100+ Healthy Holiday Appetizer Recipes + Cocktail Party Menu Planning Tips (2024)

by Jeanette 20 Comments

Bookmark (or Pin) this collection of 100+ Healthy Holiday Appetizer Recipes and refer back to these tips forplanninga cocktail party menu. Our family loves appetizers, so for the holidays, we graze on appetizers in the afternoon before dinner. Our schedule shifts later and later into the day, so breakfast becomes brunch, and dinner is often served later, so appetizers are the perfect way to tied everyone’s appetites over until then. Whether you’re looking for little nibbles, dips, spreads or more substantial appetizers, there’s something for everyone in this collection of healthy holiday appetizer recipes.

100+ Healthy Holiday Appetizer Recipes + Cocktail Party Menu Planning Tips (1)

Pictured top to bottom, left to right:Black Bean, Pomegranate and Avocado Salsa(Two Peas and Their Pod),Coconut Shrimp with Thai Chili Ginger Sauce(Joyful Healthy Eats),Spicy Tuna Avocado Cucumber Appetizerswith Pickled Ginger(Jeanette’s Healthy Living),Caprese Bites(Cooking On The Front Burners),Thai Chicken Skewers with Sweet and Spicy Chili Sauce(Jeanette’s Healthy Living),Mediterranean Stuffed Mushrooms(Aggie’s Kitchen),Fresh Basil Hummus(The View From Great Island), Prosciutto Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Goat Cheese (Jeanette’s Healthy Living), Kalamata Olive & Goat Cheese Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes(Tasty Yummies), Satay Beef Skewers with Peanut Sauce(Jeanette’s Healthy Living),Roasted Shrimp Cocktail(Jeanette’s Healthy Living),Endive Stuffed with Old Bay Crab Salad(Jeanette’s Healthy Living),Falafel-Spiced Roasted Chickpeas(An Edible Mosaic),Roasted Red Pepper Hummus(A Cedar Spoon)

I have to admit that appetizers are my favorite part of the meal, whether we’re eating at a restaurant or going to a holiday party. I just love being able to taste little bites of this and that. In fact, I’d rather eat a bunch of appetizers than eat a whole meal. The only problem with appetizers during the holiday season is that they’re often very rich, so the calories and fat start adding up quickly.

So, to help with holiday menu planning, whether you’re throwing a holiday party or just entertaining your own family, I’ve put together an enormous list of healthier, light holiday appetizers. I’ve categorized this huge list into Nibbles, Finger Foods, Skewered and Stuffed Appetizers, Bean Dips and Hummus, and Salsas Spreads and More to make it easier to pick and choose your favorites.

Cocktail Party Menu Planning Tips

How Much Food To Make For A Cocktail Party

I’m always worried I won’t have enough food, so here are a couple oftips for how much food to makefor a cocktail party:

  • Make 5-6 different appetizers
  • Choose 3-4 appetizers that can be made ahead of time and either served cold, room temperature, can be easily reheated or assembled last minute
  • Include a few dips or a cheese platter that can be placed out as soon as guests arrive while you attend to last minute details
  • Count on 8-10 bites per person (e.g., For a party of 10, that means 80-100 bites total. So, if you’re making 5 appetizers, make 16-20pieces of each appetizer, erring on the side of more rather than less
  • Put outa few bowls of nuts and nibbles(Trader Joe’s has a nice assortment of spiced nuts if you don’t want to make your own)

Tips For Organizing ACocktail Party

  • Write down the menu and print out the recipes
  • Test all the recipes ahead of time (my family loved eating appetizers for dinner as I was testing out recipes for our cocktail party)
  • Jot down any garnishes you want to include with the appetizers (e.g., lemon slices for Roasted Shrimp Cocktailplatter, banana leaves to line the platterfor Thai Chicken Skewers, chopped chives and red bell peppers for Endive Stuffed with Old Bay Crab Salad)
  • Make a shopping list and shop a few days before the event (you will almost always have last minute items to pick up, but try to get most of the shopping out of the way earlier)
  • Take out serving platters the day before
  • Write down a schedule of what needs to be done the day before and the day of the party, and anything that needs to be done right before the party. I’m a little anal, so I even write down what needs to be done hour by hour the day of the party, backing up from the time the party starts.

Sample Cocktail Party Menu

  • Spicy Tuna Avocado Cucumber Biteswith Pickled Ginger – tuna seared ahead of time; cucumber rounds cut ahead of time; sauces made ahead of time; assembly done last minute
  • Roasted Shrimp Cocktail – shrimp roasted ahead of time; sauce made ahead of time
  • Thai Chicken Skewers with Sweet and Spicy Chili Sauce – chicken marinated the night before; sauce made ahead of time; grilled on panini press last minute
  • Thai Beef Satay with Peanut Sauce – chicken marinated the night before; sauce made ahead of time and reheated; grilled on panini press last minute
  • Endive Stuffed with Old Bay Crab Salad – endive separated into leaves ahead of time and kept refrigerated in container using paper towels between layers; crab salad made ahead of time; assembled right before guests arrived; replenished throughout party
  • Prosciutto Wrapped Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates with Balsamic Vinegar Glaze – assembled ahead of time and refrigerated; removed from refrigerator 1/2 hour before guests arrived
  • A snack tray with veggies, assorted nuts, cheese cubes, and other little nibbles

100+ Healthy Holiday Appetizer Recipes + Cocktail Party Menu Planning Tips (2)

Take a look around and let me know if you try any of these recipes. I know I’ll be referring to it through the New Year.

Appetizer Nibbles

100+ Healthy Holiday Appetizer Recipes + Cocktail Party Menu Planning Tips (3)

Pictured left to right, top to bottom:Honey Mustard Roasted Cashews(The Law Student’s Wife),Warm Rosemary Olives(The Kitchen is my Playground),Falafel-Spiced Roasted Chickpeas(An Edible Mosaic)

100+ Healthy Holiday Appetizer Recipes + Cocktail Party Menu Planning Tips (4)

  1. Prosciutto Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Goat Cheese, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
  2. Chili Spiced Almonds, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
  3. Falafel-Spiced Roasted Chickpeas, An Edible Mosaic
  4. Honey Mustard Roasted Cashews, The Law Student’s Wife
  5. Warm Rosemary Olives, The Kitchen is my Playground
  6. Rosemary and White Pepper Almonds, Seasonal and Savory
  7. Crunchy Seeded Crackers, Karen’s Kitchen Stories
  8. Baked Pita Chips with Za’atar, The Lemon Bowl
  9. Garlic Parmesan Yellow Squash Chips, Diethood
  10. Herb Marinated Feta, Tasting Page
  11. Baked Crispy Sweet Potato Fries, Petite Allergy Treats
  12. Breaded Zucchini Fries, Petite Allergy Treats

Finger Food Appetizers

100+ Healthy Holiday Appetizer Recipes + Cocktail Party Menu Planning Tips (5)

Pictured left to right, top to bottom:Spicy Tuna Bites(Food Faith Fitness),Caprese Bites(Cooking On The Front Burners),Coconut Shrimp with Thai Chili Ginger Sauce(Joyful Healthy Eats)

100+ Healthy Holiday Appetizer Recipes + Cocktail Party Menu Planning Tips (6)

  1. Spicy Tuna Wonton Cups, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
  2. Easy Asian Salmon Cucumber Appetizers, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
  3. Spicy Tuna Avocado Cucumber Appetizers with Pickled Ginger, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
  4. Spicy Ahi Tuna Avocado Tartare Bites, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
  5. Roasted Old Bay Shrimp, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
  6. Roasted Shrimp Cocktail, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
  7. The Best Spanish Garlic Shrimp, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
  8. Red Curry Meatballs with Vietnamese Dipping Sauce, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
  9. Za’atar Meatballs, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
  10. Assorted Tartines, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
  11. Pink Salmon Quinoa Patties, The Bitter Side of Sweet
  12. Spicy Tuna Bites, Food Faith Fitness
  13. Zucchini, Tapenade & Feta Bites, Cook The Story
  14. Crispy Millet Pancakes with Smoked Salmon, Cook The Story
  15. Garlicky Red Quinoa Patties with Mango Black Bean Salsa, An Edible Mosaic
  16. Spinach and Feta Quinoa Bites, Aggie’s Kitchen
  17. Red Lentil Patties with Spicy Tomato Jam, Crumb
  18. Coconut Shrimp with Thai Chili Ginger Sauce, Joyful Healthy Eats
  19. Caprese Bites, Cooking On The Front Burners
  20. Spicy Barbecue Beer Shrimp, American Heritage Cooking
  21. Crab Puffs, Seasonal and Savory
  22. Southwestern Sweet Potato Rounds, A Cedar Spoon
  23. Roasted Cauliflower Bruschetta, Well Plated
  24. Sweet Potato Bites, Well Plated
  25. Mini Caprese Polenta Pizzas, Cupcakes and Kale Chips
  26. Butternut Squash Pomegranate Goat Cheese Crostini, Cupcakes and Kale Chips
  27. Easy Grilled Polenta with Fresh Mozzarella and Balsamic Tomatoes, Two Healthy Kitchens (with indoor broiler option)
  28. Mini Hummus & Roasted Pepper Phyllo Bites, Cookin’ Canuck
  29. Skinny Pesto Pizza Crostini, Cookin’ Canuck
  30. Skinny Coconut Shrimp, Skinnytaste
  31. Shrimp Salad on Cucumber Slices, Skinnytaste

Stuffed and Skewered Appetizers

100+ Healthy Holiday Appetizer Recipes + Cocktail Party Menu Planning Tips (7)

Pictured left to right, top to bottom:Greek Salad Skewers(Karen’s Kitchen Stories), Mediterranean Stuffed Mushrooms(Aggie’s Kitchen),Party Animals(The View From Great Island)

  1. Bacon Dust Everything Bagel Deviled Eggs, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
  2. Marinated Mozzarella Balls, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
  3. Thai Chicken Skewers with Sweet and Spicy Chili Sauce, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
  4. Satay Beef Skewers with Peanut Sauce, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
  5. Assorted Skewered Party Appetizers, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
  6. Endive Stuffed with Old Bay Crab Salad, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
  7. Mediterranean Stuffed Mushrooms, Aggie’s Kitchen
  8. Vegan Grain-Free Stuffed Mushrooms, Tasty Yummies
  9. Gluten-Free Stuffed Mushrooms, Rhubarb and Honey
  10. Spinach & Goat Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms, Joyful Healthy Eats
  11. Mini Prosciutto and Melon Cups, Cook The Story
  12. Cheese Cup Appetizers, Simply Sated
  13. Kalamata Olive & Goat Cheese Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes, Tasty Yummies
  14. Zucchini Salsa Cups, Petite Allergy Treats
  15. Wild Sardine and Grapefruit Salad in Endive Cups, Seasonal and Savory
  16. Heavenly Deviled Eggs, Renee’s Kitchen Adventures
  17. Party Animals, The View From Great Island
  18. Apricot Canapés with Goat Cheese, Almonds and Rosemary, Cook The Story
  19. Greek Salad Skewers, Karen’s Kitchen Stories
  20. Mini Caprese Salad Skewers,Karen’s Kitchen Stories
  21. GuacamoleDeconstructed & Skewered, Tasting Page
  22. Christmas Mini-Skewers, Gimme Some Oven

Bean Dips and Hummus

100+ Healthy Holiday Appetizer Recipes + Cocktail Party Menu Planning Tips (9)

Pictured top to bottom, left to right:Hummus Dip with Kalamata Olives and Capers(Jeanette’s Healthy Living),Fresh Basil Hummus(The View From Great Island),Roasted Red Pepper Hummus(A Cedar Spoon)

100+ Healthy Holiday Appetizer Recipes + Cocktail Party Menu Planning Tips (10)

