and almond milk for these holiday party appetizers if guests have food allergies or sensitivities.

Mini Zucchini Pizza Bites

• Why It’s Great: Low-carb, mini pizzas use zucchini instead of dough for quick and festive holiday appetizers.

• Key Ingredients: Zucchini rounds, pizza sauce, cheese, and optional toppings.

• Quick Tip: Salt zucchini slices first to draw out moisture before baking these easy holiday appetizers.

Need more holiday party appetizer ideas? Check out our ultimate keto holiday guide, holiday gift baskets, and healthy holiday snacks roundups. 

Pro Tips for Serving Holiday Appetizers

If you are planning a holiday party, you want to be sure you have enough food for your guests, that it is displayed festively, and that it is kept at a safe temperature.

Here are our pro-tips for ensuring the best party where everyone leaves healthy and with full bellies.

1. Planning Portions

Start by thinking about your guest list, the length of your event, and whether you’re serving a full meal afterward. For a 2-hour gathering where the best holiday party appetizer recipes are just the warm-up, plan for 5–6 pieces per guest. For longer parties or when the easy holiday appetizers are the main food, aim for 8–10 pieces per guest.

2. Create a Festive Display

Presentation sets the mood of the party before anyone takes a bite. Use tiered platters to add visual interest and decorate with holiday garnishes like fresh rosemary sprigs, cinnamon sticks, or pomegranate seeds. 

3. Food Safety and Temperature

Timing is everything when it comes to food safety and quality. For cold holiday party appetizers, set them out on chilled platters with ice packs underneath. For hot dishes, use chafing dishes or slow cookers to keep items at safe temperatures without drying them out. 

If your menu includes both, arrange the table so hot dishes are grouped together and cold dishes are placed farther from heat sources.

Wrap Up the Fun with Easy Holiday Appetizers

Holiday entertaining should be fun, not stressful. The right mix of easy holiday appetizers lets you offer variety without spending the entire evening in the kitchen. From Chomps-powered bites that add flavor and protein, to vegetarian options and crowd-pleasing classics, there’s a perfect fit for every guest.

When planning your spread, mix and match textures and flavors. Providing many options keeps the table visually exciting and gives guests plenty of reasons to keep sampling.

Be sure to make ahead some of the best holiday appetizer recipes, so you can enjoy yourself on the day as well. 

So you begin to plan your holiday meals, stock up on your favorite Chomps meat sticks for convenience and a festive flair.