Must-Make Crave-Worthy Appetizers for People Who Love Party Food!
Enjoy these 44 Holiday Party Nibbles. Includes my favorite Creative & Healthier options from Latkes to Crostinis. Get the Party started!
Enjoy : More Holiday Party Nibbles & Hors d’oeuvres – something for everyone!

NEW! Rosemary Potato Chip Crusted Chicken Appetizer

The perfect pick-up appetizer! Crispy Potato Chips and Rosemary coat tender Chicken like nuggets – add a bamboo skewer and see them disappear! I’m serving them with my Easy Spicy Sweet Chili Dip

Latkes:

Hanukkah Latkes are that ethereal treat; a potato mixture made by dropping large tablespoons into a skillet of shimmering, hot oil.

Latkes are crispy, naturally sweet, salty and irresistible— so good, it’s a shame we wait all year to enjoy them!
I use 2 kinds of potatoes, include veggies and 3 kinds of onions in the batter.
For a Gluten-Free version, simply use a all-purpose gluten free flour blend in place of the flour for great results.

A new twist for your Potato Pancake repertoire.
Butternut Squash with warm spices makes a delicious sweet latke. These latkes have a pinch of sugar, cinnamon and grated nutmeg (grated apple too!) I love the flavor of these warm spices. Crispy, naturally sweet, salty and irresistible!
Looking for the perfect applesauce recipe? Homemade Applesauce – My Favorite TRY this one!

NEW! Crispy strands of Potatoes combined with Pan-roasted Garlic, Onion and Kale. A foolproof recipe for this new classic crispy variation.

New! My fabulous Lacy Garlic Latkes with a Special Topping: Chive & Dill Herbed Goat Cheese with Smoked Trout… a luxurious & delicious recipe!

Crostini:

The ultimate healthy appetizer – a crisp garlicky baguette slice covered with oozing brie cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato and a touch of spiked mayo.
What’s great is you can make this appetizer ahead of time. Simply brush the baguette slices with a garlic oil (see recipe) and crisp in the oven for a few minutes. Cut the brie into chunks to fit, and place in the oven just to melt.
When your guests arrive, heat until warm… top & serve.

A wonderful spread with roasted garlic cloves for a mellow touch. Add some zest with the balsamic-honey drizzle. Holiday Entertaining just got a little easier with this tempting pâté – the perfect appetizer!

THE Fall Appetizer (Winter too!)– almost too pretty to eat featuring in-season Fresh Figs.
Goat Cheese is whipped with Roasted Butternut Squash and topped with Fresh Figs, Maple-Balsamic Drizzle and Fresh Rosemary. Satisfying, Easy and Real Crowd Pleasers! Just filling enough with healthful ingredients.

A crowd-pleasing Melty-Cheese Appetizer that’s easy to make and fun to eat! Toast up some bread and slather on top.
Sauté Red Onions low & slow, add apples and seasonings and simply top a wheel of brie and bake.

Tapas ~ little bites of tasty foods with bold flavors from Spain. Crispy baguette slices covered with a quick sauté of mushrooms, spiked with sherry & brandy and topped with a delicious Spanish cheese until melted and bubbly.
Many at the class raved about the the Smoked Paprika Aioli – a flavorful, garlicky mayonnaise… added a fabulous creamy & flavorful dimension to the crostinis.

My Favorite Deviled Eggs:

Includes Grainy Mustard, Purple Scallions, Thyme and a Crisp and Lacy Baked Cheese Frico Makes Them Pungent and Zesty.
See: How to Hard-Boil Eggs: Best Way Is To Steam Them!

A flavor bomb – the perfect pick-up appetizer to wow your guests!
Unami richness of Caesar Flavors make these deviled eggs sing with a savory and zesty flavor. Garnished with Shaved 

Delectable Deviled Eggs: Grainy Mustard, Purple Scallions, Thyme and a Crisp and Lacy Baked Cheese Frico Makes Them Pungent and Zesty. Learn how to make the perfect hard boiled eggs – don’t boil them… steam them!

Something Cheesy

I could eat a dozen of these guys and be very happy!  The perfect pick-up appetizer with flavors all will devour.
To assemble: cut bread rounds  – gluten free or regular, give them a quick toast, then top with marinara, a warm spinach chicken mini meat ball and top off with fontina cheese fondue. Add a skewer and serve.

Loads of Spinach mixed in to Freshly Ground Chicken – that you grind! This makes the most delicious and nutritious meatballs with an amazing texture.

A creative play on the beloved “Linzer Cookie”  – savory, cheesy melt-in-your-mouth shortbread sandwiched with Tomato Jam!
Your company will be amazed! Makes a spectacular and inventive hors d’oeuvre for you next gathering or party.
Also serve the thins open-faced – with a dollop of jam and a chunk of your favorite cheese.

I’m turning the Linzer Cookie upside down – what is traditionally a sweet cookie is now a savory upscale treat!

Softened Garlic and Fresh Chives makes this Classic Fondue special!

While fondue might be the ultimate party food- I’m in the mood for it’s silky, stingy texture and assertive flavor, and have decided to have a fondue night at home. Indulgent, okay just a little, but it only sounds fancy – it’s incredible simple to make!
I really got into the idea and decided to make these mini dinner rolls for dunking (bread cubes will do too!)

I’m serving the tacos on a vintage serving board with extra Caesar dressing on the side for drizzling.
Ready for a Umami-rich treat? A creative genius recipe that is so delicious and low in carbs!All your favorite Caesar Salad Ingredients – I love to add roasted red peppers too.
Gluten Free – no problem! I have used gluten free bread for the garlic croutons. Eat these immediately after preparing!

Blistered Shishito Peppers are cut in half and stuffed with a medley of Mediterranean ingredients for an addictive appetizer. Shishito Peppers are now widely available – perfect vegetarian pick- up appetizer!

A wonderful and easy appetizer for the holidays all will enjoy! Spread on toasted bread and soak up all the amazing flavors. Cooks slowly in the oven until the peppers actually melt into the olive oil. Serve with toasted pita triangles or toasted baguette slices.

 Killer Dip that won’t kill your waistline! This delicious warm dip is a perfect appetizer for holidays, gatherings & game day! Asparagus replaces artichokes for a flavor-twist. A bevy of vegetables. Asparagus seems to be in many markets at this time… could substitute other green veggies like broccolini. 

This Garlic – flavored pâté (a creamy, composed dip) makes a great start to any meal as it awakens your taste buds! Perfect for any party, toast up your favorite bread, and add some crudité – serve extra roasted garlic cloves on the platter. Or, on crostini (above.)

Karen’s Perfect Pizza Dough is topped with a Roasted Garlic purée, Fresh Mozzarella Cheese, dollops of Ricotta Cheese & Marinara and Chopped Garlic.
Fresh Oregano & Basil with a pinch of Hot Pepper Flakes add to this crave-worthy Pizza!

Crazy for Mushrooms

Deeply fragrant mushrooms team with flavorful Tuscan spices – coated with a wine-lemon-olive oil marinade. Tangy, delicious, and easy to make. Simplicity is central to the Tuscan cuisine. A wonderful appetizer that tops baguette slices – or any good bread.

Delectable with Mexican Spices – these caps are stuffed with flavor! Lots of colorful vegetables and ground turkey. A healthy approach to stuffed mushrooms ~ serve with a dollop of sour cream and tomatillo salsa. A delicious meal, snack or appetizer.

Tuscan Stuffed Mushrooms

The pick up appetizer that’s a party-pleaser, your guests will ask you for the recipe! Ring in the holidays & New Year with these make-ahead delicious morsels. A favorite party food – stuffed mushrooms are satisfying and these take on an Italian, Tuscan flair.  A hearty chicken, vegetable & cheese filling – you can also have as a satisfying entrée instead of an appetizer.

Seafood

Shrimp is always a party pleaser! Cooks quickly – Sautéed Shrimp in a Hearty Garlic Herbal Butter Sauce Skewered with a Cube of Sourdough Bread to Soak up the Flavors.
I’ve added a boost of flavor with fresh herbs, scallions and jalapeño.
The perfect Holiday or Party Appetizer!

A Comeback for a Classic Dish! This fresh, seafood-rich trendsetter recipe of the early 20th century takes on a modern flair with Fresh (not frozen) Pink Shrimp and a zippy Louis Sauce.
Here I serve as a salad – for the Holidays ~ add shrimps and sauce on a platter – skewer them , and watch them disappear!

Another party-pleaser! An Irresistible Zesty Pick-Up Appetizer ~ Crispy, crunchy and creamy – all the textures come together; a special recipe for Holiday Entertaining… Gluten Free. A creative twist.
Jumbo Lump Crabmeat’s flavor is left to shine… additions are bright and flavorful: mango, red pepper, chives,  jalapeño, lime juice and and the littlest bit of mayo to bind.

No one will be able to resist these savory lollipops. Thin sliced, luminous smoked salmon around zesty cream cheese – the perfect pick-up appetizer for New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day. 

Add skewers to these and serve on a big platter!
An easy and pungent marinade transforms Shrimp with intense flavor. Simply grill with sesame seeds in a cast iron skillet.

Crispy, Crunchy and Drenched in Homemade Panko Crumbs ~ these delicious morsels are baked on a rack, not deep fried. I’m craving something crispy & sweet yet savory – these Popcorn Shrimp fit the bill! (Yes ok to use packaged panko.)
Plunge them into this luscious & piquant Lemony Aioli Dip (recipe)

Vegan “Crab Cakes”:

Healthy, Vegan & Delicious!
Filled with Chickpeas, Artichoke Hearts and Hearts of Palm (which mimics the look of crab) ~ Herbs & Spices.
Make minis for Hors d’oeuvres or larger ones for a delicious Main Course Meal.

Nuts to Crunch:

Add some crunch to any gathering. Raw cashews are soaked for easier digestion and are cooked in a slow oven until golden and crispy. Coat with sweet and savory, addictive seasonings: curry powder, ginger, cinnamon, cumin, smoked paprika, pink sea salt, coconut nectar, coconut palm sugar and unsweetened shredded coconut.

Pecans, Walnuts, Almonds and Brazil Nuts are roasted in a slow oven until fragrant and lightly golden. Kissed with fresh rosemary and a hints of a sweet-salty flavor. No overwhelming flavors, all complement each other.

Dip In:

Hummus gets a flavor boost with aromatic and a bit fiery Harissa (an easy to make versatile condiment.) Harrisa is a flavor-bomb sauce/condiment and pairs wonderfully with mellow hummus – a North African spicy chili paste — the Sriracha of the Middle East. Serve with crudités, pita and interesting tortilla chips (mine are beet flavored.)

Dip Into This!  A Updated, Healthy Lightened-Up Roast Garlic and Onion Dip.(Yes I had the Lipton soup version growing up…)
Need holiday dip that doesn’t break the calorie bank?
A real crowd pleaser  – there won’t be any leftovers! This is a REDUX recipe – a healthier version of Lipton Soup Mix Dip.
Serve with crudités as well, pictured: roasted sweet potatoes. Can serve with good potato chips for a throwback to the 70’s! 

Grilled Corn & Onion team with deviled spices and cool Greek yogurt to create a light dip full of flavor that happens to be low-fat. A cool dip for a hot summer’s day. Fresh corn on the cob is available year round!

A Hearty and Healthy Beet Dip with a Rich Roasted Flavor. Add Homemade Seasoned Flatbread for the Perfect Mezze Starter!
Also See: Karen’s Middle Eastern Za’atar Flat Bread

Vegan Crispy Kale Chips:

Crispy, light & flavorful – these chips are quite easy to make. The ultimate healthy snack! Recipe: Baked in a low oven, or Raw; made in a dehydrator. Make a flavor paste~seasoned topping and simply massage into leaves and bake. An explosion of flavor!

Another Kale Chip Recipe I Love ~

Homemade Kale Chips are crunchy with an addictive flavor, yet they have few calories and are a source of several essential nutrients. The ultimate healthy snack!

Crispy, light & flavorful – these chips are quite easy to make. The ultimate healthy snack! Massage into the leaves – the Tahini Sesame paste with Za’atar Seasonings.

Southern Charm Appetizer:

The Ultimate Appetizer with Southern Charm ~ Grilled Chicken with Pecans and a Maple-Bourbon Glaze on top of crisp Buttermilk Waffles and Sweet and Sour Sautéed Collard Greens.  See: Karen’s Buttermilk Waffles and Sautéed Collard Greens – Sweet and Sour

NACHOS:

Loaded with Colorful Veggies and Lightened Up with a Homemade Cheese Sauce. Hard to resist – will be the hit of any party!

Loaded Nachos don’t need to be a fattening, processed mess! Serve these on Super Bowl Sunday… rave reviews to come! Layered with vegetables, homemade cheese sauce and tempting toppings.
Remember this recipe for Game-Day nibbling!

Host an Appetizer-Only Dinner Party!

• A wonderful way to show off your cooking talents ~ choose at least 6 different appetizers for a well rounded spread
• Choose finger foods and some dips (my fondue is EASY and a real crowd pleaser; homemade rolls can be made, frozen and reheated.)
• Use a smaller size than dinner plates for guests ~ 5″ – 6″ is perfect. I love using vintage plates – all can be a different style & color, or choose natural square bamboo plates (you can purchase online)
• Add a Dessert Station with three of your favorite pick-up recipes (I have ideas for that!)
• Pair wines and drinks with food… Tempranillo or Garnacha goes great with Spanish-style food / Alsace Reisling with cheese fondue / Crisp Sauvignon Blanc with Seafood / Chardonnay or Pinot Noir with Crostinis

Happy Holidays to all! Enjoy this selection of my favorite Holiday Party Nibbles & Hors d’oeuvres – something for everyone.
Make your holidays festive and delicious!
Karen

If you like these recipes, SUBSCRIBE (here) to my free newsletter ~ never miss a recipe!