Appetizers hold that sacred spot between the previous meal and the one to come and have, on many occasions, staved off the gurgling of our stomachs as we waited for the main course. Few things are more delightful than walking into a relative’s home for a holiday gathering and seeing the table already piled high with snacks to munch on before the main event.
And while we love our dips, rolls, and soups, but the true winners are the ones that require little more than our fingers and a napkin. No more losing track of your plate somewhere around the living room, or finding all your guests’ plates in odd places if you’re the host—bite-sized treats are perfectly pop-able and are neat and tidy as far as appetizers go. Here are easy-peasy holiday finger foods to serve at every party this season—from Christmas and Hanukkah to New Year’s Eve, and beyond.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Packed with hot pork sausage and sharp Cheddar cheese, this sausage balls recipe is both hearty and flavorful. It’s sure to impress even the pickiest food connoisseur at your dining room or picnic table.
Greg Dupree; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray
Dane Tashima; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
Give your guests a taste of something unforgettable with Spicy Pear-and-Cheddar Bites—an easy combination of herbed crackers, smoky Cheddar, sweet pear, and peppery jelly. These two-bite wonders are the perfect pre-dinner teaser for any holiday gathering.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
The Kentucky classic is made pop-able in the form of these Hot Brown Bites packed with tomato, bacon, turkey, and cheese.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Fresh jalapeños make these homemade poppers really, well, POP! Slightly spicy, tender baked jalapeños with a creamy, cool cream cheese-and-Cheddar filling make for the ultimate flavor combo.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
If you want to play it safe, no one ever said no to a cheese straw, and these are as good as it gets.
Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox
For breakfast, lunch, or as a side dish at dinner, these crispy fried bits of doughy corn are welcome all year, but especially when the corn is still just-picked sweet.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
If you want to pull out all the stops for your holiday feast, start with these appetizers. Fluffy sweet potato biscuits hold a generous helping of pulled pork and coleslaw, all while remaining a manageable finger food.
Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
These mustard-glazed pretzel bites, made using frozen pretzels, are the perfect way to enjoy the flavor of a fresh-baked pretzel without all the fuss.
Stacy K. Allen, Food Stylist: Ali Ramee, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Micah A. Leal
Bacon-wrapped smokies, only sweeter, with brown sugar and maple syrup. Yum!
Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop styling: Claire Spollen; Food styling: Chelsea Zimmer
In our opinion, potato skins are a great way to get any party started. Though this appetizer recipe requires just 5 ingredients, it’s sure to be a hit at any holiday gathering.
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Christine Keely
This 20-minute appetizer comes together without any cooking. If you’re looking for a make-ahead option, we wouldn’t recommend this recipe as the assembled chips should be served immediately.
Alison Miksch; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Boursin cheese is the key ingredient to packing flavor into these stuffed mushrooms. This appetizer may even convince those who say they don’t like mushrooms that they’re actually pretty delicious.
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis
An impressive-looking appetizer that takes just 15 minutes to make? It sounds too good to be true but it’s not thanks to this crispy crostini topped with spinach, herbs, and goat cheese.
Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
While mashed potatoes generally require a utensil, this version can be served without. Using the shortcut of refrigerated potatoes helps them come together easily.
Photography: Caitlin Bensel Food Styling: Ali Ramee Prop Styling: Sarah Elizabeth Cleveland
It’s no secret that Southerners love sausage balls. While we all have our go-to recipes, this one is worth trying for the holiday season because it has an extra kick of spice that guests won’t be expecting.
Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Matthew Gleason
You can never go wrong combining two traditional dishes. This recipe gives one of the most classic Southern appetizers, Deviled Eggs, an upgrade for the holiday season by combining it with another crowd-pleaser: pickled shrimp.
Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Tami Hardeman
Requiring just 2 ingredients, this appetizer will become your go-to appetizer for the busy holiday season. We don’t think anyone will complain if you make this your signature contribution to potluck parties.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Ali Ramee; Prop Styling: Sarah Elizabeth Cleveland
No gathering in the South is complete without at least one slow cooker full of meatballs, preferably covered in grape jelly and chili sauce. It’s a classic for a reason.
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Christine Keely
For busy hosts, this appetizer can be assembled in advance and stored in the refrigerator until it’s time to bake them. The recipe only calls for one pastry sheet, which are sold in packs of 2, so you can easily double the recipe.
Antonis Achilleos; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn
Safe to say we taste these in our sleep. Not only are they delicious, but they’re also great for the busy holiday season as they can be made ahead and stored in the freezer.
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
This appetizer can be prepped in advance and takes just 5 minutes to bake. It’s a crowd-pleaser, especially for vegetarian guests.
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis
Cheese straws but make them even more spicy. These treats are the perfect party nibble—good luck limiting yourself to just one.
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Melissa Gray; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch
Deviled eggs deserve a spot on any holiday spread, no arguments accepted. This no-stuff recipe is an easy way to serve them, but your own way.
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Turn a puff pastry into a crowd-friendly appetizer by topping it with sliced pears and brie. Then, cut into bites depending on the group size!
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke
Pepper jelly is a party trick Southerners swear by, and this holiday rendition is made even better with the addition of shrimp and seasoned crackers.
Southern Living
It’s hard to name a more iconic duo for holiday finger foods than cranberry and brie. These crowd pleasers come together in just 20 minutes with 4 ingredients.
Hector Manuel Sanchez
Spicy chorizo and earthy sweet potato meet the sweetness of plum jam or scuppernong jelly—you decide.
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Seafood lovers will scoop these up. Added perk? No waste since you serve them on the half shell.
Will Dickey
The pigs are out of town in our rendition of Chicks in a Blanket. Store-bought, buttery crescent roll dough ensconces mini chicken-and-apple sausages for a delightful twist on a well-known treat.
Stacy K. Allen, Food Stylist: Torie Cox, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
Our Baked Brie Bites are glorious little phyllo cups overflowing with melty brie, crunchy pecans, and some red pepper jelly.
Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Matthew Gleason
These deviled eggs have gone rogue in the best way, thanks to the addition of chili powder, peppers, and Cheddar cheese.
Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: William Smith
This classic potato pancake recipe comes from Atlanta chef Todd Ginsberg. His secret? Clarified butter. It will get you those lacy, crispy edges.
Hector M. Sanchez Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham
What’s a Party Popper, you ask? Chicken, bacon, and herbs stuffed into jalapeño chilis and drizzled with lime. You’re welcome.
Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Christina Daley
Crunchy crostini topped with peeled asparagus, lemon garnish, and mint, this appetizer can be a light and welcome addition to any holiday dinner menu.
Photography and Styling: Karen Rankin
It wouldn’t be a proper gathering without a classic Ham-and-Cheese Slider. Using Hawaiian rolls helps keep things individualized and easy to pick up off the appetizer table.
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
This gluten-free crostini swaps the bread for broiled sweet potato slices and pecans that add a satisfying crunch.
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Christina Daley
An Italian staple, this dish is the perfect combination of cheesy, crispy, and cute. Pair with Pomodoro sauce and toothpicks, and you’re ready to serve.
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis
Cheese and bacon—need we say more? This is a traditionally French appetizer that may sound fancy, but trust us: It’s a tasty dish that any Southern crowd will love.
Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christina Dailey
They say this is a favorite of the Southern host, and given the fact that it’s pretty much straight up sharp Cheddar, we can see why.
Alison Miksch
Puff pastry provides the buttery base and cup for these tiny tomato tarts. Cheddar cheese adds sharpness and basil keeps things fresh.
Stephen DeVries
These little enchiladas come in their own cups; no plate necessary. The only danger is that everyone will fill up before it’s time for dinner.
Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham
New Orleans’ favorite sandwich gets the deviled egg treatment, olives, pickled vegetables, salami, and all.
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Flakey phyllo meets a savory mushroom filling made decadent with cream, Gruyère, and a splash of sherry.
Alison Miksch
Calling for only two ingredients, these peanuts are the easiest appetizer you can make, and the ones sure to fly off the table first.
Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham
These tiny Meatball Sliders will keep hunger at bay while the turkey’s in the oven.