Christmas Party Recipes: Apps, Entrées, & Dessert Ideas
The holiday season is upon us and with that comes many holiday parties! Every Christmas party needs festive décor and of course, delicious food. To help you get ready for your party we’ve gathered some of the most delicious recipes so you can indulge this holiday season.
We’ve made sure to cover every course from finger foods to sides, main entrées, and even delicious Christmas desserts too. Plan your menu now, so you that you can spend less time stressing about the food, and spend more time enjoying yourself at the Christmas party!
1. Caprese Christmas Wreath
Wreaths certainly have a place on your front door but this holiday season, make this delicious Caprese Christmas wreath and share it with friends and family. It’ll surely capture everyone’s attention too. Not only is it vibrant in festive red and green colors but it’s so delicious too.
You could take a few different approaches with this appetizer. You could transform the flavors of a Caprese salad into fun skewers, or simply lay out tomatoes, basil and mozzarella into the shape of a wreath in a more charcuterie-style fashion. This finger food is full of fresh flavors and is incredibly easy to put together!
Shutterstock/Mininoter
2. Bang Bang Brussels Sprouts
Bang bang brussels sprouts will convert any sprout hater into a lover! This dish is creamy, spicy, and savory. It’s so darn good you’ll be licking your plate clean! The bang bang sauce is key to this recipe. To make this incredible sauce you’ll need to mix together mayo, garlic, horseradish, sriracha and lemon juice.
This recipe also comes with instructions to make this side dish dairy-free which is perfect for those with allergies or vegan dieters. This dish is perfect for any upcoming holiday or Thanksgiving gatherings. Be warned though, make it once and it’ll be requested every year to come.
3. Spiked Eggnog Cake
While you grab a carton of eggnog at the grocery store, be sure to grab extra because you need to try this delicious spiked eggnog cake! Cakes are great for any occasion whether it be a birthday or a Christmas party, but this particular eggnog cake is like nothing your guests have ever seen before!
The cake batter is infused with egg nog and is spiked with rum that will have you drooling all holiday season long. Top the cake with a delicious cream cheese frosting and a drizzle of white chocolate ganache to set this cake over the top.
Shutterstock/Ildi Papp
4. Make Your Own Bruschetta Bar
Bruschetta is a classic Italian finger food that never goes out of style and is a foolproof crowd pleaser. Instead of preparing bruschetta yourself, create a bruschetta bar so that your guests can customize the toppings to suit their liking. This also helps alleviate the work for you making this a quick and easy recipe!
Simply dish out the toppings into serving bowls (which can be done ahead of time). Then all the work you have to do is grill the bread, set out the toppings and dig in! Your guests will love how delicious and interactive this appetizer is.
Shutterstock/beats1
5. Easy Garlic Parmesan Knots
There’s no denying that dinner rolls are a must-have for any big dinner, but why not change things up this year? You don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen preparing dinner rolls from scratch but instead, you could try these quick and easy garlic parmesan knots.
Using store-bought refrigerated biscuits and a few tasty seasonings you’ll be able to achieve homemade flavor without all the effort and extra work. These foolproof, buttery garlic knots come together in less than 20 minutes and are incredibly easy to pull off. You might want to double this recipe because these garlic knots will be snatched up quickly!
Shutterstock/TonelsonProductions
6. Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Sliders
Roasting chicken in the oven may take a while but if you cook it in your Instant Pot it can be done incredibly quickly! This quick and easy Instant Pot buffalo chicken slider recipe will definitely be a hit this holiday season. They’re easy to serve up to a large crowd and are almost guaranteed to be enjoyed by all, no matter a person’s tastes or aversions.
Best of all? This recipe only requires 8 simple ingredients that you likely already have at home! Tender shredded chicken is smothered in the most creamy buffalo sauce. Top the sliders with ranch and garnish with a pickle!
7. Herb And Garlic Potato Stacks
You can never go wrong with mashed potatoes, but if you’re looking to try something new this holiday season be sure to add herb and garlic potato stacks to your menu. They look gourmet but they’re actually quite easy to make and require simple ingredients you likely have laying around the house.
The secret to achieving thin and evenly sliced potatoes is to use a mandolin. Build the potato stacks and then brush them with a drool-worthy herb and garlic glaze. Lastly, bake them until they’re browned to perfection. Tender layers of buttery potatoes paired with flavors of herb and garlic, what could be better?
