Holidays & Occasions Christmas Christmas Recipes 45 Christmas Snacks for a Very Merry Holiday Season By Kaitlyn Yarborough Kaitlyn Yarborough Part of the Southern Living team since 2017, Kaitlyn Yarborough is a Georgia native living in Austin, Texas, who covers a wide variety of topics for both the magazine and website, focusing on culture and lifestyle content, as well as travel in the South.She earned a B.A. in Journalism at the University of Georgia. She hopes to inspire your travel bucket list with her features on road trips through Texas Hill Country, bourbon tours in Kentucky, and the best beach getaways on the Gulf Coast. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on August 24, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Cindy Barr; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer In the South, season's greetings often come flanked with sweet bags of bourbon balls and pecan pralines, or savory ones of crack crackers and spiced nuts. These Christmas party snacks are the special bite-sized treats served up all season long at holiday parties, morning meetings, family festivities, and last-minute hosting alike. You name it, and there will be a festive Southern snack showing up for it. (There's a reason why our waistbands always feel a little tighter after the holiday season, after all.) Our favorites are served up year after year, but it's the innovative twists that bring welcome surprises each holiday season. Whether you're in need of grab-and-go treats to give as food gifts, staple snacks to have around the house, or festive bites to serve at your next holiday party, these Christmas snack ideas will help you—and everyone around you—enjoy every last nibble of the season. 01 of 45 Praline Pull-Apart Bread Beth Hontzas Recipe: Praline Pull-Apart Bread No one will complain about having this pull-apart bread around the house. Give this gorgeous loaf as a homemade gift to neighbors throughout the season. 02 of 45 Fudgy Pecan Bourbon Balls Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Karin Olsen; Food Styling: Kellie Gerber Kelley Recipe: Fudgy Pecan Bourbon Balls This recipe is a cross between a bourbon ball and chocolate truffle, and makes about two dozen (so you can send some home with guests). 03 of 45 Spicy Sausage-and-Cheddar Kolaches Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Recipe: Spicy Sausage-and-Cheddar Kolaches This savory Southern spin on the classic Czech pastry is filled with a combo of smoky Conecuh sausage and sharp Cheddar cheese. 04 of 45 Buttermilk Breakfast Scones Southern Living Recipe: Buttermilk Breakfast Scones These currant-speckled scones are full of seasonal flavor. The sweet sugar-crusted tops and hint of citrus make the perfect pair for a not-too-sweet anytime snack. 05 of 45 Cracker Toffee Abbi Wilt Recipe: Cracker Toffee We get excited about any easy Christmas treat that starts with a sleeve of crackers. Four more ingredients later and you're set with an addictively tasty toffee snack. 06 of 45 Baked Brie Bites Laurey W. Glenn Recipe: Baked Brie Bites These cheesy, pepper jelly-packed bites feel a little fancy, but only take five ingredients and 18 minutes of prep. When you need to pull a holiday hosting snack out of a hat, this recipe will do you proud. 07 of 45 Warm Cheese-and-Spicy Pecan Dip Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox Recipe: Warm Cheese-and-Spicy Pecan Dip Cheese dip never fails in a Southerner's home during the holidays. Crunchy, cayenne-spiced nuts give a festive kick to this classic dip recipe. 08 of 45 Sweet Potato and Chorizo Sausage Bites Hector Manuel Sanchez Recipe: Sweet Potato and Chorizo Sausage Bites Christmas hasn't officially kicked off until a batch of sausage balls comes out of the oven. This recipe embraces a seasonal twist by incorporating spicy, peppery Mexican-style chorizo sausage and mashed sweet potatoes. 09 of 45 Bacon Bow Tie Crackers Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Tami Hardeman Recipe: Bacon Bow Tie Crackers Bacon and buttery crackers? Now that's an unstoppable duo. This two-ingredient appetizer will be your easiest snack of the season. 10 of 45 Best-Ever Sticky Buns Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Recipe: Best-Ever Sticky Buns We're keeping these ooey-gooey, pecan-topped cinnamon rolls on deck all season long. Give them a try, and you'll find that they live up to their name: Best-Ever. 11 of 45 Homemade Turtles Micah A. Leal Recipe: Homemade Turtles These chocolate clusters make the perfect bite-sized food gifts. They're the perfect combination of chewy caramel and crunchy pecans. 12 of 45 Cheese Dreams Photo: Johnny Miller; Styling: Sarah Smart Recipe: Cheese Dreams The easiest appetizer that'll disappear within minutes. Delicious any time of year, but their cozy appeal feels just right at Christmastime. Best of all, they're easy to stock your freezer with ahead of time to easily be everyone's favorite host throughout the holidays. 13 of 45 Key Lime Tassies Iain Bagwell Recipe: Key Lime Tassies It's Key lime pie in a bite. Our favorite part? You can make the tart shells and curd days, or even weeks, ahead, which means you can have it on hand in case of last-minute guests. 14 of 45 Pecan Bourbon Balls Iain Bagwell Recipe: Pecan Bourbon Balls Whether rolled in powdered sugar, dipped in chocolate, or coated in chopped pecans, these boozy bites never disappoint a Southern crowd during the holidays. 15 of 45 Pecan Pralines Southern Living Recipe: Pecan Pralines Pralines have a timeless Southern appeal that feels just a touch more festive during the holidays. Master this basic recipe for perfect pralines every time. 16 of 45 Sweet-and-Spicy Sheet Pan Bacon Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Karin Olsen; Food Styling: William Smith Recipe: Sweet-and-Spicy Sheet Pan Bacon This is a Christmas breakfast favorite, but we're also adding it to the holiday hostess' list when serving Bloody Marys (for garnishing) or pimiento cheese (for topping). 17 of 45 Cinnamon Sugar Pull-Apart Bread Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Cindy Barr; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer Recipe: Cinnamon Sugar Pull-Apart Bread That crunchy, caramelized cinnamon sugar swirl has us swooning. You'll want to go ahead and double the recipe for two loaves: one for you, one for gifting. 18 of 45 Crack Crackers Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Anna Hampton Recipe: Crack Crackers Dress up store-bought crackers with ranch dressing mix, dried dill, and garlic powder. The result? An easy, pop-in-your-mouth snack that no one can stop munching on. 19 of 45 Hot-and-Sweet Fried Peanuts oto: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Recipe: Hot-and-Sweet Fried Peanuts Cayenne pepper and chili powder on one side, brown sugar and powdered sugar on the other. The result? Delicious fried peanuts everyone will love. 20 of 45 No-Bake Fudgy Toffee Bars Iain Bagwell Recipe: No-Bake Fudge Toffee Bars The zinger is right there in the name: No. Bake. If you're in a pinch this holiday season, these layered fudgy bars are the way to go. 21 of 45 Maple-Bacon Smokies Southern Living Recipe: Maple-Bacon Smokies Let it be known: This meat-on-meat snack is the first thing to disappear, no matter the occasion. Brown sugar and maple syrup caramelize on the bacon-wrapped smokies in a heavenly fashion. 22 of 45 Sausage Balls Lee Harrelson Recipe: Sausage Balls Everyone needs a go-to sausage ball recipe. This easy, three-ingredient choice is the one to make, especially when Christmas rolls around. 23 of 45 Slow-Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Ali Ramee; Prop Styling: Sarah Elizabeth Cleveland Recipe: Slow-Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs These sweet and savory meatballs hit the spot. 24 of 45 Chipotle Cheese Straws Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Recipe: Chipotle Cheese Straws Add a little spice to classic cheese straws. 25 of 45 Cranberry Brie Bites Southern Living Recipe: Cranberry Brie Bites These baked snacks are a wonderful pre-meal snack. 26 of 45 Spiced Apple-Pecan Swirl Bread Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner Recipe: Spiced Apple-Pean Swirl Bread This irresistible loaf is sure to impress even the toughest holiday crowd. It's the ideal treat to have on Christmas morning. 27 of 45 Chocolate-Covered Marshmallow Reindeer Pops Southern Living Recipe: Chocolate-Covered Marshmallow Reindeer Pops These adorable sweet treats will bring a smile to one and all. 28 of 45 Puppy Chow Snack Mix bhofack2/Getty Images Recipe: Puppy Chow Snack Mix This snack mix uses chocolate and peanut butter resulting in an irresistible sweet treat. 29 of 45 Peppermint Meltaway Cookies Micah A. Leal Recipe: Peppermint Meltaway Cookies Cookies that melt in your mouth in the most magical way. 30 of 45 Candy Cane Cookies Joy Howard Recipe: Candy Cane Cookies Twist dough together to make these cute candy canes. 31 of 45 Homemade Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes Southern Living Recipe: Homemade Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes Equal parts festive and delicious. 32 of 45 Pecan Sandies Micah A. Leal Recipe: Pecan Sandies This classic Southern cookie is always welcome in our home during the holiday season. The recipe makes two dozen cookies, but can be easily doubled. Trust us, these'll disappear quick. 33 of 45 Mama's Cheese Ball Hector Manuel Sanchez Recipe: Mama's Cheese Ball It's just not Christmas without a cheese ball. A dash of Worcestershire gives this recipe the kick it needs to be a standout snack this season. 34 of 45 Cinnamon Coffee Cake Antonis Achilleos Recipe: Cinnamon Coffee Cake A coffee cake makes the perfect compliment to hours spent sipping coffee and catching up. It's one you should always have on hand, especially around the holidays. 35 of 45 Spicy-Sweet Pecans Helen Norman Recipe: Spicy-Sweet Pecans It's never a bad idea to have a batch of these spiced nuts hanging around the house. The spicy-sweet coating is a crowd-pleaser, making these pecans great for both serving drop-in guests and giving as holiday food gifts. 36 of 45 Feta-Olive-Fresh Herb Cheese Ball Hector Manuel Sanchez Recipe: Feta-Olive-Fresh Herb Cheese Ball We're giving the classic cheese ball a festive makeover. Feta, green olives, flat-leaf parsley, and green onions pack a flavorful punch that'll knock the socks off any guest. 37 of 45 Roasted Fennel-and-Prosciutto Flatbread Hector Sanchez Recipe: Roasted Fennel-and-Prosciutto Flatbread Tasty roasted fennel, thin slices of prosciutto (or country ham), and a drizzle of balsamic glaze all come together in flavor-packed bites. Cut into skinny slices for party-friendly portions. 38 of 45 Cream Cheese Pastries Alison Miksch Recipe: Cream Cheese Pastries This simple recipe makes four loaves of crispy, buttery, flaky cream cheese pastries. Need we say more? 39 of 45 Spicy Cheddar Appetizer Cookies Jennifer Davick Recipe: Spicy Cheddar Appetizer Cookies Make cheese straws festive for the holidays by cutting the dough into shapes like twinkling stars and Christmas trees. Simple ingredients bring these party-perfect savory cookies to life. 40 of 45 Petite Sweet Potato Biscuits with Pulled Pork and Slaw Hector Manuel Sanchez Recipe: Petite Sweet Potato Biscuits with Pulled Pork and Slaw Give your guests something they haven't tasted before. With a touch of both sweet and savory, these bites hit all the right notes. 41 of 45 Mini Chocolate Chess Tarts Photo: Alison Miksch Recipe: Mini Chocolate Chess Tarts Each of these chocolate tarts is positively cute as a button. Prep tip: Stack refrigerated piecrusts to cut multiple rounds in one turn. 42 of 45 Inside-Out Hot Brown Bites Hector Sanchez Recipe: Inside-Out Hot Brown Bites Kentuckians, rejoice. We reimagined your signature sandwich of bacon, turkey, and cheese sauce by turning it into festive bite-size cups, perfect for holiday hosting. 43 of 45 Cream Cheese-Banana-Nut Bread Hector Manuel Sanchez Recipe: Cream Cheese-Banana-Nut Bread Banana nut bread gets a creamy makover. This recipe lists four delicious variations of the original recipe, from toasted coconut to peanut butter streusel. Why not try them all this season? 44 of 45 Shrimp on Seasoned Crackers with Pepper Jelly and Cream Cheese Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke Recipe: Shrimp on Seasoned Crackers with Pepper Jelly and Cream Cheese We're dressing up a classic appetizer duo, cream cheese and pepper jelly, for the Christmas season. We've turned it into a holiday-worthy dish with the addition of flavorful shrimp. 45 of 45 Mushroom-Stuffed Phyllo Cups Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Recipe: Mushroom-Stuffed Phyllo Cups Filled with mushrooms, Gruyère, and a little dry sherry, these mini savory pies are just the thing to serve at your Christmas party. Garnish with chopped chives and fresh thyme to really wow your crowd. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit