Fancy Christmas Party Appetizers to Bring on the Festive Cheer

This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy + disclosures for details.

Christmas is the time to indulge in the most decadent and sophisticated dishes that are perfectly cooked and displayed. Forget about ready-made food, these homemade Christmas party appettizers are not only incredibly delicious, but also a feast for the eyes. They may be impressive, but they are actually really easy to make even by complete beginners in the kitchen. And they won’t break the bank either! You gotta love this time of the year!

Chicken Liver Pate

A white ramekin with chicken liver and a slice of bread with more pate.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

My homemade Chicken Liver Pâté might be made without alcohol, but it’s as delicious as a finest pate that is rather pricey. It’s a delicious cold appetizer for your Christmas party, and a great crowd pleaser.

GET THE RECIPE: Chicken Liver Pate

Pan-Fried King Scallops

The image features seared scallops on a white plate, accompanied by a small bowl of dark sauce and garnished with parsley sprigs.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

Pan-Fried King Scallops served with a homemade Chinese brown sauce, a quick and easy appetizer for those special occasions like the most-awaited party of the season. The scallops are juicy and perfectly cooked, then dipped into a scrumptious sauce that takes them to the next level.

GET THE RECIPE: Pan-Fried King Scallops

Christmas Charcuterie Board

Circular charcuterie board featuring assorted meats, cheeses, grapes, nuts, blueberries, and greens on a wooden surface.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

I can’t think of a more impressive way of starting a feast than with a charcuterie board. Get the best ideas to create your own Christmas Charcuterie Board to incldude meats, cheeses, fruits, nuts, and scrummy edibles.

GET THE RECIPE: Christmas Charcuterie Board

Mushroom Pate

A ramekin with mushroom pate and 2 slices of bread spread with pate.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

My Mushroom Pate is a quick and easy vegetarian appetizer that is simpy bursting with fantastic flavours. It has a creamy texture and a delicious touch of fresh garlic. If you are looking for vegetarian party food for the festive season, this pate is a great choice.

GET THE RECIPE: Mushroom Pate

Mini Yorkshire Pudding Canapes

A yorkshire pudding stuffed with a beef slice, horseradish sauce and arugula.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

A fantastic British appetizer, these Mini Yorkshire Pudding Canapés with roast beef and horseradish sauce not only look impressive, but they also taste amazing. The Yorkshire puddings are really easy to make with a few basic ingredients, and you can fill them either with leftover roast beef or deli beef. Such elegant bites!

GET THE RECIPE: Mini Yorkshire Pudding Canapes

Chicken Kiev Balls

Chicken kiev balls in a yellow bowl.
Photo Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

You can’t have a party without these Chicken Kiev Balls! Tweaked from the classic chicken kiev recipe, these golden bites are perfectly crispy on the outside, but oozing with fabulous flavours on the inside. Quick, easy, a great crowd pleaser.

GET THE RECIPE: Chicken Kiev Balls

Brie and Cranberry Bites

3 puff pastries with brie and cranberry on a white rectangle plate.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

If you are looking for a quick and impressive appetizer, these Brie and Cranberry Bites are just perfect for your Christmas party. You only need 5 ingredients to make them, and they are the best party food for the festive season.

GET THE RECIPE: Brie and Cranberry Bites

Prawn Cocktail

A glass bowl with prawn cocktail.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

A classic party appetizer, this Prawn Cocktail ia made with a crunchy gem lettuce base and cooked king prawns / shrimp smothered in a prawn cocktail sauce. It’s, a delicious appetizer for the festive season, and it’s super quick and easy to make.

GET THE RECIPE: Prawn Cocktail

Salmon Sandwich Cake

A sandwich cake on a plate.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

This Salmon Sandwich Cake, or the Swedish Smörgåstårta, is a delicious savoury layered cake made with smoked salmon, cream cheese and a touch of lemon and fresh dill. Quick, super easy to put together, and so elegant too!

GET THE RECIPE: Salmon Sandwich Cake

Smoked Salmon Pate

The image shows a close-up of a biscuit topped with a dollop of pink salmon spread and garnished with herbs.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

Homemade Smoked Salmon Pâté with cream cheese and a delicate lemon and dill flavour, the perfect appetizer for your Christmas party. Perfect for entertainment, so much better than the store-bought version.

GET THE RECIPE: Smoked Salmon Pate

Crab Balls

The image shows a close-up view of golden-brown, crispy fried balls.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

Fried Crab Balls, some delicious party appetizers that are golden and crispy on the outside, but juicy and delicious on the inside. Made with a few simple ingredients, these are such delicious bites that everybody loves.

GET THE RECIPE: Fried Crab Balls

Brie and Fig Jam Crostini

A slice of bread topped with brie cheese, fig jam, a pecan, and a festive garnish.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

If you fancy something that is quick and easy, but impressive enough for your guests, these Brie and Fig Jam Crostini are a fantastic choice. Golden and crispy crostini, brie and homemade jam, crunchy pecans and a touch of thyme, the very best combo!

GET THE RECIPE: Brie and Fig Jam Crostini

Steamed Chilli Mussels

Mussels garnished with fresh chopped parsley.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

Steamed Chilli Mussels in Tomato Sauce, a delicious Christmas appetizer to lick your fingers clean. It’s really quick and easy to make with a handful of ingredients. So simple, absolutely delicious for any party of celebration!

GET THE RECIPE: Steamed Chilli Mussels

Grilled White Prawns

6 grilled shrimp on a plate.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

Grilled White Prawns served with garlic butter sauce, a Christmas appetizer that is incredibly delicious and fancy too. Cook them in their shells to keep them juicy and tender, and you’ll get the best prawns.

GET THE RECIPE: Grilled White Prawns

Mini Cheese Balls

Mini cheese balls on a plate.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

Mini Cheese Balls, a fantastic party appetizer that goes down a treat for your Christmas or New Year’s Eve party. It’s a failproof appetizer recipe that is quick and easy to make, and definitely a crowd pleaser.

GET THE RECIPE: Mini Cheese Balls

Gambas Pil Pil

Cooked shrimp coated in a seasoned sauce and garnished with chopped parsley.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

A popular Spanish tapa, these Gambas Pil Pil are made with fresh prawns / shrimp, olive oil, garlic, paprika and chilli, and garnished with plenty of fresh parsley. It’s super easy to make, and ready in no time.

GET THE RECIPE: Gambas Pil Pil

Deviled Eggs

A white rectangle plate with deviled eggs.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

Deviled Eggs, a classic appetizer for your Christmas party. The filling might be simple, but it’s wonderfully delicious. Serve them cold from the fridge, and you are in for a treat.

GET THE RECIPE: Deviled Eggs

Breaded Scampi

A bowl of scampi with slices of lemon and a small ramekin with salad on the side.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

Breaded Scampi, a delicious homemade seafood appetizer that will be enjoyed even by those fussy guests. Langoustine tails coated with flour, eggs and breadcrumbs, then deep fried until golden, what a treat they are!

GET THE RECIPE: Breaded Scampi

Prosciutto Crostini with Ricotta and Brussels Sprouts

A crostini topped with prosciutto, ricotta and brussels sprouts.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

If you are looking for some delicious bites for your festive party, these Prosciutto Crostini with Ricotta and Brussels Sprouts are a great choice.

GET THE RECIPE: Prosciutto Crostini with Ricotta and Brussels Sprouts

Baked Chinese Pork Buns

2 halves of pork buns with other buns around.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

Baked Chinese Pork Buns, delicious dim sums that are a much simplified version of the popular char siu bao. The buns are baked to perfection, and have the right ratio dough/filling. Great for your Christmas party.

GET THE RECIPE: Baked Chinese Pork Buns

Smoked Mackerel Pate

A plate with 3 sliced of bread spread with mackerel pate and a slice of lemon, another slice of lemon on the side with a ramekin of pate.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

Smoked Mackerel Pâté , so quick to make, but jam-packed with incredible flavours. Best served with a nice slice of bread, toast or bruschetta. 

GET THE RECIPE: Smoked Mackerel Pate

Breaded Scallops

Breaded scallops in a white bowl.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

Breaded Scallops with a touch of parmesan, and served with tartar sauce and lemon, a delicious baked appetizer that is quick and easy. And it’s fancy enough to be served at your Christmas party.

GET THE RECIPE: Breaded Scallops

Chicken and Mushroom Vol-au-Vents

Puff pastry vol-au-vents filled with chicken and mushroom filling.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

An impressive festive appetizer, these Chicken and Mushroom Vol-au-Vents are made with golden puff pastry cases filled with chicken and mushrooms in a white creamy sauce. Really easy to put together, these vol-au-vents are guaranteed crowd pleaser.

GET THE RECIPE: Chicken and Mushroom Vol-au-Vents

Want to save this recipe?
Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you'll get new recipes from us every week!

About Daniela Apostol

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *