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Looking for some delicious and easy appetizers for the holiday entertaining season? These are ten of our favorite festive recipes.
2020… nothing about it has been same-old, same-old, has it? And that continues as we head into the last weeks of year. Many of us are celebrating the holiday season in smaller gatherings than we’re used to. But that doesn’t mean the festivities can’t be fun and delicious. We’ve rounded up our favorite appetizers that are perfect for this time of year. Whether you’re looking for a small nibble before a large meal or something more substantial to satisfy, we’ve got you covered!
If you can cut up some dried figs and add sugar, balsamic vinegar, water, and lemon juice then bring it all to a boil, you can make this delicious balsamic Balsamic Fig Jam! That’s all there is to it! And check out the post (below) for a zillion ways to use it!
A delicious snack, cocktail nibble or salad topper, all in one easy recipe! But beware: these Sweet and Spicy Roasted Almonds are difficult to stop eating!
With 10 minutes of hands-on time, these super healthy, gluten-free Pine Nut Seeded Crackers are perfect for dips, snacking and alongside soups and salads!
This easy appetizer is beautiful and outrageously delicious. Serve it with warm crusty bread and be sure to make plenty! It will get gobbled up before you can say “Herb Marinated Goat Cheese”!
An easy, super delicious appetizer that will bring wows! This make-ahead Roasted Red Pepper Goat Cheese Ball is party-perfect!
Keep a stash of these Cranberry Clementine Conserves handy for a super easy and absolutely delicious appetizer. It’s also fabulous for gift giving!
One of the most elegant (and easy!) appetizers you’ll ever have the pleasure of meeting. These delicious Italian-inspired Parmesan Crisps pair wonderfully with cocktails and are fabulous on salads or as soup toppers.
Winter Market Bruschetta– A fabulous, fresh appetizer, perfect any time of year, but especially wonderful in the offseason, when warm, sunny skies and fresh produce seem like a distant memory.
An easy, make-ahead appetizer, perfect for topping a cracker, crostini or wedge of warm pita. Everyone goes crazy over these Rosemary Pecan Goat Cheese Truffles!
These Maple Molasses Glazed Pecans are super delicious and fabulous as a snack or cocktail nibble, on salads, or desserts … and they make a wonderful gift too!
And last, but not least, we ‘ve got some wonderful tips on make a fabulous cheese board. Whether you invite friends for appetizers, want to create an easy pre-dinner nibble or decide to make a meal out of one of these fabulous arrays of deliciousness, check out this post, How to Create a Great Cheeseboard.
Thought for the day:
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death,
even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Phillipians 2:8-11
What we’re listening to for inspiration:
Denise says
Love these! I have a fig bush so want to try the fig jam for next cheese board! And I love the quote at the end of your post..
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks, Denise 💕
Jacqui says
Thank you so much for taking the time to share you’re recipes! Every one of them that I’ve made gas turned out perfectly! The recipes are so easy to follow and the final product is enjoyed by our whole family!
Have a very Happy Thanksgiving!
Jacqui & Kenny
Chris Scheuer says
Yay! Thanks, Jacqui, that makes me smile!
Carolyn says
Dear Chris.
I wish you and your family a very happy thanksgiving day. In NZ nationally we don’t celebrate it but I think we should as we have so much to be thankful for. I think it’s a great time to celebrate what we have been given or not as there are reasons why there are nots. I continue to enjoy your food and it’s beautiful presentation.
Happy TG
Carolyn
Chris Scheuer says
So well said, Carolyn! 💕💕💕
Nadine Dunker says
What a fabulous collection! Our neighbors will be the be enjoying some of your wonderful appetizers. We will be delivering these to them this year rather than gathering. Thank you so much.
Happy Holidays, Nadine
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks so much, Nadine1💕🥰💕
Andrea B says
Hi Chris – I really enjoy all your recipes, thank you for sharing! I really dislike goat cheese but some of these recipes look delicious – is there a suitable substitute I can use? Happy holidays! Andrea
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Andrea, you could sub cream cheese or mascarpone cheese in the cheese ball as well as the truffles. Both of those cheeses are fairly bland so you could also add a bit of some other cheese (finely grated) that you like.
Tricia B says
You have the most wonderful appetizer recipes! Those nuts, and the seeded crackers really call to me 🙂 Hope you and Scott have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Rosemarina says
Dear Chris,
Your recipes are so very reliable, I can count on fixing them 1st time around for guests without a qualm. With others, I find I need to give them a trial run before sharing & more often than not, they need a little tweek.
I’m so glad and grateful I found your site. (Is 6 stars permissible?)
Happy Hollidays!
Chris Scheuer says
Aww… you made my day, Rosemarina! I really appreciate your very kind words!