Russian Food

25 Holiday Appetizers That Carry the Early Part of Night

25 Holiday Appetizers That Carry the Early Part of Night

The early part of the night sets the tone, when people are hungry, talking, and reaching for something solid before dinner settles in. These appetizers show up with familiar flavors, dependable textures, and enough substance to keep things moving comfortably. They are easy to nibble, simple to share, and steady enough to hold attention without stealing the spotlight. Each one earns its place by keeping the table active and the mood relaxed.

25 Holiday Appetizers That Carry the Early Part of Night
Pomegranate Christmas Cheese Ball. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Mexican-Style Black Bean Hummus

A bowl of refried beans topped with chopped tomatoes, diced onions, fresh parsley, and a lime wedge sits on a wooden board. Tortilla pieces and lime slices are visible nearby.
Mexican-Style Black Bean Hummus. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Mexican-Style Black Bean Hummus is a creamy, savory dip made with black beans, tahini, lime, garlic, and warm spices. It takes about 15 minutes to prepare using pantry ingredients and a food processor. The flavor is earthy, lightly smoky, and gently tangy. Served with chips or vegetables, it gives guests something satisfying to start the night.
Get the Recipe: Mexican-Style Black Bean Hummus

Cheese Bourekas

A close-up of golden, sesame-topped pastry triangles on a tray, served with fresh tomato halves and a sliced boiled egg.
Cheese Bourekas. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Cheese Bourekas are flaky pastries filled with a savory cheese mixture and baked until golden. They take about 40 minutes to prepare using puff pastry, cheese, and eggs. The taste is rich, salty, and comforting without being heavy. Easy to grab and eat, they keep people lingering near the appetizer table.
Get the Recipe: Cheese Bourekas

Labneh Dip with Olives

A bowl of whipped labneh topped with green olives, olive oil, slivered almonds, and herbs, surrounded by fresh parsley leaves.
Labneh Dip with Olives. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Labneh Dip with Olives is a thick, tangy spread made with strained yogurt, olive oil, and briny olives. It takes about 10 minutes to assemble once the labneh is ready. The flavor is creamy, salty, and clean. Paired with bread or vegetables, it feels steady and familiar early in the evening.
Get the Recipe: Labneh Dip with Olives

Avocado and Passion Fruit Tuna Carpaccio

Slices of raw fish topped with diced avocado are arranged on a blue plate, with slices of lime and whole passion fruits visible in the background.
Avocado and Passion Fruit Tuna Carpaccio. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Avocado and Passion Fruit Tuna Carpaccio is a light appetizer featuring raw tuna, ripe avocado, and bright passion fruit. It takes about 20 minutes to prepare using fresh seafood and fruit. The taste is clean, fresh, and lightly tangy. Served in small portions, it keeps the opening of the night feeling balanced and calm.
Get the Recipe: Avocado and Passion Fruit Tuna Carpaccio

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 are tender meatballs made with ground turkey, herbs, and salty feta cheese. They take about 35 minutes to cook using simple, familiar ingredients. The flavor is savory with a mild tang from the cheese. Easy to serve warm or room temperature, they anchor the early spread.
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 is a tangy appetizer made with eggplant, vinegar, garlic, and herbs. It takes about 30 minutes to prepare and marinate lightly. The taste is bright, slightly acidic, and savory. Served alongside bread or cheese, it adds balance without overwhelming the table.
Get the Recipe: Quick Pickled Eggplant

Air Fryer Eggplant

Sliced roasted eggplant garnished with fresh parsley on a white plate.
Air Fryer Eggplant. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Air Fryer Eggplant features sliced eggplant cooked until tender and lightly crisp. It takes about 25 minutes using olive oil, seasoning, and an air fryer. The flavor is mild, savory, and softly caramelized. Easy to snack on, it gives guests something warm and grounding right away.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Eggplant

Mexican Cucumber Salad Recipe (Ensalada de Pepino)

Sliced avocado and red onion salad topped with herbs and spices on a white plate.
Mexican Cucumber Salad Recipe (Ensalada de Pepino). Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Mexican Cucumber Salad is a fresh dish made with cucumbers, lime juice, chili, and salt. It takes about 10 minutes to prepare with no cooking required. The flavor is crisp, tangy, and lightly spicy. It refreshes the palate while still keeping the table active early on.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Cucumber Salad Recipe (Ensalada de Pepino)

Baked Brie with Figs

Baked cheese dish with figs, herbs, and nuts in a black bowl.
Baked Brie with Figs. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Baked Brie with Figs is a warm appetizer featuring soft brie cheese and sweet figs. It takes about 20 minutes to bake using minimal ingredients. The flavor is creamy, lightly sweet, and rich. Served warm, it naturally draws people in at the start of the night.
Get the Recipe: Baked Brie with Figs

Date Snickers

Chocolate-covered candies with a peanut butter filling, topped with crushed nuts, in a box lined with parchment paper.
Date Snickers. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Date Snickers are bite-sized snacks made with dates, nut butter, and chocolate. They take about 15 minutes to assemble with no baking required. The taste is sweet, nutty, and familiar. Easy to grab and eat, they keep energy up early in the gathering.
Get the Recipe: Date Snickers

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 is a creamy spread made with cranberries, cream cheese, nuts, and fruit. It takes about 20 minutes to prepare using fresh and pantry ingredients. The flavor is tangy, slightly sweet, and textured. It gives guests a bold but approachable option at the start.
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 is a smooth dip made with feta cheese, yogurt, nuts, and fruit. It takes about 15 minutes to whip together. The taste is salty, creamy, and lightly sweet. Served with crackers or bread, it holds attention without feeling heavy.
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 are herb-filled fritters made with potatoes, scallions, and spices. They take about 30 minutes to cook using simple ingredients. The flavor is savory, fragrant, and familiar. Crisp on the outside, they are easy to pass around early in the night.
Get the Recipe: Aruk, Iraqi Style Latkes

Pomegranate Christmas Cheese Ball

25 Holiday Appetizers That Carry the Early Part of Night
Pomegranate Christmas Cheese Ball. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Pomegranate Christmas Cheese Ball is a festive appetizer made with cream cheese, herbs, and fresh pomegranate seeds. It takes about 25 minutes to assemble and chill briefly. The flavor is creamy, slightly tangy, and fresh. It sits comfortably at the center of an appetizer spread.
Get the Recipe: Pomegranate Christmas Cheese Ball

Argentinian Empanadas

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

Argentinian Empanadas are hand-held pastries filled with savory vegetable or protein fillings. They take about 60 minutes to prepare and bake using dough and spiced fillings. The flavor is hearty, savory, and satisfying. Easy to hold, they help carry guests through the opening stretch.
Get the Recipe: Argentinian Empanadas

Asparagus And Ricotta Tart

Baked asparagus and ricotta tart.
Asparagus And Ricotta Tart. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Asparagus And Ricotta Tart is a baked dish made with flaky pastry, ricotta cheese, and tender asparagus. It takes about 45 minutes to bake and slice. The flavor is mild, creamy, and gently savory. Served in small pieces, it keeps the table moving smoothly.
Get the Recipe: Asparagus And Ricotta Tart

Baked Brie With Peaches, Pecans, Herbs And Honey

A person is dipping a piece of bread into a bowl of peach and pecan dip.
Baked Brie With Peaches, Pecans, Herbs And Honey. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Baked Brie With Peaches, Pecans, Herbs And Honey is a warm cheese dish layered with fruit and nuts. It takes about 25 minutes to prepare and bake. The taste is creamy, lightly sweet, and nutty. It encourages lingering bites during the early part of the night.
Get the Recipe: Baked Brie With Peaches, Pecans, Herbs And Honey

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 is a warm appetizer made with salty feta and sweet toppings. It takes about 20 minutes to bake using simple ingredients. The flavor balances sweet and savory in an approachable way. Served warm, it holds interest without overwhelming guests.
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 are flaky pastries filled with seasoned mushrooms. They take about 45 minutes to prepare using puff pastry and mushrooms. The taste is savory, earthy, and comforting. Easy to pick up, they support steady grazing early on.
Get the Recipe: Classic Mushroom Bourekas Recipe

Homemade Air Fried Cheese Curds

Close up on cheese curds on plate.
Homemade Air Fried Cheese Curds. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Homemade Air Fried Cheese Curds are bite-sized cheese snacks cooked until crisp on the outside. They take about 25 minutes using cheese, breading, and an air fryer. The flavor is salty, mild, and familiar. Served warm, they disappear quickly at the start of the night.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Air Fried Cheese Curds

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 is a display of meats, cheeses, olives, and vegetables arranged for sharing. It takes about 30 minutes to assemble with no cooking required. The flavor varies from salty to mild and tangy. It gives guests plenty to choose from early in the evening.
Get the Recipe: Antipasto Christmas Tree

Christmas Wreath Charcuterie Board

A charcuterie board with heart-shaped cheese topped with pomegranate seeds, surrounded by sliced strawberries, blueberries, grapes, assorted cheeses, crackers, and pine boughs.
Christmas Wreath Charcuterie Board. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Christmas Wreath Charcuterie Board is a grazing board made with cheese, fruit, nuts, and cured meats. It takes about 25 minutes to arrange using ready-to-serve ingredients. The taste ranges from creamy to savory and sweet. It keeps guests comfortably occupied before dinner begins.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Wreath Charcuterie Board

Argentinian Empanada Dough

A baking tray with seven golden-brown pastry turnovers, likely empanadas, on a sheet of parchment paper. The pastries appear freshly baked, with slightly crispy edges, resting on a rustic, worn metal tray.
Argentinian Empanada Dough. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Argentinian Empanada Dough is a tender pastry dough used for savory filled turnovers. It takes about 30 minutes to prepare using flour, fat, and water. The flavor is mild and buttery once baked. It supports fillings well, making it reliable for early appetizers.
Get the Recipe: Argentinian Empanada Dough

Mexican Baked Feta in Morita Recaudo Salsa

A ceramic baking dish with roasted cherry tomatoes, two slabs of baked feta cheese topped with black pepper, and a spoon scooping a portion of the soft cheese and tomato mixture.
Mexican Baked Feta in Morita Recaudo Salsa. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Mexican Baked Feta in Morita Recaudo Salsa is a warm dip made with feta cheese and smoky chili salsa. It takes about 25 minutes to bake using bold but familiar ingredients. The taste is salty, smoky, and slightly spicy. Served with bread or chips, it anchors the opening spread.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Baked Feta in Morita Recaudo Salsa

Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board

Cheese, grapes, berries, nuts, and herbs arranged in the shape of a Christmas tree, with string lights.
Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board is a festive arrangement of cheeses, meats, fruit, and crackers. It takes about 30 minutes to assemble without cooking. The flavors are balanced and approachable for a wide group. It keeps the early part of the night relaxed and social.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board

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