Oh, Christmas Eve – that magical night when the house smells like pine and cinnamon, and everyone gathers in the kitchen, sneaking bites before dinner! These Christmas Eve appetizers are my go-to every year because they’re ridiculously easy but look (and taste!) like you spent hours in the kitchen. Just a few simple ingredients – cream cheese, puff pastry, and whatever fillings you love – transform into these golden, flaky bites that disappear faster than you can say “Santa’s coming!” Trust me, I’ve seen my nieces and nephews gobble them up while “helping” wrap last-minute gifts. They’re the perfect starter for your holiday feast or a tasty treat to keep everyone happy while the main course finishes cooking.
Why You’ll Love These Christmas Eve Appetizers
Let me tell you why these little bites of heaven have become my must-make every holiday season:
- They’re ridiculously easy – I’m talking 15 minutes of prep time! Perfect when you’re juggling presents, guests, and that last-minute grocery run.
- Crowd-pleasing magic – The combination of flaky pastry, melty cheese and bacon? Forget about it. I’ve never seen a tray last more than 10 minutes at parties!
- Perfect Christmas Eve appetizers – They feel fancy but won’t stress you out. I can prep the filling while sipping eggnog and singing along to carols.
- Endless variations – Swap the bacon for ham, add some jalapeños for kick, or go vegetarian. My sister swaps in caramelized onions and mushrooms – so good!
- Make-ahead friendly – Assemble them early, then pop in the oven when guests arrive. The smell alone will make everyone gather ’round the kitchen!
Ingredients for Christmas Eve Appetizers
Here’s what you’ll need to make these irresistible holiday bites (and yes, I’ve learned these measurements by heart after making them every year!):
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened – Leave it out for at least 30 minutes. I learned the hard way that cold cream cheese makes lumpy filling!
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese – Sharp cheddar gives the best flavor punch in my opinion.
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions – I use kitchen scissors to snip them right into the bowl – less cleanup!
- 1/4 cup cooked and crumbled bacon – Cook it extra crispy so it stays crunchy in the bites.
- 1 tsp garlic powder – Trust me, it boosts all the other flavors beautifully.
- 1 package puff pastry sheets, thawed – Keep it in the fridge overnight or on the counter for 40 minutes.
- 1 egg, beaten – Just a quick whisk for that gorgeous golden shine.
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
No bacon? No problem! Here’s how I mix it up:
- Swap bacon for diced ham or even pepperoni – my kids love the pizza version!
- For vegetarians, try sun-dried tomatoes or sautéed mushrooms.
- Out of cheddar? Any melty cheese works – I’ve used gouda with amazing results.
- Leftover filling keeps 2 days in the fridge – just give it a stir before using.
How to Make Christmas Eve Appetizers
Okay, let’s get these little holiday miracles baking! I’ll walk you through each step just like I do with my sister every year – with plenty of “oohs” and “ahhs” along the way.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Trust me, you want that oven nice and hot before the pastry goes in – it makes all the difference in getting that perfect puff!
- While the oven heats, mix your filling in a medium bowl. I use a wooden spoon to blend the cream cheese, cheddar, green onions, bacon, and garlic powder until it’s smooth and dreamy. No fancy mixer needed here!
- Roll out your puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. I cut mine into 2-inch squares using a pizza cutter – so quick! Pro tip: keep the other sheet chilled while you work with the first one.
- Fill ’em up! Place about a teaspoon of filling in the center of each square. Resist the urge to overstuff – I learned this the messy way when my first batch burst open!
- Fold and seal each square into a triangle. Press the edges firmly with a fork – this creates those cute crimped edges and keeps all that cheesy goodness inside where it belongs.
- Brush with egg wash using a pastry brush (or your fingers in a pinch). This gives them that beautiful golden glow that makes everyone reach for seconds.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes until they’re puffed and golden brown. I always set my timer for 15 minutes then peek – oven temps can vary!
- Serve warm and watch them disappear. The flaky layers and melty center are absolute magic straight from the oven.
Tips for Perfect Christmas Eve Appetizers
After years of making these (and a few hilarious mishaps), here are my golden rules:
- Less is more with the filling – about a teaspoon per square keeps them from bursting.
- Really seal those edges well – I press twice with the fork just to be safe.
- Rotate your baking sheet halfway through for even browning.
- Let them rest 2 minutes before serving – that cheese filling is lava-hot!
Serving Suggestions for Christmas Eve Appetizers
These little bites shine all on their own, but here’s how I make them extra festive for our Christmas Eve spread:
- Arrange them on a platter with sprigs of fresh rosemary – looks like mini Christmas trees!
- Serve with a side of warm marinara or cranberry sauce for dipping – the sweet-tart combo is divine.
- Pair with sparkling cider or mulled wine – the bubbly cuts through the rich, cheesy goodness perfectly.
- Add a small bowl of extra crumbled bacon for my bacon-obsessed nephew to sprinkle on top.
Storing and Reheating Christmas Eve Appetizers
Here’s the scoop on keeping these tasty bites fresh – because let’s be honest, leftovers rarely happen at my house! If you do have extras (miraculously), pop them in an airtight container once cooled. They’ll stay delicious for 2 days at room temperature, but I often stash them in the fridge if it’s warm in the kitchen. When you’re ready to revive them, skip the microwave – it makes the pastry soggy. Instead, reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5-7 minutes until they’re crisp and warm again. That first bite will still give you that magical flaky crunch!
Christmas Eve Appetizers Nutritional Information
Here’s the skinny on these indulgent bites (because let’s be honest, we’re not counting calories on Christmas Eve!): Each appetizer has about 120 calories, with 8g fat and 3g protein. Remember, these are estimates – your exact numbers might vary based on brands or how generously you stuff those pastries. I always say one (or three) won’t hurt during the holidays! If you are interested in learning more about general nutritional guidelines, you can check out resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Over the years, I’ve gotten all sorts of questions about these Christmas Eve appetizers – here are the ones that come up most often at our family gatherings:
Can I make these ahead of time?
Absolutely! I often assemble them in the morning, keep them chilled on the baking sheet, then pop them in the oven when guests arrive. The pastry might not puff quite as dramatically, but they’ll still taste amazing.
Can I freeze them?
You bet! Freeze unbaked triangles on a tray first, then transfer to a bag. Bake straight from frozen, adding 2-3 extra minutes. My freezer always has a batch ready for unexpected holiday visitors!
What if I don’t have puff pastry?
No worries – crescent roll dough works in a pinch! Just press the seams together well before cutting into squares. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious.
How do I keep them warm for a party?
I set my oven to 200°F (95°C) and keep them on a baking sheet inside. They’ll stay perfect for about an hour while you enjoy your guests!
Share Your Christmas Eve Appetizers
I’d love to hear how your holiday bites turned out! Snap a photo of your golden creations and tell me – did you stick with bacon or try a fun twist? Tag me in your kitchen adventures so I can see your Christmas Eve magic!
Print
15 Irresistible Christmas Eve Appetizers That Steal the Show
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 24 appetizers 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious and easy Christmas Eve appetizers to impress your guests. These bite-sized treats are perfect for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- 1/4 cup cooked and crumbled bacon
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 package puff pastry sheets, thawed
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a bowl, mix cream cheese, cheddar cheese, green onions, bacon, and garlic powder.
- Roll out puff pastry sheets and cut into 2-inch squares.
- Place a small spoonful of the cheese mixture in the center of each square.
- Fold the pastry over to form a triangle and seal the edges with a fork.
- Brush each triangle with beaten egg for a golden finish.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes until puffed and golden.
- Serve warm.
Notes
- You can substitute bacon with ham or omit for a vegetarian version.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Reheat in the oven for best texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 appetizer
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: Christmas appetizers, holiday snacks, easy party food