23 Holiday Appetizers That Start the Night Strong

23 Holiday Appetizers That Start the Night Strong

Holiday gatherings get easier when the appetizers bring bold flavor without asking for much time or effort. These recipes rely on familiar ingredients, quick prep, and textures that help set the tone for a good night. Each one offers something interesting to snack on while the main meal comes together. When you need starters that feel reliable and lively, these appetizers help the night begin with confidence.

23 Holiday Appetizers That Start the Night Strong
Christmas Wreath Charcuterie Board. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

4 Easy Middle Eastern Apple Appetizers

Middle Eastern apple appetizers with cooked chicken and fresh apple chunks skewered on small wooden forks.
4 Easy Middle Eastern Apple Appetizers. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

4 Easy Middle Eastern Apple Appetizers use apples, spices, nuts, and herbs assembled in about 10 minutes. The flavor is fresh with gentle sweetness and warm spice. The texture stays crisp and light. These small bites offer a quick way to start the evening with something simple.
Get the Recipe: 4 Easy Middle Eastern Apple Appetizers

Apple And Hummus Pita Bread

A plate of food with hummus and apples on it.
Apple And Hummus Pita Bread. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Apple and Hummus Pita Bread pairs pita, hummus, apples, and herbs and comes together in roughly 5 minutes. The flavor blends creamy hummus with crisp apple sweetness. The texture stays soft with a slight crunch. This appetizer provides an easy, unexpected start to the night.
Get the Recipe: Apple And Hummus Pita Bread

Argentinian Empanadas

Argentinian empanada being pulled apart over a plate.
Argentinian Empanadas. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Argentinian Empanadas combine dough, onions, spices, and fillings baked in about 25 minutes. The flavor is savory with warm seasoning. The texture stays crisp outside and soft inside. These empanadas offer a hearty appetizer that holds up well for gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Argentinian Empanadas

Baked Feta Dip Recipe With Honey, Dates And Hazelnuts

Baked feta in blue casserole dish.
Baked Feta Dip Recipe With Honey, Dates And Hazelnuts. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Baked Feta Dip with Honey, Dates and Hazelnuts uses feta, honey, nuts, and dates baked for roughly 15 minutes. The flavor blends salty, sweet, and nutty notes. The texture stays creamy with bits of crunch. This dip brings steady richness to the appetizer spread.
Get the Recipe: Baked Feta Dip Recipe With Honey, Dates And Hazelnuts

Classic Mushroom Bourekas Recipe

Stuffed mushrooms on a wooden cutting board.
Classic Mushroom Bourekas Recipe. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Classic Mushroom Bourekas use puff pastry, mushrooms, onions, and spices baked in about 20 minutes. The flavor is savory with a mild earthy note. The pastry stays crisp with a soft filling. These bourekas make a reliable warm starter.
Get the Recipe: Classic Mushroom Bourekas Recipe

Colombian Baked Plantains Recipe With Guava And Cheese

Baked plantains with cheese and guava wth tablecloth.
Colombian Baked Plantains Recipe With Guava And Cheese. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Colombian Baked Plantains with Guava and Cheese use ripe plantains, guava paste, and cheese baked for around 25 minutes. The flavor is sweet with a warm cheesy balance. The texture stays soft with a light caramelized edge. These plantains offer a comforting appetizer that stands out.
Get the Recipe: Colombian Baked Plantains Recipe With Guava And Cheese

Colombian Cheese Arepas

Cheese arepa on a plate with toppings.
Colombian Cheese Arepas. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Colombian Cheese Arepas combine cornmeal, cheese, and water and cook in about 15 minutes. The flavor is mild with gentle cheesy notes. The texture is crisp outside and soft inside. These arepas serve as a simple, steady starter.
Get the Recipe: Colombian Cheese Arepas

Easy Gluten Free Samosas

Golden-brown triangular samosas on a white plate.
Easy Gluten Free Samosas. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Easy Gluten Free Samosas use gluten-free wrappers, potatoes, peas, and spices baked or air fried in roughly 20 minutes. The flavor is warm with mild spice. The texture stays crisp with a soft center. These samosas bring a familiar, shareable appetizer without extra work.
Get the Recipe: Easy Gluten Free Samosas

Festive Cranberry Goat Cheese Bruschetta With Punchy Garlic And Herb Chermoula

Cranberry and pistachio crostini on a plate.
Festive Cranberry Goat Cheese Bruschetta With Punchy Garlic And Herb Chermoula. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Festive Cranberry Goat Cheese Bruschetta uses bread, goat cheese, cranberries, and herb chermoula assembled in about 10 minutes. The flavor is tangy with sweet and garlicky notes. The bread stays crisp under the topping. This appetizer brings bright flavor to the holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Festive Cranberry Goat Cheese Bruschetta With Punchy Garlic And Herb Chermoula

Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad)

Overhead view of olivier salad with two egg halves.
Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad). Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Russian Potato Salad, or Olivier Salad, combines potatoes, peas, eggs, pickles, and mayonnaise mixed in roughly 25 minutes. The flavor is mild with slight tang from the pickles. The texture stays creamy with bits of crunch. This salad offers a dependable starter that pairs with any spread.
Get the Recipe: Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad)

Smoky Baba Ghanoush Without Tahini

Baba ganoush on a plate with parsley and lemon.
Smoky Baba Ghanoush Without Tahini. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Smoky Baba Ghanoush Without Tahini uses roasted eggplant, garlic, lemon, and spices blended in about 10 minutes. The flavor is smoky with a fresh citrus finish. The texture stays smooth and thick. This dip adds a warm, simple option for the appetizer table.
Get the Recipe: Smoky Baba Ghanoush Without Tahini

The Ultimate Middle Eastern Appetizer Platter

A tray of nuts and a container of natural delights.
The Ultimate Middle Eastern Appetizer Platter. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

The Ultimate Middle Eastern Appetizer Platter brings together dips, vegetables, bread, and spreads assembled in about 15 minutes. The flavor varies from tangy to savory depending on each component. The textures range from crisp to creamy. This platter encourages easy grazing at the start of the night.
Get the Recipe: The Ultimate Middle Eastern Appetizer Platter

Tofu And Sundried Tomato Stuffed Mushrooms

Tofu And Sundried Tomato Stuffed Mushrooms. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Tofu and Sundried Tomato Stuffed Mushrooms use mushrooms, tofu, herbs, and sundried tomatoes baked in around 20 minutes. The flavor is savory with mild tomato brightness. The texture stays soft with a slight bite from the filling. These mushrooms offer a simple but flavorful appetizer.
Get the Recipe: Tofu And Sundried Tomato Stuffed Mushrooms

Fried Marinated Tofu

A bowl of soup with a spoon in it.
Fried Marinated Tofu. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Fried Marinated Tofu combines tofu, soy sauce, spices, and a light coating pan-fried or air fried in about 15 minutes. The flavor is savory with a little crispness. The texture stays firm with a golden edge. This appetizer gives a quick protein-forward option for gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Fried Marinated Tofu

Roasted Lemon Potatoes, Broccoli And Peppers

Roasted vegetables and lemon slices on a baking sheet, with a spoon and small bowls on the side.
Roasted Lemon Potatoes, Broccoli And Peppers. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Roasted Lemon Potatoes, Broccoli and Peppers use vegetables, lemon juice, and olive oil roasted in about 30 minutes. The flavor is bright with mild caramelization. The texture stays crisp-tender. This mix offers a dependable warm starter.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Lemon Potatoes, Broccoli And Peppers

Antipasto Christmas Tree

A festive tree-shaped arrangement made of assorted vegetables and cheeses is topped with a star-shaped cheese. It includes olives, cherry tomatoes, bocconcini, and is decorated with sprigs on a dark background.
Antipasto Christmas Tree. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Antipasto Christmas Tree arranges meats, cheeses, olives, and vegetables onto a skewer tree assembled in about 20 minutes. The flavor varies from salty to tangy. The textures range from crisp to soft. This appetizer presents familiar ingredients in a fun, shareable way.
Get the Recipe: Antipasto Christmas Tree

Roasted Carrot Hummus

A bowl of hummus topped with spicy red sauce and pieces of chickpeas and carrots, garnished with parsley. The bowl is placed on a wooden board with a partially visible sprig of herbs and flatbread nearby.
Roasted Carrot Hummus. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Roasted Carrot Hummus blends roasted carrots, chickpeas, lemon, and spices processed in around 15 minutes. The flavor is lightly sweet with warm earthiness. The texture stays smooth and thick. This hummus provides a colorful dip for any appetizer spread.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Carrot Hummus

Cranberry Dip With Pomegranates and Pistachio

A platter with whipped cheese topped with pomegranate seeds, pistachios, apple slices, and crackers.
Cranberry Dip With Pomegranates and Pistachio. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Cranberry Dip with Pomegranates and Pistachio mixes cream cheese, cranberries, nuts, and pomegranate seeds stirred together in about 10 minutes. The flavor is gently sweet with tangy fruit and nutty bites. The texture stays creamy with occasional crunch. This dip adds bright color and simple flavor to the table.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Dip With Pomegranates and Pistachio

Pomegranate Pistachio Whipped Feta

Toasted bread slices topped with creamy cheese, pomegranate seeds, and chopped pistachios.
Pomegranate Pistachio Whipped Feta. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Pomegranate Pistachio Whipped Feta blends feta, yogurt, pomegranate seeds, and pistachios into a dip ready in about 15 minutes. The flavor is tangy with light sweetness. The texture stays smooth with crunchy bits. This dish offers a refreshing option for starting the night.
Get the Recipe: Pomegranate Pistachio Whipped Feta

Aruk, Iraqi Style Latkes

A plate of golden-brown fritters topped with creamy dip and chopped green onions, with more dip in the background.
Aruk, Iraqi Style Latkes. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Aruk, Iraqi Style Latkes combine potatoes, herbs, eggs, and spices pan-fried in about 20 minutes. The flavor is savory with herb notes. The texture stays crisp outside and soft inside. These latkes make a flavorful, warm appetizer.
Get the Recipe: Aruk, Iraqi Style Latkes

Greek Turkey Meatballs with Feta

Meatballs with creamy white sauce, pita bread, and fresh dill on a gray plate, with a lemon wedge nearby.
Greek Turkey Meatballs with Feta. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Greek Turkey Meatballs with Feta mix turkey, feta, herbs, and breadcrumbs baked in roughly 20 minutes. The flavor is savory with mild tang from the cheese. The texture stays firm but tender. These meatballs give a protein-forward starter that appeals to many.
Get the Recipe: Greek Turkey Meatballs with Feta

Quick Pickled Eggplant

A bowl of pickled eggplant slices with garlic and spices.
Quick Pickled Eggplant. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Quick Pickled Eggplant uses eggplant, vinegar, garlic, and spices and pickles in a few hours. The flavor is tangy with mild earthiness. The texture stays soft without being mushy. This appetizer adds acidity that balances richer dishes.
Get the Recipe: Quick Pickled Eggplant

Christmas Wreath Charcuterie Board

23 Holiday Appetizers That Start the Night Strong
Christmas Wreath Charcuterie Board. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Christmas Wreath Charcuterie Board arranges meats, cheeses, fruit, and crackers into a wreath shape assembled in about 20 minutes. The flavor depends on the items chosen, ranging from salty to sweet. The textures vary from crisp to creamy. This board starts the night strong with easy sharing and variety.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Wreath Charcuterie Board

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