  1. Smoky Sun-Dried Tomato Roasted Red Pepper Hummus, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
  2. Hummus Dip with Kalamata Olives and Capers, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
  3. Sweet Potato Hummus, The Kitchen is my Playground
  4. Hummus with Jalapeno and Lime, Food Faith Fitness
  5. Edamame Dip, Aggie’s Kitchen
  6. Italian Cannellini Hummus with Basil and Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Two Healthy Kitchens
  7. Ginger-Miso Edamame Spread, Crumb
  8. Roasted Red Pepper Hummus, A Cedar Spoon
  9. Jalapeno Cilantro Hummus, Renee’s Kitchen Adventures
  10. Maple Walnut Sweet Potato Hummus, Cupcakes and Kale Chips
  11. Spinach Parmesan White Bean Dip, Cupcakes and Kale Chips
  12. Fresh Basil Hummus, The View From Great Island
  13. Chestnut Hummus, Busy In Brooklyn
  14. Healthy White Bean Dip, Yummy Healthy Easy
  15. Spinach Artichoke White Bean Dip with Feta, Tasty Yummies
  16. Eggplant and White Bean Dip, The Lemon Bowl
  17. Sriracha Butternut Squash Hummus, Farm Fresh Feasts
  18. Spicy Sriracha White Bean Dip, White On Rice Couple

Salsas, Spreads and More Dips

100+ Healthy Holiday Appetizer Recipes + Cocktail Party Menu Planning Tips (11)

Pictured top to bottom, left to right:Black Bean, Pomegranate and Avocado Salsa(Two Peas and Their Pod),Smoked Salmon Dip(An Edible Mosaic),Cowboy Caviar(From Valerie’s Kitchen)

100+ Healthy Holiday Appetizer Recipes + Cocktail Party Menu Planning Tips (12)

  1. Cranberry Apple Chutney Pecan Brie Appetizer, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
  2. Cranberry Pistachio Mint Goat Cheese Appetizer, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
  3. Crab Avocado Tomato Basil Appetizer with Wasabi Soy Dressing, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
  4. Skinny Hot Spinach and Artichoke Dip, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
  5. Warm Artichoke and Hearts of Palm Dip, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
  6. Greek Feta Yogurt Dip, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
  7. Roasted Red Pepper and Walnut Dip, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
  8. A Healthier Crab Dip, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
  9. Black Bean, Pomegranate and Avocado Salsa, Two Peas and Their Pod
  10. Creamy Avocado Yogurt Dip, Two Peas and Their Pod
  11. Goat Cheese Spread with RoastedTomatoes, The Creekside Cook
  12. Tomato, Garlic and Basil Bruschetta, Karen’s Kitchen Stories
  13. Harvest Sweet Potato Salsa, Farm Fresh Feasts
  14. Butter Chicken Dip & Homemade Naan Bread, Food Faith Fitness
  15. Smoked Salmon Dip, An Edible Mosaic
  16. Healthy Roasted Garlic and Chive Cottage Cheese Crema, An Edible Mosaic
  17. Festive Greek Dip, Neighborhood Food
  18. Corn, Edamame and Quinoa Dip, Two Healthy Kitchens
  19. Black Eye Pea and Three Pepper Salsa, The Domestic Front
  20. Creamy Roasted Corn Avocado Dip, Petite Allergy Treats
  21. Homemade French Onion Dip, Crumb
  22. Roasted Red Pepper and Walnut Dip, Seasonal and Savory
  23. Roasted Red Pepper and Feta Dip, Tasty Yummies
  24. Creamy Dill Greek Yogurt Dip, A Cedar Spoon
  25. Guilt-Free Jalapeno Artichoke Dip, Dizzy Busy and Hungry
  26. Cowboy Caviar, From Valerie’s Kitchen
  27. Roasted Garlic Chive Dip, Dinners Dishes and Desserts
  28. Skinny Avocado Dip, Yummy Healthy Easy

What are your favorite healthy holiday appetizers? Do you have any cocktail party menu planning tips you’d like to share?

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FAQs

How do you calculate appetizers for a party? ›

You want to have enough variety so that everyone can eat something before dinner is served.
  1. 10 guests or less: serve 3 different appetizers.
  2. 10 - 20 guests: serve 5 different appetizers.
  3. 20 - 40 guests: serve 7 different appetizers.
  4. 40 guests or more: serve 9 different appetizers.

How many appetizers per person at a cocktail party? ›

If you only have an hour in between, it's safe to only have a couple different options available, totaling about six pieces per guest. If you will be longer than an hour, more is always better. Consider having four to five different options during your cocktail hour, totaling eight to ten pieces per guest.

What are the most popular finger foods for parties? ›

Easy Finger Food Recipes to Make Ahead
  1. Fried Pickles. Treat your guests to fried pickles for fun finger food ideas. ...
  2. Fried Mac and Cheese Rolls. ...
  3. Deviled Eggs. ...
  4. Honey Garlic Meatballs. ...
  5. Garlic Breadsticks. ...
  6. Salted Soft Pretzels. ...
  7. Whipped Ricotta Crostini. ...
  8. Vietnamese Spring Rolls.
2 days ago

What food should you serve at a cocktail party? ›

The Best Cocktail Party Appetizers
  • Baked Crab and Artichoke Dip. ...
  • Bacon and Date Appetizer. ...
  • Bacon Jalapeno Popper Puffs. ...
  • Chef John's Crab Rangoon. ...
  • Blue Bacon Stuffed Mushrooms. ...
  • Coconut Shrimp I. ...
  • Breaded Toasted Ravioli. ...
  • Slow Cooker Cocktail Smokies.
Feb 8, 2021

How many appetizers do I need for a party of 100? ›

Appetizers

If you're offering catered appetizers, plan for about six portions per guest. For a party of 100 guests, this adds up to roughly 600 appetizer portions.

How much food do I need to feed 100 guests? ›

How Much Food to Serve at a Party
FOODSERVE 25SERVE 100
Meats
Chicken or turkey breast8–9 pounds32–36 pounds
Fish (fillets or steaks)7-1/2 pounds30 pounds
Hamburgers6-1/2–9-1/2 pounds26–30 pounds
35 more rows
Apr 1, 2024

How many appetizers for 100 guests cocktail hour? ›

Leslie Levin Nilsson, creative director of catering company Bartleby & Sage, says, "We suggest six passed hors d'oeuvres for a wedding of 50-100 guests, seven to eight passed hors d'oeuvres for a wedding of 100-150 guests, and up to ten for very large weddings."

What's the difference between appetizers and hors d oeuvres? ›

Time Eaten: Hors d'oeuvres are typically served before the meal even begins, while appetizers tend to indicate the beginning of the meal. An hors d'oeuvre isn't considered to be part of the meal, but appetizers are usually chosen specifically to complement the following courses.

How do you plan a cocktail party menu? ›

Food – it is not necessary to serve a full meal at a cocktail party because the goal of a cocktail party is for guests to be able to go around while eating and drinking. That is why simple, finger foods like hors d' oeuvres, canapés, savory tarts, and sweets are perfect for cocktail parties.

What are the 9 types of appetizers? ›

There are nine main classifications of appetizers: canapes, chips and dip, cocktails, finger foods, fruits and vegetables, hors d'oeuvres, petite (small salads), relishes and crudite, and other.

What are good appetizers to buy for a party? ›

11 Store-Bought Appetizers Our Editors Turn To For Easy...
  • Taylor Farms Sweet Kale Chopped Salad Kit.
  • Publix Deli Chicken Breast Dip, Buffalo Style.
  • Trader Joe's Pastry Bites Feta Cheese & Caramelized Onions.
  • The Fresh Market Take & Bake Brie.
  • Publix Deli Artichoke & Spinach Dip.
Feb 19, 2023

How do you calculate appetizers? ›

In general, calculate your appetizer number to be 6 pieces for every 1 guest in attendance. When planning out your wedding timeline, take into consideration how long it will be before guests eat dinner. If you have a long intermission between the ceremony and the reception, you may want to offer more appetizers.

How many appetizers do I need for 50 guests? ›

Quantity. A good rule of thumb when working with your caterer on just how many hors d'oeuvres to choose is as follows: for 10 – 12 guests a minimum of 5 selections, 25 guests a minimum of 9 selections and for 50 guests, a minimum of 13 selections.

What is the standard rule of serving appetizers? ›

Prepare enough for your guests.

The standard rule is to serve four to six pieces for each person. Note, however, that if you are planning an evening event that does not provide a main course and only has an appetizer, you should prepare 10 to 15 pieces per person. The amount of time can also change this figure.

How many appetizers do I need for 40 people? ›

If you are serving just appetizers and not a main course, you need a selection for your guests to choose from which if it's 40, best to go with 6–8 different items. Having said that, the selection would also be from cold, room temperature to hot food items.

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