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3 Insanely Good Holiday Appetizer Ideas

September 15, 2022

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Are you ready to set the mood for your next holiday party (or any party for that matter)? These impressive yet easy holiday appetizer ideas are recipes you must add to your next party menu!

parmesan artichoke dip

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It’s the holidays which means party season is upon us! For me, the holidays mean sharing delicious food and making memories with those I love.

Whenever I’m hosting there are a few things that are important to me. Serving delicious food, mingling with my guests, and enjoying myself. Assembling food while the party is going on is definitely something I want to avoid when hosting. That’s why for me, having as many make-ahead recipes on the menu is a MUST!

By now most of us have our go-to recipes, especially for the holidays. But I love to add a couple new ones to my repertoire. And, when I’m invited to a party, I prefer to bring an appetizer and any one of these is sure to be a hit!

Today I thought I’d share my trio of go-to holiday appetizer ideas. They are great for last-minute parties and pair wonderfully together. All three are vegetarian and fairly healthy. I personally think all of them look lovely on a platter together too and hey, aesthetics matter when entertaining! I love sharing simple recipes so I hope these help make your gatherings easier and more delicious this holiday season.

This post is all about holiday appetizer ideas everyone needs to try.

cheesy artichoke dip
cheesy artichoke dip

Warm Parmesan Artichoke Dip

This warm parmesan artichoke dip is the perfect Christmas appetizer on a cold winter day. With only four ingredients, this rich and creamy dip is always a hit at parties. Because it is a thicker dip, I have found it pairs best with Melba Toast Crackers because they are hardier crackers that can handle the thickness of the dip and they also don't compete with the flavor.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 35 minutes mins
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Italian, Mediterranean
Servings 18

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup olive oil mayo
  • 2 large cans artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder

Instructions
 

  • Mix parm, mayo, artichoke hearts, and garlic powder together
  • Cook at 350 °F for 30 mins or until bubbly
  • Serve hot with Melb Toast Crackers

Notes

warm artichoke dip
Keyword parmesan artichoke dip, holiday appetizers, appetizer
Caprese Bites
caprese appetizer

Caprese Bites

Beautiful Caprese Bites are exactly what you need for your next party! We are taking classic Caprese salad ingredients and making them into quick, easy, make-ahead appetizers that your family and friends will love! Great for any occasion, these Caprese bites are perfect festive appetizers that will add a wonderful touch to your holiday table. These appetizers or hors d'oeuvres combine fresh cherry tomatoes, mini mozzarella balls, and fresh basil topped with a sweet and tangy balsamic glaze. Yum!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 10 minutes mins
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Italian
Servings 24 people

Equipment

  • 24 Appetizer Toothpick Skewers

Ingredients
  

  • 24 cherry tomatoes
  • 24 mini mozzarella balls
  • fresh basil
  • balsamic glaze this is a thicker version of balsamic vinegar

Instructions
 

  • Cut cherry tomatoes in half.
  • Add a mozzarella ball, basil leaf, and then cherry tomato half on a toothpick skewer and repeat.
  • Drizzle with balsamic glaze and serve cold.

Notes

 
This is a perfect appetizer to make ahead of time.  Just assemble and then pop in the fridge.  Add the balsamic glaze right before serving.
caprese skewers make ahead
 
 
Keyword Caprese bites, Italian appetizer, no cook appetizer
goat cheese puff pastry
Goat Cheese Puff Pastry

Goat Cheese Puff Pastry with Cranberry

Goat Cheese Puff Pastry with Cranberry is as gorgeous for a holiday get-together as they are for a date night or cocktail party. Once you see how incredibly easy they are to make, you'll quickly add them to your appetizer or hors d'oeuvres collection. The creaminess of the goat cheese pairs so wonderfully with the tang of the cranberries and sweetness of the puff pastry.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 12 minutes mins
Total Time 22 minutes mins
Course Appetizer
Cuisine French, Mediterranean
Servings 18 people

Equipment

  • mini muffin tin

Ingredients
  

  • 1 8 ounces tube crescent rolls
  • 8 ounces goat cheese
  • ⅓ cup homemade cranberry sauce

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 375 °F
  • Unroll the crescent rolls and gently press the seams together. Then cut the dough into 18 rectangles.
  • Spray your muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray. Place each rectangle into a mini muffin tin cup. Don't worry if the dough does not go up all sides of the cup. 
  • Place a dollop of goat cheese into each of the dough-filled muffin cups.
  • Top each with a teaspoon of cranberry sauce.
  • Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the dough is golden brown and the cheese and cranberry sauce are bubbly.
  • Allow to cool a few minutes, then carefully remove the puff pastries from the muffin tin.
  • Serve warm and enjoy!
Keyword goat cheese puff pastry, cranberry appetizers, holiday appetizers

I hope you enjoy these recipes and that they inspire you to share delicious food this holiday season! Is there a special appetizer you only make this time of year? Let me know in the comments below if you have any holiday appetizer ideas I need to try!

caprese skewers make ahead

This post was all about easy and delicious holiday appetizer ideas!

Other Posts You May Like:

  • Best Savory Holiday Chex Mix Recipe
  • Delicious and Easy Cranberry Sauce Recipe
  • Super Tasty | Easy Healthy Banana Bread Recipe

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If there’s one thing I know about school days, it’ If there’s one thing I know about school days, it’s that my son comes home STARVING 😂

Having homemade snacks already prepped makes the after-school rush SO much easier.

Save for ideas later!💕

Today’s prep:
🍎 @bobsnail.usa snacks
🍓 @amaraorganicfoods yogurt melts
🥜 Homemade trail mix — cashews, peanuts + M&Ms
🍿 Homemade popcorn — recipe on my blog

A little Sunday prep = one less thing for me to think about during the week 🙌🏼

#momlife #recipesforkids #easyrecipesformoms #afterschoolsnacks #snackprep
Copycat Perfect Bar Protein Bites 🍪 Easy, ready i Copycat Perfect Bar Protein Bites 🍪

Easy, ready in 10 minutes, with 6g of protein each 🙌🏼

🤎 Save this recipe for later!

I love making healthier, yummy snacks for my son to take to school — and these are his favorite (and mine too!). 
I make these every single week! They’re the perfect snack or healthy bite when you’re craving a sweet treat. If you like Perfect Bars like we do, you’re going to love these!

Copycat Perfect Bar Protein Bites (makes 12)
• ½ cup peanut butter
• ¼ cup honey
• 1 tsp vanilla
• ¼ cup oat flour + 3 tbsp oat flour
• ¼ cup almond flour
• 1 tbsp ground flaxseed
• 3 tbsp chocolate chips
• Pinch of salt

Mix everything together, roll into balls, chill & enjoy!

Save + share with a friend 🫶🏼

#kidfriendlyrecipes #easyrecipesformoms #proteinbites #afterschoolsnacks #momrecipes
The lunch I’ve been eating on repeat lately becaus The lunch I’ve been eating on repeat lately because it’s quick, balanced, satisfying AND actually keeps me full 🙌🏼

I’ve been eating some version of this most days a week for the past 3+ months and I still love it!

Save this for your next busy lunch 🤎

• Your favorite tortilla filled with ⅓ cup pinto beans, chicken breast, or ground turkey breast + jalapeño pepper jack cheese 🌯
• ⅓ avocado for healthy fats 🥑
• 2 Tbsp Greek yogurt for extra protein & in place of sour cream 🤍
• Hot sauce because I need a little spice 🌶️
• Grapes on the side for some fruit + fiber 🍇

I meal prep the beans (or meat if I’m switching it up) ahead of time, so the actual lunch comes together in about 5 minutes.

I love that I get protein + carbs + healthy fats + fiber in one easy lunch without spending forever making it.

#easyrecipes #easylunchideas #healthylunchideas #highproteinlunch #momsrecipes
Funfetti Lunchbox Mini Muffins 🌈🧁 A fun little lu Funfetti Lunchbox Mini Muffins 🌈🧁

A fun little lunchbox treat that sneaks in some extra goodness! These mini muffins have ½ cup of zucchini + ground flaxseed mixed right into the batter — but you’d never know because they’re still sweet, soft and full of rainbow sprinkles. 🌈

They’re perfect for:
✨ school lunchboxes
✨ after-school snacks
✨ birthday parties
✨ whenever you want a fun treat with a few extra nutritious ingredients

Save this one for your lunchbox rotation! 🌈💕

Makes: about 24 mini muffins 
Bake: 375°F for 10–12 minutes

Ingredients
* ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
* ½ cup milk
* ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
* 1 large egg, lightly beaten
* 1 tsp vanilla extract
* ½ cup zucchini, blended very smooth
* 1½ cups all-purpose flour
* 3 Tbsp ground flaxseed
* ½ cup granulated sugar
* 1 tsp cinnamon
* 1 tsp baking powder
* ½ tsp baking soda
* ¼ tsp salt
* ⅓ cup rainbow sprinkles + more for topping

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 24-cup mini muffins pan really well.
2. Blend the zucchini until as smooth as you can get it. You want ½ cup of zucchini purée.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the applesauce, milk, melted butter, egg, vanilla and zucchini.
4. Add the flour, flaxseed, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Stir just until combined.
5. Gently fold in the sprinkles last. Don’t overmix them or the colors can bleed.
6. Divide the batter into the mini muffin pan and sprinkle the tops with additional sprinkles.
7. Bake for 10–12 minutes, until puffed and a toothpick comes out clean. 

#lunchboxideasforkids #lunchboxinspo #afterschoolsnacks #minimuffins #kidfriendlyrecipes
I’ve learned that the things that make me feel my I’ve learned that the things that make me feel my best don’t have to be complicated. 🤎

Moving my body, getting outside, eating nourishing meals, making time to be silly with my kids, and keeping a few little routines that I genuinely enjoy.

It’s not about doing everything perfectly — it’s about finding the simple things that help me feel like a happier, more present mom. 🤍

What’s one little habit that always makes you feel better?

@itsblume 

#momlife #habitstacking #healthyhabits #mamaoftwo #healthylifehappylife
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