42 Easy Christmas Appetizers Ready In 30 Minutes Or Less

These holiday party snacks made the Nice List.

Stuffed-Pepper Wreath
Credit:

Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

Christmas time is our favorite season, for sure. But, nonetheless, the constant cooking, entertaining, and planning can feel like a marathon at sprint speed. While we're busy working away in the kitchen, a table full of appetizers can come to our rescue. Whether you're planning the perfect Christmas Eve dinner or a holiday cocktail party, don't forget to set out those trays of finger foods, dips, and spreads to keep hunger at bay. We've rounded up some quick and easy holiday appetizers that will have you covered no matter the occasion (or how down-to-the-wire the prep time is) to get you through the season. These no-fuss Christmas appetizer ideas are simple, delicious, and can be whipped up in under 30 minutes so they won't add too much to your already-full plate.

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Baked Brie With Jam

Southern Living Baked Brie with Jam in the dish ready to serve
Credit:

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

You'll need just 10 minutes of hands-on time to pull together this decadent baked brie before your holiday gathering. Toasted pecans, rosemary, and fruit preserves make a delicious pairing for creamy cheese and toasted baguettes.

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Spicy Pear-And-Cheddar Bites

Southern Living Spicy Pear-and-Cheddar Bites on a tray ready to serve
Credit:

Dane Tashima; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Of all the fancy recipes in our November issue, this humble appetizer was actually one of our recipe developer's favorites. Baking the buttery crackers in a simple olive oil and spice mixture takes the flavor and texture over the top.

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Riesling-Gruyère Fondue

Southern Living Riesling-Gruyère Fondue Recipe
Credit:

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

We'll see your cheese board and raise you a fondue board. It feels extra-elegant for a holiday soirée.

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Onion Jam

Southern Living Onion Jam in a jar ready to serve
Credit:

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

With a little planning, you can put this appetizer together in seconds. Make the jam ahead of time and keep it in the fridge for up to two weeks. Then you can pull it out and serve it over cream cheese with just a moment's notice.

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Stuffed-Pepper Wreath

Stuffed-Pepper Wreath
Credit:

Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

This adorable appetizer will definitely win the most-Instagrammed dish on the holiday table. You can prep your wreath the morning of your event and chill it in the fridge until it's time to serve.

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Christmas Charcuterie Board

Southern Living Christmas Charcuterie Wreath assembled and ready to serve
Credit:

Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

A charcuterie board is one of the most beautiful ways to serve an appetizer without having to cook a thing.

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No-Stuff Deviled Eggs

No-Stuff Deviled Eggs
Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Melissa Gray; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch

Break out a sleeve of Ritz crackers and forget the piping bags. The hardest part of this recipe is boiling the eggs for 10 minutes and peeling them. Add a dollop of spicy mayonnaise and a slice of hard-boiled egg on each cracker for a fancy finger food that will be the hit of the party.

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Ritz Cracker Party Sandwiches

Ritz Cracker Party Sandwiches - Southern Living
Credit:

Morgan Hunt Glaze; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling

Sandwich ham, Swiss cheese, and pepper jelly between two buttery crackers for an easy appetizer that'll disappear quickly.

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Party Cheese Ball

party cheese ball
Credit:

Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

No gathering in complete without a cheese ball, and this one comes together in just 10 minutes. Serve with red and green vegetables for a festive touch.

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Bacon Jam

Bacon Jam
Credit:

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

You'll love how easy this smoky-sweet bacon jam is. Serve it with whipped goat cheese, cream cheese, or alone with bread for the ultimate easy but impressive appetizer.

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Charcuterie-Board Snack Mix

Southern Living Charcuterie-Board Snack Mix in a bowl to serve
Credit:

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

Forgo the picture-perfect charcuterie board that can be time-consuming to assemble for this snack mix version. The sweet-and-savory snack mix includes gourmet crackers, dried figs, pistachios, Parmesan crisps, and even crispy baked prosciutto chips. And it only takes a moment to refill the bowl.

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Two-Layer Pimiento-And-Cheese Dip

Two-Layer Pimiento And Cheese Dip With Smoked Almonds
Credit:

Greg Dupree; Food Stylist: Micah Morton; Prop Stylist: Ginny Branch

For a spin on pimiento cheese, try this two-layer dip that's topped with a romesco-style sauce.

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Million Dollar Dip

million dollar dip on a tray with crudites and crackers
Credit:

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

This indulgent dip lives up to its name. The combination of bacon, chive-and-onion cream cheese, cheddar cheese, mayo, almonds, and scallions will have everyone coming back for a second scoop. Serve with assorted crackers and sliced vegetables.

