26 Christmas Snacks to Make Your Holidays Even Merrier
Tired of the family circling into the kitchen to find out when Christmas dinner will be ready? You’ve got enough to do, so why not whip up some Christmas snacks ahead of time and let everyone fend for themselves.
These 26 Christmas snacks have you covered from sweet to savory cravings. Fancy, simple, kid-friendly, or more grown up, sneak a little for yourself too and you’ll be feeling merry even before Santa drops off your gifts!
Christmas Snack Mix
Here’s a fun treat that covers all the bases. It’s sweet and salty, perfect to make ahead and toss into a bowl. Crunchy bits and chocolate go hand-in-hand for a favorite snack that you’ll likely have to refill more than twice.
There’s no baking involved, so let little hands help if you please. And if you need a last-minute gift to wrap in a tin, this Christmas snack mix will do the trick!
Oatmeal Raisin Reindeer Pops
With all those Christmas treats around, maybe you’ll want to give little ones something healthier. That’s where these oatmeal raisin reindeer pops come in.
Made with healthy ingredients including rolled oats, raisins, almonds, and coconut while paired with chocolate, these are the kind of treat you can feel good about indulging in while trying to stick to your upcoming resolutions.
Avocado Christmas Trees
You’re busy cooking up a storm but the crew needs Christmas snacks. Instead of burning yourself out, make avocado Christmas trees. Simply mash up avocado with seasonings, cut a tortilla wrap into a triangular shape, and decorate it like a tree.
Sliced grape tomatoes make keen ornaments while you can turn cheese into a start for the top with a star-shaped cutter. Fun for all ages, and delicious too!
Marinated Olives with Orange
Now for something a little more elegant. Imagine the natives getting restless while the aromas from the kitchen waft around. Cocktails in hand, wouldn’t it be lovely to have a little something to munch on for a Christmas snack?
Marinated olives in citrus juice with plenty of garlic and a little spice from crushed red pepper and you’ll have everything covered.
Cheese Ball Trio
Ok, maybe they’re cheesy, but we mean that in the best way possible. This vintage Christmas snack is one of the most elegant and easiest to serve.
With this stunning trio, you’ll use more up-to-date toppings that command attention from your Christmas snack table or by the bar.
Maple Gingerbread Popcorn
Popcorn is one of the best snacks on any day, but with a Christmas-y makeover, it’s even better. Maple syrup, cinnamon, ground ginger, and nutmeg all unite to give it that gingerbread taste, all with that epic popcorn crunch that everyone loves.
Caramelized White Chocolate Spread
With just 3 ingredients, you can slow-roast white chocolate to get it to a silky, almost caramel-esque texture that’s rich and delightful.
You’ll need to use Valrhona Ivoire’s white baking chocolate since it has the perfect amount of cocoa butter to make this championed technique work, and plenty to spread it on top of too.
Sesame-Soy Nut and Pretzel Mix
Here’s a snack that gives everyone something to do while they wait for the main event of Christmas dinner.
This addictive Christmas snack features whole-grain popcorn, whole-wheat cereal, pretzels, cashews, and those spicy wasabi peas to kick up all the flavor without as many calories as the traditional snack mix everyone loves. No need to feel guilty after eating this one.
Ham and Cheese Feuilleté
Think of it like a fancy ham and cheese, one that looks divine in a cocktail party setting but can easily work for Christmas snacks. Originally from Martha Stewart herself, you know this one has to be a crowd pleaser.
Cut it up and set it out while everyone is gathered together for an upgrade to everyone’s favorite sandwich.
Glazed Meatballs
Want to give them a fan-favorite Christmas snack without imposing on their heart health? These glazed meatballs go big with flavor but replace many of the traditional ingredients that have too much sodium with healthier swaps.
Whole-grain bulgur is used instead of breadcrumbs while the grape jelly leaves its signature sweetness. Best of all, you can set these in your slow cooker and let everyone help themselves.
Christmas Snack Platter
One of the most beautiful ways to present a snack is to make a Christmas snack platter. Think of those charcuterie boards as your canvas that you can decorate as you wish. You can make a kid-friendly version for little ones and one for the adults that has all the stuff kids say “icky” to.
Some ideas are to mix up fresh fruit with cheese, crackers, and festive snacks. Go for salty and sweet together, sprinkle on pomegranate arils, and have fun with this one that you can customize as you wish!
Tonnato Eggs
How about something a little more unusual for your Christmas snack? Tonnato eggs are the perfect solution for an upscale snack experience. If you’ve heard of creamy Italian tonnato sauce, it is made with cans of tuna in oil.
The same principle is applied here in the form of deviled eggs. Then it gets topped with capers that are fried to a crisp and brilliantly-hued salmon roe for a truly epicurean snacking experience.
Spinach Dip Puff Bites
This year, if you’re rethinking dips for Christmas snacks, you can take a fan favorite of spinach dip and make it into a hand-held puff bite.
No dunking needed, though no one will complain. Made in your muffin tin, it couldn’t be easier to please a crowd of hungry friends and family. Cream cheese, garlic, parmesan, spinach, mozzarella, Italian seasoning and just a zing of chili powder really make these disappear fast.
Crispy Lime Chips with Crab
Celebrate the season with a little seafood. This creamy crab dip is served on individual chips to keep double-dippers from causing trouble.
Made with succulent lump crab meat, the lime-flavored chips are the perfect pairing. It only takes 10 ingredients to make too, so what are you waiting for?
Bacon Wrapped Low Carb Jalapeno Poppers
Jalapeno poppers are a great Christmas snack. Sure, you can buy a box of them frozen, but it’s Christmas! This holiday deserves something homemade and special, don’t you agree?
By simply making them yourself and wrapping jalapenos stuffed with cream cheese in bacon, you’ll have one of the best Christmas snacks anywhere in town. Even the Grinch would agree!
Holiday Salsa
Salsa is always a great snack, but if you want to knock it out of the ballpark, try giving your salsa a holiday makeover.
This recipe features cream cheese with fresh cranberries, cilantro, and a nice kick from jalapeno that contrasts it in just the right way. Be ready for it to disappear in minutes because it’s THAT good!
Mini Empanadas
You know what makes a fantastic Christmas snack? Something a little exotic from Latin America. That’s where these mini empanadas come in.
Think of them as little turnovers with savory fillings. With seasoned ground beef filling, these will fly off the plate in seconds flat.
Pull-Apart Pigs in a Blanket
Why settle for regular pigs in a blanket when you can make them in a pull-apart way? This fun recipe uses ready-made pizza dough and cocktail wieners which makes it come together fast.
With a trio of dipping sauces, it will please even the pickiest snacker in your home.
Pepperoni and Asiago Pizza Pinwheels
Did someone say “pizza?” It has to be one of the most wonderful foods there is! Convert it to a Christmas snack by making pinwheels with pepperoni and asiago.
It’s so easy to make too, so if you’re looking for a way to distract everyone while you attend to things in the kitchen, you’ll love these as much as the rest of your crew does too!
Crock Pot Honey BBQ Hot Dog Bites
Christmas Day is so busy with all the cooking, the presents, the family feuds…but yet, everyone is still hungry.
If you want them to keep out of your space so you can get dinner moving along, try this slow cooker recipe with honey BBQ hot dog bites. Made with pantry staples, just dump it into your crock pot and forget about it!
Chinese Scallion Pancakes
How about something that brings street food fun right into your kitchen? Chinese scallion pancakes are a dim sum favorite food.
While they look tricky, they’re super easy to make. You can even make them ahead so that when everyone starts complaining they’re hungry, put these out. Don’t forget the dipping sauce!
Maple Sesame Almonds
If you’re having guests for Christmas that have special food considerations, this Christmas snack should be well-approved by everyone. Almonds go in the skillet with maple syrup and sesame seeds for a purely addictive and healthful snack.
It’s gluten-free and vegan, and with only 6 ingredients, you’ll only spend 10 minutes making it. Beware though…these are so good that they’ll vanish. You might want to have enough supplies on hand to make more just in case!
Olive Cocktail Penguins and Radish Mice
This is probably the cutest way to get people to eat their veggies. Adults and kids alike will adore these adorable snacks. The penguins are made with black olives, cream cheese, and carrots while the mice are made with radishes.
And yes, both are spectacularly delicious. You can make these ahead too so when everyone’s tummies start rumbling, just put them on a platter and let them have at it.
Crispy Baked Chickpeas
Chickpeas might not seem like very much of a Christmas snack. But this recipe for baking them to a crunchy crisp surely is. The secret is a light toss with truffle salt for an elegant flavoring.
These go great with plenty of cocktails. Even those sweeter, Christmas libations are a match as these will cut through the sweetness a bit and bring balance to the palate, all in a guilt-free way.
Deconstructed Guacamole
Don’t want everyone to fill up on too many chips and dips? If you serve a bowl of guacamole or a dip, you can count on that. But if you put guacamole on a skewer, you’ll satisfy their hunger pangs and still leave them with room for the big feast.
It’s avocado, cubes of feta, cherry tomatoes, and warm spices like cumin, chipotle, and sriracha to bring a flavorful burst in every bite, all on a stick!
Persian Cucumber Bites with Lox and Dill Cream Cheese
And finally, let’s end with a Christmas snack that looks and tastes opulent without stressing you out. You can make these little cucumber bites ahead to free up some of your time too.
All it takes is sliced cucumbers topped with cream cheese mixed with fresh dill and smoked salmon. The flavors are such a stunning complement to one another, and because it’s Christmas, this snack seems extra special and impressive.
About the Author
Lori Bogedin is a health and wellness writer and editor of TwigsCafe.com. She is in the restaurant business since 1999. In 2016 she was named one of the "Top Women in Business" by Northeastern Pennsylvania Business Journal.
