The best part of any Christmas party? The food table, of course.
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Whether you're hosting the whole crew or bringing something to a potluck, these easy Christmas party food ideas are guaranteed crowd-pleasers. There's creamy buffalo chicken dip, crispy air fryer wings, bacon wrapped jalapeño poppers, coconut shrimp and so much more.
Every recipe is simple to make, full of flavor, and easy to serve with a stack of napkins and some toothpicks. Several can be made ahead, so you can actually enjoy your own party.
Why these party foods work
- Easy to share: dips, bites, and finger foods that guests can grab and go.
- Make-ahead friendly: the poppers, crab dip, meatballs, and sangria can all be prepped ahead.
- Crowd-pleasing flavors: buffalo, BBQ, garlic, sweet and spicy, there's something for everyone.
- Simple ingredients: nothing fussy, just easy recipes that taste amazing.
The 11 Christmas party foods
Dips
Easy Buffalo Chicken Dip
Creamy, spicy and made with rotisserie chicken, this dip is always the first thing gone. It's ready in 25 minutes, and you can keep it warm in the crockpot all party long.
Roasted Garlic Crab Dip
Warm, creamy and loaded with lump crab, sweet roasted garlic, lemon and Old Bay. Mix it the day before and bake it when guests arrive.
Hot Bites
Buffalo Chicken Jalapeño Poppers
Buffalo chicken stuffed jalapeños wrapped in crispy bacon. Readers rate them 5 stars, and you can assemble them up to a day ahead.
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings
The secret to the crispiest skin is a little baking soda. Toss them in buffalo or your favorite sauce, and they're ready in 30 minutes.
Crockpot Buffalo Turkey Meatballs
Juicy turkey meatballs simmer in buffalo sauce in the crockpot while you get ready. Set out toothpicks and ranch and you're done.
Easy Baked Bison Meatballs
Full of Italian seasoning, ready in 30 minutes, and even freezer friendly. Serve them warm in marinara for an easy, hearty bite.
Ultimate Ground Bison Nachos
Piled high with seasoned bison, melty cheese, guacamole, pico and sour cream, all on one sheet pan in 30 minutes.
Seafood
Crispy Coconut Shrimp with Bang Bang Sauce
Golden and crunchy, just like the restaurant version, with a creamy homemade bang bang sauce for dipping. Ready in 20 minutes.
Honey Sriracha Shrimp
Juicy shrimp in a sweet, spicy and tangy honey sriracha glaze. Serve them on toothpicks for an easy, flavor-packed bite.
Baked BBQ Salmon Bites
Just 2 ingredients: salmon and your favorite BBQ sauce, baked and broiled for a sticky glaze in 22 minutes.
Drinks
Cranberry Orange Sangria
The perfect festive drink for a crowd. It mixes up in 10 minutes and can be made up to a day ahead.
Tips for an easy Christmas party spread
- Mix it up: aim for one or two dips, a few hot bites, something with seafood and a big-batch drink.
- Prep ahead: assemble the poppers, mix the crab dip and sangria, and bake the bison meatballs the day before.
- Keep things warm: use a crockpot on low for buffalo chicken dip and meatballs so they stay warm all night.
- Plan about 5 to 6 bites per guest for a party with appetizers only, and a little less if dinner is served too.
- Set out toothpicks, small plates and napkins so everything is easy to grab and go.
FAQs
Jalapeño poppers (assemble up to a day ahead), crab dip (mix the day before), baked meatballs and cranberry sangria are all great make-ahead options.
For an appetizer-only party, plan on 4 to 6 different options and about 5 to 6 bites per guest. If you're serving dinner too, 2 to 3 appetizers is plenty.
A crockpot on the low or warm setting works great for dips and meatballs. Wings and shrimp can be kept warm in a low oven (around 200°F) for a short time.
Buffalo chicken dip, crockpot meatballs, and nachos all travel well and feed a crowd.
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