Ten Easy Holiday Appetizers

Thanksgiving is over and everyone is busy planning for the upcoming holidays! Decorating your home, shopping for gifts, planning family get togethers and deciding what to bring to holiday parties is all part of this hectic and festive time of year!

Entertaining is definitely a major part of the holiday season. If you are hosting a small gathering at home or a large family Christmas Eve celebration you need to think about your menu and that often

includes Christmas appetizers. Appetizers are always a great way to start off a holiday party. Guests enjoy appetizers as a way to relax before dinner and sip that first cocktail of the night.

Appetizers do not have to be difficult to make or too time consuming. No need to break a sweat while preparing your appetizers for your upcoming party. We are going to share a round up of easy holiday appetizers to help you out at this busy time of year!!

Easy Holiday Appetizers

Pigs in a Blanket Wreath

Val cannot believe how fast this appetizer is consumed when she hosts a Christmas Day dinner. We promise this will be a recipe you will make on repeat every Christmas! It looks very festive and great paired with other holiday appetizers.

If you have grandchldren we totally recommend this appetizer. This recipe is easy to assemble and you can prepare it in advance by covering it with Saran Wrap and refrigerate for no more than 24 hours.

Pigs In A Blanket Wreath From Delish

• 1 tube refrigerated crescent rolls
• 24 mini hot dogs
• 1/4 c. Dijon mustard
• Egg wash
• 2 tsp. poppy seeds
• Rosemary sprigs (for decoration)
• Ketchup & Mustard for serving

Step 1

Preheat oven to 375° F. Line a large baking pan with parchment paper. Slice crescent rolls lengthwise into thirds. Brush all over with dijon mustard. Place a mini hot dog on the thick end of each triangle and roll up.

Step 2

Arrange the pigs in a blanket, side by side, in a circle on the baking sheet. They should be touching! Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with salt and poppy seeds.

Step 3

Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until the crescents are golden. Let cool for at least 20 minutes.

Step 4

Lay rosemary sprigs around the inside of the wreath and place a small bowl filled with ketchup or mustard in the center.

Sausage Roll Wreath

Sausage Roll Wreath by Delish

This is another appetizer that has a very festive presence and tastes really good too! We would not describe this appetizer as easy but it has a major presence on your appetizer buffet and your guests will be delighted!

• 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tsp. chopped fresh rosemary
• 2 tsp. chopped fresh sage
• 12 oz. sweet Italian pork sausage, casings removed
• 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
• All-purpose flour, for surface
• 1 (14-oz.) pkg. puff pastry, thawed
• 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard, divided
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1/2 tsp. toasted sesame seeds
• 1/4 tsp. poppy seeds
• Cranberry chutney or cranberry sauce, for serving

Step 1

In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil. Add onion; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until browned in spots, about 10 minutes. Stir in rosemary and sage. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl. Let cool 5 minutes.

Step 2

Into bowl with onion mixture, crumble sausage and add parsley and Worcestershire; season with salt and pepper and stir to combine

Step 3

On a lightly floured surface, roll pastry to a 14″ x 12″ rectangle. Cut in half lengthwise. Spread 1 1/2 tsp. mustard along one long side, leaving a 1″ border. Form half of sausage mixture into a 14″-long log on top of mustard. Pull long side closest to you over sausage mixture. Brush pastry on other side of sausage with egg wash. Pull just enough of brushed pastry over to cover remaining sausage by 1/2″. Trim excess and pinch sides together to seal. Arrange sausage roll seam side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat with remaining mustard, sausage mixture, and pastry.

Step 4

Brush ends of rolls with egg wash, then join and pinch ends together to form a circle. Refrigerate until pastry is cool to the touch, about 25 minutes.

Step 5

Place a rack in center of oven; preheat to 400°. Using a sharp knife, make 1″-long cuts in roll every 1 1/2″, leaving the inner circle of pastry connected. Twist each cut section sausage side up. Brush pastry with remaining egg wash. Sprinkle with sesame and poppy seeds.

Step 6

Bake wreath, rotating sheet halfway through, until pastry is puffed and golden brown and sausage is cooked through, 40 to 45 minutes. Let cool 15 minutes.

Step 7

Transfer wreath to a platter. Serve with chutney alongside.

For more Christmas inspired appetizers please check out our post “Christmas Tree Appetizers and Desserts”

Ranch Crackers

Get Ranch Crackers recipe here by Southern Living

We both remember these little crackers that pack so much flavor when we were growing up! So yummy and we will tell you they will quickly disappear! Will take you around 25 minutes to make this easy recipe..maybe consider doubling it too!

Sausage Dip

Get Sausage Dip Recipe here from The Pioneer Woman

Super easy to make…less than 10 minutes…and delicious!!! There are only three ingredients in this appetizer and it is a good last minute choice…get ready for the compliments!

Sweet, Salty and Spicy Nuts

Get Recipe For Sweet, Salty and Spicy Nuts here from Allrecipes

Who doesn’t like a crunchy, sweet and salty nut? Great with cocktails and just wonderful to munch on all evening! It only takes 30 minutes to put this recipe together! Great idea to box these nuts up in a beautiful box as a hostess gift too!!

Holiday Spinach Dip

Get Recipe For Holiday Spinach Dip here from Allrecipes

Love spinach dip and this one looks the part for your holiday table! Takes 40 minutes altogether to create and you will be happy you did!

Ling Crab Appetizers

Get Recipe For King Crab Appetizers here by Allrecipes

We both love crab and this is an easily passable appetizer for your guests. This is another very easy recipe to make and it is so yummy. These tartlets can be frozen too.

Baked Brie Bites

Get Recipe for Baked Brie Bites here from Southern Livingurchase

Cranberries are the fruit of the season and they are the perfect holiday appetizer. These appetizers come together in 30 minutes. Purchase the phyllo dough cups at your local grocery store, fill them with the brie, red pepper jelly and pecans…bake and they are ready to go!

Grandma Meatball Recipe

Get Recipe for Grandma Christmas Meatballs here from Allrecipes

The name says it all! Although this recipe takes longer to prepare and cook it is worth it in the end! Delicious meatballs your guests will enjoy for sure!

Beef Tenderloin Crostini with Parmesan Wine Cream

Get recipe for Beef Tenderloin Crostini with Parmesan Cream here at Half Baked Harvest

This recipe will most certainly wow your guests. It does take longer to make but if you have the time and you want to serve a heavier appetizer that may work with the dinner you are serving this is it!!

Please check out our post “Fall Appetizer Recipes” for even more appetizer recipes that will also work well at the holidays!

Serving Pieces to Use This Holiday Season

Click On The Photos Below For More Serving Dish Ideas

Enjoy everyday of this beautiful holiday! We hope this post was helpful in sharing some recipes that will make you holiday meal planning just a little bit easier!!!

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Bev & Val

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