Festive Apps for Your Christmas Party

By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Published 12/05/2019

These compliment-worthy dishes are the best way to get the Christmas festivities started.

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Dips & Spreads

Slow-Cooker Hot Artichoke and Spinach Dip
4.7 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 34 reviews.
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 2 hr 15 min
Ingredients: 8
Servings: 20
No surprises here! With 15 minutes of prep time and two simple recipe steps, this tried-and-true slow-cooker dip was bound to make an appearance on our list of must-have apps for the holiday season. We used a bag of frozen spinach and prepared Alfredo sauce to speed things up, so all you have to do is mix the ingredients together and let your slow cooker do the rest of the work.
Creamy Feta, Bacon and Spinach Dip
4.4 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 20 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 1 hr 35 min
Ingredients: 10
Servings: 12
Bacon and feta are a winning combination in this compliment-worthy spinach dip. The additions of zesty ingredients like fresh garlic and crushed red pepper flakes give this dish a mouthwatering flavor that will have your guests coming back for more.
Slow-Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip
4.7 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 12 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 2 hr 5 min
Ingredients: 7
Servings: 10
Now you can turn this crowd-pleasing flavor profile into an impressively easy dip, with just five minutes of prep time and a little help from your slow cooker. The zingy dish comes to life with extra-cheesy ingredients, classic Frank's™ RedHot™ Original cayenne pepper sauce and savory shredded chicken. Serve with toasted bread, crackers or celery sticks for the ultimate Christmas app.
Hot Crab Parmesan Dip
4.3 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 50 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 10
Servings: 20
This crave-worthy dip smothers irresistible crabmeat in creamy, decadent cheeses and is seasoned with rich flavors like mustard, garlic and green onions for a party-starter that will have everyone asking for the recipe.
Baked BLT Dip
4.5 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 56 reviews.
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 8
Servings: 20
Everything you love about classic BLT sandwiches is mixed up and baked to perfection in this flavor-loaded dish. Expert tip: Give the tomato a little squeeze to eliminate any excess juice before chopping. This will keep your dip from being filled with unnecessary liquid.
Hot Italian Antipasti Dip
5.0 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 13 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 15
Servings: 16
Guaranteed to silence any hungry crowd, this heavenly app packs several types of luscious cheeses, savory strips of prosciutto and salami and tons of flavorful seasonings into an 8-inch baking dish for an Italian-inspired starter that’s easy to pack-up and take wherever you’re celebrating.
Slow-Cooker Cheesy Bean Dip
4.4 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 19 reviews.
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 3 hr 10 min
Ingredients: 5
Servings: 56
Cheesy bean dip with a little kick of spice? It's a crowd favorite for sure! Savory, satiating refried beans meet chopped green chiles and melty cheese for an easy, yummy slow-cooker taco dip recipe—serve it up with tortilla chips for game days, potlucks and more! Take just 10 minutes to prep this Slow-Cooker Cheesy Bean Dip, then set your slow cooker and get on with the party planning.
Slow-Cooker Bacon Cheeseburger Dip
4.4 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 13 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 2 hr 20 min
Ingredients: 8
Servings: 28
It might be too cold to fire up the grill outside, but that’s not stopping us from enjoying our favorite cheeseburger flavors during Christmastime. Thanks to that handy slow cooker of yours, this cookout-inspired dinner-starter is achievable any time of the year—and it preps in just 20 minutes.
Slow-Cooker Caramelized Onion Dip
4.9 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 7 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 10 hr 30 min
Ingredients: 11
Servings: 15
This from-scratch dip is worth every minute of prep time (but don’t worry, you’ll only need 30 of them). Sweet, melty onions are seasoned with butter, soy sauce, parsley and fresh thyme and mixed with dreamy cream cheese and a little bit of mayo for a dippable app that will have everyone hovering around the bowl.
Hot Seven-Layer Dip
5.0 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 5 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 11
Servings: 24
If you’re an avid party attendee, you’re probably familiar with the heavenly taste of seven-layer dip. We took this timeless dish and heated things up for a hot and melty app that might be even better than the original. A cream cheese base is layered with simply seasoned refried beans, melted cheddar cheese and ripe olives, then baked to perfection before being topped with chopped tomatoes, jalapeños and fresh avocado.
Pimiento Cheese
4.5 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 15 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 25 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 11
Servings: 16
This southern-inspired, extra-cheesy app is dreamy, creamy and loaded with rich and comforting ingredients—no cream cheese involved! We made a few non-traditional additions like soy sauce, pickled jalapeño peppers and Dijon mustard for an extra twist that really amps up the flavor.
Loaded Baked Potato Skillet Dip
4.1 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 15 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 25 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 12
Servings: 15
Why wait for the main course to indulge in everyone’s favorite side dish? We’re bringing the potatoes out a little early this year with our Loaded Baked Potato Dip—and we don’t hear anyone complaining. Roasted garlicy potatoes, flavor-packed green onions, lots of cheese and all the fixings bring life to the crowd-pleasing appetizer that definitely deserves a spot on your holiday table.

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Meat Lovers’ Apps

Mini Bacon-Wrapped Sausages
4.3 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 33 reviews.
Prep time: 40 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 9
Servings: 40
We’re not sure what’s better—the fact that these smoky sausages are wrapped in bacon or that they’re coated in a homemade sweet and savory sauce. We do know that if you set these out for your holiday party, you’re bound to receive requests to make them again and again.
Smoky Cranberry Chicken Wings
4.8 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 6 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 3 hr 5 min
Ingredients: 4
Servings: 16
Cranberry sauce and smoky chicken wings make an unlikely duo in the mouthwatering starter that will surprise everyone. The tart flavors from the cranberry sauce give the zesty barbecue notes an extra zing that creates an incomparable taste with every single bite.
Hot and Saucy Cocktail Meatballs
4.5 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 103 reviews.
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 1 hr 20 min
Ingredients: 11
Servings: 6
These sweet-and-spicy, protein-packed bites are guaranteed to keep the holiday crowd occupied while you put the final touches on the main course. Smothered in a crave-worthy, homemade sauce, it might surprise you that this dish is made with two jars of grape jelly! The extra-sweet flavors from the jelly combine with a tangy chili sauce coats each delicious meatball for an app that your guests won’t forget.
Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers
4.5 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 24 reviews.
Prep time: 25 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 5
Servings: 12
The only thing better than traditional Jalapeño Poppers? Jalapeño Poppers that are wrapped in bacon, of course. These scrumptious peppers are filled with bubbly cheese and flavorful chives before being wrapped in savory bacon slices and baked to perfection.
Cranberry-Glazed Appetizer Meatballs
4.4 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 30 reviews.
Prep time: 40 min
Total time: 1 hr 10 min
Ingredients: 9
Servings: 30
We gave a crowd-favorite app a holiday upgrade with the addition of tart cranberries. The one-of-a-kind ingredient combination balances just the right amount of sweet and savory flavors for a richly delicious start to any Christmas party.
Sausage-Cheese Balls
4.1 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 2070 reviews.
Prep time: 25 min
Total time: 1 hr 15 min
Ingredients: 8
Servings: 70
It wouldn’t be a complete list of absolute best holiday appetizers if our Classic Sausage Cheese Balls didn’t make an appearance! With nearly 2,000 positive reviews and an incomparable flavor profile, these cheese-loaded bites are guaranteed to earn you plenty of compliments.
Classic Cocktail Wieners
4.7 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 6 reviews.
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 4
Servings: 6
An extraordinarily delicious appetizer is achievable even when you’re running behind thanks to these saucy sausages. Prep the bites in just 5 minutes and use barbecue sauce, raspberry jam and chipotle chiles in adobo sauce to flavor the easy-to-make dish.
Baked Scotch Eggs
4.5 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 37 reviews.
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 7
Servings: 4
While London department store Fortnum & Mason claims to have invented Scottish eggs in 1738, they’ve become a modern favorite thanks to their frequent appearance at fairs and Renaissance Festivals. With our recipe for Baked Scotch Eggs, you can enjoy them in the comfort of your kitchen—or on the go! Serve with ranch dressing, hot sauce or hot mustard sauce.
Cheddar Apple Sausage Balls
4.6 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 8 reviews.
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 5
Servings: 42
Sweet and sugary notes of fresh, shredded apples combine with the sharp and savory flavors from cheddar cheese come together to create these supremely delicious sausage balls. They prep in just 15 minutes, making them ideal for any last-minute family gatherings.

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Seafood Apps

Creamy Crab and Bacon Phyllo Cups
0.0 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 0 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 45 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 11
Servings: 15
These dreamy crab and bacon bites will instantly turn your holiday get-together into an elegant celebration with their beautiful presentation and decadent flavor profile. Delicate phyllo cups are filled with savory ingredients like white mushrooms, cream cheese, chopped spinach, savory bacon, and mouthwatering crabmeat for a luxurious app that your guests won’t forget!
Broiled Garlic Butter Shrimp with Lemon Aioli
4.9 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 8 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 40 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 11
Servings: 8
This garlicky dinner-starter is just as delectable as it sounds. These simple-yet-sophisticated shrimp bites are flavored with Worcestershire sauce, red pepper flakes, parsley and lots of garlic—then served with lemon-infused aioli for dipping and topping.
Hot Crab Crostini
3.9 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 11 reviews.
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 9
Servings: 24
This 30-minute app is the perfect solution when you need an impressive crowd-pleaser in a hurry. Crunchy baguette slices are topped with a warm, creamy cheese and crab for an easy-to-make holiday-starter that will have everyone going back for more.
Smoked Salmon Pinwheels
4.8 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 25 reviews.
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 2 hr 10 min
Ingredients: 6
Servings: 24
Salmon isn’t just for the main course—we’re serving it before dinner this year! Fresh dill, bell peppers, spinach, cream cheese and smoked salmon are rolled up into flour tortillas for a scrumptious dish that’s guaranteed to be a hit at any holiday party.
Crab Cake Bites
4.7 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 40 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 15
Servings: 36
These lemony Crab Cake Bites are tender, flavorful and simply delightful. A delicious combination of lemon, Dijon, chives, crabmeat, breadcrumbs and simple seasonings come together to create an appetizer that will be the star at your next Christmas party. Serve with homemade lemon-garlic sauce for the ultimate crowd-pleaser.
Crab Cakes
3.9 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 39 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 11
Servings: 6
This restaurant-inspired app can be made in less than 30 minutes at home. Tender crabmeat is flavored with red pepper, ground mustard, green onions, breadcrumbs and mayonnaise for an impressive dinner-starter that’s ready with just two simple steps.

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Warm & Toasty Apps

Cheesy Garlic Pull-Apart Christmas Tree
4.7 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 22 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 25 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 9
Servings: 16
Cheddar, mozzarella and Colby-Monterey Jack cheese team up for a biscuit-y app that packs an irresistibly comforting flavor with each and every bite. Arranged in a festive Christmas tree shape, this impressive starter is the easiest way to tide over a hungry holiday crowd.
Cranberry-Orange Chex™ Party Mix
4.0 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 43 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 8
Servings: 20
This homemade snack gets a holiday twist with the addition of dried cranberries and orange juice concentrate. The crunchy party mix is the perfect bite for guests to munch on as they mingle and wait for you to put the finishing touches on the main course.
Cheesy Herbed Pull-Aparts with Spinach-Artichoke Dip
4.9 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 18 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 13
Servings: 16
This biscuit-y twist on spinach artichoke dip is packed full of all the creamy flavors you love in the classic recipe but is served with cheese-filled buttermilk biscuits for an all-in-one app that comes together in your ovenproof skillet!
Italian Stuffed Mushrooms
4.4 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 39 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 37 min
Ingredients: 10
Servings: 36
Flavorful green onion bits, chopped bell peppers, soft breadcrumbs and simple Italian seasonings are stuffed inside fresh mushrooms for a delightful app that will get rave reviews anywhere you serve them. Expert tip: Stuff, cover and store these mushrooms up to a full day before you need them to cut down on prep time the day of your party
Mini Quiches
3.9 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 82 reviews.
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 10
Servings: 24
Quiches aren’t just for breakfast and brunch anymore—we’re serving them at our next holiday party for a protein-filled app that will keep the guests’ hunger at bay. Bacon, egg, green onion and plenty of cheese give these mini muffin cups a one-of-a-kind flavor that will have everyone asking for the recipe.
Cheese Fondue
4.5 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 15 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 9
Servings: 5
Let the guests customize their plate with a classic app that’s fun to make and eat! All you need to do is prepare the creamy fondue with a delicious combination of Swiss and Gruyère cheeses flavored with garlic, white wine and kirsch or dry sherry. Serve with French bread and apple slices for a simple-but-impressive starter.
Cheesy Reuben Appetizer
4.3 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 67 reviews.
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 9
Servings: 20
We should warn you, if you make this crowd-sized Reuben-inspired dish for Christmas this year, your guests will request that you turn it into annual tradition. Swiss cheese, Thousand Island dressing, corned beef and sauerkraut give this tangy starter an incomparable flavor. Garnish with chives and radishes to take the app from absolutely delicious to irresistibly impressive!
Basil Cheese Triangles
4.1 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 21 reviews.
Prep time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 6
Servings: 72
White pepper, feta cheese and fresh basil leaves are mixed with an egg base and tucked inside strips of phyllo dough for a melt-in-your-mouth appetizer that can be made far in advance. Store unbaked triangles in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking or freeze them for two months.
Olive-Cheese Balls
4.4 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 81 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 1 hr 50 min
Ingredients: 4
Servings: 48
Four simple ingredients and 30 minutes of prep time result in 48 servings of olive-filled cheese bites that will earn you plenty of compliments this holiday season. Cheddar cheese, butter and flour are the only ingredients you need to make the scrumptious dough that surrounds each pimiento-stuffed olive.