Shutterstock/DronG
8. Gingerbread Scones With Cream Cheese Frosting
Scones pair perfectly with tea and coffee so why not bake a batch of these gingerbread scones this Christmas? These scones are full of fragrant gingerbread flavor, from molasses to cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. They’re perfect to serve once the big meal is over and your guests are ready to satisfy their sweet tooth.
What sets these scones over the top is the drizzle of homemade cream cheese frosting. The combination of the rich gingerbread with the tangy cream cheese frosting is the perfect mouth-watering combination that your guests will never forget. Finally, to make them festive, garnish with red and green sprinkles for a pop of color.
Shutterstock/JJava Designs
9. Pigs In A Blanket
These miniature pigs in a blanket are delicious and come together in under 30 minutes. Topped with everything bagel seasoning, they’ll surely excite your taste buds.There’s no better way to start off a holiday meal than with a few delicious appetizers, and these savory pigs in a blanket will be sure to impress your guests.
If you can’t find the popular Trader Joes Everything But The Bagel Seasoning, this recipe provides instructions on how to make your own. You can also make the delicious homemade dipping sauce recipe — made with sour cream, mustard, and mayo — that pairs perfectly with this appetizer.
Shutterstock/Pixel-Shot
10. Hasselback Butternut Squash Roasted Side Dish
You may be familiar with hasselback potatoes or chicken but have you ever thought that you could try that technique on another beloved vegetable? Butternut squash is another classic side dish for holiday dinners but hasselback butternut squash is about to rock your world!
The awesome thing about this technique is that it allows all the flavors to seep in and soak into each layer making it even more flavorful. Every bite is wonderfully flavored, seasoned and melts in your mouth. Your friends will surely beg you for this recipe and ask you to make it every holiday to come.
11. Maple-Glazed Turkey With Bacon
Bacon makes everything better, right? So why not add it to the main event at your holiday gathering — the turkey! This recipe takes a juicy tender turkey and smothers it in a sage-infused butter for even more flavor. What sets this recipe over the top is that the turkey is covered in strips of bacon.
This entrée will surely steal the spotlight this holiday season. Keep in mind, the turkey requires about 20 minutes to prep and then it’ll need about 3 hours to roast in the oven so be sure to give yourself enough time with this recipe.
Shutterstock/Rosamar
12. Creamy Green Bean Casserole From Scratch
Green bean casserole is a holiday classic! Picky eater or not, it’s hard to resist that creamy sauce and savory fried onion topping. While many green bean casserole dishes take canned soup and vegetables, this one is made entirely from scratch! It tastes fresh, savory and elevates a beloved Christmas dish to an entirely new level.
This recipe is from scratch which means you won’t be using cans of soup or taking any other shortcuts, however, you will certainly taste the difference! The extra time and fresh ingredients totally transforms this dish into a green bean casserole like you’ve never tasted before.
Shutterstock/from my point of view
13. Crockpot Drunken Bourbon Whiskey Meatballs
Meatballs make great appetizers, especially for parties! They’re easy to grab and go and the perfect bite size snack before the main course. So set it and forget it this holiday season and make a batch of these drunken bourbon whiskey meatballs. This recipe is made in a Crockpot and only require 2 to 3 hours in comparison to other recipes that need 5 to 8 hours.
A package of frozen meatballs is smothered in a drunken bourbon whiskey sauce and then is cooked low and slow. Your friends and family will take one bite and will be back for seconds and thirds!
14. Tuna Pickle Boats
Tuna pickle boats are about to rock your world! This simple appetizer scoops tuna salad into a dill pickle. They’re the perfect salty snack to serve to a large group and they’re friendly to multiple different lifestyles. They’re dairy free, gluten free and this recipe is also keto-friendly.
The best part is that these pickle boats can come together in just 5 minutes and require 5 simple ingredients: 5-6 dill pickles, 1 can of light flaked tuna, 1/4 cup of light mayo, 1 tbsp of fresh dill and salt & pepper to taste! Prep will take you 5 minutes and this app will be ready to enjoy!
15. Quick and Easy Charcuterie Kabobs
Charcuterie boards are a growing trend, especially for parties since they’re perfect for grazing! What’s better than a delicious spread of meat, cheese, jam, and fruit? While you could serve a traditional charcuterie board at your next holiday get together, we highly encourage that you try making these charcuterie kabobs!
You and your friends will get to indulge in all the same ingredients you love about charcuterie but the kabobs make it easy to grab, go, and enjoy! We recommend serving the kabobs with delicious dips such as balsamic vinegar, dijon mustard, olive oil, or any dipping sauce you enjoy!
16. “Stuffins”: Stuffing Muffins
It’s common to have stuffing at your holiday gathering, but why not change things up this year with this fun “stuffins” dish? This recipe puts a fun spin on traditional stuffing. These bites are full of the classic flavors we love just in a fun little muffin form.
These stuffing muffins come together quickly with the help of a muffin tin. If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, these stuffins pack away perfectly for lunches too. Dip them, dunk them, top them with mashed potatoes & turkey, there are endless ways to serve and enjoy these stuffing muffins that the whole family will enjoy.
17. Cranberry Brie Bites
These elegant cranberry and brie bites would be a stunning addition to your holiday table. They may look fancy and intimidating but they’re actually incredibly easy to make.
With 3 simple ingredients and 25 minutes of your time, you’ll have this appetizer ready to eat in no time! Be sure to cook these cranberry brie bites in a muffin tin to turn this appetizer into the perfect finger food. While this recipe is so tasty on its own, you could also top with toasted walnuts or pecans for added crunch. Also be sure to top with a small rosemary sprig as garnish for a festive touch.
Shutterstock/Elena Shashkina
18. Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes
It’s fun to throw in a few new and unique dishes to your Christmas feast but including classic dishes such as mashed potatoes is important too. Forget your old cooking methods and start using an Instant pot for your mashed potatoes this year! This not only frees up space in your oven and stovetop but helps you cook quickly too! With this recipe, you get out of any peeling and boiling of traditional mashed potatoes.
These mashed potatoes are full of that wonderful garlic flavor and are perfectly creamy. Try it once and you’ll never want to cook them any other way.
19. Instant Pot Artichoke and Spinach Dip
Prepare a bowl of ooey-gooey artichoke and spinach dip in a hurry this holiday season by using an Instant Pot! The delicious flavors of this dip are provided by ingredients like alfredo sauce mix, loads of cheese, and garlic powder!
By pressure cooking the dip you’ll be able to have it ready to eat very quickly! Spinach and artichoke dip is a crowd pleaser and once you discover how easy it is to make using the Instant Pot, you’ll want to make this for every occasion. Once cooked, serve the dip in a bread bowl or with your favorite chips.
20. No-Bake Lemon Meringue Pie Dip
Who says you have to save dessert for last? Serve this lemon meringue pie dip as an appetizer and watch it disappear quickly! This dip is full of zesty flavors of lemon and sweet condensed milk. Plus, with only seven common ingredients, it’s inexpensive to feed the crowd you’re hosting!
Another bonus is that this recipe is also super light which will ensure your guests won’t get too full for when the heavy foods like turkey and stuffing are served. Top the dip with a beautiful homemade meringue and you could even add a few festive sprinkles on top too.
21. Copycat Big Mac Bites
Surprise your friends with a platter of these delicious copycat Big Mac Bites at your next holiday gathering. The sliders feature a juicy beef patty and an authentic copycat Big Mac sauce that everyone will enjoy! These Big Mac Bites are absolutely drool-worthy and the Big Mac sauce is so spot on that your friends will be shocked that it didn’t come directly from the drive-thru!
These Big Mac Bites come together fairly quickly which makes them the perfect quick and easy appetizer to throw together for a crowd. You can also serve a keto-friendly option like these low-carb Big Mac bites!
22. Cobb Salad On A Stick
People may not be drawn to a bowl of a salad but they will surely be drawn to a platter of salad on a stick! These cobb salad sticks include all the best ingredients of a cobb salad, from a hard-boiled egg to crispy bacon, and fresh tomatoes. The benefit to serving cobb salad this way is that its a super easy app to grab and go while your guests are mingling.
Be sure to serve the cobbs with this delicious homemade avocado ranch dip that truly sets this appetizer over the top. As a bonus, this is also a keto-friendly recipe.
23. Cranberry Almond Broccoli Salad
Christmas is often full of delicious comfort foods but throwing in a few fresh dishes into the mix would be a great idea too. This cranberry almond broccoli salad is full of fresh flavor and crunchy texture. It will be the perfect fresh and crisp contrast to all the turkey and stuffing that your guests will much appreciate.
This salad uses broccoli as a base with delicious festive topping such as tart cranberries, crunchy almonds, and crispy bacon. Along with instructions to assemble the salad, you’ll also be provided with a homemade citrus poppyseed dressing recipe. Everyone will go crazy for this salad!
Shutterstock/Cesarz
24. Peppermint Cheesecake Trifle
Trifle is an exciting dessert because it’s full of layers and delicious flavor. This recipe puts a fun Christmas spin on a classic trifle and your friends will love it! Luscious red velvet cake is layered with a peppermint cream cheese filling and complemented with mint Oreos, Cool Whip, and peppermint candies.
This recipe is also a no-bake recipe which saves time and oven space which is often much appreciated during a busy holiday season. It’s festive and the perfect “make-ahead” recipe that will wow your guests. Making a day in advance is ideal to allow the layers to settle and the flavors to blend.
Shutterstock/Rimma Bondarenko
25. Slow Cooker Honey-Glazed Ham
The oven is prime real estate during the holidays, so free up some space and cook your main course in a slow cooker! It may take about 6 to 8 hours to cook but most of that time is spent unsupervised so you can enjoy more time at the party. Honey-glazed ham is a classic holiday main course and this particular recipe is one that your guests will never forget.
The ham is smothered in a delicious honey glaze that truly sets the flavor over the top. Just be sure to baste the ham every few hours to achieve maximum flavor.
Shutterstock/Brent Hofacker
26. Green Bean Bundles
Classic green beans can be boring on their own but wrap them in bacon and they’ll surely capture everyone’s attention. After all, who can resist a piece of salty, crispy bacon? These bacon green bean wraps are a perfect side dish or appetizer for a holiday gathering. Tender green beans wrapped in smoky bacon with a hint of brown sugar — what could be better?
Garlic, brown sugar, and a dash of salt and pepper is all you’ll need to season these bundles. Keep in mind, it’s important to slightly cook the bacon before assembling the bundles to help it crisp without overcooking the beans.
27. Salted Caramel Apple Pie Blondies
Apple pie has always been a huge staple during the Christmas season. Are you tired of serving the same boring apple pie year after year but can’t bring yourself to remove it from your dessert menu? If so, consider spicing up your dessert table with these salted caramel apple pie blondies.
This amazing desert will give you all the nostalgic flavors of apple pie in an easy-to-serve bite size blondie form. Sweet flavors of apple pie are smothered in a dreamy caramel sauce – sounds delicious, right? They’re also relatively simple to make and don’t require a mixer, which is a bonus!
Shutterstock/AS Food studio
28. Mushroom Wellington
Try something different this holiday season and share a vegetarian main entrée like this mushroom wellington! This recipe will certainly impress your meat-eating friends and family! It’s a fun take on the classic beef wellington.
The filling is made from Dijon mustard, spinach, onions, and portabello mushrooms. Portabello mushrooms are an excellent substitute for meat because when cooked, they have a “meaty” texture. The recipe also gives many helpful tips to perfecting this dish such as ensuring to pat everything dry and make sure it is completely cold before wrapping it in your vegan puff pastry. Serve when golden and enjoy!
Shutterstock/Chatham172
29. Slow Cooker Stuffing
Everyone has their own favorite traditional dishes for Christmas. One of the most popular side dishes is stuffing! It is fluffy, flavorful and savory — what could be better? While stovetop stuffing is certainly delicious, why not try making your stuffing dish from scratch this year?
This homemade stuffing recipe is nothing like the store-bought boxed stuffing as its full of fresh flavor but thankfully it’s just as easy to prepare! Toss the ingredients into the slow cooker and set and forget it! It also saves previous oven space during a busy time of year that you’ll be sure to appreciate.
Brent Hofacker / Shutterstock
30. Slow Cooker Creamed Corn
The oven is considered prime real estate when it comes to Christmas dinner. Odds are the oven is already jam-packed thanks to a large turkey. Slow cookers come to the rescue to help you cook delicious side dishes effortlessly. Creamed corn is a staple when it comes to the holidays, but we have a new technique to make this classic dish.
Ditch the canned creamed corn because this recipe is going to prove how easy it is to create a homemade version. Plus, the flavors are even more remarkable than the canned version anyway. It’s rich, creamy, buttery, and seasoned to perfection!
Shutterstock/Marie Sonmez Photography
