Top-Rated Holiday Appetizers
Inside-Out Hot Brown Bites
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Recipe: Cheddar-Horseradish-Walnut Cheese Ball
You can also shape the cheese mixture into a Yule log.
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Cranberry-Jalapeno Salsa
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
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
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
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
Recipe: Chicken Liver Pâté
Serve this earthy, rustic spread with grilled bread and Cranberry-Pecan Chutney.
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Cranberry-Pecan Chutney
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
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
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
Recipe: Muffuletta Deviled Eggs
This easy appetizer melds the flavors of olives, egg, and salty salami.
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Pear Preserves
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Recipe: Warm Kale-and-Asiago Dip
Bacon and trendy kale update the hot spinach dip.
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Black-Eyed Pea Pâté
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.