Of all the things that can cause brows to furrow during the holidays, feeding friends and family shouldn’t be one of them! Stress about getting gifts, wrapping them, cleaning the house and prepping for guests—but don’t let planning and cooking a meal add to your worries. Easy Christmas appetizers can save you from hosting headaches and ensure that no guest ever goes hungry. Tasty bites that can be made ahead of time, these punchy morsels are just the thing to turn any gathering into a memorable event!
Few things feel as festive as a room full of family and friends. But, while everyone is chatting, reminiscing and catching up, that last thing you want is to be stuck in the kitchen! This year, gift yourself the luxury of serenity by crafting a menu of hearty, delicious snacks that can be prepped before the big day.
Dishes made with Success® Rice, Quinoa or Pearl Couscous, combine ease and reliability with the type of big, bold flavors that define the season. Heary mouthfuls that put chips and dip to shame, these can be stored in the fridge or freezer, then quickly warmed up when visitors arrive. They also offer the type of variety that guests deserve. From light, vegetarian nibbles to decadent snacks made for December revelry, these cover all the bases.
Tired of shying away from holiday hosting? Make this your most festive year yet with easy appetizers for Christmas that will delight everyone in the room—including you! Simple to assemble and store in advance, tempting and irresistible, these are the time-saving appetizers you’ll want to make now, and for years to come.
Rice Appetizers
Set out trays of these warm, cheesy Success® boil-in-bag white rice finger foods, and you’ll likely stop several conversations in their tracks! Golden and crisp, begging to be dunked in zippy red currant sauce, these pair with any style of get-together, from lavish to lazy. Best of all? Store these in the freezer early in the season, and they’ll be party ready in just 15 minutes.
Cheesy Appetizer Spread
Expecting a full house? Make a few batches of this crowd-pleasing dish, then store them in the fridge for up to three days. The day of the party, simply pop each dip in the microwave, serve warm and gooey with plenty of pita chips and crackers, and wait for the compliments to come rushing your way! Cheesy and savory, with spinach, seasoned cream cheese and Success® boil-in-bag quinoa, this recipe is a must-have on any party prep plan.
Italian Spinach Rice Balls
Add a touch of elegance to any event with these tempting Italian nibbles. Two-bite morsels made with spinach, cheese-laced Success® boil-in-bag basmati rice and sun-dried tomatoes, these are simple yet sophisticated. Save time by serving these with your favorite jarred marinara sauce.
Cheesy Jalapeño Quinoa Cakes with Aioli
Snacks that keep guests energized— thanks to their peppy bite and considerable protein content—these vegetarian quinoa cakes are also a breeze to prepare. Take a break from wrapping and decorating to make a batch of these easy starters. When company arrives, simply reheat them in a warm oven until heated through, crunchy and delicious.
Nam Khao
Welcome guests with these aromatic, savory appetizers, and they’ll immediately know they’re in for a great time! A portable take on the popular Asian staple, this one finds a slew of fresh, fragrant ingredients—including Success® boil-in-bag jasmine rice, seasoned pork, coconut and curry paste—crafted into perfect party tidbits.
Quinoa Salmon Cakes
As a light meal or convenient passed party hors d’oeuvre, these quinoa cakes always delight! Herby and nutty, with the buttery sweetness of salmon, they feel fancy but couldn’t be easier to whip up. For easier snacking, make them bite sized. You can also cut down on the prep time by subbing in tinned salmon for fresh.
Kale Pesto Stuffed Mushroom
Whole-grain Success® boil-in-bag brown rice will be the life of the party when served in these zesty bites! Made with tender mushrooms, homemade pesto, rice and cheese, these are a plant-based option every guest can enjoy. Missing the meat? Make a separate batch with cooked sausage in the filling.
Crispy Rice with Spicy Shrimp Salad
Despite its eye-catching looks, this dish is easier to execute than you might think. Far from complicated, it’s a simple combo of toasted Success® boil-in-bag sticky rice cakes and scrumptious marinated shrimp. Prep both elements ahead of time, then quickly assemble these knock-out starters just before serving.
Baked Asian Salmon Cups
Making a list of easy Christmas appetizer finger foods? It won’t be complete without these unique little numbers! Boasting all of the flavors of sushi, with the added texture of crisp nori, these dainty cups really have it all. Success® boil-in-bag jasmine rice adds layers of fragrance to each bite.
Biko Filipino Sticky Rice Cake
A dish for the sweet-toothed folks in the crowd, this one beautifully rounds out any menu of savory snacks. Sticky, tropical and impossible to resist, these coconut and Success® boil-in-bag sticky rice treats are an unexpected find on any holiday cookie platter.