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Ranch Oyster Crackers

Southern Living Ranch Snacker Crackers in a bowl to serve
Credit:

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

It's an understated appetizer, we'll give you that, but the bowl will be empty by the end of the night. The herby ranch flavor on these petite crackers is just too irresistible to deny.

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Creamy Spinach-Ricotta Crostini

Creamy Spinach-Ricotta Crostini
Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Appetizers are often the first impression of any party, so why not serve something that looks impressive, yet takes 15 minutes to pull together? The food processor is a big time saver, allowing you to skip mincing garlic and finely chopping herbs. Also, you can prepare the spinach-ricotta mixture up to two days in advance and assemble the crostinis later.

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Okra In A Blanket

Okra in a Blanket on decorated plate
Credit: James Ransom, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

All you have to do is assemble this no-cook appetizer. Wrap pickled okra with thinly sliced ham and serve with a quick, homemade dip made with mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, honey, and dill.

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Smoked Salmon-Potato Chip Canapés

Smoked Salmon-Potato Chip Canapes
Credit:

Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

Our elevated, holiday version of "fish and chips" comes together in just 20 minutes for an impressive, bite-sized appetizer. All you need is packaged smoked salmon, crème fraîche, potato chips, and a few fresh ingredients for the garnishes.

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Herbed-Goat Cheese Spread

goat cheese spread
Credit:

Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

With just four ingredients and a mixing bowl, you'll have this appetizer ready in five minutes. Serve it on the side with crunchy baguette slices, crostinis, or veggies; or spread it across store-bought focaccia and top with herbs for a wow-worthy presentation. Best of all, you can switch the herbs according to the season—for winter, use rosemary, chives, and sage.

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Shrimp With Honey-Garlic Sauce

Shrimp With Honey-Garlic Sauce
Credit:

Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Christina Daley

This quick appetizer is ready in just 15 minutes, and the whole party is guaranteed to love these saucy shrimp with honey that adds a surprising richness and hint of sweetness. Serve skewered or in a bowl with toothpicks.

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Creamy Crab Dip

Creamy Crab Dip Recipe
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Looking for an easy throw-together appetizer? This is just the one. Stir together the seven ingredients, top with chopped chives, and serve with celery sticks and crackers.

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Baked Brie Bites

Baked Brie Bites
Credit:

Stacy K. Allen, Food Stylist: Torie Cox, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

Make these extra fast and easy by using frozen mini phyllo pastry shells. The melty baked Brie bites, complemented with red pepper jelly and pecans, will be ready in less than 20 minutes. For a bit of holiday greenery, add a parsley leaf to each one.

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Buttery Toasted Pecans

Buttery Toasted Pecans - Southern Living
Credit:

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Melted butter and simple seasoning is the secret to these easy and flavorful toasted pecans. We recommend toasting them for the full 25 minutes to bring out their nutty aroma and flavor.

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Basic Pimiento Cheese

Southern Living Basic Pimento Cheese in a bowl to serve with crackers and vegetables
Credit:

Fred Hardy; Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke

It's not a proper Southern holiday party without pimiento cheese making an appearance. This recipe schools you in the two game-changing steps to perfect pimiento cheese: using diced jarred pimientos instead of sliced and hand-shredding your cheese.

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Caesar Salad Bites

Caesar Salad Bites
Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick/Prop Styling: Lydia DeGaris Pursell/Food Styling: Marian Cooper Cairns

These hand-held salad bites are a fresh, crisp addition to your holiday snack lineup. Grape tomatoes add a bright pop of red for a more festive appetizer. Use your favorite bottled salad dressing to make this simple recipe.

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Afterburners

Afterburners
Credit:

Stacy k. Allen, Props: Josh Hoggle, Food Stylist: Melissa Gray

Shrimp, jalapeño peppers, and bacon? You can't go wrong with this three-ingredient recipe, especially if you serve them with some spicy queso dip. The shrimp cook perfectly in 10-12 minutes under the broiler.

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Pickapeppa Snack Mix

Pickapeppa snack mix
Credit:

 JAMES RANSOM

A cocktail party always needs a snack mix, and we have just the one for you. This recipe uses the classic rice-cereal squares (such as Chex), pretzels, and unsalted peanuts with the popular Jamaican hot sauce, brown sugar, and tongue-torching cayenne pepper and chili powder. 

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Melon, Mozzarella, And Prosciutto Skewers

Melon, Mozzarella, and Prosciutto Skewers
Credit: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Lisa Powell Bailey

We've added smooth and creamy mozzarella to the classic combination of salty prosciutto and sweet melon. If you're short on time, make this no-cook appetizer even faster by getting a package of pre-sliced melon from the produce section.

