When friends and family start to trickle in for holiday gatherings, it’s those first few bites that set the mood. A warm, cheesy dip or a crisp, spicy cracker says, “Come on in, y’all! You’re right on time!”
At any holiday get-together, the appetizers you choose have a way of setting the stage. They’re the things your guests taste and often the thing that gets people talking. A good appetizer can create a moment on its own or build anticipation for the meal to come.
This collection brings together a variety of Christmas starters that I consistently rely on. If you’re planning a menu and want a strong start to the celebration, you’ll find a recipe or two here that belong on the table.
Hot Artichoke Dip
Hot Artichoke Dip
This retro Hot Artichoke Dip recipe will be the hit of your next party. This blast from the past is still as good today as it was decades ago!
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Warm Turnip Green Dip
Warm Turnip Green Dip with Bacon
Perfect for parties and gatherings, this unique Southern-inspired Turnip Green Dip combines cream cheese with savory bacon and turnip greens.
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Spicy Cheese Crackers
Spicy Cheese Crackers
These delicious Spicy Cheese Crackers are seasoned with spices and butter and baked briefly to a crispy finish.
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Velveeta Sausage Cheese Dip
Sausage Cheese Dip
Try this crowd-pleaser Sausage Cheese Dip recipe for your next tailgate or movie night. It's so simple to make and everyone loves it!
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Sweet and Spicy Peanuts
Sweet and Spicy Peanuts
These Sweet and Spicy Peanuts are great finger food for parties! Keep them on hand for afternoon snacking or serve at your next tailgate.
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Cheesy Mushroom Pinwheels
Cheesy Mushroom Pinwheels
Effortless Cheesy Mushroom Pinwheels made with pizza dough, mushrooms, and cream cheese. The perfect appetizer or snack in under 30 minutes!
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Caraway Cheese Spread
Caraway Cheese Spread
Caraway Cheese Spread is perfect with fresh veggies, crackers, or breads. Seven ingredients are all you need to make this party recipe.
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Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Sweet and Sour Meatballs
These easy Sweet and Sour Meatballs, simmered in a homemade sweet and sour sauce, will be great for your next tailgate party or family dinner!
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Classic Cheese Fondue
Classic Cheese Fondue
This Classic Cheese Fondue using both Swiss and Gruyere cheese with bread and fruit dippers is a wonderful treat on a cold winter evening.
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Cheddar Pecan Cheese Ring with Strawberry Preserves
Cheddar Pecan Cheese Ring with Strawberry Preserves
This Cheddar Pecan Cheese Ring with Strawberry Preserves is a vintage cheese ring recipe attributed to first lady Rosalynn Carter. Good for any get together!
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Sausage Balls with Two Dipping Sauces
Sausage Balls with Two Dipping Sauces
Traditional, classic, and always a hit! These Sausage Balls are even better with a choice of dipping sauces.
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Easy Sausage Swirls
Easy Sausage Swirls
These 3-ingredient Easy Sausage Swirls are made with spicy mustard and sausage rolled up into crescent roll dough for a fantastic appetizer!
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Hot Baked Crab Dip
Hot Baked Crab Dip
For the ultimate party indulgence, serve your guests this luscious Hot Baked Crab Dip that's ready in under 30 minutes.
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Cranberry Pecan Baked Brie
Cranberry Pecan Baked Brie
This Cranberry Pecan Baked Brie with cranberry sauce, apricots, pecans, and bacon encased in puff pastry is an elegant party appetizer!
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Pecan Stuffed Mushrooms
Pecan Stuffed Mushrooms
These Pecan Stuffed Mushrooms are a great side dish with a grilled steak and make a great addition to your holiday dinner menus.
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Sausage Pineapple Rollups
Sausage Pineapple Rollups
Sausage-Pineapple Rollups – great for football parties, tailgating, or just snacking.
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Pickled Baby Beets Amuse Bouche
Pickled Baby Beets Amuse Bouche
This Pickled Baby Beets Amuse Bouche with candied kumquats is an elegant starter for a dinner party.
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Tea Sandwiches
Tea Sandwiches Three Ways
For a special occasion serve tea sandwiches. Three of my favorites are cucumber and butter, roast beef with horseradish, or cornbread muffin and ham.
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Cheese Pinwheels with Mayhaw Jelly
Cheese Pinwheels with Mayhaw Jelly
A twist on the southern cheese straw made into a wafer and filled with chopped pecans and Mayhaw jelly.
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I’m Lana Stuart, an award-winning cookbook author, food blogger, and lifelong cook raised deep in Southwest Georgia. I started Lana’s Cooking in 2009 to share the tried-and-true recipes I grew up with. Around here, the food is full of flavor, the traditions run deep, and there’s always room at the table.
It’s Xmas night and I am looking at that appetizer list. My BIG family dinner and gift giving is 1/1. So I spent the day wrapping gifts while the whole world spent the day unwrapping. weird.
Happy Holidays to you. Do get some rest!!! I have felt like the gerbil on the wheel but I too am getting there. A party tonight with wonderful people so I better get with it and get all the food going!! Thank you for the recipes. All new for me!!!!
THANK YOU FOR THE PRINT READY RECIPES, I’M MAKING MOST OF THEM FOR THE NEW YEAR. HAPPY HOLIDAYS, ‘SEE YOU’ IN THE NEW YEAR.
Thank you SO MUCH for PRINT READY, my computer skills are K-1, and not improving over time. I’m making most of your Appetizers for the New Year Party- Happy Holidays, and a New Year!!!!! Lana D.
Merry Christmas Lana and all the best for 2015.