Christmas Cheese Appetizer Recipes

Staff Picks

Baked Stuffed Brie with Cranberries & Walnuts

117

One of the most common mistakes people make when serving cheese is not letting it come to room temperature first, so that all the flavors can be fully realized. This beautiful baked stuffed brie takes that principle to the next level.

By Chef John

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Holiday Hot Spinach Dip

A yummy hot vegetable dip! Serve with your favorite crackers.

By Michelle Barr

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The Best Cheeseball

For a slightly spicy cheeseball with lots of zing, try this easy recipe. If you don't care for cilantro, you can roll the ball in shredded Cheddar cheese or fresh chopped parsley.

By Anita Moree

Santa Finger Food for Christmas

I live to serve some cute, non-sweet foods on Christmas day and these little Santa crackers were a big hit last year. Serve them rather soon after making, so the crackers don't get too soggy.

By gartenfee

Christmas Dip

A creamy layered dip that looks beautiful, especially at Christmas, with layers of green pistachios and dried cranberries.

By Darwin

Pesto Puff Pastry Pinwheel

With three main ingredients you can make this gorgeous giant puff pastry pinwheel in no time. Pesto and ricotta fill layers of puff pastry that are cut and twisted into a pinwheel which begs to be pulled apart!

By Magda

Spinach and Ricotta Puff Pastry Christmas Tree

Puff pastry pinwheels are a great appetizer for any occasion and during the Christmas season I arrange them to form a christmas tree. You can change the filling to your liking.

By tea

Cream Cheese Kolacky

244

The dough for these cookies is what makes them exceptional. I always quadruple this recipe for the holidays. Most popular fillings are peach, apricot, raspberry and date. Use your imagination! This year I'm trying Michigan cherry preserves and cranberry marmalade. You better hide a few for Christmas day--these are the ones that go first!

By MBMCD

Warm Brie and Pear Tartlets

These make a simple, delicious, and elegant appetizer. They impress every time!

By Firebal

Chef John's Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip

131

I've always enjoyed hot spinach artichoke dip, but it always struck me as a little oily. I decided to try a mayo-less version, and then raised the stakes even higher by excluding the sour cream as well. To counter this, a bit more cheese was added, and the results were amazing. A rich, creamy, cheesy, not greasy dip.

By Chef John

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Traditional Christmas Cheese Ball

I look forward to this simple, traditional cheese ball every year. It has been served during family Christmas Eve parties since before my time. The ingredients are few and inexpensive, and might be made year-round, but I reserve this one special appetizer for the holidays only to maintain its specialness. I love to serve Ritz crackers with the cheese ball to bring out its savory flavor.

By Love2Cook87

Spanakopita II

251

The recipe for these spinach and feta appetizer triangles came from a Greek family friend. They may be frozen prior to baking.

By MARY KESSLER

Inspiration and Ideas

Traditional Christmas Cheese Ball

"I served this for a Christmas buffet and everyone loved it!" – conniejane

Chef John's Holiday Cheese Board

Get recommendations on what to buy, plus helpful serving tips.

Cream Cheese Penguins

Herbed Cheese Christmas Tree

Spinach and Feta Triangles

Dip For The Stars

329

Cheese Straws

This is a favorite Christmas recipe of my father's and husband's. It's fairly simple to do and tastes good.

Pine Cone Cheese Ball

Rating: Unrated

33
Blue Cheese and Pear Tartlets

Rating: Unrated

144
Mini Mushroom and Goat Cheese Tarts

Rating: Unrated

24
Parmesan Baskets

Rating: Unrated

27
Simple and Delicious Cheese Fondue

Rating: Unrated

6

More Christmas Cheese Appetizer Recipes

Baked Brie in Puff Pastry

188

This wonderful, light puff pastry is filled with melted Brie cheese. Serve with crackers on the side.

By Nancy Vejvoda

Crispy Rosemary Sea Salt Flatbread Crackers

Making your own 'fancy' crackers at home is a fairly basic operation, and not only will they be less expensive than store-bought, but you can customize them any way you want. Please pay attention to your baking time.

By Chef John

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Pumpkin Zeppole

As in virtually every other pumpkin dessert, I think using pure canned pumpkin will give you the best results--it has more concentrated flavor than freshly roasted pumpkin. These light, not-too-sweet Italian doughnuts were adapted from a recipe by my old friend, Jennifer Perillo. I usually toss these in cinnamon sugar when they're still slightly warm.

By Chef John

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Brie Cheese Appetizer

264

A light, fluffy puff pastry is filled with melted Brie cheese and hot fruit preserves. If you do not want a sweet wheel, you may substitute herbed cheese spread for the preserves. Baking times are the same for the substitution.

By Susan Jackson

Crab and Lobster Stuffed Mushrooms

130

This is the result of trying to duplicate a seafood chain's recipe. Comes close enough, they're gone the minute they hit the table!

By MINNESOTAMOM

Jalapeno Popper Cups

171

Didn't have enough Jalapenos to make full out poppers, but improvised for a creamy and spicy appetizer. You'll want to eat them right away, but they will be molten hot so be careful!

By Jessina

Cream Cheese Penguins

753

Just imagine a cute display of penguins, made with black olives, carrots and cream cheese! You can add scarves and hats by using fresh red pepper strips, or canned pimentos cut into different shapes. Use frilly toothpicks if you can.

By Valerie Cain Cuff

Grandma's Stuffed Celery

My grandma always made stuffed celery at Thanksgiving and Christmas. As kids, we were always so hungry before the holiday meal we would sneak and get a piece of celery to curb our appetite. It was nearly all gone by meal time and we always got fussed at with hint of a grin from Grandma. Now I never have holiday meals without it!

By Sherilyn

Herman Reunion Cheese Ball

177

The requests for this family recipe never stop, so here it is for everybody to enjoy. These cheese balls freeze well for months and make wonderful holiday gifts. To give the balls as gifts: wrap each ball or log individually in festive holiday plastic wrap.

By Ann

Cheese Ball I

282

This is a wonderful cheese ball. It is very easy to make and simply delicious. Whenever I make it for gatherings or work it always gets great reviews. Serve with an assortment of crackers.

By Ellen Rainey

Artichoke Dip

This dip is good hot, cold, or room temperature. Serve it with tortilla chips or pita wedges and be sure to get your taste, because it doesn't last long at a party!

By Juanita

Smoked Salmon Mousse

This is a great way to serve a gourmet treat to your guests. Spread it on your favorite crackers, bread, veggies -- whatever you like. It's great inside savory tuile shells.

By Rob

Spinach Cheese Squares

This recipe is a favorite at every Christmas party. Note: This recipe freezes well. To serve, defrost and reheat at 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) for 12 to 15 minutes.

By IRENED

Sausage Cheese Balls

These sausage balls were a hit at our Christmas party this year. I accidentaly used low-fat cheese in the recipe and couldn't tell the difference. No frying necessary, they bake beautifully.

By Heather Walker

Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball

This cheese ball was a big hit at our office Christmas party! I had cream cheese left over and decided to start adding ingredients and it was wonderful!

By wifey110

Phyllo Turnovers with Shrimp and Ricotta Filling

I have been working with various stuffing for phyllo. This is by far the best I have come up with.

By MattyGit

Salmon Puffs

Delightful salmon and feta cheese filling wrapped in puff pastry. I have substituted spinach and cooked tiny shrimp for salmon in this recipe too.

By TEXICANTWIN

Hot Crab Dip Appetizer

An excellent appetizer for parties, everyone loves it.

By William Anatooskin

Jamie's Baked Brie

My ex-wife Jamie's been making this savory Brie en croute since way back before we were married. I think she must have gotten the idea from a magazine, but I've never seen the recipe... I just wing it. It can be made with either puff pastry sheets (quick and easy) or phyllo sheets (more work, flakier shell). Serve with fancy table crackers or digestive biscuits.

By Merrittorious

Crab 'N Shrimp Dip

I always have this for a filler with company around the holidays, fun to serve with holiday shaped crackers that are available.

By Cindy Carnes

Cheese Wafers

These are savory crackers that are a real hit with all especially at Christmas.

By Melissa Perkins

Wine Cheese Fondue

Toast, crackers, or French bread can be dipped into this creamy delicious fondue. It is recommended that you use a fondue pot for this recipe, however, you could also use a casserole dish instead.

By Marc Boyer

Chef John's Party Cheese Puffs

These beautiful cheese puffs, gougeres, are as easy as they are delicious. Usually Gruyere cheese is used but I had some very sharp farmhouse Cheddar cheese in the fridge, so I decided to use that. As long as you are using a very sharp, full-flavored cheese I don't think you can go wrong. I love gougeres with Gruyere, but I think the extra-sharp Cheddar was just as good.

By Chef John

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Coyote Dip

This is an easy, colorful dip that is great for potlucks, football parties, Christmas parties, etc. It's always a hit wherever I take it! Serve with Fritos® or tortilla chips.

By msoldgoat

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Staff Picks