Recipes Appetizers and Snacks 10 Classic Holiday Appetizers From cheese balls and stuffed mushrooms to spinach artichoke dip and cocktail smokies–these recipes are the key to a great party. By Megan Harrington Megan Harrington Megan Harrington is a writer living in Upstate New York. She graduated from Wesleyan University and has been freelancing for magazines and websites for nearly 2 decades. When she's not writing, Megan enjoys experimenting in the kitchen and being active with her family. Allrecipes' editorial guidelines Published on October 31, 2024 Close Photo: Dotdash Meredith Food Studios The holiday season is full of opportunities to entertain, which is fun but can be stressful for the host. This year, lean into classic holiday appetizers to delight your guests and make life a little easier on you (maybe even skip that big sit-down dinner and gather around a dressed-up kitchen island!). Get the party started with our 10 favorite classic appetizer recipes, from a cheese ball so good you’ll want to bring it as a hostess gift, to a three-ingredient recipe that has Allrecipes users saving it in record numbers. 01 of 10 Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip Dotdash Meredith Food Studios Hot and bubbly, this spinach artichoke dip is a party favorite for a reason. It’s packed with veggies, but it’s so cheesy and delicious, even the spinach-averse will want seconds. Allrecipes user Liz G. says, “My son is crazy about this, and, yes, he will eat it with a spoon!” If you’re looking for dippers besides a spoon, anything from crostini to carrot sticks to pita chips will work nicely. View Recipe 02 of 10 Mouth-Watering Stuffed Mushrooms Dotdash Meredith Food Studios These stuffed mushrooms are another veggie-forward option for holiday gatherings. Bite-sized mushrooms are filled with a savory blend of sauteed garlic, cream cheese, grated Parmesan, and spices. And there’s even a little bit of cayenne for a subtle kick. Aiming to impress? Allrecipes user Noeller67 advises sprinkling on some bread crumbs to make them feel “finished.” View Recipe 03 of 10 Slow Cooker Cocktail Smokies Meredith Food Studio These spicy-sweet sausages come together quickly and since they’re made in a slow cooker, they’re very hands off– exactly what a busy holiday cook wants to hear! If you do have extra time, you can experiment by making your own sauces (but of course, jarred works just fine)., “This has been a go-to party/covered dish recipe of mine for years,” says Allrecipes community member Jay Newton “It works with meat balls or sausages, and with BBQ sauce or cocktail sauce. Super easy, and never any leftovers.” View Recipe 04 of 10 Cocktail Meatballs Allrecipes Magazine These classic beef meatballs contain just a few simple ingredients and are simmered in a combination of tangy chili sauce and sweet jellied cranberries. Try putting the sauce and cooked meatballs in the slow cooker and it’ll be ready when you are. And if you’re short on time, you can always use plain (not Italian-seasoned) frozen meatballs. View Recipe 05 of 10 Sweet, Salty, Spicy Party Nuts Dotdash Meredith Food Studios For a quick appetizer or hostess gift, these mixed nuts are hard to beat. A combination of tree nuts is seasoned with a mix of salt, pepper, cayenne, and cumin and then tossed with simple syrup. After about 15 minutes in the oven, the result is a snack that’s equal parts sweet and savory with a bit of a kick. View Recipe 06 of 10 Best Cheese Ball MrsFisher0729 This cheese ball combines savory ingredients like cream cheese, cheddar, and zesty seasonings and it can easily be made ahead and then frozen. If you’re making the cheese balls in advance, wrap them well and then add the parsley and nuts just before serving. Wrap one in cellophane, add a bow, and you’ll have your next hostess gift taken care of. View Recipe 07 of 10 Chef John’s Shrimp Cocktail With an impressive 4.9-star average rating, you can bet this shrimp cocktail recipe is a crowd pleaser. Shell-on shrimp is poached in a flavorful blend of garlic, onion, lemon, and herbs until it’s infused with flavor. The classic horseradish cocktail sauce and chilled shrimp can give any gathering a fancy, festive energy. View Recipe 08 of 10 Baked Brie klijohnson96 Baked Brie is a classic for a reason and this recipe is the perfect marriage of sweet and savory. Fruit preserves are sandwiched in between layers of Brie and then baked in flaky puff pastry dough. To really impress your guests, surround the baked Brie with a selection of dried fruits, nuts, crostini, and crackers. View Recipe 09 of 10 Simply the Best Deviled Eggs These deviled eggs are filled with the traditional mix of mayonnaise, yellow mustard, dill relish, and onion, but crispy bacon and its drippings help them to stand out. You can experiment with the filling ingredients to get *your* perfect flavor combination. According to Allrecipes community member Sharon Lyon-Amos, “THIS recipe was the Bomb!! The best deviled eggs I EVER tasted.” View Recipe 10 of 10 Sausage Balls Dotdash Meredith Food Studios Perfect for a quick holiday breakfast, game day treat, or pre-dinner snack, these sausage balls are a mix of just three simple ingredients–baking mix, cheese, and pork sausage. These bite-size snacks are the Allrecipes community’s most saved holiday recipe, so if you decide to bookmark them, you’ll be in good company! For a spicy twist, Allrecipes user Laurann recommends serving them with Mike’s Hot Honey. View Recipe Magda More Holiday Appetizer Inspiration 20 Vintage Christmas Appetizers That Never Fail to Impress 25 Best Christmas Appetizers: The Ultimate Round-Up Celebrate with Chef John's Best Holiday Appetizers Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit