Best Appetizers

If you’re looking for the best appetizer recipes to wow your guests this holiday season, look no further! We’ve got everything from easy to elegant covered.

I compiled a list of 50 delicious holiday appetizers sure to get you in the spirit!

The most challenging element of planning a holiday party, whether it is for two or 200 people, is finding the right appetizers. Am I alone in this struggle?

This list provides a wealth of great holiday party appetizers that are sure to impress your guests.

I pride myself on the food I serve–not just in terms of taste, but presentation as well. It’s not enough to have nice silverware or china; the food itself should be artfully arranged and enticing.

I perk up at bright, vibrant colors and creative spreads. But I also want to make dishes that people will actually eat. Considering I have 5 kids, 4 still at home you can guarantee that some of these get-togethers need to be kid-friendly but that also doesn’t mean that your table needs to be unappealing.

Consequently, I searched for the best New Year’s and Christmas appetizers and snacks recipes. Some are classics like brie or fondue while others dishes were never even considered.

What You’ll Find in This Post

Check out these quick and easy recipes for delicious finger foods!

Not sure how many appetizers you’ll need for your next party? I’m here to help! Whether you’re hosting a small, intimate gathering or a party for 50, I’m sharing how many snacks and apps you should have on hand.

In the holiday spirit? Check out these links for all things Christmas – décor, cookies, and candy. I’ve got you covered with this list of 50 recipes for appetizers. Some are my personal favorites, and some come from other great blogs.

Whether you’re looking to feed a lot of people or just need something small for Christmas dinner, there’s sure to be something here that will satisfy your cravings!

So what are the best finger foods for a party?

If you’re in need of some inspiration, try out these finger food recipes:

• Buffalo Chicken Poppers
• Baked Parmesan Fingerling Potatoes
• Baked Ham & Cheese Rolls Ups
• Bang Bang Chicken Wings
• Bacon Bombs
• Slow Cooker Pineapple Brown Sugar Meatballs

This holiday, my guests will have a wide variety of snacks to choose from, so there’s no chance they’ll go hungry.

Welcome to the season of cooking for large crowds, parties that last for days and celebrating non-stop! To make your life easier, we’ve gathered some simple appetizer recipes.

How many appetizers do I need for 10 guests?

A good rule of thumb is that for each group of 10-12 guests, you should have 5 appetizer selections. Keep in mind that each selection should serve 10-12 people, so multiply that number by the total number of groups you have. And don’t worry about having too much food – it’s always better to err on the side of caution and remove 1-2 appetizers from your final count.

• 20 guests = 8 appetizer selections
• 30 guests = 12 appetizer selections
• 40 guests = 15 appetizer selections
• 50 guests = 18-20 appetizer selections. Don’t worry you can double up on some of the recipes; that’s what I do.

Pin this collection of the Best Appetizers to your favorite Pinterest board for later.

Appetizers You Have to Try

Regardless of what time of year or holiday it is, these recipes will always come in handy!

Easy Beef Queso – Dash of Sanity | This Easy Beef Queso is a simple yet insanely delicious recipe. The best part is it can be ready in just under 20 minutes.

Cheese Ball Board – Dash of Sanity | I’m preparing for the holidays by stocking up on appetizers and snacks that are easy to make. With all the recent buzz about butter boards, I decided to create my version – a cheese ball board.

Bacon Cheddar Ranch Dip – Dash of Sanity | This dip is easy to make and will keep you coming back for more. It’s packed with bacon, cheddar cheese, and ranch – everything you need for a great time!

Buffalo Chicken Dip – Dash of Sanity | This cheesy buffalo chicken dip is a delicious and flavor-packed appetizer that will be gone in no time! The Buffalo sauce and ranch dressing give it a great zing, and it’s so addicting that you won’t stop eating it!

Ranch Cream Cheese Vegetable Pizza – High Heels and Grills | This veggie pizza is a party classic and perfect for a light bite. 

Cheese Ball Recipe – Dash of Sanity | Simple to make ahead of time and incredibly delicious, it is always a real crowd-pleaser.

Shrimp Wontons – A Dash of Sanity | These shrimp bites are crispy and delicious. They look fancy but are easy to make.

Baked Goat Cheese & Roasted Cranberries – Honey and Birch | The colors are perfect for a holiday spread and the flavors are delicious! Tart cranberries with creamy goat cheese is a perfect combination.

Baked Parmesan Fingerling Potatoes – Carlsbad Cravings | Take a break from the crackers and chips and try these buttery Baked Parmesan Fingerling Potato Fries.

Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Taquitos – Dash of Sanity | Chicken Buffalo Taquitos are insanely delicious and made with all of the flavors from Buffalo Chicken Wings in this easy-to-eat taquito.

Berries & Brie Crescent Rolls – A Dash of Sanity | Elegant and delicious you love this easy crescent roll appetizer.

Baked Ham & Cheese Rolls Ups – High Heels and Grills | I love this recipe so much we make it for dinner at our house. These pinwheels are the perfect party snack!

Spicy Blood Orange Lil’ Smokies – Sugar and Soul | No party is complete without a batch of lil’ smokies, and I just love the flavors in this recipe. I could eat the whole batch.

Slow Cooker Chili Cheese Dip – Dash of Sanity | My Slow Cooker Chili Cheese Dip is something every party needs. Grab the chips because you’re going to want to try this delicious appetizer.

Antipasto Skewers – Dinner at the Zoo | Fresh and delicious – this is a really fun and easy way to serve up a cold appetizer. They will make a gorgeous addition to your holiday table.

Mixed Candied Nuts – A Dash of Sanity | Makes these sweet and crunchy nuts for a party or wrap them up in fun packaging as a party favor for your guests to take home. 

Easy Italian Meatballs – Dash of Sanity | My grandmother’s homemade Italian meatballs are the perfect blend of flavor and simplicity.

Crab Cream Cheese Wontons – Baking Beauty | An elegant take on a take-out favorite. These crab wontons are the perfect finger food.

Chipotle Lime Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp – Simply Recipes | Bacon and shrimp on a stick! What else do you need to know? Anything with bacon is a winner.

Bacon Spinach Artichoke Dip – Dash of Sanity | This succulent dish is a fantastic spinach artichoke bacon dip that’s easy to make and will be loved by all your friends and family. The creamy texture and savory flavors are unforgettable, especially with the added deliciousness of bacon bits throughout.

Cheese Platter – Iowa Girl Eats | Learn how to make a cheese board that will wow your guests. It’s always a great choice for a party.

Buffalo Chicken Poppers – Dash of Sanity | These poppers are easy to make and even easier to eat. They’re not too spicy!

Slow Cooker Chex Mix – Show Me The Yummy | You might want to double the batch when you make this Chex Mix. Everyone will love it!

Sweet & Tangy Barbecue Meatballs – Ready in 30 minutes and made with a few simple ingredients, they make a great appetizer or even dinner as meatball subs.

Easy Meatball Crostini Appetizer – Reluctant Entertainer | I just love these crostini. The perfect way to serve some savory Italian meatballs as an appetizer.

Cheese Fondue – Dash of Sanity | Fondue is always in style at our house! This retro party snack is always a favorite – the kiddos love it, too!

Fried Jalapeno Poppers – Serious Eats | These Fried Jalapeno Poppers are my dad and hubby’s favorite thing to eat before any party even gets started.

Garlic Butter Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus – Cafe Delites | I just love how simple this asparagus dish is! Easy to make and eat – you will love it.

Warm Bacon Cheese Dip – Spend With Pennies | More bacon but this time in a cheesy warm dip. Grab the crackers because you’ll want to make this one for sure.

Soft Pretzel Bites – Sally’s Baking Addiction | Golden chewy pretzel bites look like an amazing snack. Don’t forget the cheese for dipping.

Caramel Fondue – Creme De La Crumb | Perfectly dippable and perfectly delicious! This dessert fondue just looks amazing.

Secret Christmas Eve Chex Mix – Half Baked Harvest | Another crunchy snack that everyone will love!

Smoked Mozzarella Fonduta – Center Cut Cook | This cheesy Smoked Mozzarella Fonduta dip is a copycat recipe from the Olive Garden.

Mushroom Marsala Fondue – A Dash of Sanity | Another cheesy fondue but this one is dressed up with mushrooms. It’s inspired by the classic mushroom marsala dish but serve up as a delicious fondue.

Buffalo Ranch Chicken Pull Apart Bread – Half Baked Harvest | So many great things in this pull apart bread: chicken, ranch, and buffalo sauce. This one would be a hit for sure.

7 Layer Dip – Dash of Sanity |Mouthwatering 7 Layer Dip is always a huge hit at barbecues, get-togethers, and gameday gatherings, layering your favorite dip ingredients onto one plate.

French Onion & Bacon Cheese Ball – Dash of Sanity | French Onion & Bacon Cheese Ball – Caramelized onions, Gruyere and cream cheese coated in French’s® Crispy Fried Onions and chives makes for an insanely delicious appetizer.

Best Ever Candied Almonds – Dash of Sanity | Every snack table needs something sweet and candied nuts are always a great choice.

Caprese Skewers with Balsamic Drizzle – Iowa Girl Eats | These skewers make for an eye-catching appetizer that can be made in minutes.

Pumpkin Hummus – Food Faith Fitness | Hummus gets a fall twist! I just love this – looks amazing.

Creamy Bacon & Shrimp Dip – A Dash of Sanity | So many wonderful flavors going on in this dip recipe! It can be served with crackers, bread, or just a spoon.

5 Layer Greek Dip – I Heart Naptime | I just love all the textures and flavors in this Greek-inspired dip. Feta cheese with fresh veggies is a great way to balance out other rich and decadent appetizers.

Bacon Bombs – Love Bakes Good Cakes | These are for all you bacon and cheese lovers out there, we have you covered.

Maple Pecan Baked Brie – Fake Ginger | I just love the combination of sweet with the creamy brie cheese. This is an easy and elegant appetizer for a party.

Firecracker Chicken Meatballs – Little Spice Jar | Sweet, spicy, and savory – that’s an amazing flavor combo for a meatball. I can hardly wait to make these Firecracker Chicken Meatballs for our New Year’s party appetizer.

Sweet Potato Cake with Black Bean Salsa – A Dash of Sanity | We make these every year and never get tired of them. They have fresh flavors and are perfect for the holidays. They would be great with some guacamole on the side!

Bruschetta with Tomato & Basil – Simply Recipes | This Italian classic would be a hit at any party!

Sour Cream Fruit Dip – Dash of Sanity | This three-ingredient fruit dip will quickly become your go-to recipe for any dessert occasion. It’s rich, creamy, and an instant crowd favorite!

Slow Cooker Pineapple Brown Sugar Meatballs – The Recipe Rebel | These meatballs have a tropical twist with pineapple. Serve them with toothpicks and watch them disappear.

Everything Parmesan Cheese Crisps – Just a Taste | Parmesan crisps are easy to make and delicious crunchy snack.

Roasted Grape Crostini with Walnuts – Healthy Seasonal Recipes | Roasted grapes are delicious and perfect for serving on crostini with some creamy cheese.

Holiday Cheese Ball Bites – Six Sisters’ Stuff | I just love these mini cheeseballs. Instead of dipping into one cheese spread, everyone gets their own!

Parmesan Garlic Smashed Potatoes – Little Spice Jar | These are a wonderful side dish, but great as a party snack, too, because they’re easy to serve. They’re like little crispy mashed potato bites.

Looking for more holiday ideas?

• 50 of the Best Holiday Cookies 
• 50 of the Best Holiday Candies
• 50 of the Best DIY Christmas Decorations