30 Easy, Make-Ahead Holiday Appetizer Recipes - Chatelaine (2024)

Puff Pastry Pesto Straws

Puff pastry, pesto, pecorino cheese and pepper — that's it! Packed with flavour, texture and festive colour, this (mostly) store-bought appetizer is one of the easiest holiday appetizers. Get our puff pastry pesto straws recipe.

Photo, Erik Putz. Food Styling, Dara Sutin. Prop Styling, Madeline Johari.

Parmigiano Reggiano rind croutons

As Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese matures, the wheel forms a natural rind. The rinds can be tough but don’t discard them. They steep well in soups, sauces and risotto—and make a tasty snack. These Parmigiano-Reggiano “croutons”, made from the rinds, can be sprinkled on soups or enjoyed on a cheese plate. Get our Parmigiano-Reggiano rind croutons recipe.

Photos, Erik Putz. Food Styling, Ashley Denton. Prop Styling, Catherine Doherty.

Za’atar Flatbread With Yogurt Dip

A popular Middle Eastern spice blend, za’atar can be used on everything from popcorn to roasted potatoes. We like putting it on toasted flatbread that’s served with a deliciously easy yogurt dip. Get this za’atar flatbread with yogurt dip recipe.

Photo, Erik Putz.

Turkish Sausage Rolls

We love using recipes with hidden shortcuts. We happen to use homemade puff pastry for these rolls, but here’s a little secret: the store bought kind is just as tasty.Get this Turkish sausage rolls recipe.

(Photo: Erik Putz)

Artichoke Spinach Dip Fondue

Fondue is one of winter’s most exciting dishes (who doesn’t love a creamy melted cheese dip?). But before you go the traditional route, think about adding a few elegant extras; we upped the ante with spinach and artichoke hearts, and it pairs perfectly with artisanal breads, sweet peppers, sliced apples andpears. Get this artichoke spinach dip fondue recipe.

Photo, Erik Putz.

Membrillo And Manchego Twists

The classic Spanish pairing of membrillo and manchego cheese makes for a fun new takeon cheese straws. These can be made ahead and baked from frozen—just add a few minutes to the baking time. Get our membrillo and manchego twists recipe here.

Produced by Colleen Nicholson, Photography by Christie Vuong, Food Styling by Eshun Mott, Prop Styling by Madeleine Johari.

Tzatziki

This refreshing creamy cucumber dip is always a hit! Get this classic homemade tzatziki recipe.

Photo, Carmen Cheung.

Radish Greens Dip

Don't throw away your radish greens! Use them (or in a pinch, spinach) to make this easy, cheesey dip. Best of all, you can prep it the day before! Get this radish greens dip recipe.

Photo, Roberto Caruso.

Red Lentil Dip With Mint

Make this dip up to two days ahead. After refrigerating it, bring it back up to room temperature and stir in water, 1 tbsp at a time, until smooth. Get this red lentil dip with mint recipe.

Photo, Carmen Cheung. Food styling, Ashley Denton. Prop styling, Madeleine Johari.

Mushroom Lentil Spread

This savoury, umami-packed spread makes a great vegetarian addition to any charcuterie board. Get this mushroom lentil spread recipe.

Photo, Erik Putz.

Spring Rolls

We love how easy it is to make spring rolls using lightly soaked rice paper and pre-cooked ingredients—all you really need to do is assemble them. Our favourite variations include cucumber, radish and rotisserie chicken; lobster, mango and avocado; shrimp and cucumber; and the fruity cataloupe, honeydew and prosciutto rolls. Serve them withThai,misoorpeanutsauce.

Devilled Eggs

The ’80s party stapleis back! There are so many ways to dress up your devilled eggs (here are just a few), but we’re always partial to the ever classic version. Get this classic devilled eggs recipe.

Broccoli Cheddar Tots

Ditch the potatoes! These oven-baked broccoli cheddar tots are a light(er) appetizer.Get ourbroccoli cheddar tots recipe.

(Photo: Erik Putz)

Sriracha Nut Mix

A spicy nut mix for anyone that likes a little heat in every bite. Get this sriracha nut mix recipe.

(Photo: Erik Putz)

Greek Cheese Ball With Feta, Oregano And Walnuts

These homemade cheeseballs can be made up to three days in advance (and everyone will love the retro vibe, we promise). Get this Greek cheese ball recipe.

(Photo: Erik Putz)

Cranberry-Glazed Meatballs

These saucy meatballs are a delicious way to add some hot food to the mix. (Keep them warm in the slow cooker.) Get this cranberry-glazed meatballs recipe.

(Photo: Roberto Caruso)

Labneh Dip With Hazelnuts

Thiscreamy cheese and yogurt dip is drizzled with olive oil and toasted hazelnuts for an elegant finish. Serve with mixed raw vegetables or crackers. Get this Labneh dip with hazelnuts recipe.

(Photo: Roberto Caruso)

Air-Fryer Keftedes

Greek meatballs are the stars of meze plates for good reason. The combination of rich, spiced meat and a cooling dollop of tzatziki or a luxurious smear of hummus can’t be beaten. These aromatic herbed lamb keftedes are bolstered with bulgur—the cracked wheat used in tabbouleh—for bounce and texture. Get Tara O'Brady's Air-Fryer Keftedes recipe.

Produced by Stephanie Han Kim, Photography by Christie Vuong,Food Styling by Ashley Denton, Prop Styling by Madeleine Johari.

Parmesan And Prosciutto-Stuffed Figs

Anotherbite-sized, elegant snackisstuffed figs. Freshand juicy at this time of year, their sweetness balancesperfectly with thin, salty strips of prosciutto. Get this parmesan and proscuitto-stuffed figs recipe.

(Photo: Roberto Caruso.)

Cambozola And Date Grilled Cheese Crostini

Using a baguette instead of sandwich bread makes these mini grilled cheese the perfect appetizer size. Get this cambozola and date grilled cheese crostini recipe.

(Photo: Roberto Caruso.)

Sweet And Smoky Kettle Corn

What’s an afternoon in without some popcorn? Get this sweet and smoky kettle corn recipe.

(Photo: Roberto Caruso.)

Creamy Shrimp Salad Bites

These salad bites give you the crisp crunch of a leafy salad in one easily handled endive leaf. Get this creamy shrimp salad bites recipe.

(Photo: Roberto Caruso.)

Savoury Caramelized Onion Dip

This elegant number stars one of our favourite ingredients—caramelized onions. Get this savoury caramelized onion dip recipe.

(Photo: Roberto Caruso.)

Spanako-Pizza

This pizza is a stellar make-ahead dish (inspired by our favourite Greek savoury pastry). Get this spanako-pizza recipe.

(Photo: Roberto Caruso.)

Smoked Salmon And Watercress Wraps

Creamy, with a hint of spice, these smoked salmon wraps are topped with sprigs of watercress for a peppery finish. Get this smoked salmon and watercress wraps recipe.

Photo, Sian Richards.

Crunchy Olives

Briny olives are a nice addition to any charcuterieboard, but we alsoreallylike the crunchy texture of these fried gems. (They’re also easier to pick up!) Get ourcrunchy olives recipe.

Photo, Roberto Caruso.

Spiced Edamame

A protein-rich appetizer that's snappy, crunchy and spicy. Get our spiced edamame recipe.

Photo, Erik Putz. Food Styling, Dara Sutin. Prop Styling, Madeline Johari.

Seacuterie Platter

A mostly store-bought snack plate that's easy to assemble and packed with flavour. Try our seacuterie platter of mussels and chips, lobster roll bites and bagel crisps with trout.

Photo, Erik Putz. Food Styling, Dara Sutin. Prop Styling, Madeline Johari.

Gnocco Fritto

Puffed, fried dough, topped with charcuterie and fresh basil — that's it! Try this easy gnocco fritto recipe.

Photo, Erik Putz. Food Styling, Dara Sutin. Prop Styling, Madeline Johari.

Samosa Puffs With Cranberry Chutney

These samosa puffs are one of Jennifer Pallian’s favourite finger foods to bring to a party. What’s not to love about savoury spiced-chicken samosa filling tucked into buttery, flaky puff pastry—à la sausage roll? Serve with festive cranberry chutney for dipping, or swap in store-bought mango or tamarind chutney. Get our samosa puffs with cranberry chutney recipe here.

Produced by Chantal Braganza and Sun Ngo, Photography by Christie Vuong, Prop Styling by Catherine Doherty, Food Styling by Eshun Mott.

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