47 Christmas Potluck Recipes Even Kids Actually Enjoy

Getting children excited about food at a big gathering isn’t always easy, unless the right spread is on the table. With 47 Christmas potluck recipes, even the pickiest eaters end up joining in without complaints. It makes family parties run smoother when no one is negotiating over bites.

A close-up of a slice of layered tiramisu cake with cream, coffee-soaked sponge, and dusted cocoa powder on top, served on a white plate. — Tiramisu Cheesecake. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Cheddar Bay Sausage Balls

A plate of golden-brown, cheesy sausage balls stacked on top of each other, with one ball partially broken to show the inside texture. — Cheddar Bay Sausage Balls. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Party tables feel more inviting when there are bite-sized snacks to share. Cheddar Bay Sausage Balls bring bold flavor in small portions that kids grab quickly. Families enjoy serving them because they disappear almost as soon as they’re set down. They’ve become a staple at gatherings for how simple yet fun they are.
Get the Recipe: Cheddar Bay Sausage Balls

Pigs in a Blanket

Few snacks bring as many smiles as finger foods wrapped up neatly. Pigs in a Blanket are warm, soft, and easy to enjoy in just a few bites. Kids often head straight for the tray since they’re fun to eat. They never seem to last more than a few minutes once people spot them.
Get the Recipe: Pigs in a Blanket

Cabbage Casserole

A close-up of a baked casserole dish filled with creamy cabbage gratin, topped with a golden breadcrumb crust, with a serving spoon partially visible. — Cabbage Casserole. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Hearty dishes always have a way of drawing attention on crowded tables. Cabbage Casserole layers flavor and comfort in a way that works for groups of any size. Families appreciate how far one pan can stretch to feed guests. It’s remembered as one of those casseroles that everyone goes back for.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage Casserole

Mozzarella Sticks

Someone pulling a mozzarella stick apart and showing the stretchy cheese. — Mozzarella Sticks. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Finger foods with melted centers are always popular choices. Mozzarella Sticks come out crisp on the outside with gooey cheese inside. Kids love them because they’re easy to hold and dip. They’re often finished long before the rest of the appetizers.
Get the Recipe: Mozzarella Sticks

Amish Breakfast Casserole

A close-up of a serving of savory bread pudding with bacon and herbs being lifted from a white baking dish. — Amish Breakfast Casserole. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Dishes that work for both breakfast and dinner feel extra versatile. Amish Breakfast Casserole is hearty enough to feed a crowd and simple enough to serve easily. Parents like that it fills plates without needing much else on the side. It’s often the kind of casserole that disappears quickly.
Get the Recipe: Amish Breakfast Casserole

Homemade Lasagna

Close-up of a delicious slice of lasagna, showcasing layers of pasta, ground meat, tomato sauce, ricotta cheese, and garnished with chopped basil. — Homemade Lasagna. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Large layered meals always stand tall at potlucks. Homemade Lasagna is cheesy, rich, and big enough to serve plenty of guests. Families love how reliable it is for pleasing both kids and adults. It usually gets claimed fast when the table opens.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Lasagna

Beet Salad

A close-up of a salad featuring chopped beets, cucumber, feta cheese, walnuts, and fresh herbs on a white plate. — Beet Salad. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Bright colors on a table full of heavy foods make people stop and look. Beet Salad brings freshness and a unique flavor that balances richer plates. Parents enjoy having a lighter option to share. It stands out because it looks different from everything else being served.
Get the Recipe: Beet Salad

Funeral Potatoes

Potatoes keep showing up because everyone wants them at gatherings. Funeral Potatoes are creamy, crunchy on top, and scooped up fast. Kids often go back for seconds without needing a reminder. It’s one of those dishes that feels familiar and welcome every time.
Get the Recipe: Funeral Potatoes

Cranberry Brie Bites

Bite-sized foods always make sharing easier. Cranberry Brie Bites are small, flavorful, and perfect for adding variety to the table. Families bring them often because they’re easy to grab while walking around. Guests rarely leave a tray untouched.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Brie Bites

Tiramisu

Desserts with layers tend to grab attention right away. Tiramisu delivers creamy texture with a light coffee flavor adults enjoy. Kids often like the soft layers too, making it more versatile than expected. It’s one of those desserts that leaves nothing behind.
Get the Recipe: Tiramisu

Mini Goat Cheese Balls

Goat cheese balls on a wooden cutting board. — Mini Goat Cheese Balls. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Small appetizers often bring big flavor in little bites. Mini Goat Cheese Balls are rolled into perfect portions that work well for groups. Families enjoy them because they’re easy to serve without plates. They’re gone quickly since guests can’t resist trying one.
Get the Recipe: Mini Goat Cheese Balls

Peppermint Fudge

Sweet trays always need a candy option to feel complete. Peppermint Fudge is rich, smooth, and filled with flavor that feels festive. Kids usually spot it first because of its bright color. It tends to vanish before other desserts are touched.
Get the Recipe: Peppermint Fudge

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

Classic flavors often work even better in baked form. Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole has layers that make it hearty and simple to share. Parents like how it keeps the essence of the dish while being easier to serve. It’s always one of the pans that empties fastest.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

Bread Stuffing

A close-up of a casserole dish filled with stuffing made of bread cubes, cranberries, chopped herbs, and celery. — Bread Stuffing. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Traditional sides continue to win space on potluck tables. Bread Stuffing is warm, soft, and filled with flavor that pairs with nearly everything. Families enjoy it because it brings comfort in familiar form. It’s a dish people expect to see and are happy when it shows up.
Get the Recipe: Bread Stuffing

Potato Skins

Crisp bites filled with hearty toppings always draw a crowd. Potato Skins come loaded in a way that feels both fun and filling. Kids enjoy how easy they are to pick up and eat quickly. Plates usually come back empty once these are served.
Get the Recipe: Potato Skins

Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

Close-up of cinnamon rolls drizzled with white icing on a plate. — Cinnamon Roll Pancakes. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Sweet foods with a twist often become party favorites. Cinnamon Roll Pancakes mix a breakfast classic with dessert flavor in a playful way. Families enjoy bringing them because they stand out from standard sweets. They often spark conversation while the tray disappears.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

Smashed Potatoes

Simple sides sometimes steal the spotlight at big meals. Smashed Potatoes are crisp on the edges and soft inside, making them versatile for guests of all ages. Parents like that they’re easy to pair with anything else on the table. They’ve become a common favorite for potluck spreads.
Get the Recipe: Smashed Potatoes

Cinnamon Swirl Bread

Homemade breads bring comfort and sweetness in every slice. Cinnamon Swirl Bread is soft, aromatic, and always welcome among both kids and adults. Families like it because it slices neatly for sharing. Guests usually take more than one piece.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Swirl Bread

Vegetable Beef Soup

A bowl of beef stew with chunks of meat, potatoes, carrots, and peas in a brown broth, garnished with chopped parsley. — Vegetable Beef Soup. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Warm bowls always get attention when gatherings stretch into the evening. Vegetable Beef Soup is hearty, filling, and easy to ladle out to big groups. Parents like that it works well for both adults and kids. It usually gets finished even when other soups remain.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Beef Soup

Fruit Cake

Dense desserts still have a way of showing up year after year. Fruit Cake is rich, filled with texture, and always part of traditional spreads. Families enjoy bringing it because it holds up well and slices easily. Guests expect it even if they choose other sweets first.
Get the Recipe: Fruit Cake

Sausage Balls

Plate of crispy fried dumplings with chopped herbs, served with a bowl of brown dipping sauce. — Sausage Balls. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Bite-sized snacks are perfect for parties with kids. Sausage Balls are small, flavorful, and easy to pop without slowing down. Families appreciate how quickly they disappear from the tray. They’re a go-to choice when crowds are large.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Balls

Caramel Apple Hawaiian Rolls

A plate of five sticky buns topped with caramelized nuts and sauce, resting on a red cloth. — Caramel Apple Hawaiian Rolls. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Sweet breads often grab attention at potlucks. Caramel Apple Hawaiian Rolls are sticky, soft, and filled with rich flavor that feels playful. Kids love pulling them apart to eat. They’re often gone before other breads are touched.
Get the Recipe: Caramel Apple Hawaiian Rolls

Beef Chili

Two bowls of chili with kidney beans, meat, tortilla chips, shredded cheese, and cilantro. A black spoon in one bowl. Additional chili flakes in a small dish nearby. — Beef Chili. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Hearty pots make potlucks feel more complete. Beef Chili is thick, filling, and a reliable option for feeding groups. Parents like that it can be ladled into bowls without fuss. It’s one of those dishes people always return for.
Get the Recipe: Beef Chili

Grinch Crinkle Cookies

Green cookies topped with powdered sugar and red, green, and white candy shapes resembling trees and candy canes. — Grinch Crinkle Cookies. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Playful sweets usually disappear first from the dessert table. Grinch Crinkle Cookies are bright, soft, and fun for kids to spot. Families enjoy making them because they fit the theme so well. Guests grab them quickly just to say they tried them.
Get the Recipe: Grinch Crinkle Cookies

Brown Sugar Ham and Veggies

A baked dish with slices of glazed ham, roasted sweet potato cubes, and green beans, garnished with rosemary sprigs. — Brown Sugar Ham and Veggies. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Large platters make serving simple when feeding many. Brown Sugar Ham and Veggies gives families a hearty dish that covers both meat and sides. Parents appreciate how it keeps plates balanced. It’s remembered as a dependable option for gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Brown Sugar Ham and Veggies

Shortbread Cookies

Classic cookies always find a place at holiday tables. Shortbread Cookies are crisp, buttery, and simple in a way kids love. Families bring them because they’re easy to make in batches. They tend to vanish once dessert plates go around.
Get the Recipe: Shortbread Cookies

Copycat Honey Baked Ham

Close-up of seasoned and roasted meat with crispy edges. — Copycat Honey Baked Ham. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Big centerpiece items always stand out on potluck spreads. Copycat Honey Baked Ham brings sweetness and rich flavor to every slice. Families like it because it feeds a large group easily. It’s usually remembered as one of the main highlights of the meal.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Honey Baked Ham

Buckeye Brownies

Several squares of chocolate cake with a layer of peanut butter filling and a chocolate topping are arranged on brown parchment paper. — Buckeye Brownies. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Desserts that mix chocolate with nutty flavor always stand out. Buckeye Brownies are dense, rich, and cut neatly into squares for sharing. Parents enjoy bringing them because they hold up well. Guests usually return for seconds before they’re gone.
Get the Recipe: Buckeye Brownies

Mississippi Mud Potatoes

A baked dish with melted cheese, diced pineapples, browned bacon, and chopped green onions on top. — Mississippi Mud Potatoes. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Comforting potato dishes never go unnoticed. Mississippi Mud Potatoes are creamy, loaded, and perfect for big serving spoons. Families enjoy how hearty they are without much effort. They quickly become a favorite among the sides.
Get the Recipe: Mississippi Mud Potatoes

Coconut Fudge

A stack of white, square-shaped fudge pieces with a creamy texture are arranged on a plate, some with coconut flakes on top. — Coconut Fudge. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Candy-like treats always brighten dessert trays. Coconut Fudge is rich, chewy, and easy to cut into small squares. Kids like the sweet bite-size pieces. It’s remembered for being unique compared to other desserts.
Get the Recipe: Coconut Fudge

Antipasto Skewers

Fun appetizers often come in handheld form. Antipasto Skewers stack bold flavors together in a neat way that’s easy to grab. Families like them because they look appealing on the table. They’re usually among the first platters to empty.
Get the Recipe: Antipasto Skewers

Chocolate Cheesecake

Creamy desserts remain popular no matter the event. Chocolate Cheesecake is dense, rich, and always a centerpiece on dessert tables. Families bring it when they want something that feels a little more special. Slices rarely stay behind once served.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Cheesecake

Bacon Wrapped Smokies

A close-up of Bacon Wrapped Sugar Smokies, held together with toothpicks and cooked to a crispy finish. — Bacon Wrapped Smokies. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Small bites with smoky flavor always make people curious. Bacon Wrapped Smokies are sweet, salty, and perfect for eating straight off the tray. Parents like them because they’re simple to pass around. They’re remembered as a snack that vanishes quickly.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Smokies

Garlic Knots

Warm breads make tables feel complete at gatherings. Garlic Knots are chewy, flavorful, and easy to pull apart with friends. Families enjoy bringing them because they pair with nearly anything else. Plates are always cleared quickly.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Knots

Antipasto Salad

A bowl of salad with mixed greens, prosciutto, cherry tomatoes, olives, artichokes, and roasted red peppers. — Antipasto Salad. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Lighter plates balance out heavy casseroles and meats. Antipasto Salad is colorful, bold, and easy to scoop onto plates. Families enjoy how refreshing it feels compared to the rest. It often finishes just as fast as the heavier foods.
Get the Recipe: Antipasto Salad

Banana Pudding Brownies

Several squares of chocolate brownies with a yellow and brown marbled pattern are stacked and arranged on parchment paper. — Banana Pudding Brownies. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Dessert mashups usually win over big groups. Banana Pudding Brownies mix creamy layers with chewy chocolate in a way that surprises guests. Families bring them because they feel both fun and comforting. Kids tend to grab them first from the dessert trays.
Get the Recipe: Banana Pudding Brownies

