17 Last Minute Christmas Appetizers Ideas

Holiday gatherings call for easy bites that bring color, flavor, and visual appeal to the table. From playful themed cheese balls to elegant crostini, this list highlights small dishes that add variety and charm to any spread. Whether you’re building a themed board or looking for one standout appetizer, these ideas deliver both style and taste. You’ll find quick air‑fryer favorites, creative dips, and beautifully arranged snacks that are perfect for parties, mingling guests, or cozy nights in.

Cranberry and Cream Cheese Dip

Baked brie topped with cranberries, rosemary, and melted cheese in a skillet, served with sliced baguette on a wooden board. — Cranberry and Cream Cheese Dip. Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

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Tart cranberry sauce sits atop a block of smooth cream cheese for a bright, colorful dip. Add green onions or jalapeños for a hint of spice and texture. Serve with crackers or toasted baguette slices. It’s quick to assemble and perfect for snacking.

Get the Recipe: Cranberry and Cream Cheese Dip

Christmas Poinsettia Focaccia Bread

Rectangular focaccia bread topped with red bell pepper slices, cherry tomatoes, yellow tomatoes, and arugula arranged in floral patterns, in a white baking dish on a white surface. — Christmas Poinsettia Focaccia Bread. Photo credit: xoxo Bella .

This focaccia is decorated with thinly sliced vegetables arranged like festive poinsettia petals. Bell peppers and red onions add bold color and flavor. The interior stays soft while the crust turns golden. Serve warm or at room temperature with your favorite dips.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Poinsettia Focaccia Bread

Christmas Charcuterie Board

A festive charcuterie board with assorted meats, cheeses, fruits, crackers, and a cheese dip topped with pomegranate seeds shaped like a Christmas tree, on a red snowflake napkin. — Christmas Charcuterie Board. Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

A seasonal board layered with meats, cheeses, fruits, and nuts arranged in shapes like a tree or wreath. Use red and green grapes, berries, and olives for holiday color. Perfect for grazing while guests mingle. It’s visually striking and full of variety.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Charcuterie Board

Christmas Pinwheels

A stack of spinach tortilla pinwheels filled with cream cheese and vegetables, garnished with whole cherry tomatoes on a white plate. — Christmas Pinwheels. Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

Tortilla pinwheels filled with cream cheese, spinach, and roasted red peppers. Rolled and sliced, their red and green layers add festive flair. They’re simple to prep and hold their shape well on platters. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Pinwheels

Christmas Deviled Eggs – Holiday Appetizer

A wooden serving board with deviled eggs topped with diced red and yellow peppers and rosemary sprigs, surrounded by more rosemary, with green linens and garlic in the background. — Christmas Deviled Eggs – Holiday Appetizer. Photo credit: Xoxo Bella .

Deviled eggs get a holiday twist with tinted yolk filling or decorative toppings. Pipe the mixture into fun shapes like trees or wreaths and finish with herbs. These bite‑sized appetizers are easy to make ahead and always popular.

Get the Recipe: Christmas Deviled Eggs – Holiday Appetizer

Christmas Tree Board

A festive charcuterie board arranged in the shape of a Christmas tree, featuring meats, cheeses, crackers, vegetables, and herbs, with holiday decorations and ribbon. — Christmas Tree Board. Photo credit: Flavor Mosaic.

A tall, tree‑shaped snack board with a mix of sweets and savory bites. Arrange finger foods in a triangular layout to resemble a tree. This creative presentation is a fun base for holiday gatherings and perfect for sharing.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Tree Board

Christmas Reindeer Cheese Ball

A holiday cheese ball decorated as a reindeer with pretzel antlers, olives and tomato face, surrounded by crackers, cheese cubes, nuts, grapes, pickles, and other snacks. — Christmas Reindeer Cheese Ball. Photo credit: Xoxo Bella .

This cheese ball is shaped like a reindeer head with pretzels for antlers and olives or peppers for facial features. A blend of cream cheese and cheddar makes it rich and spreadable. Surround with crackers or veggies for a playful centerpiece.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Reindeer Cheese Ball

Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board

A charcuterie board with assorted cheeses, meats, crackers, pretzels, olives, fruits, jam, dried apricots, and a glass of red wine on a white surface. — Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board. Photo credit: Xoxo Bella .