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Chilled Apps

Christmas Tree Bites
4.4 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 82 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 2 hr 20 min
Ingredients: 7
Servings: 64
Friends and family will love these adorably shaped, cheesy roll-ups that take the form of a Christmas tree. Fresh basil leaves, ripe olives, and roasted bell peppers are mixed with Parmesan and cream cheese before being rolled into a triangle shape. If you’re running low on time (or you’d like to serve these after the holiday season), simply cut the rolled tortillas into slices instead of pressing into the Christmas tree shape.
Garlic and Herb Stuffed Mini Peppers
4.8 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 36 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 1 hr 5 min
Ingredients: 9
Servings: 32
These colorful and radiant peppers will steal all of the attention at your next Christmas gathering. Sweet peppers are stuffed with cream cheese and flavored with red pepper before being sprinkled with breadcrumbs and topped with Parmesan cheese and chives for an unforgettable appetizer that will brighten up any holiday spread.
Christmas Tree Vegetable Platter
4.5 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 6 reviews.
Prep time: 25 min
Total time: 1 hr 25 min
Ingredients: 13
Servings: 8
You can’t go wrong with a veggie tray, and this particular one is both adorable and practical. Broccoli florets and tomatoes make an outstanding tree while pretzels and cauliflower florets comprise the trunk and the snow. Plus, don’t forget the creamy herb dip—perfect for dipping and dunking!
Cranberry Chicken Phyllo Cups
4.6 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 12 reviews.
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 9
Servings: 15
These mini appetizers have a pop of color thanks to the chopped dried cranberries mixed into a chicken, walnut, green onion, rosemary leaf and Greek yogurt combination. Fillo shells hold everything together and make for an extra-pretty presentation that will have your guests coming back for more.
Bacon and Tomato Cream Cheese Tarts
5.0 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 9 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 7
Servings: 24
This dainty app may look sophisticated, but these party-ready bites are actually very simple to make. Pillsbury™ crescent dough gets and elegant transformation with the help of sliced green onions, fresh thyme leaves, grape tomatoes, smoked bacon and dreamy cream cheese. The herb-flavored starter can be made two hours before your guests arrive, so you can prep it before any company shows up.
Make-Ahead Snowman Cheese Ball
4.4 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 91 reviews.
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 4 hr 10 min
Ingredients: 9
Servings: 7
With dozens of positive reviews and a showstopping flavor, this festive holiday appetizer is Pinterest-ready and compliment-worthy. Seasoned cream and cheddar cheeses are easily shaped into two differently sized cheese balls, stacked on top of each other and decorated with fixings of your choice. Expert tip: Olive pieces and raisins worked wonders for the buttons and eyes!
Holiday Tree-Shaped Cheese Ball
4.2 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 69 reviews.
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 4 hr 20 min
Ingredients: 11
Servings: 28
This eye-catching cheese ball can be made up to a month in advance, so you can prep it ahead of time and put your focus on the main course. Simply stir zestful ingredients like pesto, onion, mustard and red pepper sauce into a cream cheese and cheddar combination and arrange into two pine tree shapes. Store in the freezer and thaw twelve hours before serving.

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Ultra-Easy Apps

Bacon-Cheddar-Ranch Pinwheels
4.2 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 67 reviews.
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 10
Servings: 10
Bacon, cheddar and ranch prove to be a winning combination in these simple pinwheels. Seasoned with garlic and onion flavors, these wrapped-up apps bring an extra touch of zest to any Christmas gathering.
Easy Fiesta Christmas Tree
4.2 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 38 reviews.
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 7
Servings: 8
Is it really a holiday party without a Christmas-shaped appetizer on the table? This simply decadent dish is topped with an unexpected combination of chunky salsa and apricot preserves for a crowd-pleasing starter unlike anything you’ve tasted before.
Ham and Cheese Tortilla Wraps
4.0 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 54 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 7
Servings: 5
You have ever-so-easy Southwest flavor going when you make a creamy cheese and corn filling that you wrap up with ham slices and flour tortillas.
Pita Tree Appetizers
4.0 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 9 reviews.
Prep time: 25 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 7
Servings: 32
Plant a forest of pita bread trees on your table in less than 30 minutes by topping wedges with store-bought guacamole.
Original Chex™ Party Mix
4.4 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 164 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 11
Servings: 24
You can’t go wrong with this super-simple party starter, ready in just 15 minutes. The crunchy snack can be personalized with your favorite flavors for a scrumptious addition to any holiday party.

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Festive Apps for Your Christmas Party

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Dips & Spreads

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Meat Lovers’ Apps

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Seafood Apps

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Warm & Toasty Apps

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Chilled Apps

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Ultra-Easy Apps

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Bake Up Something Special

Festive Apps for Your Christmas Party

Dips & Spreads

Meat Lovers’ Apps

Seafood Apps

Warm & Toasty Apps

Chilled Apps

Ultra-Easy Apps

Try these

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