Appetizer Recipes for Your Holiday Party

Keep holiday party guests sated (and happy) with tasty appetizer recipes like crostini, tartlets and more small bites.

Photo By: Matt Armedariz ©2012 Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©Â 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Photo By: Melanie Grizzel ©2012. Cooking Channel, LLC. All Right Reserved.

Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©Â 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Photo By: Jackie Alpers ©Ellie Krieger Healthy Appetite spiced nuts pecans almonds pistachio cashews

Photo By: Alice Gao ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©Â 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2012 Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2012 Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Photo By: Emile Wamsteker ©2014, Cooking Channel, LLC. All Rights Reserved

Photo By: Jamie Rector ©2013, Cooking Channel, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Photo By: Hugh Forte ©Hugh Forte Photography

Photo By: Matt Armedariz ©2012, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2012 Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

©2009, Jeremiah Alley

Baked Prosciutto and Brie With Apple Butter

This easy appetizer strikes the perfect balance between sweet and salty and soft and crunchy while the cinnamon spice from the apple butter gives it a festive flavor.

Get the Recipe: Baked Prosciutto and Brie with Apple Butter

Pecorino and Honey Dip

This no-cook recipe is all about quality ingredients. Purchase rich, flavorful cheeses and your favorite local honey for a sweet, salty and spicy pairing.

Get the Recipe: Pecorino and Honey Dip

Cheese and Spinach Puff Pastry Pockets

Giada De Laurentiis cuts out the center of baked puff pastry shells and fills them with a mixture of spinach, Italian cheeses and chopped green onions. The result is a perfect, bite-sized savory tart. 

Get the Recipe: Cheese and Spinach Puff Pastry Pockets

Date and Blue Cheese Stuffed Meatballs

Crispy bits of bacon add an unexpected (but very welcome) crunch to Alie and Georgia's meatballs, which surprise twice with a minced date and blue cheese center.

Get the Recipe: Date and Blue Cheese Stuffed Meatballs

Deviled Eggs with Candied Bacon

Pump up this party staple by sprinkling in spice-and-sugar-coated bits of crisp bacon.

Get the Recipe: Deviled Eggs with Candied Bacon

Chevre and Walnut Tartlets

Tangy goat cheese, sweet figs and crunchy walnuts are layered on a buttery puff pastry. Laura Calder knows how to throw a party with ease.

Get the Recipe: Chevre and Walnut Tartlets

Polenta Squares with Mushroom Ragu

Instead of serving yet another snack atop a cracker, Giada tops crisp polenta squares with a mushroom ragout, which makes for a more savory and elegant starter. 

Get the Recipe: Polenta Squares with Mushroom Ragu

Citrus-Marinated Olives

Soaked in lemon zest and sprinkled with curry powder, salty olives take on zesty, zingy flavor; they're an ideal party snack to accompany strong holiday cocktails. 

Get the Recipe: Citrus Marinated Olives

Spiced Nuts

This completely addictive nut combo is also incredibly simple to throw together. Ellie Krieger bathes her blend in maple syrup and cayenne pepper before roasting it in the oven.

Get the Recipe: Spiced Nuts

Goat Cheese Toasts

Giada combines cream and goat cheeses with lemon peel, parsley and thyme to create a savory and rich topping for toast. Best of all, both the bread and the cheese mixture can be made in advance. 

Get the Recipe: Goat Cheese Toasts

Antipasti de Salumi

Use cookie-cutters to create festive shapes out of thin slices of fontina and mozzarella cheeses, then layer with various Italian cold cuts for an antipasti platter that's as fun to look at as it is to eat.

Get the Recipe: Antipasti de Salumi

Fresh Ricotta Crostini

Transform milk, lemon juice and a little salt into creamy homemade ricotta cheese in just 30 minutes for an easy, authentic Italian appetizer that's sure to impress all of your holiday guests.

Get the Recipe: Fresh Ricotta Crostini

Bacon Falafel Bites with Hummus

How does one improve a Mediterranean classic? By adding bacon, of course! These crispy falafel bites explode with fresh lemon and garlic flavors, and using Bibb lettuce in lieu of pita lightens them up.

Get the Recipe: Bacon Falafel Bites with Hummus

Sundried Tomato Kebabs

Skewer together sun-dried tomatoes, miniature mozzarella balls and fresh basil leaves for a simple no-cook appetizer that's as festive as it is flavorful.

Get the Recipe: Sundried Tomato Kebabs

Antipasto di Ricotta

This rich spread of fresh ricotta and lemon zest is as simple as can be. Serve it on toasted or grilled bread for delicious crostini, or alongside crackers, crudite and other foods perfect for dipping.

Get the Recipe: Antipasto di Ricotta: Simple Ricotta Antipasto

Porcini Bruschette with Nipitella

The Italian herb nipitella is a member of the mint family and has a strong, refreshing taste that contrasts nicely with the earthiness of the porcini mushrooms. Can't find nipitella? Substitute with a combo of mint and thyme.

