50 Appetizers for Dinner Ideas & Menus

❤️ My Christmas Menu, plus how to plan "apps for dinner" & make it great!

Dec 19, 2024

Hi hi!

With the results of last week’s poll showing a lot of love for appetizers for dinner, I want to share my top tips and a big list of ideas to help you plan or round out your Christmas and New Year’s celebration menus.

Because whether you’re hosting a small gathering or feeding a crowd, having appetizers for dinner is always a good idea.

Here are my top tips for planning your “Apps for Dinner” menus, along with a big list of ideas to help make it wonderful for everyone at your gathering. You can read the full post here, and I’ve included all the ideas in this email in case you want to save or star it for quick access in the future.

Top Tips to Plan Appetizers for Dinner

Use Ina Garten’s “Buy 2, Prep 2, Cook 2” Rule: Ina's simple and stress-free approach to entertaining aims to balance homemade dishes with high-quality store-bought items. The goal is to enjoy the gathering and make a beautiful meal without overworking yourself. You can always add a third item to any category to expand the meal if needed.
Balance Texture, Flavor & Nutrition: I aim for at least 1 crunchy thing, 1 thing that's creamy, 1-2 things vegetable-forward, and 1-2 things protein-based. Also, be sure to balance sweet and savory. Appetizers tend to be on the savory side, so add one dish on the sweet side, whether it's a drizzle of honey on cheese, goat cheese stuffed dates, or a simple fruit plate.
Determine how much food you'll need:
- 8-10 pieces total per person for a light dinner (especially if it’s a more casual grazing night). That's about 1-2 of each appetizer per person if you have 6 options using the "Buy 2, Prep 2, Cook 2" Rule.
- For a more substantial spread, where appetizers are the dinner, there should be 10-14 pieces total per person. That's about 2-3 pieces of each appetizer per person if you make 6 dishes using the "Buy 2, Prep 2, Cook 2" Rule.

Grab a pen and paper and write:
1. Buy 2
2. Prep 2
3. Cook 2
Use the big lists below to add your favorites to each section. Then choose 2-3 for each category.
Check your options. Make sure there is variety with:
1. A few protein-based options to keep people full
2. Something with crunch or crisp (a parmesan crisp on the deviled eggs, crostini, crackers, nuts or toasted breads, crunchy veggies)
3. Something with tang (a squeeze of lemon on the shrimp or dip, a dash of vinegar, or some tangy mustard or dipping sauce). Also check that at least one thing is naturally sweet (fruit, honey, dates, etc).
4. Something creamy (this one is usually easiest when it comes to apps (hello cheesy dips!), so I’m usually double checking the “crunch, crisp, and tang” as the creamy takes care of itself.)

Remember, when planning appetizers for dinner, you want a mix of textures (crunchy, creamy, crispy), flavors (savory, sweet, tangy), and colors to make the table look as good as it tastes. Prep as much as you can ahead of time so you can enjoy the evening, too.

Example Menu

Here's an example of what I'm going to serve this Christmas. I have given you lists of a lot more options below!

Buy 2: Shrimp Cocktail & Brie in Puff Pastry

Keep it simple with ready-to-serve, crowd-pleasing items:

Shrimp Cocktail with a Twist
- Buy chilled cooked shrimp, a fresh lemon, and a jar of the best cocktail sauce you can find.
- Place the shrimp in a bowl, with a slightly larger bowl filled with ice underneath to keep it cold.
- Pro Tip for the Cocktail Sauce: Set out 2 small bowls of cocktail sauce—add a heaping spoonful of prepared horseradish to one for a spicy version. Label them so guests know which is which! Add 3rd bowl for the shrimp tails and place lemon slices around the shrimp.
Baked Brie in Puff Pastry with Fig Jam
- While homemade is great, places like Costco, Whole Foods, or your local grocery store often have a ready-to-bake brie wrapped in puff pastry.
- Pro Tip: It often needs more time in the oven than the package suggests to fully melt the cheese—don’t be afraid to give extra time to get melty. Lower the oven temp or cover it if it browns too quickly.
- Serve it warm on a wooden cutting board with crackers or sliced baguette for scooping.

Prep 2: Goat Cheese Dip & Smoked Salmon on Cucumber

A little assembly goes a long way here:

Creamy Goat Cheese Dip
- Whip up Goat Cheese Dip and serve with crostini, pita chips, or fresh veggies that have crunch like cucumber, carrots, and bell pepper slices.
Smoked Salmon on Cucumber Rounds
- Make my Elegant Smoked Salmon Appetizer, or top thick cucumber slices with a dollop of crème fraîche or herbed cream cheese. Add a piece of smoked salmon and finish with a sprinkle of fresh dill and cracked black pepper. Elegant, fresh, and festive.

Elegant Healthy Smoked Salmon Appetizer Elizabeth Rider

Cook 2: Deviled Eggs & Stuffed Mushrooms

These classic dishes bring everything together:

Deviled Eggs
- A classic for good reason! For a festive touch, sprinkle with smoked paprika or top with crispy prosciutto or crispy parmesan crackers for that crispy bite.
- Pro Tip: Check out my post on 6 ways to make deviled eggs for extra inspiration.

Spiral Ham with Rolls, Mustards, and Pickles
- If you’re feeding a larger crowd or want a more substantial holiday meal, a high-quality spiral ham is the perfect centerpiece. It comes pre-cooked, so all you need to do is wrap, optionally glaze, and heat it.
- Arrange it on a big platter with soft rolls, at least 2-3 types of mustards (like Dijon, honey mustard, and grainy mustard), and an assortment of pickles (cornichons, bread & butter pickles, etc.).
- Let everyone build their own mini ham sandwiches—it’s easy, fun, and feeds a crowd.

If ham is too much for your gathering or you want something vegetarian, consider stuffed mushrooms instead.

Prep ahead where you can, set everything out, and enjoy the evening with your guests.

Here’s a big list for you to use and save for inspiration: