20 Best Christmas snacks
Keep guests happy with our sweet and savoury Christmas snacks. The key to a successful holiday party is plenty of delicious finger foods, sweet treats, and more!
A good host knows the key to a successful party is having plenty of tasty snacks. And this rule applies to the holiday season as well! Whether you're hosting a big Christmas dinner or a casual get-together, having lots of delicious finger foods and canapés to share with your friends and family is a must. Luckily, we've gathered some of our favourite Christmas snacks to enjoy all season long, from healthy Christmas snack ideas to sweet treat recipe ideas, party dips to platter recipes and more. We've included both sweet and savoury options to satisfy everyone's cravings. So, just serve some Christmas drinks, and any holiday gathering will turn into a fun and festive party!
For more festive recipe inspiration, check out our Christmas recipes.
Savoury Christmas snacks
1. Baked camembert
For an irresistible last-minute crowd-pleaser, try oven-cooking or air-frying your favourite soft cheese until it turns wonderfully gooey. If you have more time on your hands, why not elevate your baked camembert by baking homemade tear & share brioche buns to be enjoyed alongside it with our baked camembert with brioche bun wreath recipe?
2. Multi-seed cheese straws
Elevate your cheese straws by coating them with the rich flavours of sesame and poppy seeds, complemented by the subtle crunch of dried onion flakes and a touch of sea salt. They are not only perfect as standalone snacks but also make a fantastic accompaniment to your favourite cocktails. Why not pair them with our spiced clementine mulled whisky or festive rum & ginger punch?
3. Leftover turkey loaded nachos
These leftover turkey-loaded nachos are a brilliant snack for Boxing Day when you’re looking for inventive ways to enjoy your leftover turkey. Topped with jalapenos, soured cream and salsa, these nachos are a great savoury snack that can be enjoyed while watching a festive film.
Check out our leftover turkey and ham recipes for more exciting ways to use up your leftovers. Also, check out our leftover potato recipes and Christmas leftovers recipes to make sure no part of Christmas dinner goes uneaten.
4. Sweet chilli-glazed pigs in blankets
These sweet chilli-glazed pigs in blankets are a delightful variation on a Christmas classic. These irresistible morsels not only serve as the perfect accompaniment to your festive turkey, but also work really well as canapés – no one can resist them.
Discover more pigs in blankets recipes, from classics to twists.
5. Christmas tree goat's cheese tart
These charming Christmas tree-shaped goat's cheese tarts are great as a veggie main, perfect for pairing with carrots and sprouts on the big day, but they also shine as a star in your buffet spread.
Discover more vegetable tart recipes, perfect for any occasion, from picnic spreads to dinner party dining.
6. Chickpea Panisse
Whip up a batch of these delectable chickpea panisse, a delightful snack hailing from France, with the simplest of ingredients – gram (chickpea) flour and olive oil. These golden treats, akin to chips, are perfect for dipping into creamy mayo. Plus, they're a versatile crowd-pleaser catering to various dietary preferences - they're healthy, vegan, gluten-free, and nut-free, making them a thoughtful addition to any gathering.
Discover more French recipes.
7. Mackerel pâté
Blend smoked mackerel with soft cheese, horseradish sauce and lemon juice to make this easy pâté. Top with a sprinkling of cayenne and serve with toast. It’s a great no-cook snack option that can be on the table in just 15 minutes.
Discover more pâté recipes, from meat and fish to smooth vegetarian parfaits.
8. Manchego & chorizo melting biscuits
Whip up a delightful batch of these irresistible manchego & chorizo biscuits to elevate your cheeseboard. With just six essential ingredients and a straightforward two-step process, you can get these on the table in under an hour.
Enjoy as part of our grazing platter, or check out more of our cheeseboard recipes for inspiration.
9. Christmas ham quesadilla with sweet pickled onions
Embrace the holiday spirit with this Christmas ham quesadilla, complete with the sweet allure of pickled onions, making it the ultimate leftover makeover. While it's perfect for repurposing your Christmas ham, don't limit your creativity; shredded turkey and a medley of leftover cheeses are fantastic alternatives, proving that a festive Boxing Day snack can be thrifty and delectable.
Discover more Boxing Day recipes, from centrepieces to more thrifty leftover repurposing recipes.
10. Pecan-stuffed dates
Savour these simple stuffed dates, making perfect canapés or post-dinner bites. They're a great option when you need to please a crowd or want to enjoy dates in a new way. These dates offer a balanced blend of sweetness and a savoury mix of shallots, garlic, breadcrumbs, pecans, and thyme. Additionally, they cater to those with health-conscious and vegan preferences.
