6 Easy Appetizers for Your Holiday Party

By Nicki Sizemore
Dane Tashima
The best appetizers for any holiday party are easy appetizers—and each of these mouthwatering small bites requires only a few ingredients. 
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Maple Pecans

Dane Tashima

Toss pecans with maple syrup and sea salt, and bake in a 400°F oven until slightly darkened and fragrant, about 5 to 7 minutes. (They will harden as they cool.)

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Marinated Feta

Dane Tashima

Warm seeds and spices (such as sesame, coriander, and crushed peppercorns) in olive oil. Pour over a block of feta cheese and sprinkle with fresh herbs. Serve with crostini or crackers. 

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Cucumber "Crackers"

Dane Tashima

Dollop cucumber rounds with crème fraîche, and top with smoked salmon. 

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Grilled Gruyère Cheese Fingers

Dane Tashima

Make grilled cheese sandwiches using Gruyère cheese, cut off the crusts, and cut the sandwiches into long rectangles. Sprinkle on chopped parsley.

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Bacon-Wrapped Cheesy Dates

Dane Tashima

Stuff pitted Medjool dates with small chunks of Parmesan cheese, wrap in a half slice of bacon, and secure with a toothpick. Bake in a 450°F oven, turning once, until crisp, about 10 minutes. 

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Crowd-Pleasing Ham

Dane Tashima

Think ham is just for dinner? Well think again! Add biscuits and a jar of mustard so your guests can feast on DIY mini sandwiches.

In a small saucepan whisk together 1 cup applesauce, 1 cup pomegranate juice, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 Tbs. Dijon mustard, 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper, and 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and reserve. 

Heat a bone-in, 7-lb. spiral-sliced ham according to instructions. Thirty minutes before the ham is ready, remove it from the oven and apply a generous amount of the glaze by dabbing it on with a brush. Repeat twice, every 10 minutes. When the ham is finished, apply a final coating of the glaze and serve the remaining glaze on the side. Makes 16 servings.

Recipe by Brooke Parkhurst and James Briscione

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