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Holiday meal prep can be a lengthy process, so keep you and your party satisfied in the meantime with these flavorful recipes. From dips to cheese balls, you can prepare these dishes as quick and satisfying snacks that everyone is sure to enjoy. Make our Cucumber Salmon Bites or Whipped Feta with Pomegranate, Pistachios & Honey for a simple and delicious pre-meal snack.
01of 24Cucumber Salmon BitesPhotographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Lauren McAnelly, Prop Stylist: Gabriel GrecoLook no further for your impromptu snack—these 3-ingredient cucumber salmon bites are a surefire hit. Beyond being an ideal choice for midday, this quick and easy recipe doubles as a satisfying appetizer. If you have a bit more time and a few extra ingredients at your disposal, try enhancing the cream cheese with chopped fresh herbs like dill or chives.View Recipe
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Cucumber Salmon Bites
Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Lauren McAnelly, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco
Look no further for your impromptu snack—these 3-ingredient cucumber salmon bites are a surefire hit. Beyond being an ideal choice for midday, this quick and easy recipe doubles as a satisfying appetizer. If you have a bit more time and a few extra ingredients at your disposal, try enhancing the cream cheese with chopped fresh herbs like dill or chives.
View Recipe
02of 24Whipped Feta with Pomegranate, Pistachios & HoneyThis easy, quick appetizer is perfect for any gathering. Be sure to process the feta and cream cheese together until you see a smooth texture and ribbons start to form. Doing so will ensure any bits of feta are broken down, and you’ll avoid a grainy texture. The drizzle of hot honey adds a pleasant spice and plays well with the salty pistachios, but you could substitute regular honey or date syrup if preferred.View Recipe
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Whipped Feta with Pomegranate, Pistachios & Honey
This easy, quick appetizer is perfect for any gathering. Be sure to process the feta and cream cheese together until you see a smooth texture and ribbons start to form. Doing so will ensure any bits of feta are broken down, and you’ll avoid a grainy texture. The drizzle of hot honey adds a pleasant spice and plays well with the salty pistachios, but you could substitute regular honey or date syrup if preferred.
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Fig Newton–Inspired Energy Balls
These Fig Newton–inspired energy balls feature chewy figs just like the original snack bar. Here, we combine them with dates, almond butter and fiber-boosting oats for an easy snack.
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Dark Chocolate Almond Clusters
Photographer: Grant Webster, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Joseph Wanek
05of 24Everything-Seasoned AlmondsJENNIFER CAUSEYGrinding up the everything bagel seasoning in a spice grinder will help it adhere to the almonds.View Recipe
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Everything-Seasoned Almonds
JENNIFER CAUSEY
Grinding up the everything bagel seasoning in a spice grinder will help it adhere to the almonds.
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The Ultimate Gut-Friendly Snack Mix
This curried cashew snack mix features toasted edamame. A combination of spices and red curry paste brings flavor and heat to this grab-and-go snack. To keep the spice level on the mild side, you can swap out the red curry paste for yellow.
07of 24Crunch Bar–Inspired Energy BallsPhotographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Lindsey LowerTo emulate a Crunch Bar, we packed this energy ball with crispy puffed brown rice cereal inside a milk-chocolaty, chewy center. A dark-chocolate drizzle adds more intense chocolate flavor. Cashew butter has a mild, neutral flavor that doesn’t overpower the other ingredients, but you can substitute any nut butter if you prefer.View Recipe
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Crunch Bar–Inspired Energy Balls
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Lindsey Lower
To emulate a Crunch Bar, we packed this energy ball with crispy puffed brown rice cereal inside a milk-chocolaty, chewy center. A dark-chocolate drizzle adds more intense chocolate flavor. Cashew butter has a mild, neutral flavor that doesn’t overpower the other ingredients, but you can substitute any nut butter if you prefer.
08of 24Dark Chocolate Cashew ClustersPhotographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Sue Mitchell, Prop stylist: Skylar Myers,These 3-ingredient sweet treats are a breeze to make and, because dark chocolate clusters take just 15 minutes to prepare, they can be made on short notice to feed a crowd. While cashews contribute a sweet and mild flavor, don’t hesitate to swap them out for an alternative like almonds or peanuts, or try adding dried cranberries or cherries for a delightfully tangy twist.View Recipe
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Dark Chocolate Cashew Clusters
Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Sue Mitchell, Prop stylist: Skylar Myers,
These 3-ingredient sweet treats are a breeze to make and, because dark chocolate clusters take just 15 minutes to prepare, they can be made on short notice to feed a crowd. While cashews contribute a sweet and mild flavor, don’t hesitate to swap them out for an alternative like almonds or peanuts, or try adding dried cranberries or cherries for a delightfully tangy twist.
09of 24Jalapeño Cheese BallServe this spiced jalapeño cheese ball with tortilla chips or your favorite cut-up veggies.View Recipe
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Jalapeño Cheese Ball
Serve this spiced jalapeño cheese ball with tortilla chips or your favorite cut-up veggies.
10of 24Dulce de Leche Coconut Energy BallsPhotographer: Jennifer Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Christina DaleyDulce de leche, a sweet caramelized milk product used in Latin American desserts, adds sweet caramel flavor to these tasty energy balls. Seek out dulce de leche in cans or glass jars, typically found in the baking aisle. You can swap out cashew butter for your preferred nut butter to give them your own unique spin.View Recipe
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Dulce de Leche Coconut Energy Balls
Photographer: Jennifer Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
Dulce de leche, a sweet caramelized milk product used in Latin American desserts, adds sweet caramel flavor to these tasty energy balls. Seek out dulce de leche in cans or glass jars, typically found in the baking aisle. You can swap out cashew butter for your preferred nut butter to give them your own unique spin.
