Top-Rated Holiday Appetizers

September 08, 2010
Credit: Jim Franco; Styling: Lydia DeGaris Pursell
Far from ordinary, our collection of drinks and appetizers will get your gathering off to a memorable start.The holidays are filled with parties, and nothing gets a party started quite like a great appetizer – especially when it's made from a beloved Southern ingredient like tart cranberries, crunchy bacon, sweet potatoes, or juicy crab. Whether you are hosting a large group at home or need an easy holiday appetizer that travels well, this selection of our favorite dips, spreads, and finger foods will please any crowd. Serve your guests casual, all-time favorite appetizers such as Muffuletta Deviled Eggs, Turnip Green Pesto, or Warm Kale and Asiago Dip. Or give them something a little more elegant and prepare Lump Crab Mornay and Sesame Salmon Croquettes. Whatever your theme, your party will be a success with any of these flavorful holiday appetizers.  
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Inside-Out Hot Brown Bites

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Inside-Out Hot Brown Bites

We've reimagined this signature Kentucky sandwich of bacon, turkey, and cheese sauce into beautiful bite-size cups.

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Roasted Fennel-and-Prosciutto Flatbread

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Roasted Fennel-and-Prosciutto Flatbread

Topped with traditional Italian flavors such as fresh thyme and oregano and gooey fontina cheese, this flatbread will surely be a crowd pleaser. Crushed red pepper adds an extra kick while a balsamic glaze takes the flavor palette to the next level. The natural paring of fennel and prosciutto marry this appetizer in a harmonious way that will leave guests searching for seconds. Cook the flatbread until the crust is golden brown, and broil the pizza for one minute for perfectly melted cheese. Substituting sweet onion for fennel and bacon for prosciutto is also a great alternative that still serves up delicious flavor in this flatbread appetizer.

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Cherry-Pecan Brie

Credit: Jim Franco; Styling: Lydia DeGaris Pursell

Recipe: Cherry-Pecan Brie

You can have this five-ingredient appetizer party-ready in about 10 minutes.

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Petite Sweet Potato Biscuits with Pulled Pork and Slaw

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Petite Sweet Potato Biscuits with Pulled Pork and Slaw

The sweet potato biscuits freeze beautifully—thaw, bake, and top them just before serving.

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Grapefruit-Beet-Goat Cheese Flatbread

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Grapefruit-Beet-Goat Cheese Flatbread

Garnished with golden beets, red grapefruit, and goat cheese, this bright appetizer will look great on any appetizer tray. The appetizer is elegant enough to be served at any upscale dinner or cocktail party, yet simple enough for guests to enjoy at a casual dinner party or a game night. It is great alternative to pizza and a wonderful vegetarian option to have on the menu. Not to mention, nothing says refreshing more than fresh mint leaves and toasted pine nuts also give crunch to the flatbread appetizer. Letting bakery pizza dough rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes also makes it easier to knead.

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Creamy Shrimp Dip with Crispy Wonton Chips

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Creamy Shrimp Dip with Crispy Wonton Chips

If you don't have time to make fried wontons, use fancy potato chips or crispy tortilla chips.

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Smoked Trout Crostini with Radishes and Dill Cream

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Smoked Trout Crostini with Radishes and Dill Cream

For a fresh appetizer, try the smoked trout crostini with radishes and dill cream. An appetizer consisting of sour cream spread on a triangle of toasted crostini and topped with smoked trout and radishes will give guests a break from warm appetizers typically served at a dinner party. These perfect little triangles also offer a beautiful presentation, fooling guests into believing you worked much harder than you did on this appetizer. A fresh squeeze of lemon juice will also give guests the burst of freshness that will perfectly balance out your appetizer platter. For an even more colorful spread, replace the trout with smoked salmon.

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Chicken Liver Mousse Crostini with Pepper Jelly

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Chicken Liver Mousse Crostini with Pepper Jelly

For a different presentation, make this mousse in a 1 1/2-qt. ovenproof dish instead of small jars.

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Feta-Olive-Fresh Herb Cheese Ball

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Feta-Olive-Fresh Herb Cheese Ball

Closely related to the blue cheese-red currant cheese ball, this appetizer will wow guests with big flavors packed in such a simple dish. Feta and cream make this creamy appetizer while flat-leaf parsley and finely chopped green onion give a burst of freshness and crunch to the outside. The bright green appearance will also draw guests to aesthetically appeasing appetizer that is best served with cucumber slices. Other ingredients including green olives, hot sauce, lemon zest, and Worcestershire sauce add another layer of flavor to balance out the others. Add a little holiday flair by shaping this cheese mixture into a Yule log or keep it traditional in a classic cheese ball shape.

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Mexican Shrimp Cocktail

Credit: Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Mexican Shrimp Cocktail

This fresh, colorful swap for creamy shrimp dip was inspired by reader Carolyn Coleman.

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Blue Cheese-Red Currant Cheese Ball

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Blue Cheese-Red Currant Cheese Ball

Perfect for the holidays, this blue cheese-red currant cheese ball can be served with gingersnaps on a beautiful cheese or dip platter. Held together by cream cheese, crumbled blue cheese and coated with currants, guests will enjoy the smooth and creamy texture of the appetizer with a little added texture. The strong ginger flavor will also help to enhance the flavor of the blue cheese while also bringing out the hint of lemon zest and red currant jam. You can shape the cheese mixture into a Yule log during the holiday season or into a regular ball shape for any other special occasion.

