No-Cook Holiday Appetizers That Will Make Hosting a Breeze

Hosting, preparing and serving a multi-course meal for friends or family over the holiday season may sound stressful — but it doesn’t have to be. Sure, you’ll have to brush up on your hosting and entertaining skills; and yes, you’ll have to perfect the balancing act of giving your guests the attention they deserve while also preparing the table for the memorable meal ahead. But when you’re armed with shortcuts, you can accomplish anything. And when it comes to holiday gatherings, our favorite hosting hack is distracting guests with mouthwatering, impressive-looking appetizers that require no cooking whatsoever.

No-cook holiday appetizers are an actual godsend, especially when hosting a holiday meal for a large group. And when you’re able to have them prepped and ready to serve ahead of your guests’ arrival, even better. The best part is, the internet is brimming with no-bake holiday appetizers, from irresistible Smoked Salmon Cheese Balls to poppable Cranberry Brie Bites and almost-too-pretty-to-eat Vegan Charcuterie Christmas Wreaths.

Ahead, we’ve gathered 18 of our favorite no-cook holiday appetizer that’ll make hosting a breeze this year.

Apricot Honey Ricotta Bites

Image Credit: Reluctant Entertainer.

Bright orange apricots are the sweet base for these appetizer bites, getting filled with honeyed ricotta, then topped with balsamic drizzle and fresh basil.

Get the recipe from Reluctant Entertainer.
Goat Cheese Stuffed Sweet Peppers

Image Credit: Certified Pastry Aficionado.

Don’t forget to utilize the grocery store olive bar or the pickles section when thinking of no-cook appetizer ideas! Sweet red peppadew peppers are the base for this scrumptious starter, with goat cheese adding the tangy creaminess to keep guests going back for more.

Get the recipe from Certified Pastry Aficionado.
Hummus Ginger Cucumber Bites

Image Credit: The Lemon Bowl.

Cucumbers are a no-cook appetizer standby, and it’s always nice to have a refreshing vegan option on the table for guests. But what makes these cucumber hummus bites special is that they’re topped with zingy pieces of pickled ginger.

Get the recipe from The Lemon Bowl.
Raspberry Chipotle Cheese Balls

Image Credit: Sugar Dish Me.

What’s sweet, spicy, salty, creamy, and crunchy? These raspberry chipotle cheese balls, which you can serve with crackers or bread.

Get the recipe from Sugar Dish Me.
Cranberry Turkey Pinwheels

Image Credit: Noshing With the Nolands.

These turkey cranberry pinwheels couldn’t be easier. Spread cream cheese on some tortillas, top with turkey, dried cranberries, and chives, then roll and slice.

Get the recipe from Noshing With the Nolands.
Lemon Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus & Goat Cheese Pesto Bites

Image Credit: Food Faith Fitness.

Is it just us, or do these hummus and goat cheese pesto bites look like little Christmas trees?

Get the recipe from Food Faith Fitness.
Cranberry Brie Bites

Image Credit: Happy Foods Tube.

Considered what might be the easiest last-minute appetizer, these cranberry brie bites pile high all your favorite holiday flavors atop salty crackers.

Get the recipe at Happy Foods Tube.
Prosciutto Wrapped Pears with Arugula

Image Credit: Cook at Home Mom.

Making for one delicious bite, Cook at Home Mom’s deliciously sweet and savory Prosciutto Wrapped Pears with Arugula take mere minutes to make.

Get the recipe at Cook at Home Mom.
Honey Cranberry Walnut Cream Cheese Spread

Image Credit: Hungry Blonde.

Requiring just five ingredients (cream cheese, walnuts, dried cranberries, honey and orange zest), Hungry Blonde’s Honey Cranberry Walnut Cream Cheese Spread will soon become your new holiday appetizer go-to.

Get the recipe at Hungry Blonde.
Vegan Charcuterie Christmas Wreath

Image Credit: Daughter of Seitan.

Too many cheese recipes? No such thing — especially when the menu includes this vegan-friendly, wreath-shaped appetizer that features pitted cubed cheese, sliced vegan meats, olives, tomatoes, peppers, artichoke hearts and fresh rosemary.

Get the full recipe at Daughter of Seitan.
Caprese Skewers

Image Credit: Cooking for My Soul.

You simply can’t go wrong with this classic pairing of juicy cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, basil and sweet balsamic glaze.

Get the full recipe at Cooking for My Soul.
Cranberry Pepper Jelly Dip

Image Credit: Life with the Crust Cut Off.

Combine tart cranberry sauce with one jar of red pepper jelly, spoon atop softened cream cheese, and serve with crackers: That’s all it takes to make Life with the Crust Cut Off’s super-easy Cranberry Pepper Jelly Dip.

Get the recipe at Life with the Crust Cut Off.
Smoked Salmon Cheese Ball

Image Credit: Artzy Foodie.

Described as smoky, creamy, tangy and crunchy, this Smoked Salmon Cheese Ball — which boasts smoked salmon, plain greek yogurt, lemon juice, worcestershire sauce, green onions, pecan and cream cheese — comes together in just five minutes.

Get the recipe at Artzy Foodie.
Holiday Tree No-Cook Appetizer

Image Credit: House of Kerrs.

House of Kerrs’ no-cook Holiday Trees appetizer, which layers fresh veggies atop hummus and ricotta, is a triple-threat: It’s healthy, it’s delicious, and it’s pretty to look at.

Get the recipe at House of Kerrs.
Pumpkin Dip

Image Credit: My Baking Addiction.

Mix together cream cheese, sugar, canned pumpkin, vanilla and pumpkin pie spice; let it chill for three hours; and serve with graham crackers, apple slices and even cookies. It’s that easy.

Get the recipe at My Baking Addiction.
Prosciutto Wrapped Dates

Image Credit: Cook at Home Mom.

Skip the oven for these prosciutto-wrapped dates stuffed with blue cheese and walnuts.

Get the recipe at Cook at Home Mom.
Smoked Salmon Tartare

Image Credit: The Yellow Table.

Finely shop smoked salmon and combine with shallot, capers, dill, lemon zest, lemon juice and EVOO for a mouthwatering bite.

Get the recipe at The Yellow Table.
No-Bake Cheesecake Holiday Appetizer

Image Credit: A Beautiful Mess.

Dessert? As an appetizer? Hell, yeah! And A Beautiful Mess’ easy no-bake cheesecake is topped with a delicious cherry glaze.

Get the recipe at A Beautiful Mess.