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Mini Caprese Bites

Southern Living Mini Caprese Bites on a platter to serve
Credit:

Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser

These never disappoint at any party—they are just too easy to pick up and pop in your mouth without missing a beat. Arrange the skewers on a platter or in cocktail glasses set around your buffet.

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Cranberry Brie Bites

Cranberry Brie Bites
Credit: Southern Living

This tart and creamy mini appetizer will make a splash at your holiday brunch or your Christmas Eve cocktail party. Why not make it for both? Including the frozen phyllo shells, the recipe only requires four ingredients—and bakes in just six minutes.

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Beer-Cheese Fondue

Creamy Feta Phyllo Bites
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

This appetizer will keep guests busy around the fondue pot all evening. Once you've mixed up the warm, melty cheese sauce, you can get creative. Soft pretzels, sliced cooked bratwurst, steamed broccoli florets, roasted Brussels sprouts, and roasted fingerling potatoes are all options.

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Pimiento Cheese-Stuffed Peppers

Southern Living Pimiento Cheese-Stuffed Peppers on a blue platter to serve
Credit:

Greg Dupree; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray

For this three-ingredient recipe, pick up a jar of cherry-red Peppadew peppers. Then pipe in pimiento cheese and garnish with a sprinkle of chives. Make them dressier by serving them on your favorite silver platter.

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Crispy Cheese Wafers

Southern Living Crispy Cheese Wafers on a plate ready to serve
Credit:

Courtney West

Crispy rice cereal makes these toasted cheese wafers extra crunchy. Use grated extra-sharp Cheddar cheese and a pinch of ground cayenne for zestier flavor. Enjoy the wafers on their own or serve with softened cream cheese and pepper jelly.

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Smoked-Fish Dip

smoked fish dip with crackers and crudites
Credit:

Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Adam Evans, chef at award-winning Birmingham restaurant Automatic Seafood and Oysters, shared this delicious recipe with us. The dip may have a long list of flavorful ingredients, but all you need to do is mix them together. Serve it with crackers or sliced baguette.

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Mushroom-Stuffed Phyllo Cups

Mushroom-Stuffed Phyllo Cups
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Phyllo cups can do some heavy lifting when it comes to a dinner party. The elegant filling for this appetizer combines gourmet mushrooms, garlic, sherry, and cream. Use the food processor to save prep time, and you'll have this bite-sized delight on the table in under 30 minutes.

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Lump Crab Mornay

Lump Crab Mornay

For this recipe, pick up fresh jumbo lump crabmeat if you can. Serve the creamy, rich, and warm crab dip with toast points. Keep it warm under gentle heat in a chafing dish or slow cooker.

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Spicy Cheese Twists

Spicy Cheese Twists
Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

The adorable bow ties are made from frozen puff pastry dough. Layered with thyme and aged Gouda cheese, these cheese twists with a kick are simultaneously crispy and tender. Change up the cheese and herb combinations to suit your fancy—try them with Parmesan and rosemary or Cheddar and bacon.

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Spicy Sweet Potato Crostini

Spicy Sweet Potato Crostini
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

These honey-sweetened sweet potato slices are dreamy enough for dessert—that is until you taste the creamy goat cheese and spicy heat. Look for sweet potatoes that are uniform in width so that when you cut them, you will have round slices that cook evenly. 

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Pimiento Cheese Sausage Balls

Pimento Cheese Sausage Balls
Credit: Southern Living

A box of Bisquick, ground pork sausage, chopped chives, and pimiento cheese come together in one undeniably satisfying sausage ball. This big-batch recipe also makes enough for a crowd—providing everyone is willing to share.

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Stuffed Mushrooms

Stuffed Mushrooms
Credit:

Alison Miksch; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

Tender, meaty, and garlicky mushrooms are always a hit on the appetizer. A couple of extra hands will make light work of the process, as will Boursin, a garlic-and-herb spreadable cheese you can find at the grocery store.

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Cranberry Sauce Meatballs

Cranberry Sauce Meatballs
Credit: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Kathleen Varner

We've made cocktail meatballs more festive with jellied cranberry sauce and hot jalapeño pepper jelly. These little, two-bite appetizers are a nice balance of sweet, sour, savory, and spicy. Flecks of fresh jalapeño add color and a touch of raw heat.

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Hot Crawfish Dip

Hot Crawfish Dip
Credit:

Will Dickey

This warm and cheesy seafood dip comes together without you having to turn on the oven.

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Baked Brie With Pomegranate And Pistachios

Baked brie with pomegranate and pistachios on a white plate
Credit:

Antonis Achilleos; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

For the holidays, dress up warm Brie with jewel-red syrup, green pistachios, and chopped thyme. The most time-consuming part of this recipe is removing the pomegranate seeds (or arils) from the fruit, so you can easily save time by buying the pre-separated arils rather than the whole fruit.

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