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Spicy-Sweet Pecans

Credit: Photo: Helen Norman

Recipe: Spicy-Sweet Pecans

The egg white helps the spice mixture adhere evenly and gives the pecans a crisp, glossy coating.

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Cheddar-Horseradish-Walnut Cheese Ball

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Cheddar-Horseradish-Walnut Cheese Ball

You can also shape the cheese mixture into a Yule log.

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Cranberry-Jalapeno Salsa

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Buffy Hargett

Recipe: Cranberry-Jalapeño Salsa

Show off the festive flavor of cranberries with this sweet-hot salsa. You can make it ahead and freeze up to one month before your holiday gathering.

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Bacon-Cheese Dip

Credit: Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Scott Martin

Recipe: Bacon-Cheese Dip

Crumbled bacon is the crowning glory of this creamy cheese dip that features cream cheese, blue cheese, and sour cream. You're guaranteed not to have any leftovers when you bring this dip to a party.

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Mini Crab Cakes with Pineapple-Cucumber Salsa

Credit: Photo: Jim Franco

Recipe: Mini Crab Cakes with Pineapple-Cucumber Salsa

These crowd-pleasing Mini Crab Cakes with Pineapple-Cucumber Salsa make impressive small bites for your hoilday féte.

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Cornmeal Tarts with Ricotta Pimiento Cheese

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Recipe: Cornmeal Tarts with Ricotta Pimiento Cheese

Feel free to make and freeze the muffins ahead. Then thaw, fill with Ricotta Pimiento Cheese, and bake before serving.

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Chicken Liver Pâté

Credit: Photo: Jody Horton

Recipe: Chicken Liver Pâté

Serve this earthy, rustic spread with grilled bread and Cranberry-Pecan Chutney.

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Cranberry-Pecan Chutney

Credit: Photo: Jody Horton

Recipe: Cranberry-Pecan Chutney

Serve this versatile, zingy condiment with Chicken Liver Pâté as a toast topper and with turkey as a relish.

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Sparkling Cranberries

Credit: Photo: Melina Hammer; Styling: Buffy Hargett 

Recipe: Sparkling Cranberries

From the kitchen of Marina Delio, yummymummykitchen.com, Santa Barbara, California

"These cranberries look like beautiful little jewels and can be prepared two days in advance." Serve them with baked Brie or as a pretty garnish for cakes or pies.

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Zucchini-and-Squash Pickles

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham 

Recipe: Zucchini-and-Squash Pickles

Ribbons of zucchini and squash make up these colorful Zucchini-and-Squash Pickles. These pickles are as beautiful as they are delicious.

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Muffuletta Deviled Eggs

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Recipe: Muffuletta Deviled Eggs

This easy appetizer melds the flavors of olives, egg, and salty salami.

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Pear Preserves

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham 

Recipe: Pear Preserves

These sweet and sour pear preserves make the perfect hostess gift. You can make them ahead of time and refrigerate for up to 3 weeks.

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Turnip Green Pesto

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Recipe: Turnip Green Pesto

"My younger cousins enjoy this recipe as much as the adults," says recipe developer Whitney Miller. "I'm not sure they know they're eating their greens!" Pair with flavorful Rosemary Focaccia Bread and springy Mrs. Monty's Rolls for a mouth-watering appetizer.

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Pickled Beets

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham 

Recipe: Pickled Beets

Remove skins from roasted beets while they're still warm by gently wiping with a paper towel.

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Asparagus with Curry Dip

Credit: Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Recipe: Asparagus with Curry Dip

Give a classic side dish an extra kick with spices like curry, horseradish, and hot sauce.

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Cheese Dreams

Credit: Photo: Iain Bagwell 

Recipe: Cheese Dreams

These little gems will be the first appetizer to disappear. Make them the day before and refrigerate, or freeze up to 3 weeks. If frozen, pop in the oven straight from the freezer; increase the bake time by 10 minutes.

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Buttery Toasted Pecans

Credit: Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Buttery Toasted Pecans

Patiently roasting pecans (the entire 25 minutes!) at 325° to coax out their flavor and essential oils takes them from good to great.

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Lump Crab Mornay

Credit: Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Lump Crab Mornay

Recipe developer Julia Reed adapted this creamy dip from a recipe in Bayou Cuisine by St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Indianola, Mississippi. Located in the Mississippi Delta, this recipe pays homage to the rich culture in the region, using lump crabmeat and red pepper to add spice. All-purpose flour and heavy cream give the dish its creamy texture and freshly grated cheese makes it savory. This dip can be kept in a chafing dish or a slow cooker set on a very low temperature to keep the dip perfect throughout the night for guests to enjoy. Serve with toast points perfect for dipping.

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Warm Kale-and-Asiago Dip

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Warm Kale-and-Asiago Dip

Bacon and trendy kale update the hot spinach dip.

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Black-Eyed Pea Pâté

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Black-Eyed Pea Pâté

A touch of salty country ham and shiitake mushrooms adds deep flavor to this earthy, creamy Southern spread. You can make and chill the recipe up to 2 days ahead. For a finishing touch, top with Pickled Red Onions and Cukes.

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