Rows of meats, cheeses, fruits, and herbs form a festive tree shape. Use rosemary sprigs for “branches” and varied textures for visual interest. It’s a fun, fragrant way to serve a classic snack board at holiday parties.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board

Christmas Tree Cheese Platter

Cubes of cheddar and marbled cheese with grape tomatoes arranged on a wooden board in a triangular shape, garnished with rosemary sprigs. — Christmas Tree Cheese Platter. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

Cheese cubes stack into a tree layout with colorful accents like grapes, olives, or cherry tomatoes. A star‑shaped slice of cheese tops the arrangement. Simple to build and easy to serve, this platter adds vibrant color to any buffet.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Tree Cheese Platter

Sausage Roll Wreath

A festive pastry shaped like a sunflower with a bowl of cranberry sauce in the center, surrounded by evergreen branches and Christmas ornaments. — Sausage Roll Wreath. Photo credit: Tessie’s Table.

Puff pastry wrapped around seasoned sausage meat forms a pull‑apart wreath. A golden egg wash and sesame seeds add shine and texture. Serve with mustard or dipping sauces in the center. Tasty and decorative for festivities.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Roll Wreath

Charcuterie Wreath

A white plate arranged with skewers holding mozzarella balls, tomatoes, olives, artichokes, salami, and fresh herbs, forming a wreath shape. — Charcuterie Wreath. Photo credit: I heart Eating.

Cured meats, cheeses, and extras are arranged in a circular wreath shape on a board. Add rosemary sprigs and berries for pops of holiday color. Use toothpicks for easy serving. This makes both a centerpiece and a snack in one.
Get the Recipe: Charcuterie Wreath

Cranberry jalapeño salsa

A white bowl filled with cranberry salsa, surrounded by whole jalapeños, crackers, cranberries, chopped herbs, and a slice of red onion. — Cranberry jalapeño salsa. Photo credit: Hungry Whisk.

Fresh cranberries blend with jalapeños, cilantro, and lime for a bright, spicy salsa. Serve with chips or spoon over cream cheese for a layered dip. The mix of tart and heat adds excitement to any appetizer spread.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry jalapeño sals

Cranberry Brie Bites with Puff Pastry

Mini puff pastry tarts filled with cranberry sauce and cheese, garnished with rosemary, on a wooden board with cranberries and herbs in the background. — Cranberry Brie Bites with Puff Pastry. Photo credit: An Edible Mosaic.

Golden puff pastry squares hold melted brie and sweet cranberry sauce. The cheese becomes gooey while the crust stays crisp. Sprinkle with thyme or pecans for extra texture. These disappear fast from appetizer trays.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Brie Bites with Puff Pastry

Dill salmon mousse

A hand spreads caviar-topped mousse onto a cracker over a rectangular white dish, with a napkin featuring red and green embroidery in the foreground. — Dill salmon mousse. Photo credit: In the Kitch.

Smoked salmon, dill, and lemon fold into a creamy, airy mousse. Pipe onto crackers or cucumber rounds for a refined bite. Garnish with extra dill or capers. A sophisticated choice for seafood lovers.
Get the Recipe: Dill salmon mousse

Bourbon Bacon Jam Crostini

Toasted baguette slices topped with cheese, caramelized onions, and fresh herbs on parchment paper. — Bourbon Bacon Jam Crostini. Photo credit: The Savory Cipolla.

Toasted baguette slices are topped with rich bacon jam made with bourbon and onions. The result is smoky, sweet, and slightly tangy. Add a small brie slice or fresh herbs to elevate the flavor. An upscale snack with bold taste.
Get the Recipe: Bourbon Bacon Jam Crostini

Apple Cranberry Chutney

A bowl filled with chunky cranberry relish containing pieces of fruit and onion, placed on a red and white striped cloth next to a spoon. — Apple Cranberry Chutney. Photo credit: Right at home.

This chunky relish blends apples, cranberries, vinegar, and spices into a sweet‑tart spread. Serve it over cream cheese or as a topper for crackers and breads. The bright flavor pairs well with cheese boards or meat appetizers.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cranberry Chutney

Crispy Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges

Plate of seasoned sweet potato fries garnished with parsley and salt, served with a creamy dipping sauce and a wedge of lime on the side. — Crispy Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges. Photo credit: Hungry Whisk.

Sweet potato wedges roast crisp on the outside and stay tender inside with minimal oil. Tossed with spices like paprika or garlic for added flavor. Serve with dipping sauces such as aioli or sour cream. A hearty addition to holiday snacks.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges