18 Festive Holiday Appetizers

By Jenn Segal

Break out the bubbly! From the best cheese ball to to Swedish meatballs, there is something for everyone (and every party) on this list!

Cheese Ball (AKA “Party Magnet”)

Made with goat cheese, scallions, chopped dates, and roasted pecans, this cheese ball makes a delicious addition to any charcuterie board or appetizer spread.
Shrimp Cocktail

Big, plump, perfectly-cooked shrimp with a lemony, horseradish-spiked cocktail sauce
Pigs in a Blanket

Made with cocktail sausages and puff pastry, these fancy pigs in a blanket are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Maryland Crab Cakes with Quick Tartar Sauce

A Maryland staple, these crab cakes are made from fresh lump crab meat and just enough filler to bind the crabmeat together.
Candied Pecans

These candied pecans are perfect to serve with cocktails or toss over salads, and the best part is that they take just 15 minutes to make!
Baked Brie en Croûte with Honey, Dried Cherries, Rosemary & Pecans

Made with store-bought puff pastry, this baked brie is an easy yet impressive appetizer for a party. You’ll love my foolproof technique for wrapping the cheese.
Swedish Meatballs

Beef and pork meatballs in a light cream sauce are delicious on their own as an appetizer or served over noodles for dinner.
Cheddar & Herb Cheese Straws

Crisp and flaky cheese straws specked with fresh herbs make a delicious and fun hors d’oeuvre.
Nigella Lawson’s Party Popcorn

A little sweet and a little salty, Nigella Lawson’s party popcorn is downright habit-forming.
L’Auberge Chez François Herbed Cottage Cheese Spread

This blend of cottage cheese, sour cream, garlic and fresh herbs makes an irresistible spread.
Deviled Eggs

A classic deviled eggs recipe with a creamy, fluffy filling that you can dress up any way you like.
Smoked Salmon Dip

This elegant smoked salmon dip is delicious on crackers – or serve it on a brunch buffet with bagels.
Gougères (French Cheese Puffs)

Gougères are savory cheese puffs made from pâte à choux with a generous amount of cheese folded in. Slightly warm, with a crisp shell and a cheesy interior, they’re the perfect little bite to serve with sparkling wine or cocktails.
Candied Bacon

This candied bacon has all the makings of an irresistible snack: it’s crispy, chewy, smoky, salty, sweet, and spicy.
Hot Crab Rangoon Dip with Crispy Wonton Chips

Think of this Asian-style hot crab dip with crispy wonton chips as a deconstructed crab rangoon.
Whipped Feta Dip

Similar to htipiti, the salty and tangy Mediterranean mezze spread, this feta dip is fabulous with toasted pita or veggies.
Cocktail Meatballs

Throw away that recipe that calls for frozen meatballs and grape jelly – these homemade cocktail meatballs are so much better.
Union Square Cafe Bar Nuts

Sweet, salty, and spicy, these rosemary nuts are perfect with cocktails or for snacking. Don’t say I didn’t warn you: they’re hard to stop eating!