20 Delicious Christmas Finger Food Ideas

Planning a Christmas party or casual New Year’s Eve get-together this year? You’ll need party-friendly grub that’s simple to make and easy for your guests to eat. So, let’s dive into this delicious selection of Christmas finger food ideas.

What are Christmas finger foods?

Finger foods are small, bite-sized snack foods that are eaten by hand and can be easily consumed whilst networking and socializing at events. They are often served at parties or other social gatherings where a sit-down meal is too formal and you want a casual, relaxed atmosphere. 

Ideal finger foods should be:

• Easy to eat with one hand
• Not messy to eat (i.e. no drips or crumbs)
• Small enough to eat within a few mouthfuls
• Able to be eaten without cutlery 

Also known as appetizers or canapes, finger food is often handed out by the host or laid out on presentation tables for guests to help themselves to, whilst still mingling at social events and parties. Different types of finger foods include morning tea/afternoon tea finger food, party appetizers, wedding canapes, and Christmas finger food. 

Best Christmas finger food ideas

Christmas finger foods can be homemade, bought ready-made, or frozen, and a combination of all of these will make your Christmas party easy to plan and offers some variety for your guests. Get some inspiration this festive season with our list of the best Christmas finger food ideas.

1. Turkey, cranberry, and brie puffs

These pastry bites are delicious, with the turkey, cranberry, and cheese delivering a mouthwatering contrast of tastes. Prepare your pastry puff shells however you usually do, then fill with some cooked turkey, a small slice of brie, then some cranberry sauce. Sprinkle on some thyme and bake until golden.

2. Pigs in blankets

This Christmas finger food idea is always a firm favorite—pigs in blankets. Bake some frozen franks in a blanket, or if you want homemade, try a little twist on the traditional by using beef sausages. Wrap bacon around beef cocktail sausages and serve them with tomato salsa dipping sauce.

3. Watermelon and goats cheese bites

Cut out rounds from watermelon slices and top with goat’s cheese and mint. For a little extra pizzazz, make a dressing of crushed red onion, olive oil, red wine vinegar, chopped toasted pistachios, and pomegranate seeds, and drizzle a little on before adding the cheese and mint.

4. Halloumi in blankets

Everyone will love this twist on the traditional Christmas finger food. Spread half rashers of bacon with pesto, place 1 basil leaf and 1 piece of halloumi on one end, roll up, and hold in place with a toothpick. Drizzle with olive oil and bake until bacon is golden. 

5. Crumbed stuffed olives

Take some stuffed green olives, cover them in flour, coat in egg and panko breadcrumbs, and deep fry for a couple of minutes. Feta stuffed green olives work really well this way.

6. Cheese platter

Cheese platters are always a hit. For a Christmas finger food idea that’s super quick to throw together, grab a cheese party tray, arrange the cheese slices on a serving platter, and serve with a selection of crackers, hummus, and chutneys.

7. Cucumber bites

Chop thick cucumber slices—thick enough to hollow out the middle. Then fill the hollow with feta, smashed avocado, chives, and lemon juice.

8. Topped crostini

For quick gourmet-style finger food ideas, top crostini with baby rocket leaves, slices of rockmelon, prosciutto, and sliced almonds. 

9. Antipasto platter

A deliciously diverse antipasto platter will impress your guests. Find a large serving platter and arrange on it any of the following: prosciutto or salami slices, baked brie, marinated fetta, pumpkin hummus dip, beetroot dip, zucchini ribbons, cherry or grape tomatoes, asparagus, kalamata olives, stuffed green olives, melon balls, and cherry bocconcini.

10. Brie and cranberry pull-apart cobs

These cheesy and herby rolls will be an instant hit at your Christmas party, and they’re so easy to create. Take some sourdough rolls and cut a diamond pattern into the top. Combine cream cheese with garlic, thyme, and sage, and spread the mixture all over the cut side of the rolls. Stuff pieces of brie and cranberry sauce into the cuts and bake until cheese is golden.

11. Broccoli bites with blue cheese dipping sauce

Bake some broccoli bites, arrange on a dish, and serve with a creamy, tangy blue cheese sauce to dip them in.

12.  Loaded parsnip chips

Cut some parsnips into wedges, drizzle with olive oil and some herbs and spices, and bake until golden. Melt some shredded cheese on top, then sprinkle over chopped avocado, tomato, and coriander.

13. Cheeseburger meatballs

This is kid-friendly finger food, although the adults will love these, too. Top cooked meatballs with a slice of your favorite cheese and a halved cornichon pickle. Serve with tomato dipping sauce.

14. Classic canapes

Using cocktail skewers, try creating some classic canapes for your guests such as:

• Bocconcini, basil, and cherry tomato
• Strips of prosciutto wrapped around melon balls with a mint leaf in the middle
• Brie cut into wedges, coated with chopped dill, and threaded on skewers with small pieces of smoked salmon

15. Chicken sausage rolls with honey mustard 

Using your favorite frozen puff pastry, mix chicken sausagemeat with wholegrain mustard, dijon mustard, honey, and breadcrumbs and arrange in your pastry sheets to form rolls. Bake until golden and serve hot.

16. Three cheese Arancini

These bite-size cheesy delights are perfect finger food for gatherings. Cheese arancini are melt-in-the-mouth delicious and served with plum sauce or fig chutney.

17. Shrimp and lime tartlets

Using frozen tart pastry shells, spoon a little aioli into the bottom of each shell, and place 3 cooked shrimp inside each one. Drizzle with remaining aioli, lime, and serve.

18. Mince Pies

The classic mince pie is the ultimate Christmas finger food. Bake them (or buy them ready-made), arrange them on a dish, and serve with a ramekin of custard for dipping.

 19. Ice cube tray cheesecakes

Mix and divide up a cheesecake biscuit base into ice cube trays, pour over the prepared cheesecake mixture, and then refrigerate until set. Lift out, and you have delicious individual mini cheesecakes your guests will love. 

20. Mini pavlovas

These sweet treats are so versatile, once you have the mini meringue nests, you can change up the filling to whatever you have on hand. Dollop some thickened whipped cream on each mini meringue nest and drizzle with passionfruit pulp or top with strawberries and chocolate curls.

Christmas party food planning

Christmas is about spending the holidays with the ones you love, surrounded by delicious food and drink and festive cheer. But it’s not always so much fun trying to plan your Christmas food and party ideas.

Save yourself some time and effort these holidays and shop for your Christmas food groceries through Instacart. Get convenient, same-day delivery on all of your Christmas finger food items, snacks, and party supplies.

Grab it now on Instacart:

Pepperidge Farm Frozen Shells Pastry Dough (6 ct)

Cuisine Adventures Franks In A Blanket (33 oz)

Shepherds Goat Cheese, Chevre, Plain (3.5 oz)

Alambra Halloumi Cheese From Sheep's Milk (8.8 oz)

Stuffed Green Olives With Feta Cheese (per lb)

Lowes Foods Cheese Slices, Party Tray (28 each)

Crostini (1 each)

Simply Enjoy Pumpkin Hummus (10 oz)

Veggie Patch Broccoli Bites, with Real Cheddar Cheese (10 oz)

Parsnip Bag (1 each)

Signature SELECT Arancini, Three Cheese (12 each)

Arctic Shores Shrimp, Cooked, Extra Large (16 oz)

Walkers Shortbread Luxury Mince Pies (13.1 oz)

Enticingly Easy Classic Cheesecake Mix (2.15 oz)

David Lumbroso Mini Meringues (85 g)

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