42 Healthy Holiday Appetizers

42 Healthy Holiday Appetizers

Read Time: 19 mins

42 Healthy Holiday Appetizers2/42 Marinated Cheese 9 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Marinated Cheese Recipe photo by Emily Davis for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings about 2 pounds Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This special appetizer always makes it to our neighborhood parties and is the first to disappear from the buffet table. It’s attractive, delicious—and so easy! —Laurie Casper, Coraopolis, Pennsylvania Nutrition Facts: 1 ounce cheese: 121 calories, 11g fat (6g saturated fat), 30mg cholesterol, 153mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 5g protein. 3/42 Cannellini Bean Hummus 7 Reviews Test Kitchen

The beans pack a lot of protein

Approved Total Time 5 min Servings 10 servings (1-1/4 cups) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My version of hummus features a delightful nuttiness from tahini, a peanut butter-like paste made from ground sesame seeds. The beans pack a lot of protein so it’s a healthy snack for kids. —Marina Castle Kelley, Canyon Country, California Nutrition Facts: 2 tablespoons: 78 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 114mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 fat, 1/2 starch. 4/42 Spinach Turkey Meatballs 16 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Spinach Turkey Meatballs Recipe

It’s a great way to make spinach palatable

photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Our children call these “Gramby Meatballs” because the recipe came from my dear mother-in-law. It’s a great way to make spinach palatable. I usually make a triple batch, bake them all and freeze the extras for a quick meal later. —Mimi Blanco, Bronxville, New York Nutrition Facts: 3 meatballs: 234 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 121mg cholesterol, 568mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 2g fiber), 27g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 medium-fat meat, 0.500 starch. 5/42 Nutty Stuffed Mushrooms 2 Reviews

Our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren always ask for them!

Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 20 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Basil, Parmesan cheese and mushroom blend together well, while buttery pecans give these treats a surprising crunch. Our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren always ask for them! —Mildred Eldred, Union City, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 1 stuffed mushroom: 44 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 67mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein. 6/42 Crunchy Vegetable Salad 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Crunchy Vegetable Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 10 min Servings 6 servings

“Kids love it!”

Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Crunchy Vegetable Salad is a tasty and colorful side dish Linda Russell of Exeter, Ontario frequently puts on her table. “Kids love it!” she relates. Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 176 calories, 15g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 698mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 2g protein. 7/42 Dill Dip 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Dill Dip Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 10 min Servings 2 cups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Be prepared—you’ll likely need to make a double batch of this delightful dill dip recipe.

One batch is never enough when we have a get-together!

One batch is never enough when we have a get-together! It tastes fantastic with just about any vegetable, so you can use whatever you have on hand as a dipper. —Kathy Beldorth, Three Oaks, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 2 tablespoons: 123 calories, 13g fat (3g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 219mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein. 8/42 Oysters Rockefeller 9 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Oysters Rockefeller Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 25 min Servings 3 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My husband and I are oyster farmers, and this classic

Oysters Rockefeller dish always delights our guests

Oysters Rockefeller dish always delights our guests. It’s deliciously simple! —Beth Walton, Eastham, Massachusetts Nutrition Facts: 1 oyster: 79 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 35mg cholesterol, 133mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 6g protein. 9/42 Santa Deviled Eggs 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Santa Deviled Eggs Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I love creating special deviled eggs for parties. These little Santas are easier to make than they look, and everyone raves over them. —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, Colorado 10/42 Marinated Shrimp and

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 lean meat, 1 fat

Olives 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Marinated Shrimp and Olives Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 20 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This are my favorite party appetizers to serve guests. The flavors in this colorful dish blend beautifully, and the shrimp are tender and tasty.—Carol Gawronski, Lake Wales, Florida Nutrition Facts: 1/3 cup: 71 calories, 4g fat (0 saturated fat), 52mg cholesterol, 292mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 7g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 lean meat, 1 fat. 11/42 Pomegranate Pistachio Crostini 2 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Pomegranate

Pistachio Crostini Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 3 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Pomegranate seeds intrigue me, so I sliced French bread, smeared it with cream cheese, and added seeds, pistachios and chocolate. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 44 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 46mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein. 12/42 Cranberry Cream Cheese Spread 19 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Cranberry Cream Cheese Spread Recipe photo by Kristina Vanni for Taste of Home Total Time 10 min Servings 1-1/2 cups

Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This festive dip is a snap to make, taking only 10 minutes from start to finish. Thanks to its hint of sweetness, both kids and adults will gobble it up. —Frankie Robinson, Lockhart, Texas Nutrition Facts: 2 tablespoons: 76 calories, 4g fat (3g saturated fat), 13mg cholesterol, 84mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 fat, 1/2 starch. 13/42 Festive Guacamole Appetizers 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 1 hour 10 min Servings 40 appetizers Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: For ages, my brother’s family

This Tex-Mex spin on classic appetizer pizza is one we have again and again

and I have gotten together on Christmas Eve, and we always eat Christmas snacks while we open our presents. This Tex-Mex spin on classic appetizer pizza is one we have again and again. —Laurie Pester, Colstrip, Montana Nutrition Facts: 1 appetizer: 57 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 3mg cholesterol, 133mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein. 14/42 Cucumber Party Sandwiches 9 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 20 min Servings 2-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is one of my favorite holiday appetizers. We have lots of pig roasts here in Kentucky,

and these small sandwiches are perfect to serve while the pig is roasting

and these small sandwiches are perfect to serve while the pig is roasting. —Rebecca Rose, Mount Washington, Kentucky Nutrition Facts: 1 open-faced sandwich: 53 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 92mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein. 15/42 Caprese Salad Kabobs 31 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Caprese Skewers Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 10 min Servings 12 kabobs Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Trade in the usual veggie party platter for these fun kabobs. I often make it for my family to snack on, and it’s a great recipe for

the kids to help make

the kids to help make. —Christine Mitchell, Glendora, California Nutrition Facts: 1 kabob: 44 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 10mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 fat. 16/42 Olives and Cheese 24 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Marinated Olive & Cheese Ring Recipe photo by Sarah Tramonte for Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: We love to make meals into celebrations, and antipasto always kicks off the party for Italian dinners. This one is almost too pretty to eat, especially when

sprinkled with pimientos, fresh basil and parsley

sprinkled with pimientos, fresh basil and parsley. —Patricia Harmon, Baden, Pennsylvania Nutrition Facts: 1 serving (calculated without baguette): 168 calories, 16g fat (7g saturated fat), 34mg cholesterol, 260mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 6g protein. 17/42 Zesty Marinated Shrimp 7 Reviews Zesty Marinated Shrimp Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 10 min Servings about 4-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These easy shrimp look impressive on a buffet table and taste even better! The zesty sauce has a wonderful spicy citrus flavor. I especially like this recipe because I can prepare it ahead

I guarantee you’ll be asked for the recipe

of time. —Mary Jane Guest, Alamosa, Colorado Nutrition Facts: 1 shrimp: 28 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 26mg cholesterol, 36mg sodium, 0 carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein. 18/42 Garlic Garbanzo Bean Spread 8 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 10 min Servings 1-1/2 cups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My friends and family always ask me to make it. I guarantee you’ll be asked for the recipe. —Lisa Moore, North Syracuse, New York Nutrition Facts: 2 tablespoons: 114 calories, 10g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 96mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g

💡 Frequently Asked Questions

Roasted Brussels Sprouts & 3-Cheese Crostini 1 Review Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Roasted Brussels Sprouts & 3-Cheese Crostini Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings about 2-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Brussels sprouts for a snack?

Answer coming soon. We are working on detailed responses to this common question.

⭐ Expert Tips

  • Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

  • Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.

  • Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.

✅ Key Takeaways

  • These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

  • Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.

  • Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.

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