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17 Holiday Appetizers Your Guests Will Rave About

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The holiday season is the perfect time to impress your guests with a spread of unforgettable appetizers. This collection of holiday starters offers something for everyone, from savory classics like garlic butter shrimp and homemade sausage rolls to creative bites like cranberry Brie tarts and burrata crostini with tomato jam. Whether you’re hosting a cozy dinner or a festive party, these recipes are designed to set the tone for a delicious celebration.

Burrata Crostini With Tomato Jam

close up of Crostini with burrata cheese, tomato jam and basil
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Indulge in this delightful appetizer that’s a breeze to make! Picture perfectly toasted Italian bread topped with creamy burrata cheese and drizzled with a tangy, savory tomato jam—every bite is a burst of flavor that will leave you wanting more!

Get The Recipe: Burrata Crostini With Tomato Jam

Garlic Butter Shrimp

A bowl of shrimp garnished with fresh parsley and a slice of lemon. The shrimp appear cooked, with a pinkish hue, and are mixed with herbs and seasonings. A slice of crusty bread is visible at the edge.
Image Credit: Erren’s Kitchen

Fresh, juicy shrimp cooked in a delicious buttery garlic sauce. This quick and easy dish is just perfect for a busy weeknight dinner!

Get The Recipe: Garlic Butter Shrimp

Feta and Caramelized Onion Tarts

Feta and Caramelized Onion Tarts piled high on a plate
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

These Red Onion & Feta Tarts are a perfect bite-sized treat! They bring you the comforting taste of cheese and crackers, all wrapped up in a delightful tart. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, packing for a picnic, or just craving a satisfying snack, these tarts have got you covered. Enjoy!

Get The Recipe: Feta and Caramelized Onion Tarts

Brie Bites with Bacon

A close-up of a silver tray filled with puff pastry tarts. The tarts are topped with melted cheese, crispy bacon, and a red fruit preserve. The pastries are golden brown and slightly flaky, highlighting their freshly baked texture.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Who would have thought Brie and Bacon could get along so well? These Brie Bites are amazing! Little puff pastry cups stuffed with gooey Brie cheese, a sweet hit of cranberry, and the salty goodness of crispy bacon.

Get The Recipe: Brie Bites

Best EVER Chicken Wings

Chicken wings on a wood block with dipping sauce in the background
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Take your chicken wings from ordinary to extraordinary with this simple marinade! It delivers a perfect balance of savory and sweet, requiring minimal effort for a flavor explosion that will have everyone begging for the recipe.

Get The Recipe: Best EVER Chicken Wings

Cream of Crab Soup

A bowl of creamy crab soup with chunks of crab meat and slices of potato, garnished with fresh herbs, served with crackers on the side.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This creamy soup is a cozy delight, blending tender crab meat and soft potatoes in each flavorful spoonful. You’ll love the smoky bacon, rich seafood stock, and touch of briny clam juice. It’s a hearty dish that warms the soul!

Get The Recipe: Cream of Crab Soup

Baked Breaded Garlic Mushrooms

A plate of fried breaded garlic mushrooms next to a bowl of dipping sauce.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Skip the deep fryer! Our Baked Breaded Garlic Mushrooms offer a deliciously crunchy bite with a tasty garlicky kick – no fryer needed.

Get The Recipe: Baked Breaded Garlic Mushrooms

Feta & Sweet Pepper Pastry Swirls

This simple recipe for Feta & Sweet Pepper Pastry Swirls is perfect for the holidays, dinner parties or just as an everyday snack.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Dress up your holiday table or elevate an ordinary day with these easy-to-make Feta & Sweet Pepper Pastry Swirls. This recipe is perfect for any occasion, offering a delightful combination of savory feta and vibrant peppers in a flaky pastry crust.

Get The Recipe: Feta & Sweet Pepper Pastry Swirls

Best EVER Potato Wedges

a metal basket filled with crispy, golden Potato Wedges
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Turn your ordinary potatoes into crispy, golden wedges with this easy recipe! Perfect for busy weeknights, these homemade potato wedges are sure to be a family favorite.

Get The Recipe: Best EVER Potato Wedges

Hot Eggplant Spinach Dip

A piece of bread coming out of the dip with a string of cheese stretching from the dish
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This Hot Eggplant Spinach Dip is a smooth, cheesy hit that’s super easy to whip up. It’s the perfect snack for party lovers, whether it’s game day or just a get-together.

Get The Recipe: Hot Eggplant Spinach Dip

Potato Leek Soup

A white bowl filled with creamy potato soup, a staple of old school recipes, topped with shredded cheese and garnished with chopped green onions and ground black pepper. A spoon rests nearby on a napkin.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Who says you need cream for a creamy soup? This recipe utilizes leeks, potatoes, and butter to create a surprisingly silky texture without any dairy. It’s a simple and wholesome option packed with flavor.

Get The Recipe: Potato Leek Soup

Stuffed Cherry Peppers

a white marble bowl of Stuffed Cherry Peppers and a cloth napkin under the bowl.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Searching for a tasty and flexible appetizer? Try Stuffed Cherry Peppers! This recipe is perfect for experimenting with various creamy cheese fillings, making it a versatile option for any occasion, whether it’s a casual hangout or a special event. Enjoy!

Get The Recipe: Stuffed Cherry Peppers

Easy Crab Stuffed Mushrooms

a close up image of Crab Stuffed Mushrooms on a plate with herbs in the background
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Who needs a reservation? These Easy Crab Stuffed Mushrooms bring the restaurant experience home, ready in just 30 minutes.

Get The Recipe: Crab Stuffed Mushrooms

Lemon Orzo Soup

A pot of chicken orzo soup with slices of carrots, celery, lemon wedges, and chopped parsley beckons from within its vibrant blue-edged embrace. Perfect for comfort food recipes, this soup cradles a ladle ready to serve warmth and flavor.
Image Credit: Erren’s Kitchen

Enjoy a fresh and zesty Lemon Orzo Soup packed with tender chicken, veggies, and pasta—it’s comfort food in a bowl! Quick, tasty, and a hit with the whole family.

Get The Recipe: Lemon Orzo Soup

Cranberry Brie Tarts with Bacon & Red Onion

Three Cranberry Brie Tarts with Bacon & Red Onion on a red plate with more tarts in the background
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Try your hand at making delicious tarts using puff pastry, topped with creamy French cheese, savory bacon, sweet fruits, and red onions.

Get The Recipe: Cranberry Brie Tarts with Bacon & Red Onion

Savory Galette with Spinach and Feta

a slice of Savory Galette with Spinach and Feta on a pan
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Discover the delightful charm of homemade goodness with this Savory Galette! With its flaky crust packed with creamy spinach and tangy feta, it’s an easy recipe that creates a rustic and inviting centerpiece for your table.

Get The Recipe: Savory Galette with Spinach and Feta

Homemade Sausage Rolls

A plate of golden-brown sausage rolls, perfect for Christmas gatherings, some with bites taken out. The flaky pastry is crisp and the filling visibly savory, arranged in a slightly overlapping pile on a white plate—a tempting delight straight from cherished family recipes.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

These sausage rolls are a tasty treat with juicy pork sausage wrapped in buttery, flaky puff pastry. They’re perfect for a snack, appetizer, or even as the main dish. Enjoy the delightful mix of flavors and textures anytime!

Get The Recipe: Homemade Sausage Rolls

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