Turkey Casserole

Casseroles keep gatherings stress-free by feeding many at once. Turkey Casserole is creamy, hearty, and easy to portion into squares. Families like that it works well for both adults and kids. It’s remembered for being one of the most filling dishes.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Casserole

Marry Me Cookies

A stack of four chocolate chip cookies, with the top cookie partly broken, next to a metal container and a ceramic bowl on a light surface. — Marry Me Cookies. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Sweets with catchy names often spark interest. Marry Me Cookies are chewy, rich, and quick to grab off trays. Families bring them because they feel special while still simple. They’re often requested again once people try them.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Cookies

Ultimate Bacon and Jalapeño Cheese Balls

Close-up of several Bacon Jalapeno Popper Cheese Balls wrapped in bacon, stuffed with cheese, and seasoned with herbs and spices, placed on crumpled parchment paper. — Ultimate Bacon and Jalapeño Cheese Balls. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Bold appetizers bring excitement to any spread. Ultimate Bacon and Jalapeño Cheese Balls are creamy, smoky, and just spicy enough to stand out. Families like serving them with crackers or bread for easy sharing. They’re always finished before other dips.
Get the Recipe: Ultimate Bacon and Jalapeño Cheese Balls

Spinach Artichoke Dip

Close-up of a baked spinach and artichoke dip in a dark dish, showing a golden brown, bubbly cheese topping with a portion scooped out, revealing the creamy interior. — Spinach Artichoke Dip. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Hot dips always gather a crowd near the table. Spinach Artichoke Dip is creamy, hearty, and pairs well with bread or chips. Parents enjoy how dependable it is for big groups. Bowls are usually scraped clean.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Artichoke Dip

Basque Cheesecake

A close-up of several slices of a dense, golden-brown custard or cheesecake on parchment paper. — Basque Cheesecake. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Unique desserts often become the most talked-about items. Basque Cheesecake is creamy, caramelized on top, and different from standard cheesecakes. Families appreciate how impressive it looks when sliced. Guests often ask about it after trying a bite.
Get the Recipe: Basque Cheesecake

Egg Casserole

Simple baked dishes remain favorites at potlucks. Egg Casserole is filling, versatile, and easy to cut into squares for serving. Families like it because it works for both breakfast and dinner settings. It’s one of those dishes that fits anywhere.
Get the Recipe: Egg Casserole

Strawberry Dump Cake

A close-up of a fruit crumble dessert topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. — Strawberry Dump Cake. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Easy desserts often surprise guests with their flavor. Strawberry Dump Cake is fruity, warm, and quick to scoop into bowls. Families bring it because it’s simple yet crowd-pleasing. It tends to be finished even before pies.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Dump Cake

Brussels Sprouts Casserole

Casserole dish with Brussels sprouts, crispy onions, cheese, and herbs, mixed with a spoon. — Brussels Sprouts Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Vegetable casseroles make tables feel more balanced. Brussels Sprouts Casserole is creamy, cheesy, and hearty enough to win over even picky eaters. Parents enjoy how it turns veggies into comfort food. It’s remembered as one of the smarter sides to serve.
Get the Recipe: Brussels Sprouts Casserole

Starbucks Cake Pop

Starbucks pink cake pops in a glass on a table. — Starbucks Cake Pop. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Fun desserts on sticks are always popular with kids. Starbucks Cake Pop is small, sweet, and easy to eat without plates. Families bring them because they travel well and look appealing. They’re usually the first treats kids ask for.
Get the Recipe: Starbucks Cake Pop

Easy Meatloaf Recipe

A close-up of a savory meatloaf slice topped with a glossy sauce. The hearty meatloaf reveals visible chunks of vegetables like carrots and celery. — Easy Meatloaf Recipe. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Traditional meals still hold their place on potluck spreads. Easy Meatloaf Recipe is hearty, flavorful, and simple enough to slice for big groups. Families like bringing it because it feels familiar and comforting. It’s a dish that never goes to waste.
Get the Recipe: Easy Meatloaf Recipe

Tiramisu Cheesecake

Desserts with two favorites in one always draw attention. Tiramisu Cheesecake combines creamy layers with rich cheesecake texture. Families enjoy how it feels both familiar and unique at the same time. Slices disappear quickly once they’re served.
Get the Recipe: Tiramisu Cheesecake