Almond-Bacon Cheese Crostini
For a change from the usual toasted tomato appetizer, try this baked crostini recipe. If you like, slice the baguette at an angle instead of making a straight cut. —Leondre Hermann, Stuart, Florida
Bacon-Wrapped Sweet Potato Bites
After making little bacon-wrapped sausages for years, I needed a change! I had an extra sweet potato and half a package of bacon on hand, so I put on my thinking cap and came up with this treat. —Kelly Williams, Forked River, New Jersey
Brie-Leek Tartlets
My family is picky, but everyone loves these little bites. I make dozens of them at a time because they’re gone the second I turn my back. —Colleen MacDonald, Port Moody, British Columbia
Cranberry Meatballs and Sausage
Years ago, I found a version of this sausage and meatballs recipe in a cookbook. At first taste, my family judged it a keeper. The tangy, saucy meatballs are requested by our friends whenever I host card night. We also take the yummy dish on camping trips. —Marybell Lintott, Vernon, British Columbia
Stuffed Asiago-Basil Mushrooms
Even if you don't like mushrooms, you will have to try them again with these pretty appetizers, which taste divine. For a main dish, double the filling and use large portobellos. —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario
White Chocolate Brie Cups
Try these unique little tarts as an appetizer before a special meal, or save them for a surprisingly different dinner finale. They’re sweet, creamy and crunchy—and very addictive! —Angela Vitale, Delaware, Ohio
Spinach Deviled Eggs
Spinach adds unexpected color and flavor to this tasty variation on deviled eggs. They're easy to make and are an attractive addition to a party spread. —Dorothy Sander of Evansville, Indiana
Orange-Glazed Chicken & Chorizo Meatballs
These tasty southwestern meatballs warm up a buffet. I add pomegranate seeds, jalapeno pepper jelly and cilantro to make everything pop with color. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota
Caliente Christmas Cheese Crisps
To fire up the crowd, I pack these homemade crackers with bacon, pumpkin seeds and French-fried onion rings. Dunk them in picante sauce. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota
Mini Beef Tourtieres
These appetizers are a slight twist on the conventional tourtiere recipe. Ground beef replaces the traditional pork for a subtler taste, and with cream cheese pastry taking the place of pie pastry, these mini tourtiere melt in your mouth. They're a wonderful addition to the appetizer menu during the Christmas season and beyond. They're a time-saver, too—while the dough chills, you can prepare the filling. —Cheryl Bruneau, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Avocado Goat Cheese Truffles
Give guests the VIP treatment with luxurious truffles you can make in your own kitchen. The goat cheese is mild, and red pepper heats up each bite just a bit. Crackers are the perfect accompaniment. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California
Roasted Chicken and Brie Holly Mini Bites
I got the idea for these appetizers from my favorite sandwich at a local restaurant—a symphony of sweet fig, roasted apple, melted brie and tangy garlic mayonnaise. I re-created this delectable combination in a quick appetizer with bright red cranberries and green spinach to give it a holiday twist. These scrumptious bites only take about 20 minutes, but taste like you spent hours; you can also make them a few days in advance, then warm them in the microwave for 20-30 seconds before serving. They're the perfect party appetizer! —Terri Gilson, Calgary, Alberta
Apricot Kielbasa Slices
These easy-to-fix sausage bites are coated in a thick, zesty sauce with just the right amount of sweetness. —Barbara McCalley, Allison Park, Pennsylvania
Calzone Pinwheels
Once you try these mini-sized calzones, you may never go back to the large ones. Not only do these pretty bites take advantage of convenient refrigerator crescent rolls, but they can be made ahead and popped in the oven right before company arrives. No one can eat just one and people love the cheesy, fresh taste! —Lisa Smith, Bryan, Ohio
