100+ Healthy Holiday Appetizer Recipes + Cocktail Party Menu Planning Tips

Bookmark (or Pin) this collection of 100+ Healthy Holiday Appetizer Recipes and refer back to these tips for planning a cocktail party menu.  Our family loves appetizers, so for the holidays, we graze on appetizers in the afternoon before dinner. Our schedule shifts later and later into the day, so breakfast becomes brunch, and dinner is often served later, so appetizers are the perfect way to tied everyone’s appetites over until then. Whether you’re looking for little nibbles, dips, spreads or more substantial appetizers, there’s something for everyone in this collection of healthy holiday appetizer recipes.

Pictured top to bottom, left to right: Black Bean, Pomegranate and Avocado Salsa (Two Peas and Their Pod), Coconut Shrimp with Thai Chili Ginger Sauce (Joyful Healthy Eats), Spicy Tuna Avocado Cucumber Appetizers with Pickled Ginger (Jeanette’s Healthy Living), Caprese Bites (Cooking On The Front Burners), Thai Chicken Skewers with Sweet and Spicy Chili Sauce (Jeanette’s Healthy Living), Mediterranean Stuffed Mushrooms (Aggie’s Kitchen), Fresh Basil Hummus (The View From Great Island), Prosciutto Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Goat Cheese (Jeanette’s Healthy Living), Kalamata Olive & Goat Cheese Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes (Tasty Yummies), Satay Beef Skewers with Peanut Sauce (Jeanette’s Healthy Living), Roasted Shrimp Cocktail (Jeanette’s Healthy Living), Endive Stuffed with Old Bay Crab Salad (Jeanette’s Healthy Living), Falafel-Spiced Roasted Chickpeas (An Edible Mosaic), Roasted Red Pepper Hummus (A Cedar Spoon)

(Updated to include more appetizer recipes for the holiday season)

I have to admit that appetizers are my favorite part of the meal, whether we’re eating at a restaurant or going to a holiday party. I just love being able to taste little bites of this and that. In fact, I’d rather eat a bunch of appetizers than eat a whole meal. The only problem with appetizers during the holiday season is that they’re often very rich, so the calories and fat start adding up quickly.

So, to help with holiday menu planning, whether you’re throwing a holiday party or just entertaining your own family, I’ve put together an enormous list of healthier, light holiday appetizers. I’ve categorized this huge list into Nibbles, Finger Foods, Skewered and Stuffed Appetizers, Bean Dips and Hummus, and Salsas Spreads and More to make it easier  to pick and choose your favorites.

Cocktail Party Menu Planning Tips

How Much Food To Make For A Cocktail Party

I’m always worried I won’t have enough food, so here are a couple of tips for how much food to make for a cocktail party:

• Make 5-6 different appetizers
• Choose 3-4 appetizers that can be made ahead of time and either served cold, room temperature, can be easily reheated or assembled last minute
• Include a few dips or a cheese platter that can be placed out as soon as guests arrive while you attend to last minute details
• Count on 8-10 bites per person (e.g., For a party of 10, that means 80-100 bites total. So, if you’re making 5 appetizers, make 16-20 pieces of each appetizer, erring on the side of more rather than less
• Put out a few bowls of nuts and nibbles (Trader Joe’s has a nice assortment of spiced nuts if you don’t want to make your own)

Tips For Organizing A Cocktail Party

• Write down the menu and print out the recipes
• Test all the recipes ahead of time (my family loved eating appetizers for dinner as I was testing out recipes for our cocktail party)
• Jot down any garnishes you want to include with the appetizers (e.g., lemon slices for Roasted Shrimp Cocktail platter, banana leaves to line the platter for Thai Chicken Skewers, chopped chives and red bell peppers for Endive Stuffed with Old Bay Crab Salad)
• Make a shopping list and shop a few days before the event (you will almost always have last minute items to pick up, but try to get most of the shopping out of the way earlier)
• Take out serving platters the day before
• Write down a schedule of what needs to be done the day before and the day of the party, and anything that needs to be done right before the party.  I’m a little anal, so I even write down what needs to be done hour by hour the day of the party, backing up from the time the party starts.

Sample Cocktail Party Menu

• Spicy Tuna Avocado Cucumber Bites with Pickled Ginger – tuna seared ahead of time; cucumber rounds cut ahead of time; sauces made ahead of time; assembly done last minute
• Roasted Shrimp Cocktail – shrimp roasted ahead of time; sauce made ahead of time
• Thai Chicken Skewers with Sweet and Spicy Chili Sauce – chicken marinated the night before; sauce made ahead of time; grilled on panini press last minute
• Thai Beef Satay with Peanut Sauce – chicken marinated the night before; sauce made ahead of time and reheated; grilled on panini press last minute
• Endive Stuffed with Old Bay Crab Salad – endive separated into leaves ahead of time and kept refrigerated in container using paper towels between layers; crab salad made ahead of time; assembled right before guests arrived; replenished throughout party
• Prosciutto Wrapped Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates with Balsamic Vinegar Glaze – assembled ahead of time and refrigerated; removed from refrigerator 1/2 hour before guests arrived
• A snack tray with veggies, assorted nuts, cheese cubes, and other little nibbles

Take a look around and let me know if you try any of these recipes. I know I’ll be referring to it through the New Year.

Appetizer Nibbles

Pictured left to right, top to bottom: Honey Mustard Roasted Cashews (The Law Student’s Wife), Warm Rosemary Olives (The Kitchen is my Playground), Falafel-Spiced Roasted Chickpeas (An Edible Mosaic)

1. Prosciutto Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Goat Cheese, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
2. Chili Spiced Almonds, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
3. Falafel-Spiced Roasted Chickpeas, An Edible Mosaic
4. Honey Mustard Roasted Cashews, The Law Student’s Wife
5. Warm Rosemary Olives, The Kitchen is my Playground
6. Rosemary and White Pepper Almonds, Seasonal and Savory
7. Crunchy Seeded Crackers, Karen’s Kitchen Stories
8. Baked Pita Chips with Za’atar, The Lemon Bowl
9. Garlic Parmesan Yellow Squash Chips, Diethood
10. Herb Marinated Feta, Tasting Page
11. Baked Crispy Sweet Potato Fries, Petite Allergy Treats
12. Breaded Zucchini Fries, Petite Allergy Treats

Finger Food Appetizers

Pictured left to right, top to bottom: Spicy Tuna Bites (Food Faith Fitness), Caprese Bites (Cooking On The Front Burners), Coconut Shrimp with Thai Chili Ginger Sauce (Joyful Healthy Eats)

1. Spicy Tuna Wonton Cups, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
2. Easy Asian Salmon Cucumber Appetizers, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
3. Spicy Tuna Avocado Cucumber Appetizers with Pickled Ginger, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
4. Spicy Ahi Tuna Avocado Tartare Bites, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
5. Roasted Old Bay Shrimp, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
6. Roasted Shrimp Cocktail, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
7. The Best Spanish Garlic Shrimp, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
8. Red Curry Meatballs with Vietnamese Dipping Sauce, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
9. Za’atar Meatballs, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
10. Assorted Tartines, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
11. Pink Salmon Quinoa Patties, The Bitter Side of Sweet
12. Spicy Tuna Bites, Food Faith Fitness
13. Zucchini, Tapenade & Feta Bites, Cook The Story
14. Crispy Millet Pancakes with Smoked Salmon, Cook The Story
15. Garlicky Red Quinoa Patties with Mango Black Bean Salsa, An Edible Mosaic
16. Spinach and Feta Quinoa Bites, Aggie’s Kitchen
17. Red Lentil Patties with Spicy Tomato Jam, Crumb
18. Coconut Shrimp with Thai Chili Ginger Sauce, Joyful Healthy Eats
19. Caprese Bites, Cooking On The Front Burners
20. Spicy Barbecue Beer Shrimp, American Heritage Cooking
21. Crab Puffs, Seasonal and Savory
22. Southwestern Sweet Potato Rounds, A Cedar Spoon
23. Roasted Cauliflower Bruschetta, Well Plated
24. Sweet Potato Bites, Well Plated
25. Mini Caprese Polenta Pizzas, Cupcakes and Kale Chips
26. Butternut Squash Pomegranate Goat Cheese Crostini, Cupcakes and Kale Chips
27. Easy Grilled Polenta with Fresh Mozzarella and Balsamic Tomatoes, Two Healthy Kitchens (with indoor broiler option)
28. Mini Hummus & Roasted Pepper Phyllo Bites, Cookin’ Canuck
29. Skinny Pesto Pizza Crostini, Cookin’ Canuck
30. Skinny Coconut Shrimp, Skinnytaste
31. Shrimp Salad on Cucumber Slices, Skinnytaste

Stuffed and Skewered Appetizers

Pictured left to right, top to bottom: Greek Salad Skewers (Karen’s Kitchen Stories), Mediterranean Stuffed Mushrooms (Aggie’s Kitchen), Party Animals (The View From Great Island)

1. Bacon Dust Everything Bagel Deviled Eggs, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
2. Marinated Mozzarella Balls, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
3. Thai Chicken Skewers with Sweet and Spicy Chili Sauce, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
4. Satay Beef Skewers with Peanut Sauce, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
5. Assorted Skewered Party Appetizers, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
6. Endive Stuffed with Old Bay Crab Salad, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
7. Mediterranean Stuffed Mushrooms, Aggie’s Kitchen
8. Vegan Grain-Free Stuffed Mushrooms, Tasty Yummies
9. Gluten-Free Stuffed Mushrooms, Rhubarb and Honey
10. Spinach & Goat Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms, Joyful Healthy Eats
11. Mini Prosciutto and Melon Cups, Cook The Story
12. Cheese Cup Appetizers, Simply Sated
13. Kalamata Olive & Goat Cheese Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes, Tasty Yummies
14. Zucchini Salsa Cups, Petite Allergy Treats
15. Wild Sardine and Grapefruit Salad in Endive Cups, Seasonal and Savory
16. Heavenly Deviled Eggs, Renee’s Kitchen Adventures
17. Party Animals, The View From Great Island
18. Apricot Canapés with Goat Cheese, Almonds and Rosemary, Cook The Story
19. Greek Salad Skewers, Karen’s Kitchen Stories
20. Mini Caprese Salad Skewers, Karen’s Kitchen Stories
21. Guacamole Deconstructed & Skewered, Tasting Page
22. Christmas Mini-Skewers, Gimme Some Oven

Bean Dips and Hummus

Pictured top to bottom, left to right: Hummus Dip with Kalamata Olives and Capers (Jeanette’s Healthy Living), Fresh Basil Hummus (The View From Great Island), Roasted Red Pepper Hummus (A Cedar Spoon)

1. Smoky Sun-Dried Tomato Roasted Red Pepper Hummus, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
2. Hummus Dip with Kalamata Olives and Capers, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
3. Sweet Potato Hummus, The Kitchen is my Playground
4. Hummus with Jalapeno and Lime, Food Faith Fitness
5. Edamame Dip, Aggie’s Kitchen
6. Italian Cannellini Hummus with Basil and Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Two Healthy Kitchens
7. Ginger-Miso Edamame Spread, Crumb
8. Roasted Red Pepper Hummus, A Cedar Spoon
9. Jalapeno Cilantro Hummus, Renee’s Kitchen Adventures
10. Maple Walnut Sweet Potato Hummus, Cupcakes and Kale Chips
11. Spinach Parmesan White Bean Dip, Cupcakes and Kale Chips
12. Fresh Basil Hummus, The View From Great Island
13. Chestnut Hummus, Busy In Brooklyn
14. Healthy White Bean Dip, Yummy Healthy Easy
15. Spinach Artichoke White Bean Dip with Feta, Tasty Yummies
16. Eggplant and White Bean Dip, The Lemon Bowl
17. Sriracha Butternut Squash Hummus, Farm Fresh Feasts
18. Spicy Sriracha White Bean Dip, White On Rice Couple

Salsas, Spreads and More Dips

Pictured top to bottom, left to right: Black Bean, Pomegranate and Avocado Salsa (Two Peas and Their Pod), Smoked Salmon Dip (An Edible Mosaic), Cowboy Caviar (From Valerie’s Kitchen)

1. Cranberry Apple Chutney Pecan Brie Appetizer, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
2. Cranberry Pistachio Mint Goat Cheese Appetizer, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
3. Crab Avocado Tomato Basil Appetizer with Wasabi Soy Dressing, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
4. Skinny Hot Spinach and Artichoke Dip, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
5. Warm Artichoke and Hearts of Palm Dip, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
6. Greek Feta Yogurt Dip, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
7. Roasted Red Pepper and Walnut Dip, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
8. A Healthier Crab Dip, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
9. Black Bean, Pomegranate and Avocado Salsa, Two Peas and Their Pod
10. Creamy Avocado Yogurt Dip, Two Peas and Their Pod
11. Goat Cheese Spread with Roasted Tomatoes, The Creekside Cook
12. Tomato, Garlic and Basil Bruschetta, Karen’s Kitchen Stories
13. Harvest Sweet Potato Salsa, Farm Fresh Feasts
14. Butter Chicken Dip & Homemade Naan Bread, Food Faith Fitness
15. Smoked Salmon Dip, An Edible Mosaic
16. Healthy Roasted Garlic and Chive Cottage Cheese Crema, An Edible Mosaic
17. Festive Greek Dip, Neighborhood Food
18. Corn, Edamame and Quinoa Dip, Two Healthy Kitchens
19. Black Eye Pea and Three Pepper Salsa, The Domestic Front
20. Creamy Roasted Corn Avocado Dip, Petite Allergy Treats
21. Homemade French Onion Dip, Crumb
22. Roasted Red Pepper and Walnut Dip, Seasonal and Savory
23. Roasted Red Pepper and Feta Dip, Tasty Yummies
24. Creamy Dill Greek Yogurt Dip, A Cedar Spoon
25. Guilt-Free Jalapeno Artichoke Dip, Dizzy Busy and Hungry
26. Cowboy Caviar, From Valerie’s Kitchen
27. Roasted Garlic Chive Dip, Dinners Dishes and Desserts
28. Skinny Avocado Dip, Yummy Healthy Easy

What are your favorite healthy holiday appetizers? Do you have any cocktail party menu planning tips you’d like to share?

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