Easy Christmas Appetizers for Everyone

Christmas is the season for food and parties! I like to be prepared for a party any time, so I make sure to have a few key things on hand. Then I can quickly prepare some easy Christmas appetizers everyone will enjoy.

Finger foods are the best to keep your guests satisfied until the main meal is served. Or, if you’re like me, you’ll have a nice spread of all kinds of yummy appetizers and no main meal to slave over 😉

Oh, and definitely have some candy cane crinkle cookies 😉

Easy Christmas Appetizers

Posh Piggies

These cute looking star-shaped appetizers are as yummy as they are good looking.  Not hard to make either!

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 Lbs. – Natural Turkey sausage links (I used Jennie-O)
• 1 – Sheet Puff Pastry (thawed)
• 2 Tbs. – Mayonnaise
• 2 Tbs. – Dijjonaise
• 1 – Egg
• ¼ cup – apricot jelly

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cut the sausage links into half- inch slices; brown the meat on both sides in a frying pan over medium high heat. No need to fully cook at this time, all you want is to get both sides a little crispy. Set aside on a plate to cool while you get the pastry ready.
2. Lay the pastry out on your work surface then break the egg into a small dish and brush the entire surface of the pastry. Using a mini cookie cutter (I used a star) cut out shapes from the pastry.
3. Place the meat onto a baking sheet and cover each one with a piece of pastry and secure in place with a tooth pick. Bake in a 400 degree oven for 18-20 minutes.
4. While the piggies are baking mix the jelly, mayo and mustard in a small dish, these are good served hot, warm and room temp. Dip and enjoy!

Appetizer serving trays

3 Tier Rectangular Serving Platter, Three Tiered Cake Tray Stand, Food Server Display Plate Rack, WhiteTiered Serving Stand 3 Tier Tray With Handle Party Trays and Platters GalvanizedSpode Christmas Tree Melamine Serving Tray with Handles, 19-1/4-Inch

Savory Tartlets

If you need an appetizer in 15 minutes flat, this is it! And it’s also delicious!

Vegetarian appetizers

A lot more people are vegetarian these days. this is something that’s perfect for vegetarians, but your omnivore guests will love as well.

Meatloaf Cupcakes

These are perfect to grab on the go while conversing with your guests. They are also great next day (after the party), when you really don’t want to do anything else but bum around 😛

INGREDIENTS:

Meatloaf

• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 cup finely chopped onion
• 1/2 cup finely chopped carrot
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup ketchup, divided
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef, extra lean (raw)
• 1 cup bread crumbs
• 2 tablespoons prepared mustard
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• Cooking spray

Mashed Potatoes

• 4 cups cubed peeled Yukon gold potato (about 2 pounds)
• 1/4 cup 2% reduced-fat milk
• 1/4 cup low-fat sour cream
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Garnish

• 3 tablespoons chopped chives

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion, chopped carrot, dried oregano, and minced garlic; sauté 2 minutes. Cool.
3. Combine onion mixture, 1/2 cup ketchup, and the remaining ingredients except cooking spray in a large bowl.
4. Spoon the meat mixture into 12 muffin cups coated with cooking spray. Top each with 2 teaspoons ketchup. Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until a thermometer registers 160°. Let stand for 5 minutes.
5. While the meatloaf is cooking, make the mashed potatoes. Place potato in a saucepan; cover with water. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes or until tender. Drain. Put potatoes into a ricer for best results. Return potato to pan. Add milk and remaining ingredients; stir with a spoon to desired consistency. If they are not creamy enough for you, add up to 1/4 cup more milk (just remember that they need to be stiff enough to pipe on top).
6. Put the potatoes into a pastry bag with a wide star tip and pipe the mashed potatoes on top of the meatloaf. Sprinkle with chopped chives.

Parmesan bites

Gooey, cheesy goodness. that’s all I can say about these! You. Must. Try. Them!!!

Watermelon and Feta Appetizers

For a light and easy appetizer, give these watermelon and feta cheese bites a try. Low calorie, and healthy, it’s a great alternative to have.

Ingredients:

• one watermelon
• 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 2 tbsp. basil leaves
• ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
• salt, to taste

Directions:

1. Slice the watermelon in half then use a melon baller to carve out rounds of the watermelon.

2. Slice a small piece from one side of the watermelon so it creates a flat surface. This will make it stable on the plate. On the other side, carve out a small groove with the melon baller so it can be filled with feta cheese.

3. Place each round on a platter, flat side down, add a small droplet of balsamic vinegar, top with feta, and add a small basil leaf. Lightly salt each melon cup and eat up! YUM!