15 Quick Christmas Eve Appetizers When You Need Something Out Fast

ByMandy Applegate

Unexpected guests or gatherings are part of the season. There are 15 Christmas Eve appetizers here for when you need something ready with minimal effort. Even the busiest evenings still deserve something homemade and inviting. Most folks appreciate an easy solution to feed a crowd before the main event.

Round baked brie cheese topped with walnuts, fresh thyme, and drizzled honey, served in a wooden container.
Warm and Gooey Baked Brie. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Crispy Homemade Mozzarella Sticks

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

Fresh from the oven, this Crispy Homemade Mozzarella Sticks recipe brings a golden crunch right when the night needs something simple yet special. Guests always notice how quick these disappear from the snack table. Once that first bite happens, everyone reaches for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Homemade Mozzarella Sticks

Sweet Cranberry Brie Bites

A tray of cranberry brie bites with walnut topping.
Sweet Cranberry Brie Bites. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Spark up excitement on Christmas Eve with this Sweet Cranberry Brie Bites recipe. Little bites deliver tangy cranberry and creamy brie in one neat parcel, catching attention among the spread. These nibbles feel just right for a festive gathering. Arrange them on a platter, and watch people keep coming back for one more.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Cranberry Brie Bites

Classic Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs with cranberry sauce on a platter.
Classic Deviled Eggs. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Few appetizers draw people in the way this Classic Deviled Eggs recipe does at a holiday get-together. The smooth filling and cheerful look create instant nostalgia at first glance. Their familiar flavor never goes out of style. Place these on the table, and they vanish before the other dishes even cool down.
Get the Recipe: Classic Deviled Eggs

Flaky Pigs in a Blanket

Pigs in a Blanket, small sausages wrapped in puff pastry, baked until golden brown, and sprinkled with coarse salt are displayed on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Flaky Pigs in a Blanket. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Holiday plates fill up quickly once this Flaky Pigs in a Blanket recipe is served. Puffs of warm, golden pastry signal to everyone that snacking season has officially started. Each bite brings a bit of fun to the evening, especially as conversation begins. For many, that first taste is pure comfort and happy memories.
Get the Recipe: Flaky Pigs in a Blanket

Spicy Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers

A plate of bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers filled with cheese, secured with toothpicks, next to a small dish of dipping sauce.
Spicy Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

The bold flavor in this Spicy Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers recipe makes it stand out when the house is humming with Christmas cheer. Each popper offers heat and a little bit of crunch, which always draws comments. People often discuss the unexpected kick, then smile and reach for another. Sharing these creates moments to remember.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers

Savory Meatball Sliders

Close-up of a cheesy meatball slider with a seasoned bun, showing melted cheese and tomato sauce. Other sliders are visible in the background.
Savory Meatball Sliders. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Passing a tray of this Savory Meatball Sliders recipe around the party guarantees conversation and happy faces. Bite-sized and satisfying, they hold their own against fancier holiday offerings. Everyone appreciates something hearty after a long day of preparation. These sliders make Christmas Eve snacking feel easy and extra inviting.
Get the Recipe: Savory Meatball Sliders

Loaded Potato Skins

Potato skins with sour cream and sliced scallions.
Loaded Potato Skins. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

What really draws attention on a buffet is this Loaded Potato Skins recipe, always crisp and full of comfort. There is something about the first bite that makes people pause and smile. Hearty, easy, and crowd-pleasing, they keep disappearing throughout the night. These never seem to last long enough for leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Potato Skins

Cheesy Rotel Dip

A skillet filled with creamy cheese dip topped with chopped tomatoes, green onions, cilantro, and sliced jalapeños, surrounded by triangular tortilla chips.
Cheesy Rotel Dip. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Dips often get overlooked, but this Cheesy Rotel Dip recipe changes minds as soon as the bowl is set out. Partygoers circle the table, tortilla chips in hand, ready for something gooey and warm. The blend creates an instant favorite at a busy gathering. It draws everyone together for easy conversation while waiting for the main event.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Rotel Dip

Crispy Garlic Parmesan Smashed Potatoes

Several smashed, roasted baby potatoes garnished with herbs and grated cheese are arranged on a baking sheet.
Crispy Garlic Parmesan Smashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Holiday gatherings get a boost of excitement with this Crispy Garlic Parmesan Smashed Potatoes recipe. Each bite promises crunch and a familiar warm flavor, perfect for cold evenings. These potatoes become a cheerful part of every appetizer plate. There is something about crispy edges that signals it is time to relax and enjoy the season.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Garlic Parmesan Smashed Potatoes

Beautiful Charcuterie Board

A charcuterie board featuring prosciutto, pickles, green olives, blue cheese, breadsticks, baguette slices, grapes, a jar of honey, and a round cheese topped with a dollop of jam.
Beautiful Charcuterie Board. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Creating this Beautiful Charcuterie Board recipe adds both color and variety to the table for any Christmas Eve. Friends and family love choosing from an arrangement that looks almost too good to touch. It feels personal, as everyone discovers a favorite bite. This board brings people together in a way nothing else on the table can.
Get the Recipe: Beautiful Charcuterie Board

Crispy Party Crostini

Slices of toasted bread stacked together.
Crispy Party Crostini. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Guests often reach for this Crispy Party Crostini recipe without even realizing how quickly the tray empties. Every crunchy bite holds hints of the winter season, making it perfect for a festive spread. Crostini feels both classic and fun. Placing these alongside other treats gives even more reasons to mingle before dinner begins.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Party Crostini

Classic Shrimp Cocktail

Shrimp cocktail with peeled shrimp arranged on the rim of a glass filled with cocktail sauce, garnished with parsley.
Classic Shrimp Cocktail. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Cold, fresh, and a little bit fancy, this Classic Shrimp Cocktail recipe turns heads once it arrives at the holiday party. Served on ice, it becomes the sparkling centerpiece of any appetizer table. The first cold bite brings back memories of winter gatherings past. Bringing this out always seems to signal the start of the real festivities.
Get the Recipe: Classic Shrimp Cocktail

Savory Bacon Wrapped Smokies

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

If the room feels lively, this Savory Bacon Wrapped Smokies recipe could be why. People gather around to find out what smells so inviting from the kitchen. The bite-size pieces set the right tone for a night full of small plates and conversation. Enjoy watching people sneak just one more before heading back to mingle.
Get the Recipe: Savory Bacon Wrapped Smokies

Sweet and Spicy Cranberry Jalapeño Dip

A platter of whipped cheese topped with roasted cranberries, chopped herbs, and sliced green onions.
Sweet and Spicy Cranberry Jalapeño Dip. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Every Christmas Eve buffet needs a surprise, which this Sweet and Spicy Cranberry Jalapeño Dip recipe delivers. The creamy texture with a lively flavor always leaves people curious and interested. Friends ask for the recipe more often than not. Pair this dip with crackers or veggies to see it quickly become the focus of appetizer hour.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Spicy Cranberry Jalapeño Dip

Warm and Gooey Baked Brie

Round baked brie cheese topped with walnuts, fresh thyme, and drizzled honey, served in a wooden container.
Warm and Gooey Baked Brie. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Few things feel as comforting as this Warm and Gooey Baked Brie recipe on a wintry evening. The way the cheese flows across the platter makes it a centerpiece guests gather around. This appetizer invites everyone to slow down and enjoy each bite. Melting brie signals Christmas Eve can finally begin.
Get the Recipe: Warm and Gooey Baked Brie

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