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When time is running short and the festivities are in full swing, these last-minute no-cook appetizers are designed to help you spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the holiday cheer with your loved ones. From quick dips like our Avocado Hummus to delightful cheese boards like our Winter Charcuterie Board, these stress-free, no-cook options guarantee a memorable and delicious celebration.
01of 18Winter Charcuterie BoardA cheeseboard is an ideal stationary hors d’oeuvre for holiday entertaining. Select a variety of cheeses, making sure to include an aged variety, a creamy cheese, a blue cheese and perhaps a smoked cheese. Round out the platter with cold cuts, bread, an abundance of seasonal fruits, dried fruit, crudité, nuts and olives. We even included some dark chocolate to cap it off!View Recipe
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Winter Charcuterie Board
A cheeseboard is an ideal stationary hors d’oeuvre for holiday entertaining. Select a variety of cheeses, making sure to include an aged variety, a creamy cheese, a blue cheese and perhaps a smoked cheese. Round out the platter with cold cuts, bread, an abundance of seasonal fruits, dried fruit, crudité, nuts and olives. We even included some dark chocolate to cap it off!
View Recipe
02of 18Pear-Pecan Cheese BallSweet pear, salty Cheddar cheese and crunchy nuts make this healthy cheese ball recipe an alluring holiday treat. Serve with an array of crudités and crisp party crackers.View Recipe
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Pear-Pecan Cheese Ball
Sweet pear, salty Cheddar cheese and crunchy nuts make this healthy cheese ball recipe an alluring holiday treat. Serve with an array of crudités and crisp party crackers.
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Chunky Black Bean Salsa with Corn & Bell Pepper
Fred Hardy
04of 18Chocolate-Peppermint Energy BallsThese festive no-cook energy balls have all the flavors you love in peppermint-chocolate bark but in healthy snack form. Whip up a batch for an office or after-school treat, or take them along to a holiday cookie swap. The recipe is easily doubled or even tripled. Be sure to store the bites at room temperature rather than the refrigerator–the moisture from the fridge will melt the candy cane coating.View Recipe
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Chocolate-Peppermint Energy Balls
These festive no-cook energy balls have all the flavors you love in peppermint-chocolate bark but in healthy snack form. Whip up a batch for an office or after-school treat, or take them along to a holiday cookie swap. The recipe is easily doubled or even tripled. Be sure to store the bites at room temperature rather than the refrigerator–the moisture from the fridge will melt the candy cane coating.
05of 18Savory Date & Pistachio BitesA touch of sweetness from the dates and raisins paired with crunch and nuttiness from the pistachios make these bites perfect for an on-the-go snack or as an accompaniment on a cheese board.View Recipe
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Savory Date & Pistachio Bites
A touch of sweetness from the dates and raisins paired with crunch and nuttiness from the pistachios make these bites perfect for an on-the-go snack or as an accompaniment on a cheese board.
06of 18Avocado HummusThis vibrant green hummus recipe couldn’t be easier—just toss a few ingredients in the food processor and whir away! Aquafaba (the liquid from a can of chickpeas) and avocado make this healthy dip extra smooth and creamy. Serve with veggie chips, pita chips or crudités.View Recipe
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Avocado Hummus
This vibrant green hummus recipe couldn’t be easier—just toss a few ingredients in the food processor and whir away! Aquafaba (the liquid from a can of chickpeas) and avocado make this healthy dip extra smooth and creamy. Serve with veggie chips, pita chips or crudités.
07of 18Candy Cane Beet & Goat Cheese BoardAli RedmondThis festive and easy appetizer is a colorful addition to any holiday spread. If you can find precooked beets, they help save time. The honey balances the richness of the goat cheese and the earthiness of the beets, while candied pecans add a satisfying crunch.View Recipe
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Candy Cane Beet & Goat Cheese Board
Ali Redmond
This festive and easy appetizer is a colorful addition to any holiday spread. If you can find precooked beets, they help save time. The honey balances the richness of the goat cheese and the earthiness of the beets, while candied pecans add a satisfying crunch.
08of 18Date WrapsSweet dates and salty prosciutto combine in a tasty bite.View Recipe
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Date Wraps
Sweet dates and salty prosciutto combine in a tasty bite.
09of 18Zesty Avocado Black Bean DipPerfect for game day, this fiber-rich dip is a surefire crowd-pleaser to serve with crudités or tortilla chips. It requires little prep time and is ready to serve immediately.View Recipe
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Zesty Avocado Black Bean Dip
Perfect for game day, this fiber-rich dip is a surefire crowd-pleaser to serve with crudités or tortilla chips. It requires little prep time and is ready to serve immediately.
