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When I'm getting ready to host Christmas dinner, I always make sure to have a solid plan. I love keeping the menu both healthy and delicious, with some festive surprises too! I like starting with a spread of Healthy Appetizers, giving my family and friends a variety of options to enjoy, something for everyone at the table.
If you're looking for some inspiration for your holiday menu, I've put together this list of my 50 favorite healthy Christmas appetizers that are guaranteed to be crowd-pleasers at any festive gathering.
This salad is one of my go-to appetizers because it's super easy to make, and accommodates so many dietary restrictions: it's vegetarian, vegan, diary-free, gluten-free and soy-free!
It also happens to be high in protein and fiber, and packed with flavor. Whenever I serve this I always see my guests taking a second helping. I love how this recipe brings a variety of textures and tastes in one hearty salad bowl.
The crunch from almonds, mildly sweet and caramelized flavors of roasted pumpkin, and sweet dried cranberries are the ultimate holiday combination!
This 15 minute salad is sweet, crunchy, savory, tangy, and creamy - all in one bowl! I love how refreshing it is, it's a lighter salad that works well on any Christmas menu.
Salads that are mostly just leafy greens feel a little boring to me, which is why I've loaded up this salad with crunchy walnuts, dates and apples to balance out the greens and provide more texture.
Make sure to use my tangy vinaigrette included in this recipe! It's much healthier than store bought salad dressing and takes just minutes to make!
When we have a lot of kids coming to Christmas dinner, I'll make this recipe because it's both kid-friendly and interesting enough that adults enjoy it too!
This low-fat, low-calorie, velvety soup is super healthy and even has a good amount of protein, making it the perfect appetizer to serve before your holiday meal. To save even more time, I recommend tossing everything in the slow cooker and just setting-and-forgetting it!
Classic dinner rolls are a must at any holiday dinner spread, which is why I absolutely had to include my vegan dinner rolls on this list!
These rolls accommodate multiple dietary needs, while still being super soft and fluffy - giving you everything you'd expect in a traditional dinner roll.
They also happen to be healthier than regular dinner rolls - they're high in fiber thanks to the whole wheat flour, low in sugar, and still have 5 grams of protein per roll!
I make sheet pan recipes often when I'm feeding a crowd because they're easy to prep, easy to clean up, and you can make a ton of food all at once!
These roasted green beans and potatoes are one of my favorite vegetarian appetizers to serve at Christmas, because they're so tasty, hearty, and also happen to be naturally vegan and gluten-free.
Ready in 35 minutes, this recipe is effortless to prepare and tastes spectacular. I also provide a few different variations in the recipe itself so you can customize it however you like!
I love mashed potatoes during Thanksgiving and Christmas! It's creamy, starchy, and so satisfying. But I don't love how heavy and rich the traditional version of mashed potatoes is, so I set out to create a healthier version that tastes just like the original!
My dairy-free, vegan mashed potatoes are a must-have on my Christmas menu. They work well both as an appetizer or a side dish. They also happen to be super creamy, but contain no butter and no cream! With just 5 simple ingredients, you can whip this up in just 30 minutes - and I promise, no one will be able to tell that they're healthy!
Pumpkin soups are just pure comfort food during the fall and winter months. For this recipe, I combine pumpkin with sweet potatoes for a velvety, warm, rich, creamy soup that is vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free.
It's quick to prepare, ready in 30 minutes, and I'll often serve it as an appetizer, right before the main entrees. I include a secret ingredient in this soup that makes it super creamy without needing any cream, and adds a healthy dose of protein too!
This low-fat, high-protein dip is packed with flavor and great for an appetizer spread during Christmas dinner!
I'll often serve chips, crackers and various dips when I'm planning the appetizers for my holiday menu, because they're easy to make and are very crowd-friendly. I created this dip because I wanted to make a creamy, rich dip without needing any mayo or other high-fat ingredients.
My recipe swaps out the high-calorie mayo for protein-rich Greek yogurt and a little bit of sour cream, similar to spinach artichoke dip. It is tasty, rich, and spicy. With its quick prep time of only 8 minutes, you can easily make a big batch of this dip ahead of time. Feel free to reduce the spice level by removing the seeds in the jalapenos too!
Melty cheese tops these soft and fluffy cheddar cheese buns making them gooey, rich and so delicious. My recipe requires minimal kneading and only 15 minutes of active prep time, making it a perfect appetizer to serve when you have a bunch of people coming over for Christmas and limited time to cook!
They're easy to make vegan and already gluten-free, but you wouldn't know it. And I've made it so easy to make these buns, even a beginner baker will get perfect results every time!
I'm a firm believer that cranberries are not just for Thanksgiving! Cranberry sauce is one of my favorite classic Thanksgiving and Christmas recipes, since cranberries are in season in the fall and winter months.
But I wanted to create a lower-sugar version that was equally festive and tasty to serve alongside my Christmas feast. My recipe combines orange and cranberry flavors in a simple recipe that's ready in 20 minutes.
I promise your guests will love it - even those who typically stay away from cranberry sauce will approve of this mouthwatering recipe!
For me, pumpkin seed butter is a special treat I like to make during the holidays, since it just feels like the flavors of fall and winter in a creamy nutty spread.
It's so easy to make from scratch - I just dump everything in a food processor and it's ready in 35 minutes. I'll usually serve this as a Christmas appetizer as part of a vegetarian cheese board. It tastes great with crackers and fruit too!
I know people who absolutely have to have green bean casserole at both Thanksgiving and Christmas, and others that just don't really like it at all.
I wasn't a huge green bean casserole fan, until I created this recipe! My green bean casserole is healthier than the classic version, has the most perfect crispy onion topping, and is total comfort food.
I make it creamy without any milk, gluten-free, completely plant-based, and ready in under an hour. And because it's not too heavy or rich, I've found that most people like this better than the traditional recipe!
My crispy quinoa cakes are packed to the brim with flavor and loaded with nutritious veggies! They're high in fiber and protein, and come together easily, making them a great appetizer to add to your holiday spread.
They're pan-fried instead of deep-fried which makes them healthier, and they pack 17 grams of protein per serving!
Broccoli and potatoes might sound simple, but my version is the most elevated appetizer or side dish that is great for the holidays.
It's easy to make, packed with flavor thanks to the garlic and parmesan, and I roast both the broccoli and potatoes to perfection so they're nice and crisp on the outside while still being tender on the inside.
I love that it's a sheet-pan recipe too - something that I'm always looking for when planning my Christmas appetizer menu!
I'm always a fan of making veggie-packed appetizers for Christmas dinner because it's an easy way to get a ton of nutrients in before the main meal.
Topped with crispy breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese, my veggie gratin is a decadent and rich appetizer without the addition of heavy cream.
Even kids love this healthy dish, and it's pretty easy to make. It's also the perfect way to use up any veggies you have at home!
I'll never say no to a cheese board. A perfect addition to any Christmas party, my vegetarian alternative to a Christmas charcuterie board is just as spectacular.
Ready in minutes, I pack this cheese board with healthy veggies and a variety of high quality cheeses. I also provide tips and tricks so you can customize it however you like. It's a great way to entertain your guests while waiting for the main course!
This savory appetizer is packed with flavor and wholesome ingredients. Making this during the holidays won't be a hassle because prep time is only 10 minutes, and they're ready in just over a half hour.
My kids love these hand-held appetizers too - they're great to serve with your favorite dips or are also delicious on their own!
Roasted or baked asparagus is one of my favorite veggie sides, but I decided to amp up the flavor and elegance with this recipe by adding parmesan cheese, crushed red pepper flakes, and garlic!
I'll often prepare this appetizer ahead of time and put it in the oven at the last minute, making it a great appetizer option when I'm feeding a bunch of family and friends at Christmas. Even kids tend to enjoy this dish thanks to all the cheese! It's a guaranteed winner on your Christmas table.
