Having make ahead Christmas appetizers beforehand will save you so much time on Christmas day. Try these 55 Christmas appetizer recipes that will surely make your holidays better!
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Christmas Make Ahead Appetizers:
Christmas is a busy holiday where you spend most of your time cooking, giving gifts, and more. Make ahead appetizers will make your life on Christmas day so much easier.
Easy Christmas Appetizers Make-Ahead:
These recipes will save you lots of time and oven space, especially this coming holiday season! We even love deviled eggs or charcuterie board to prepare ahead of time. These are also perfect to enjoy while you are decorating you Christmas tree.
Also try Make ahead Christmas Breakfasts and Christmas Fruit Salad Recipes.
1. Tortilla Pinwheel
Tortilla pinwheel is a classic recipe to serve during holidays and parties. It is so quick and easy to make and its ingredients can be easily changed. This creamy and cheesy appetizer does not need to be baked and can be made ahead of time.
2. Crockpot Christmas Candy
These crockpot Christmas candies are made with chocolate and peanut all melted inside the slow cooker. The candies are also topped with red and green colored sprinkles that make this treat look super festive.
3. Olive Garden Fried Lasagna
Recreate this copycat recipe of Olive Garden’s fried lasagna with this easy recipe. It is so cheesy and savory, plus the fried texture is so crunchy. You can make and freeze the noodles in advance and just fry it on the day of the celebration.
4. Hanky Panky
Hanky Panky is a delicious bread appetizer topped with a flavorful ground beef and sausage mixture. It is cheesy, delicious, and has a crunchy toast beneath. Make the beef mixture in advance and bake it with the bread when it is time to serve.
5. Olive Garden Stuffed Mushrooms
These easy Olive Garden stuffed mushrooms are loaded with minced claims, cheese, bread crumbs, and simple seasoning. It is also topped with more cheese which gives this appetizer so much flavor.
6. Baked Brie
Make this delicious holiday appetizer using only 2 easy ingredients. Baked brie is so rich, decadent, and delicious. Store the brie cheese in your refrigerator for up to 2 days. Do the rest of the process on Christmas day for an easy appetizer.
We even love making cranberry brie bites for family and friends.
7. Olive Garden Toasted Ravioli
This copycat recipe is made with a bag of refrigerated ravioli and is breaded with simple seasonings. They are deep fried perfectly and give an amazing crunchy texture. You can freeze these Olive Garden toasted ravioli for an easy make-ahead appetizer.
8. Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
Bacon wrapped shrimp combines savory bacon and deliciously seasoned shrimp. It is so easy to make and will surely be a crowd pleaser at your next Christmas party. Prepare the ingredients a few days before Christmas, freeze them, and bake them on Christmas day.
Instead of making shrimp cocktail, make these bacon wrapped shrimp. These are perfect to make for your guests at a holiday parties.
9. Homemade Cranberry Sauce
With just 3 easy ingredients, make homemade cranberry sauce that is tangy and sweet. They have so many uses and are the best appetizer for holidays. You can easily make a large batch of this sauce ahead of time. Because you can easily store it in the freezer for up to 2 months.
10. Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball
Bacon ranch cheese ball is a must try recipe you can serve on Christmas. Cream cheese, cheddar cheese, bacon, and more are mixed into a delicious ball of goodness. This appetizer can last up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator, so you can easily make them ahead of time.
11. Cranberry Pineapple Jello Salad
This cranberry pineapple jello salad will make you feel the holiday spirit. The sweet and tart cranberry flavor is perfect for this festive treat. It is an easy appetizer that tastes best when made in advance.
12. Bacon Wrapped Dates
These bacon wrapped dates are filled with sweet and salty flavors, combined with their crispy texture. It is made with goat cheese and wrapped with crispy savory bacon. The dates are cooked perfectly, leaving them tender and moist.
13. Slow Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs
This slow cooker grape jelly meatballs recipe saves so much time by making the meatballs in advance. After freezing the meatballs, just toss them in the slow cooker without thawing them. This easy appetizer is made with 3 ingredients that make the recipe so sweet and savory.
14. Baked Brie in Crescent Rolls
This 3 ingredients baked brie in crescent rolls recipe is so cheesy, creamy, and delicious. It is the perfect classic holiday appetizer that your family will love. Assemble the brie and crescent rolls in advance and just bake them on Christmas day.
15. Garlic and Onion Cheddar Cheese Balls
This snack is filled with tons of garlic, onion, and cheddar cheese that explodes with flavors. It is so delicious and easy to make with just 5 ingredients. Garlic and onion cheddar cheese balls can last for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
Serve with crackers, baguette slices and tortilla chips. Serve on platters for a delicious appetizer.
16. Pinwheel Sandwiches
Pinwheel sandwiches are the perfect party appetizers that are easy to make and taste amazing. This recipe is perfect to use what you have. You only need a few minutes to make this snack, plus you can make them ahead of time.
17. Mandarin Orange Jello Salad
Each bite from this mandarin orange jello salad is so creamy and decadent. It is made with lots of marshmallows, whipped cream, jello, and fruit but it is not heavy at all. Make this recipe the night before the celebration to let all the flavors blend.
18. Raspberry Cream Cheese Dip
This creamy raspberry cream cheese dip won’t disappoint you at your next Christmas party. The cream cheese is blended with lemon juice and fresh raspberries. With just a few ingredients you can make this dip that everyone will love.
19. Pepperoni Cheese Ball
Combine the flavors of pizza in one delicious cheese ball with this easy recipe. Everyone will love the pepperoni and delicious cream cheese. What’s more each pepperoni cheese ball is covered in crushed Ritz crackers mixed in with Parmesan cheese.
20. Creamy Cucumber and Tomato Salad
This creamy salad is packed with fresh vegetables and seasoning which makes it so healthy. Creamy cucumber and tomato salad is light, and refreshing, and is even better when made ahead of time.
21. Crockpot Spinach Artichoke Dip
Make this delicious veggie dip a day before for an easy appetizer on Christmas day. Crockpot spinach artichoke dip is so creamy and is made effortlessly in the slow cooker. Serve this with delicious crackers, chips, or sliced baguettes for the perfect holiday snack.
22. Bacon Wrapped Pineapple Bites
Pineapple bits covered with crispy, savory bacon make this recipe so delicious. It is the perfect appetizer that is full of flavor and only needs 3 ingredients. Bacon wrapped pineapple bites can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
These are the perfect bite size treats.
23. Spicy Ranch Crackers
These spicy ranch crackers are baked perfectly and each cracker is loaded with flavor. Each cracker is seasoned with red pepper flakes, garlic powder, and ranch dressing mix. Make them a few days in advance and store them in an airtight container at room temperature.
24. Keto Cheddar Biscuits
If you want to reduce your carbs for Christmas, make these keto cheddar biscuits. Using easy ingredients, you can make a cheesy snack that tastes just like Red Lobster Cheddar biscuits. It is the perfect make-ahead appetizer that is delicious and guilt free.
Loaded with easy seasoning with herb and basil.
25. Crock Pot Rotel Dip
Crock pot rotel dip is so cheesy and so easy to make in the slow cooker. It only needs 3 ingredients and can be made ahead for up to 5 days beforehand. Just reheat it in the slow cooker after storing it in the refrigerator.
This is the perfect melty cheese dip to serve with chips, vegetables and crackers.
26. Sausage Balls
This sausage ball recipe is a great appetizer idea for any kind of situation, especially holidays. They are easy sausage ingredients formed into delicious balls that are baked to perfection. You can make them ahead of time cooked or uncooked.
27. Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies
Bacon wrapped little smokies are the best finger food to serve at holiday celebrations. They go so well with other food and snacks and come together in just about 35 minutes. The sausages taste so great together with bacon and seasoning.
28. Pimento Cheese Dip
The secret behind this delicious pimento cheese dip is the use of really sharp cheddar. It is the perfect cheesy dip for your holiday celebrations that has the perfect balance of ingredients.
29. Homemade Hummus
This homemade hummus recipe is a perfectly healthy appetizer idea you can serve on Christmas day. It is so smooth and flavorful and goes perfectly with veggies or crackers. It is so quick and easy to make in just under 20 minutes.
30. The Best Taco Dip Recipe
The best taco dip recipe is made with a few simple ingredients and can be made in a few minutes. It is loaded with taco fillings with cream cheese, sour cream, and taco seasoning. This is great to make ahead for a holiday or a game day. That you can refrigerate for up to 5 days.
31. Homemade Ranch Dip
You will never go wrong with serving a delicious homemade ranch dip at your next Christmas feast. This recipe doesn’t need any seasoning packets and can come together in minutes. If stored properly, this dip can last for up to 1 week.
32. Bacon Wrapped Green Beans
The presentation of these bacon wrapped green beans are perfect for your holiday dinner table. Each green bean bundle is seasoned perfectly using simple ingredients and tastes amazing. Assemble them a day before and bake them on Christmas day for a fun appetizer.
33. Crock Pot Sausage Cheese Dip
This crock pot sausage cheese dip is the perfect hearty dip for your family. It has a delicious sausage blend mixed with cheese and more. You can make this up to 3 days ahead of time and just reheat it in the slow cooker.
34. Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts
These Bacon wrapped Brussels sprouts are so tender and flavorful that they will surely please the crowd. It has an amazing texture and a delicious brown sugar glaze. It is a delicious veggie appetizer that is full of healthy nutrients.
35. Candied Bacon
The kids will love delicious candied bacon that is full of caramelized bacon flavors in each bite. All you need to make this easy snack is 3 ingredients and a few minutes of prep time. It is so crispy, sweet, and full of sugary deliciousness.
36. Creamy Cucumber Salad
This creamy cucumber salad will surely be a fan favorite at your next Christmas party. The cucumbers are so crunchy while the dressing is so creamy and tangy. Make this in advance and just grab them when you are ready to serve them.
37. Pigs in a Blanket
Pigs in a Blanket is a fun appetizer recipe that can be made with just 2 ingredients. It has a flaky crust and the hot dogs are so delicious. You can put them together ahead of time and just bake them later.
38. Cucumber Tomato Salad
This cucumber tomato salad recipe will have the best results when made ahead. That is because the longer the vegetables sit in the vinegar dressing the more flavorful they will become. The salad is full of cucumber, tomato, and onion flavors.
39. 30 Minute Dinner Rolls
If you are looking for the perfect bread to serve during the holidays, try this recipe. This 30 minute dinner roll recipe is so soft and fluffy. Plus, you can make it up to a day ahead and just bake them for a few minutes before serving.
40. Cranberry Chutney
If you are not in the mood for cranberry sauce, cranberry chutney is a great alternative. It is full of sweet and tart mixture, warm seasoning, and creamy texture. It lasts up to 10 days in the refrigerator.
41. Ham and Cheese Sliders
Enjoy perfectly baked ham between melted cheese and Hawaiian rolls with this easy recipe. Ham and cheese sliders are the perfect snacks to serve at family gatherings. Prepare the sliders ahead of time and save prep time on Christmas day.
42. BBQ Little Smokies Crock Pot
Create savory little smokies covered with a delicious BBQ sauce and jelly mixture. The recipe is only made with 3 easy ingredients and cooks effortlessly in the slow cooker. BBQ little Smokies crock pot also freezes well and can be reheated in the slow cooker.
43. Homemade Garlic Butter
Homemade garlic butter can be used for lots of delicious holiday snacks, not only for garlic bread. Making them from scratch is so much cheaper than store bought. Make them ahead of time and use them to jazz up your Christmas dinner.
44. Homemade Garlic Bread
Did you know that you can freeze homemade garlic bread? After the bread has cooled, place it in a freezer bag and freeze. This means that you can make them ahead of time which saves so much time and effort on Christmas day.
45. 2 Ingredient Fruit Dip
If you are planning to serve fruits at your next holiday feast, this recipe is for you. The simplicity of this 2 ingredient fruit dip complements the fruits perfectly. Not only is it easy to make, but you can also make it in advance.
46. Garlic Lime Steamed Asparagus
Garlic lime steamed asparagus is loaded with garlic salt and lime which gives the asparagus so much flavor. The asparagus are cooked perfectly and are not mushy.
47. Homemade Salsa
If you want to have delicious Mexican food at your holiday feast, delicious homemade salsa should never be missing. It is an easy recipe that you can make in minutes and store in the fridge for up to 2 months.
48. Grilled Bacon Wrapped Chicken Tenders
Jazz up your regular chicken tenders with this delicious grill recipe. Grilled bacon wrapped chicken tenders are so tender and juicy on the inside, plus the bacon is so smoky. Store them in the fridge for up to 5 days.
49. Strawberry Banana Cheesecake Salad
This strawberry banana cheesecake salad looks so festive and appetizing. It is filled with strawberries, bananas, cheesecake, and vanilla yogurt. Make this the night before and store it in the fridge for a nice cold salad on Christmas day.
50. Indian Fry Bread
Indian fry bread is a simple bread snack that is fried to a nice golden crisp. This recipe only needs a few ingredients and results in crispy flatbread that goes well with your favorite topping. Make the dough the night before the celebration to save time.
51. Trail Mix Bar
Making a trail mix bar is a fun way to get the kids involved in preparing snacks. You can put various items and combine them to create the perfect snack. Put them in baggies and set them up at the dinner table.
52. Crock Pot Cowboy Crack Dip
This dip has so much flavor with only 5 ingredients. Crock pot cowboy crack dip is a spicy and creamy dip that is perfect for large crowds.
53. Texas Roadhouse Fried Pickles
Turn dilled pickles into crispy, crunchy, flavorful Texas Roadhouse fried pickles using this recipe. All you need for this recipe are a few easy ingredients and a delicious dipping sauce.
54. Macaroni Salad
Macaroni salad is a staple for all holidays. This recipe has an amazing tangy salad dressing covering the delicious macaroni. Make them on Christmas Eve and serve them on Christmas Day.
55. Beer Cheese Dip
Beer cheese dip is a fun and interesting appetizer for adults. It is made with two different kinds of cheese, a can of beer, and simple seasoning.
56. Christmas Cheese Ball