10of 18Za’atar-Spiced Chickpea DipGreg DupreeLabneh—a thick and tangy strained cow’s-milk yogurt—adds creamy richness to this layer dip featuring salty feta and olives. Serve with pita chips for dipping.View Recipe
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Za’atar-Spiced Chickpea Dip
Greg Dupree
Labneh—a thick and tangy strained cow’s-milk yogurt—adds creamy richness to this layer dip featuring salty feta and olives. Serve with pita chips for dipping.
11of 18Caprese SkewersPhotographer / Jen Causey, Food Stylist / Emily Nabors HallWe take all the ingredients of a classic caprese salad and layer them onto skewers for a quick appetizer. These tomato-mozzarella-basil skewers are easy to assemble and perfect for a party.View Recipe
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Caprese Skewers
Photographer / Jen Causey, Food Stylist / Emily Nabors Hall
We take all the ingredients of a classic caprese salad and layer them onto skewers for a quick appetizer. These tomato-mozzarella-basil skewers are easy to assemble and perfect for a party.
12of 18Apricot, Prosciutto & Parmesan BitesJamie Vespa, M.S., R.D.These 3-ingredient apricot, Parmesan and prosciutto bites are as simple to make as they look, and they taste even better. Simply layer each ingredient on top of the other and secure with a toothpick for an easy bite-size starter.View Recipe
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Apricot, Prosciutto & Parmesan Bites
Jamie Vespa, M.S., R.D.
These 3-ingredient apricot, Parmesan and prosciutto bites are as simple to make as they look, and they taste even better. Simply layer each ingredient on top of the other and secure with a toothpick for an easy bite-size starter.
13of 18Jalapeño Cheese BallServe this spiced jalapeño cheese ball with tortilla chips or use it as a spread for your next burrito.View Recipe
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Jalapeño Cheese Ball
Serve this spiced jalapeño cheese ball with tortilla chips or use it as a spread for your next burrito.
14of 18Smoked Gouda & Giardiniera Charcuterie SticksJacob FoxCrunchy pickled vegetables pair perfectly with creamy Gouda with a hint of smoke.View Recipe
14of 18
Smoked Gouda & Giardiniera Charcuterie Sticks
Jacob Fox
Crunchy pickled vegetables pair perfectly with creamy Gouda with a hint of smoke.
15of 18Cheddar-Apple Cracker BitesThis easy recipe comes together in just 5 minutes, making it a quick snack or appetizer. The sweetness of the Fuji balances well with the cheddar, but you can use another variety of apple if you prefer. This recipe calls for 3 thin apple slices per cracker, but feel free to use just one if you’re craving a more cheesy bite.View Recipe
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Cheddar-Apple Cracker Bites
This easy recipe comes together in just 5 minutes, making it a quick snack or appetizer. The sweetness of the Fuji balances well with the cheddar, but you can use another variety of apple if you prefer. This recipe calls for 3 thin apple slices per cracker, but feel free to use just one if you’re craving a more cheesy bite.
16of 18Olive TapenadeEric WolfingerHead to the olive bar at your grocery store to get a mix of brined and oil-cured olives for more complex flavor. Moroccan (Beldi), Kalamata, Niçoise and Castelvetrano make a nice combo.View Recipe
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Olive Tapenade
Eric Wolfinger
Head to the olive bar at your grocery store to get a mix of brined and oil-cured olives for more complex flavor. Moroccan (Beldi), Kalamata, Niçoise and Castelvetrano make a nice combo.
17of 18Dill Pickle DipPhotographer: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Ali Ramee, Prop Stylist: Christine KeelyIf you’re a dill pickle lover, this dip recipe is calling your name. It uses both dill pickles and their pickle juice that would normally languish in a jar in your fridge or get tossed. The fresh zing from actual dill makes this dip perfect to serve with veggie chips or straight-up veggies that have been lightly blanched and chilled. Did we mention it’s excellent for party platters?View Recipe
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Dill Pickle Dip
Photographer: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Ali Ramee, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely
If you’re a dill pickle lover, this dip recipe is calling your name. It uses both dill pickles and their pickle juice that would normally languish in a jar in your fridge or get tossed. The fresh zing from actual dill makes this dip perfect to serve with veggie chips or straight-up veggies that have been lightly blanched and chilled. Did we mention it’s excellent for party platters?
18of 18Everything Bagel Cheese BallThis is not your grandma’s cheese ball. It has all the flavor of an everything bagel without all the carbs and with just 3 ingredients! Want to emphasize the bagel taste? Serve it with bagel chips and some raw veggies for dipping to keep things healthy.View Recipe
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Everything Bagel Cheese Ball
This is not your grandma’s cheese ball. It has all the flavor of an everything bagel without all the carbs and with just 3 ingredients! Want to emphasize the bagel taste? Serve it with bagel chips and some raw veggies for dipping to keep things healthy.
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