Get the Recipe: Porcini Bruschette with Nipitella

Roasted Chestnuts

Roasting chestnuts "on an open fire" isn't just a quaint lyric, it's also a great way to extract extra toasted flavor from the buttery winter nut. (Plus, you'll have as much fun preparing this one-ingredient recipe as you will eating it.)

Get the Recipe: Roasted Chestnuts

Spicy Roasted Olives

Roasting mixed olives with chile, rosemary and garlic transforms the cold and briny finger food into something far more flavorful.

Get the Recipe: Spicy Roasted Olives

Baked Baby Fingerling Potatoes

Kelsey bakes baby fingerlings until they're crispy and tops them with creme fraiche and bacon. They're perfectly portioned so guests can have a few without guilt.

Get the Recipe: Baby Baked Fingerling Potatoes

Pork Dumplings

Give your holiday guests a taste of Asia with these pork dumplings dipped in a Sriracha soy sauce. This recipe makes a generous quantity, so keep leftovers in your freezer for an easy snack or impromptu gathering.

Get the Recipe: Pork Dumplings

Chickpea Bruschetta

Instead of pureeing your chickpeas for hummus, leave them whole and add sun-dried tomatoes and parsley for an easy toast topper.

Get the Recipe: Chickpea Bruschetta

Popcorn Rock Shrimp With Spicy Honey

Serve these rock shrimp fresh from the fryer when they're at their maximum crispiness. Your guests will thank you.

Get the Recipe: Popcorn Rock Shrimp with Spicy Honey

Truffle Deviled Eggs

The simple addition of truffle salt makes these deviled eggs decidedly more decadent — and what better time to indulge than during the holidays?

Get the Recipe: Truffle Deviled Eggs

Pastrami-Style Gravlax with Sweet English Mustard on Pumpernickel Toast*

Nadia goes the extra mile by making her own salt-cured salmon gravlax that she seasons with coriander, mustard and fennel seeds. Make them a few days in advance so that come party day, all that's left to do is assemble the layers of this satisfyingly salty appetizer. 

Get the Recipe: Pastrami-Style Gravlax with Sweet English Mustard on Pumpernickel Toast

Goat Cheese and Sun-Dried Tomato Profiteroles With Herb Oil

Giada puts a surprising savory spin on profiteroles by adding Parmesan to the dough, then filling them with a mixture of cream, goat cheese and sun-dried tomatoes.

Get the Recipe: Goat Cheese and Sun Dried Tomato Profiteroles with Herb Oil

Mushroom, Leek and Prosciutto Pizza

These gourmet pizza bites look and taste fancy, but are a cinch to make. No one will know you used store-bought pizza dough.

Get the Recipe: Mushroom, Leek and Prosciutto Pizza

Stuffed Mushrooms (Hongos Rellenos de Chorizo)

Try a Latin-inspired take on this cocktail party classic.

Get the Recipe: Stuffed Mushrooms (Hongos Rellenos de Chorizo)

Pumpkin Gyoza

These dumplings, filled with cinnamon-, ginger- and chili-spiced pumpkin puree, will be a hit with your vegetarian and meat-loving guests alike.

Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Gyoza

Serrano Ham and Manchego Cheese Plate

Serve Michael Chiarello's meat-and-cheese plate with a bottle of red wine to bring out the best in the classic Spanish pairing.

Get the Recipe: Serrano Ham and Manchego Cheese Plate

Mixed Crostini

Using red pepper, thyme and oregano or prosciutto and pepper flakes, Mario makes sure to please every palate with his varied crostini.

Chorizo Bites With Arugula Pesto

Chuck's easy appetizer pairs chunks of chorizo with fresh homemade pesto in an easy-to-eat party bite.

Get the Recipe: Chorizo Bites with Arugula Pesto

Spinach and Feta Spanakopita

Kelsey's tasty triangles of Greek spanakopita are ideal party snacks.

Get the Recipe: Spinach and Feta Spanakopita

Pizzettes

Individual-size pizzas are always a crowd-pleaser, but wow your guests by forsaking red sauce and mozzarella in favor of Giada's topping of caramelized onions, prosciutto and goat cheese.

Get the Recipe: Pizzettes with Caramelized Onions, Goat Cheese, and Prosciutto

Thai Marinated Grilled Chicken Skewers

Served with a side of peanut-coconut sauce, these skewers are both sweet and spicy — the perfect party conversation starter.

Get the Recipe: Thai Marinated Grilled Chicken Skewers

Pigs in Blankets with Honey-Mustard Dipping Sauce

Kick up classic pastry-wrapped sausages with homemade honey mustard sauce.

Get the Recipe: Pigs-in-a-Blanket with Honey-Mustard Dipping Sauce

Fried Bocconcini

For a bite-sized, fancied-up version of a favorite guilty pleasure (mozzarella sticks), try Kelsey's recipe using fresh mozzarella bocconcini.

Get the Recipe: Fried Bocconcini

Sausage-Stuffed Mushrooms

Transform cremini mushrooms into party-perfect starters by stuffing them with a classic combo of sausage, bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese.

Get the Recipe: Sausage-Stuffed Mushrooms

Easy Cheese Fondue

Get the festivities started with Jamie Oliver's fondue made with three cheeses: cheddar, Gruyère and blue.

Get the Recipe: Easy Cheese Fondue

Pear with Prosciutto and Gorgonzola

This appetizer won't cause a stink at your party when tangy Gorgonzola and sliced pears get cozy, wrapped up with prosciutto.

Get the Recipe: Pear with Prosciutto and Gorgonzola

Crunchy Red Swiss Chard Falafel

This is one fried dish that you can feel less guilty about eating: Swiss chard is loaded with nutritious vitamins and minerals; chickpea flour provides a healthy, low-fat form of protein; and tumeric helps to detoxify the body.

Get the Recipe: Crunchy Red Swiss Chard Falafel

Pimento and Tuna Deviled Eggs

Spiced with chopped pimento and hot paprika, Emeril's deviled eggs pack loads of flavor.

Baked Samosas With Tamarind Chutney

The pulp from tamarind (an Indian date) is an essential ingredient for Bal's sweet-and-spicy Samosas.

Get the Recipe: Baked Samosas with Tamarind Chutney

Simply Dressed Bocconcini

Crafting the perfect antipasto platter is a cinch with marinated bocconcini and Sherry Fennel Olives around.

Get the Recipe: Simply Dressed Bocconcini

Thai-Italian Spring Rolls With Peanut Dipping Sauce

East meets West in Nadia's colorful, meaty spring rolls.

Get the Recipe: Thai-Italian Spring Rolls with Peanut Dipping Sauce

Crunchy Curried Chickpeas

Seasoned with aromatic ginger and thyme, these curried chickpeas get crunchy in the oven instead of the fryer, so they're as healthful as they are addictive. Move over, cocktail peanuts: there's a new snack in town.

Get the Recipe: Crunchy Curried Chickpeas

Spinach-and-Cheese Dip

Chuck Hughes's creamy, flavorful spinach-and-cheese dip gets even more comforting when served in a warm, toasted bread bowl.

Get the Recipe: Spinach and Cheese Dip

Marinated Olive Salad

Kelsey's marinated olives are just the thing to liven up your antipasti spread.

Get the Recipe: Marinated Olive and Tomato Salad

Almond-Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Prunes

With just three ingredients and ready in only 25 minutes, these easy almond-stuffed, bacon-wrapped prunes combine sweet and salty flavors and a medley of textures.

Get the Recipe: Almond-Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Prunes

Crispy Fried-Cheese Squares

Chuck Hughes turns mozzarella sticks into an elegant starter by serving melt-in-your-mouth, crispy fried-cheese squares over a bed of salad.

Get the Recipe: Crispy Fried Cheese Squares

Risotto Croquettes (Arancini di Riso)

Debi Mazar and Gabriele Corcos fry arancini studded with ham and fresh mozzarella.

Get the Recipe: Risotto Croquettes: Arancini Di Riso

Pork and Prawn Boiled Wontons

Ching-He's boiled wontons are full of lean pork and shrimp, making them the light, flavorful starter to offer guests before the holiday meal or as a passed bite.

Get the Recipe: Pork and Prawn Boiled Wontons

Bacon and Cheese Puffers

The eggs in this recipe's batter add fluffiness to the bacon-studded finger food. If you manage to have any left over, they're great for breakfast the next morning as well.

Get the Recipe: Bacon and Cheese Puffers

Kitschy Canapes

Laura Calder goes retro with these three easy hors d'ouevres.

Get the Recipe: Kitschy Canapes X 3

Homemade Pickled Veggies

To balance out all that rich holiday food, make Chuck's fresh and tangy pickled veggies. Adding beets to the mix gives the whole jar a seasonally appropriate hue.

Get the Recipe: Homemade Pickled Veggies

Herb-Rolled Quail's Eggs

Hard-boiling naturally bite-sized quail eggs and coating them in za'atar, a Middle Eastern blend of spices and sesame seeds, produces an easy but exotic appetizer. (Can't find quail eggs? Regular small eggs will do.)

Get the Recipe: Herb-Rolled Quail's Eggs

Sausage and Stracchino Cheese Crostini

None of your guests will believe that it took only three ingredients to make David Rocco's irresistible crostini.

Get the Recipe: Sausage and Stracchino Cheese Crostini

Uyghur Spicy Beef Skewers

The term "Uyghur" actually means "united" or "allied"; so this Turkish-Chinese appetizer has a positive holiday message.

Get the Recipe: Uyghur Spicy Beef Skewers

Mushroom Bruschetta

Mix and match your favorite mushrooms for this easy grilled-bread appetizer, which tastes just as good at room temperature as it does fresh off the stove.

Get the Recipe: Mushroom Bruschetta