11of 24Snickerdoodle AlmondsPhotographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Addelyn Evans, Prop Stylist: Gabriel GrecoTossing almonds in frothy egg whites helps the sweet and savory seasoning adhere to these festive snickerdoodle almonds. They make an excellent appetizer for holiday entertaining.View Recipe
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Snickerdoodle Almonds
Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Addelyn Evans, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco
Tossing almonds in frothy egg whites helps the sweet and savory seasoning adhere to these festive snickerdoodle almonds. They make an excellent appetizer for holiday entertaining.
12of 24Whipped Feta Dip with Roasted Red PeppersVictor ProtasioThis super-creamy whipped feta dip is savory with just a hint of sweetness from honey. This healthy dip is perfect for veggies, whole-grain crackers or bread.View Recipe
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Whipped Feta Dip with Roasted Red Peppers
Victor Protasio
This super-creamy whipped feta dip is savory with just a hint of sweetness from honey. This healthy dip is perfect for veggies, whole-grain crackers or bread.
13of 24Jonathan Perno’s Spiced Candied PecansAt home or at Campo, the restaurant he oversees at Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm in Albuquerque, chef Jonathan Perno likes to welcome guests with spiced New Mexican pecans. You won’t see this in most spiced-nut recipes, but Perno blanches them to reduce some of the bitter tannins in the skin that can sometimes overwhelm the pecans' delicate flavor.View Recipe
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Jonathan Perno’s Spiced Candied Pecans
At home or at Campo, the restaurant he oversees at Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm in Albuquerque, chef Jonathan Perno likes to welcome guests with spiced New Mexican pecans. You won’t see this in most spiced-nut recipes, but Perno blanches them to reduce some of the bitter tannins in the skin that can sometimes overwhelm the pecans' delicate flavor.
14of 24Cheddar-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.
15of 24Pear-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.
16of 24Salt & Vinegar Pumpkin SeedsSalt-and-vinegar seasoning isn’t just for chips. These roasted pumpkin seeds tossed with salt and vinegar are a briny, crunchy treat. Soaking the seeds in vinegar ensures that the deep vinegary flavor remains after baking.View Recipe
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Salt & Vinegar Pumpkin Seeds
Salt-and-vinegar seasoning isn’t just for chips. These roasted pumpkin seeds tossed with salt and vinegar are a briny, crunchy treat. Soaking the seeds in vinegar ensures that the deep vinegary flavor remains after baking.
17of 24Winter Charcuterie BoardA cheese board 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, crudités, nuts and olives. We even included some dark chocolate to cap it off!Winter Charcuterie Board
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Winter Charcuterie Board
A cheese board 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, crudités, nuts and olives. We even included some dark chocolate to cap it off!
18of 24Lemon-Thyme Whipped RicottaThis stunning yet easy appetizer recipe infuses creamy ricotta with fresh herbs and lemon. Serve with whole-grain crackers and cut-up vegetables or use as a spread for sandwiches or sauce for pasta.View Recipe
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Lemon-Thyme Whipped Ricotta
This stunning yet easy appetizer recipe infuses creamy ricotta with fresh herbs and lemon. Serve with whole-grain crackers and cut-up vegetables or use as a spread for sandwiches or sauce for pasta.
19of 24Candy 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.
20of 24Everything 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.
21of 24Rosemary-Garlic PecansJennifer CauseyThese savory spiced nuts are perfect for snacking, adding to a cheese board or serving as a mini appetizer.View Recipe
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Rosemary-Garlic Pecans
Jennifer Causey
These savory spiced nuts are perfect for snacking, adding to a cheese board or serving as a mini appetizer.
22of 24Spiced CrackersGive plain crackers a flavorful boost when you roast them with paprika and oregano. For a touch of smokiness, try smoked paprika instead of regular. Serve with hummus, cheese or your favorite dip.View Recipe
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Spiced Crackers
Give plain crackers a flavorful boost when you roast them with paprika and oregano. For a touch of smokiness, try smoked paprika instead of regular. Serve with hummus, cheese or your favorite dip.
23of 24Apple & Peanut Butter Energy BallsPhotographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christine KeelyThese energy balls marry two of fall’s best flavors: apples and pumpkin pie spice. You can substitute the applesauce with apple butter for a stronger apple flavor. Don’t confuse dried apples with apple chips! Apple chips have a crisp texture that will make the energy balls too crunchy. If your apple mixture is too sticky and hard to roll, lightly grease your hands with cooking spray or simply refrigerate the mixture for 15 minutes before rolling.View Recipe
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Apple & Peanut Butter Energy Balls
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely
These energy balls marry two of fall’s best flavors: apples and pumpkin pie spice. You can substitute the applesauce with apple butter for a stronger apple flavor. Don’t confuse dried apples with apple chips! Apple chips have a crisp texture that will make the energy balls too crunchy. If your apple mixture is too sticky and hard to roll, lightly grease your hands with cooking spray or simply refrigerate the mixture for 15 minutes before rolling.
24of 24Pizza PistachiosJennifer CauseyNutritional yeast mimics the flavor of cheese, lending a pizza-like flavor to these playful spiced pistachios.View Recipe
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Pizza Pistachios
Nutritional yeast mimics the flavor of cheese, lending a pizza-like flavor to these playful spiced pistachios.
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