18 Last-Minute No-Cook Holiday Appetizers

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Published on December 24, 2023

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Winter Charcuterie Board

When time is running short and the festivities are in full swing, these last-minute no-cook appetizers are designed to help you spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the holiday cheer with your loved ones. From quick dips like our Avocado Hummus to delightful cheese boards like our Winter Charcuterie Board, these stress-free, no-cook options guarantee a memorable and delicious celebration.

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Winter Charcuterie Board

Winter Charcuterie Board

A cheeseboard is an ideal stationary hors d'oeuvre for holiday entertaining. Select a variety of cheeses, making sure to include an aged variety, a creamy cheese, a blue cheese and perhaps a smoked cheese. Round out the platter with cold cuts, bread, an abundance of seasonal fruits, dried fruit, crudité, nuts and olives. We even included some dark chocolate to cap it off!

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Pear-Pecan Cheese Ball

Pear-Pecan Cheese Ball

Sweet pear, salty Cheddar cheese and crunchy nuts make this healthy cheese ball recipe an alluring holiday treat. Serve with an array of crudités and crisp party crackers.

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Chunky Black Bean Salsa with Corn & Bell Pepper

chunky black bean salsa with corn & bell pepper — Fred Hardy

This TikTok-trending, veggie-packed salsa gets inspiration from Texas caviar (aka cowboy caviar), a dish created in 1940 to ring in the New Year by Helen Corbitt, who was a chef at Neiman Marcus. Scoop it up with tortilla chips or try it as a topping for grilled meat or fish, or as a filling for a quick quesadilla.

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Chocolate-Peppermint Energy Balls

These festive no-cook energy balls have all the flavors you love in peppermint-chocolate bark but in healthy snack form. Whip up a batch for an office or after-school treat, or take them along to a holiday cookie swap. The recipe is easily doubled or even tripled. Be sure to store the bites at room temperature rather than the refrigerator--the moisture from the fridge will melt the candy cane coating.

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Savory Date & Pistachio Bites

A touch of sweetness from the dates and raisins paired with crunch and nuttiness from the pistachios make these bites perfect for an on-the-go snack or as an accompaniment on a cheese board.

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Avocado Hummus

This vibrant green hummus recipe couldn't be easier—just toss a few ingredients in the food processor and whir away! Aquafaba (the liquid from a can of chickpeas) and avocado make this healthy dip extra smooth and creamy. Serve with veggie chips, pita chips or crudités.

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Candy Cane Beet & Goat Cheese Board

Candy Cane Beet & Goat Cheese Board — Ali Redmond

This festive and easy appetizer is a colorful addition to any holiday spread. If you can find precooked beets, they help save time. The honey balances the richness of the goat cheese and the earthiness of the beets, while candied pecans add a satisfying crunch.

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Date Wraps

Sweet dates and salty prosciutto combine in a tasty bite.

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Zesty Avocado Black Bean Dip

Perfect for game day, this fiber-rich dip is a surefire crowd-pleaser to serve with crudités or tortilla chips. It requires little prep time and is ready to serve immediately.

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Za'atar-Spiced Chickpea Dip

Za'atar-Spiced Chickpea Dip — Greg Dupree

Labneh—a thick and tangy strained cow's-milk yogurt—adds creamy richness to this layer dip featuring salty feta and olives. Serve with pita chips for dipping.

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Caprese Skewers

Tomato-Basil Skewers — Photographer / Jen Causey, Food Stylist / Emily Nabors Hall

We take all the ingredients of a classic caprese salad and layer them onto skewers for a quick appetizer. These tomato-mozzarella-basil skewers are easy to assemble and perfect for a party.

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Apricot, Prosciutto & Parmesan Bites

Apricot, Prosciutto & Parmesan Bites — Jamie Vespa, M.S., R.D.

These 3-ingredient apricot, Parmesan and prosciutto bites are as simple to make as they look, and they taste even better. Simply layer each ingredient on top of the other and secure with a toothpick for an easy bite-size starter.

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Jalapeño Cheese Ball

Jalapeño Cheese Ball

Serve this spiced jalapeño cheese ball with tortilla chips or use it as a spread for your next burrito.

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Smoked Gouda & Giardiniera Charcuterie Sticks

Smoked Gouda & Giardiniera Charcuterie Sticks — Jacob Fox

Crunchy pickled vegetables pair perfectly with creamy Gouda with a hint of smoke.

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Cheddar-Apple Cracker Bites

a recipe photo of the Cheddar-Apple Cracker Bites

This easy recipe comes together in just 5 minutes, making it a quick snack or appetizer. The sweetness of the Fuji balances well with the cheddar, but you can use another variety of apple if you prefer. This recipe calls for 3 thin apple slices per cracker, but feel free to use just one if you’re craving a more cheesy bite.

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Olive Tapenade

Olive Tapenade — Eric Wolfinger

Head to the olive bar at your grocery store to get a mix of brined and oil-cured olives for more complex flavor. Moroccan (Beldi), Kalamata, Niçoise and Castelvetrano make a nice combo.

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Dill Pickle Dip

a recipe photo of the Dill Pickle Dip served with veggies, chips, and pretzels — Photographer: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Ali Ramee, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

If you're a dill pickle lover, this dip recipe is calling your name. It uses both dill pickles and their pickle juice that would normally languish in a jar in your fridge or get tossed. The fresh zing from actual dill makes this dip perfect to serve with veggie chips or straight-up veggies that have been lightly blanched and chilled. Did we mention it's excellent for party platters?

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Everything Bagel Cheese Ball

Everything Bagel Cheese Ball

This is not your grandma's cheese ball. It has all the flavor of an everything bagel without all the carbs and with just 3 ingredients! Want to emphasize the bagel taste? Serve it with bagel chips and some raw veggies for dipping to keep things healthy.

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