Wontons might not be a typical Christmas appetizer or side, but I tend to love these hand held, bite-sized flavor bombs when I'm making a larger appetizer spread during the holidays.
Don't be intimidated by wrapping the wontons! I promise it's a lot simpler than it looks.
They're ready in just 30 minutes, easy to make gluten free, and while i pack them with veggies you can really fill them with whatever you like!
Pizza can be served as an entree, but when I'm serving Christmas dinner, I'll make a few pizzas and flatbreads and cut thinner slices so people can enjoy them before the main meal.
The sharp cheeses and pears complement each other well in this quick-to-put-together appetizer. Sometimes I'll even make a mini version by cutting up the pizza dough and making individual sized pizzas.
It's surprisingly high in protein and fiber too!
A slightly healthier spin on potato latkes since they're baked instead of fried, I love how the starchy potatoes, bitter kale and sweet onions pair together in this appetizer.
While this does take a bit longer to make, it really is well worth the time and is a total crowd-pleaser! I've also been successful in using this recipe as a way to help kids eat more greens, they tend to love it and enjoy it paired with dipping sauces like sour cream or even ketchup!
Garlic bread is a classic recipe, but my version gets a vegan makeover by using vegan butter instead of regular and is air fried to crispy perfection!
I had to include this on my list of Christmas appetizers because it's a great alternative to typical dinner rolls if you want to mix things up and it pairs with just about any main dish. You can even make a gluten-free version by changing out the bread for your favorite GF bread!
Smoky and utterly delicious-this is an easy make-ahead creamy dip recipe that will hold guests over for the main meal.
My cheese dip recipe is ready in under half an hour, and is super satisfying, savory and creamy. I like to serve it with a variety of dippers including pita chips, tortilla chips, crackers, and different cut veggies!
I put a vegan twist on this Italian classic recipe by omitting the dairy and packing in the veggies! Bruschetta is really just mini toasts, so I love changing up the toppings and customizing it to my guests' dietary preferences.
Feel free to serve it before Christmas dinner as a pass-around appetizer, or add it to your main dinner spread as a side!
This is one of my go-to kid-friendly recipes during the holidays, because they're hand-held savory bites that basically everyone loves.
While you can buy pizza rolls at the grocery store, I really prefer to make them myself! Thanks to the blend of cheeses and various toppings, it packs a lot of flavor. Sometimes I'll make my own pizza dough, but if I'm short on time I'll just grab a fresh whole wheat pizza dough from the grocery store for convenience.
When I was in France, I ate a lot of "tartines" which are basically fancy toasts with different toppings. My recipe is a vegan take on a fancy French classic that will impress your guests at Christmas!
The roasted garlic spread pairs perfectly with the earthy mushrooms and fresh spinach, and you can make a huge batch of these in just 30 minutes!
My low-calorie take on biscuits is ready in 20 minutes and tastes phenomenal. No one can tell that these flaky, fluffy biscuits are "healthy." With almost no fat and under 150 calories per biscuit, your guests won't mind helping themselves to seconds.
I love to pair these with my Christmas meal, but they're just as good on their own. I've designed this recipe to be so simple that even beginner bakers will get it right! If you need an easy Christmas party appetizers, these biscuits are just the thing!
My healthy take on pasta salad is high protein, low fat, gluten-free, and utterly delicious!
While this classic Italian dish is typical for summer or spring, it's also a great way to lighten up your holiday feast. Chickpea pasta boosts the protein and lowers the calorie count, so you won't mind a second helping.
I'll often make this vibrant salad ahead of time, making it an easy Christmas appetizer to add to my spread.
Everyone always loves these creamy, spiced potato pancakes that are satisfyingly crispy on the outside.They're allergen friendly and suitable for any dietary restrictions, and you can whip them up in just 20 minutes.
I like to think of these pancakes as a cross between french fries and mashed potatoes! They're family-friendly and hand held, so I'll serve them with dipping sauces to make them a complete appetizer.
If I'm serving guests with multiple dietary needs, I'll serve this focaccia as an alternative to regular dinner rolls as an accompaniment to my Christmas meal.
Even without baking experience, I promise - you can pull off this garlicky, slightly crispy, fluffy bread.
I've noticed that kids and adults love this bread and no one can really tell that it's gluten-free! Best of all, it's hassle-free and requires only a few pantry staples. Be sure to add to your list of holiday appetizer ideas!
I've never been a huge fan of traditional deviled eggs, because they're super rich and high in calories. So I decided to make a healthier version that has only 36 calories per serving, with all the flavor and creaminess of traditional deviled eggs!
My secret ingredients help to amp up the protein, and a touch of paprika complements the fresh dill to make it mouthwatering and fragrant. Since these are bite-sized, they work really well as an appetizer before Christmas dinner!
I'm all about adding veggies and fresh salads to our holiday dinner spread to lighten things up. And my healthy Greek salad is vibrant, fresh, zesty, and also happens to be low-carb!
And because it takes only 10 minutes, it's perfect for your busy holiday menu. Feel free to serve it before dinner, or as a side dish along with the rest of your menu! I've done it both ways - and it works great!
This veggie-based Christmas-worthy appetizer is another healthy salad I'll often add to our meal. I add chickpeas and feta for a little protein boost, with lots of fresh herbs and veggies to round out the flavors and textures.
It all comes together with a homemade dressing that's flavorful and takes minutes to whip up!
Simple soups work really well as appetizers since they're light but also feel elegant and satisfying. I make my creamy asparagus soup without any cream or dairy, and I add in some leeks to pair with the earthy flavor of the asparagus.
Instead of dairy, I use a secret ingredient (chickpeas!) to amp up the protein and creaminess and add some more nutrients too.
Serve it with a sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper and crusty bread; your guests will approve!
This is a recipe I learned when I was in Italy, and I had taken a cooking class in one of the towns outside of Rome. This appetizer looks super fancy, but is actually so easy and takes almost no effort to make!
It also happens to be low in calories, and is baked so you can enjoy it totally guilt-free. And as an added bonus, it has over 16 grams of protein per serving!
Yes, this is my healthier version of Chick-Fil-A's kale salad! I pair it with my homemade ranch dressing for a fun salad that's sweet, savory, and creamy all at the same time.
The salad takes only 15 minutes, perfect for impromptu holiday gatherings. Add to your list of Christmas appetizers recipes to make this year!
I think I've made roasted brussel sprouts at just about every holiday dinner I've hosted for years. Since brussels sprouts are seasonal in the winter, they're an obvious choice!
But in this recipe I've air fried them instead of baked them for an even crispier version of regular brussel sprouts that's ready in just 10 minutes. I've also added spices like garlic and onion to elevate the flavor profile and make them totally irresistible!
Gooey and crispy at the same time, my crowd-pleasing healthy mozzarella sticks will remind you of the restaurant-style version but without the added fat and calories.
I use my air fryer and whole wheat breadcrumbs to make these a healthier option without skimping on flavor. You can also bake them in the oven if you don't have an air fryer!
I love leaving these out with marinara for dipping so my guests can just grab one or two as they snack on a few appetizers before dinner.
This simple salad is high in protein and fiber, and is a nice hearty appetizer for your guests to enjoy. I add lentils for that extra protein boost, but I also love how their creamy texture pairs so well with the crunchy veggies and tangy feta.
You can change up the recipe to suit your dietary preferences, but it's already gluten-free and vegetarian.
I'm always looking for cozy flavors to add to my Christmas dinner, and this quick and easy soup totally hits the spot!
My recipe combines the sweetness of carrot, the spiciness of ginger, and the mellow creaminess of coconut. Requiring only a handful of simple ingredients, it's one of the best winter appetizers to warm you up!
This soup is also vegan, gluten-free, and kid-friendly so everyone can enjoy it!
Broccoli cheddar soup is a classic recipe, and I've lightened it up by eliminating some of the dairy while still making it super cheesy and satisfying.
I've served this on multiple occasions: as a starter for Christmas dinner, as a main meal on its own with some crusty bread, or as an appetizer any time of year. It's really versatile and people tend to love it! It's family-friendly, gluten-free, vegetarian, and can be made in the Instant Pot to save time!
Butternut squash ravioli is a fall and winter staple in my house, and in this recipe I've used a shortcut by taking Trader Joe's Butternut Squash Ravioli and elevating it with an easy-to-make sauce that tastes amazing!
This can be served as a side dish or as a main, but I've found that it works really well as a gourmet Christmas appetizer where my guests can just take a couple to start out with along with some other appetizers before the meal.
I will often serve this at Christmas when I'm needing a few more plant-based protein options to add to the meal.
The marinade is sweet and savory, and really elevates the tofu and veggies in this dish.
I like that it's easy to eat while standing and chatting - and it works great for meal prep so I can assemble the skewers ahead of time and cook them the day of.
Burrata just feels luxurious to me whenever I have it, because it's so creamy and decadent. While it is a classic Italian appetizer, it works so well as part of a Christmas appetizer spread because it's easy for guests to pick up and eat while standing or chatting with others.
It comes together very quickly, and really takes minimal effort - but looks so fancy! The rich burrata pairs perfectly with the fresh tomatoes, and I'll add a drizzle of olive oil and maybe some fresh herbs to take it to the next level.
My hearty, satisfying, protein-packed cauliflower salad works great as a side dish, but also is tasty as an appetizer!
A warm salad dressing brings this salad to life, and roasting the vegetables adds a layer of delicious caramelization. It's naturally gluten-free, vegan, and is a simple one-pot recipe - great for easy cleanup - which, for me, is critical when feeding a large group of people!
This recipe looks simple, but I love making it during Christmastime because it's just so festive and fun! I'll usually make it the day before because it keeps well overnight, and saves me from having to make more dishes on the day of.
It combines creamy hummus and a variety of dippers, and is super easy to make! Since it's shaped like a wreath, this appetizer is so pretty that you can even use it as an edible centerpiece!
Made with only three ingredients, this is a clever way to use already-made cranberry sauce!
Whether you're a cranberry sauce fan or not, you'll want to try this recipe. It's a showstopper that's perfect for entertaining. The recipe combines sweet cranberry sauce with creamy brie and flaky puff pastry.
I love that they're tiny little bites, so people can enjoy a few without getting too full for dinner! You can have this holiday appetizer ready in 30 minutes, so it's a win win!
I'm sure you've noticed by now that I'm a huge fan of crostini, toast, bruschetta - basically all finger-food style toast-recipes.
This elegant take on the traditional crostini is made with wintery ingredients and a mix of textures. While it only requires 4 ingredients, it tastes like it has way more ingredients that that, because it is so flavorful!
I might be biased but from the creamy goat cheese to the fig glaze, this has got to be one of the best dishes to add to your holiday celebration!
These little penguins are so cute!! When I have a lot of kids coming over for Christmas, I'll make these because kids (and adults) go crazy for them!
Using only around five ingredients, this is a star appetizer dish! While it looks impressively complex, it's really simple to assemble - just follow the step by step instructions in the recipe below. You won't be disappointed and you'll be able to wow your guests with this dish!
I love this recipe because it's a whimsical and festive way to serve cheese that's great for parties and takes little to no effort to make.
This creative recipe by SustainMyCookingHabit adds a festive flair to finger foods for a Christmas party. Kids and adults alike will be impressed by this recipe, so it's perfect for feeding a large group.
You can customize this however you like! Replace the bacon with vegan bacon to make this a healthier appetizer that none of your guests will hesitate to try. You can also swap the pretzels for a gluten-free option if you want!
