:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/EWL-Whipped-Feta-Beets-Nuts-Honey-1x1-092_preview_maxWidth_4000_maxHeight_4000_ppi_300_quality_100-e735669cf5d1489e8939ce402d5fc9f6.jpg "an image of the Whipped Feta with Beets, Pistachios & Honey")
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Nicole Hopper, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong
Make the holidays easier and less stressful with make-ahead Christmas appetizers. Keep these recipes in mind as you start planning your holiday menus. These festive and flavorful dishes can be prepped a few days in advance so that when Christmas comes around you can spend more time with your loved ones instead of being stuck in the kitchen.
Recipes like our Whipped Feta with Beets, Pistachios & Honey and our Cranberry & Goat Cheese Puff Pastry Wreath are healthy, easy and sure to put everyone in a jolly mood.
01 of 20
Spinach-Artichoke Puff Pastry Spirals
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lindsey Lower.
Flaky, buttery layers of pastry get wrapped around store-bought dip for an appetizer that feels elegant. Perfect for holiday parties, casual get-togethers or game-day snacking, they’re guaranteed to disappear as soon as they hit the table.
02 of 20
Whipped Feta with Beets, Pistachios & Honey
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Nicole Hopper, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong
This whipped feta is a delicious appetizer that comes together in only 15 minutes. Red beets and green pistachios provide some holiday flair, while a drizzle of honey contributes a sweet note to the savory whipped feta spread. A pinch of Aleppo pepper adds a touch of heat and mild fruitiness that enhances the dish. If you don’t have Aleppo pepper, you can use a mix of sweet paprika and a touch of cayenne or crushed red pepper for a similar flavor profile. Serve with your favorite crackers or veggies.
03 of 20
Cranberry & Goat Cheese Puff Pastry Wreath
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lindsey Lower
This cranberry and goat cheese puff pastry wreath is an easy Christmas appetizer that’s sure to impress. Despite its elegant look, it’s incredibly simple to make, with just a few ingredients and minimal prep time. Whether served as a centerpiece or passed around as bites, this wreath will bring holiday cheer to your next gathering!
04 of 20
Snickerdoodle Almonds
Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Addelyn Evans, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco
Tossing almonds in frothy egg whites helps the sweet and savory seasoning adhere to these festive snickerdoodle almonds. They make an excellent appetizer for holiday entertaining.
05 of 20
Puff Pastry Cheese Straws
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf.
Crispy, golden and cheesy, these puff pastry cheese straws with garlic and Parmesan are the perfect holiday party appetizer. They’re easy to prepare ahead, making them ideal for entertaining. Serve warm or at room temperature—they’ll be the most popular three-ingredient appetizer at your gathering.
06 of 20
High-Protein Caesar Dip
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer
This versatile high-protein dip is the perfect companion for your favorite veggies. Made with strained (Greek-style) yogurt and sour cream and blended with Parmesan cheese and Worcestershire sauce, it’s reminiscent of the flavors in Caesar salad dressing.
07 of 20
3-Ingredient Guava & Cream Cheese Bites
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lindsey Lower.
These buttery, flaky puff pastry bites draw inspiration from pastelillos, a Puerto Rican pastry. We fill these bites with guava paste and cream cheese for a bite-size appetizer that couldn’t be easier to make. Using frozen puff pastry keeps prep simple while ensuring light, golden layers that bake up beautifully in the oven. These three-ingredient sweet-and-savory bites are ideal for holiday gatherings.
08 of 20
Whipped Feta with Pomegranate, Pistachios & Honey
This easy, quick appetizer is perfect for any gathering. Drizzling of hot honey over whipped feta adds a pleasant spice and plays well with the salty pistachios, but you could substitute regular honey or date syrup if preferred.
09 of 20
Everything-Seasoned Almonds
Grinding up the everything bagel seasoning in a spice grinder will help it adhere to the almonds.
10 of 20
High-Protein Cottage Cheese Dip
Ali Redmond
These high-protein cottage cheese dips are easy to whip up and pair perfectly with your favorite fruits and veggies. Whether you’re in the mood for something sweet or savory, these recipes will keep you full and energized while squeezing in an extra serving of veggies.
11 of 20
Pizza Pistachios
Nutritional yeast mimics the flavor of cheese, lending a pizza-like flavor to these playful spiced pistachios.
12 of 20
Rosemary-Garlic Pecans
These savory spiced nuts are perfect for snacking, adding to a cheese board or serving as a mini appetizer.
13 of 20
Sweet and Salty Roasted Nuts
Spicy seasonings add a bit of zing to roasted nuts for a snack that's perfect for any occasion.
14 of 20
Sesame-Honey Roasted Cashews
Photographer: Ali Redmond.
These sesame-honey roasted cashews are a sweet-and-savory snack with a toasty crunch and a hint of umami from the sesame seeds. While they’re perfect for snacking straight from the jar, they also make a delicious topping for salads, adding protein and flavor.
15 of 20
Light & Airy Whipped Cottage Cheese
Photography: Rachel Marek, Food Stylist: Annie Probst
Give this whipped cottage cheese dip your own spin by making it with your favorite fresh herbs. Serve it with plenty of fresh veggies or a sliced baguette for dipping.
16 of 20
Spiced Candied Pecans
At home or at Campo, the restaurant he oversees at Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm in Albuquerque, chef Jonathan Perno likes to welcome guests with spiced New Mexican pecans. You won't see this in most spiced-nut recipes, but Perno blanches them to reduce some of the bitter tannins in the skin that can sometimes overwhelm the pecans' delicate flavor.
17 of 20
Spiced Roasted Walnuts
Photographer: Heami Lee, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley
Walnuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, while spices like cinnamon and ginger can further support the anti-inflammatory benefits. These walnuts are not only a flavorful, crunchy snack on their own, but also a great topping for salads.
18 of 20
Classic Hummus
It's easy to make hummus at home with just a few pantry items. Serve drizzled with your best-quality extra-virgin olive oil and chopped parsley. Mop it up with warm whole-wheat pita bread or cut-up vegetables.
19 of 20
Candied Hazelnuts
Use these nuts in both sweet and savory dishes. Top a tart for a cinnamony sweet and crunchy finish, or crack them and sprinkle over chicken salad. They're good on their own, and you can change the flavor to suit many tastes.
20 of 20
Gut-Friendly Snack Mix
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Styling: Christina Brockman
This curried cashew snack mix features toasted edamame—a prebiotic food that sets the stage for a healthy gut. A combination of spices and red curry paste brings flavor and heat to this grab-and-go snack. To keep the spice level on the mild side, you can swap out the red curry paste for yellow.
Original Source:
https://www.eatingwell.com/delicious-make-ahead-christmas-appetizers-11866395