Sweet Christmas snacks
11. Air-fryer carrot cake
Make a classic carrot cake with the help of your trusty air-fryer. Flavoured with Christmas spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, this this makes a lovely afternoon treat, try it alongside a warming hot drink like our gingerbread hot chocolate.
Check out more winter drink recipes, perfect for warming up on chilly nights.
12. Mincemeat flapjacks
Enjoy these festive mincemeat flapjacks, perfect for satisfying your seasonal cravings. They require just seven simple ingredients, most of which you probably already have in your storecupboard, and can be prepared in less than an hour. This recipe makes a big batch, so they're an ideal choice for large gatherings. Discover more ways to transform the humble oat with these flapjack recipes.
13. Microwave Christmas mug cake
Experience the delight of a Christmas cake without the fuss. Our Christmas mug cakes take just 10 minutes from start to finish, so you can make it on the spot when unexpected guests arrive. Elevate this experience by pairing them with velvety brandy butter, indulgent custard, or a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream for an extra touch of luxury.
14. Air-fryer mince pies
Save energy and effort by making these mince pies using shop-bought shortcrust pastry and your trusty air-fryer. The recipe makes eight-12 pies, ensuring you're well-prepared for any festive gathering and they can be frozen for up to two months. So, whether you wish to prepare a modest dozen or a bountiful batch, it's entirely up to you. When the time comes, pop them into the air-fryer straight from the freezer, and in just 13-15 minutes, you'll have warm, golden mince pies that taste freshly baked.
Check out more of our freezable mince pie recipes for more time-saving bakes.
15. Rum & raisin shortbread
Give the classic millionaire's shortbread a twist with our easy three-step rum and raisin traybake. Serve it at your festive gathering as a sweet and simple treat to enjoy after a hearty meal. It also makes a thoughtful gift for friends and family, conveniently delivered right to their doorstep.
Who can resist buttery shortbread, golden caramel and rich chocolate? Find more millionaire's shortbread recipes to enjoy.
16. Chestnut profiteroles
Bring the wow factor to your Christmas spread with these spectacular profiteroles filled with chestnut purée. While the recipe is a bit fiddly, it’s great for getting kids involved in the kitchen, as they will love piping the chestnut purée into the profiteroles after baking. So long as you don’t mind a little bit of a mess!
For more recipes that are great for getting kids excited about cooking, check out our kids’ cooking recipes and kids’ baking recipes.
17. Sticky gingerbread buns with spiced brown butter icing
Transform your regular cinnamon buns into something extra special with the inviting holiday flavours of ginger and cloves. Adding a touch of treacle helps to bring out that cosy gingerbread taste you'll love. It's an easy way to make your everyday baking a little more festive and flavourful.
Discover more bakes, breakfasts, drinks and snacks that use the brilliant store cupboard spice in our cinnamon recipes.
18. Christmas raspberry dodgers
Get ready to add a touch of holiday charm to your baking with our delightful Christmas jammy dodgers. These little gems feature a cute Christmas tree cutout in the centre, making them a perfect addition to your festive cookie collection. For the filling, you can either neatly pipe some raspberry jam into the heart of the biscuit using a piping bag, or simply spoon it in. Once your jammy dodgers are assembled, finish them with a delicate dusting of snowy icing sugar.
Check out more Christmas biscuit recipes, great for gifting or enjoying all to yourself.
19. Ginger biscuit snowflakes
Get ready to sprinkle some holiday magic into your kitchen with these Christmas biscuits, lovingly shaped and iced like delicate snowflakes. They're not just a delightful gift for friends and family; they also make for the perfect companion to a cup of tea, adding a sweet touch to your afternoon break. With plenty of room for creative decorating, it's an excellent opportunity to let young chefs explore their culinary talents. The beauty of snowflakes lies in their uniqueness, and that's a lesson in itself – it doesn't matter if some turn out neater than others. It's all part of the charm, and it's a sweet way to celebrate the joy of the season!
20. Cookie dough truffles
These six-ingredient cookie dough truffles are a great sweet snack with minimal cooking time. A batch yields 30 truffles, which can last up to a week in the fridge, but we doubt you’ll need to worry about that as they’re so moreish they’ll probably be gone within minutes!
Discover more chocolate truffle recipes or, specifically, festive Christmas truffle recipes.
Like this? Check out more festive inspiration...
Our best Christmas desserts
Make-ahead Christmas desserts
Budget Christmas centrepieces
Healthy Christmas swaps
Christmas leftover salads
Homemade Christmas drinks gifts
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