Candied Bacon-Wrapped Figs
I stuffed figs with cream cheese and wrapped them in bacon and spices for an addictive flavor combo that’s sweet, salty and delicious. You can use dates, too. —Shelly Bevington, Hermiston, Oregon
Sweet Potato Crostini
For party time, I turn this sweet potato side dish into an appetizer by serving it on slices of a French baguette. — Steve Westphal, Wind Lake, Wisconsin
Mini Mac & Cheese Bites
Young relatives were coming for a Christmas party, so I wanted something fun for them to eat. Instead, the adults devoured my mini mac and cheese. —Kate Mainiero, Elizaville, New York
Cherry Tomato Bites
Cherry tomatoes may be small, but these are full of great flavor. Plus, they add color to any table. —Rev. David Bostedt, Zephyrhills, Florida
Brie Mushroom Pastries
You can use this recipe for parties as an appetizer or for dinner gatherings as the first course. The rustic and savory taste of the mushrooms is balanced by tangy Brie and delicate puff pastry. —Vivi Taylor, Middleburg, Florida
Pumpkin Hush Puppy Meatballs
My Italian husband enjoys a variety of meatballs. I adore pumpkin, so I decided to combine our two favorites and make sausage and pumpkin meatballs. These are extra great because you can make them ahead and freeze until you plan on serving. —Paula Marchesi, Lenhartsville, Pennsylvania
Roasted Brussels Sprouts & 3-Cheese Crostini
Brussels sprouts for a snack? Oh, yes. Combine these roasted goodies with cheese for the ultimate toast topper. —Athena Russell, Greenville, South Carolina
Loaded Baked Potato Rounds
I was trying to create an appetizer that could be served at my teenaged daughters birthday party that the kids would love but that would appear elegant enough for the adults to be interested as well. These are made with simple ingredients yet yield a sophisticated result. Feel free to get creative with the flavors. Try shredded white cheddar in place of mozzarella or thyme instead of the rosemary. Take it up another notch by topping the rounds with smoked fish. —Amanda Digges, South Windsor, Connecticut
Fried Prosciutto Tortellini
My take on Italian street food, these fried tortellini are crunchy, gooey good. For the sauce, use the best quality tomatoes you can find. —Angela Lemoine, Howell, New Jersey
Mini Sausage Quiches
These bite-size quiches are loaded with sausage and cheese, plus their crescent roll base makes preparation a breeze. Serve the cute "muffinettes" at any brunch or potluck gathering. —Jan Mead, Milford, Connecticut
Bacon Water Chestnut Wraps
The holidays around the house just wouldn't be the same without these classic wraps. Through the years, Christmas Eve guests have proven it's impossible to eat just one. —Laura Mahaffey, Annapolis, Maryland
Marinated Shrimp and Olives
This is my favorite appetizer to serve party guests. The flavors in this colorful dish blend beautifully, and the shrimp are tender and tasty.—Carol Gawronski, Lake Wales, Florida
Gorgonzola Polenta Bites
I needed a brand-new appetizer for a big party. I covered polenta with Gorgonzola and a tangy sauce. That’s how you spread holiday cheer. —Margee Berry, White Salmon, Washington
Rainbow Pepper Appetizers
Company will quickly polish off this colorful pepper medley. The crisp-tender veggies are topped with chopped olives and cheese. —Marion Karlin, Waterloo, Iowa
Pickled Pepperoncini Deviled Eggs
It's hard to resist these adorable deviled trees on our buffet table. The avocado filling has pepperoncini and cilantro for extra zip. —Carmell Childs, Clawson, Utah
Apricot Wraps
I accumulated a large recipe collection from around the world while my husband served in the Air Force for 25 years. This mouthwatering appetizer is one of our favorites, and we enjoy sharing it with friends. —Jane Ashworth, Beavercreek, Ohio
Puff Pastry Holly Leaves
These elegant appetizers look like you’ve slaved in the kitchen, but they can be assembled in a jiffy. They always earn raves at my office holiday party. —Angela King, Walnut Cove, North Carolina
Marinated Olives
Our son often made these olives for holiday get-togethers. They are simple to make and add a little zest to the buffet table offerings. —Marguerite Shaeffer, Sewell, New Jersey
Turkey Bolognese Polenta Nests
This delicious appetizer combines two of my favorite foods, polenta and bolognese meat sauce, uniting them into one incredibly tasty bite! —Lidia Haddadian, Pasadena, California
Christmas Party Pinwheels
'Tis the season for easy make-ahead appetizers like these. They look so special and pretty that folks can't resist them! The refreshing flavor of ranch dressing and crisp colorful vegetables makes these pinwheels a pleasure to serve. —Janis Plourde, Smooth Rock Falls, Ontario
Mediterranean Pastry Pinwheels
These quick appetizers are irresistible. The flavors of sun-dried tomatoes and pesto balance beautifully. —Kristen Heigl, Staten Island, New York
Spinach Turnovers
The flaky cream cheese pastry adds sensational texture to these hot appetizers—and just wait until you taste the wonderful filling. I usually fix a double batch and freeze some to have on hand in case unexpected guests drop by. — Jean von Bereghy, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
Festive Guacamole Appetizers
For ages, my brother's family and I have gotten together on Christmas Eve, and we always eat snacks while we open our presents. This Tex-Mex spin on classic appetizer pizza is one we have again and again. —Laurie Pester, Colstrip, Montana
Holiday Appetizer Meatballs
These beefy meatballs are a perennial favorite at our holiday parties. You won't believe how easy they are to make. —Pat Waymire, Yellow Springs, Ohio
Sage & Prosciutto Pinwheels
I love, love, love to make appetizers and I especially like this recipe because I can make the rolls ahead, freeze them, and then slice and bake when needed. —Kate Dampier, Quail Valley, California
Cheese/Grape Appetizers
This appetizer is well worth the time it takes to make. The grapes look especially attractive on a bed of lettuce surrounded with crackers and cheese. —Eleanor Grofvert, Kalamazoo, Michigan
Parmesan-Pretzel Crisps
I usually have the ingredients on hand and it is so easy to make, guest's really think you have gone the extra mile. —Pauline Porterfield, Roxboro, North Carolina
Mini Muffuletta
People love these hearty little sandwich wedges. The recipe is great for a party and can be made the day before.—Gareth Craner, Minden, Nevada
Broccoli & Chive-Stuffed Mini Peppers
There's plenty of both crunch and cream in these party appetizers. Fresh chives help them really stand out. —Jean McKenzie, Vancouver, Washington
Petite Sausage Quiches
You won't be able to eat just one of these mini quiches. Filled with savory sausage, Swiss cheese and a dash of cayenne, the mouthwatering morsels will disappear fast from the breakfast or buffet table. —Dawn Stitt, Hesperia, Michigan
Cranberry Meatballs
Lots of people have asked me for this recipe, but I knew I had a real winner when my grandmother asked me for it! —Tammy Neubauer, Ida Grove, Iowa
Marinated Mozzarella
I always come home with an empty container when I bring this dish to a party. It can be made ahead to free up time later. I serve it with pretty frilled toothpicks for a festive look. —Peggy Cairo, Kenosha, Wisconsin
Polenta Mushroom Appetizers
Simple ingredients—in fact you probably have most if not all in your kitchen— are used to create a fantastic, but different appetizer.—Meta West, Abilene, Kansas
Sesame Chicken Bites
These bites have been a party favorite at our house for many years. You can make the sauce the night before to make day-of prep even easier. —Kathy Green, Layton, New Jersey
Cucumber Canapes
I always get requests for the recipe for these canapes whenever I serve them. They're delicate finger sandwiches with a creamy herb spread and festive red and green garnishes. —Nadine Whittaker, South Plymouth, Massachusetts
Party Pesto Pinwheels
I took a couple of my favorite recipes and combined them into these delicious hors d'oeuvres. The colorful and impressive snacks come together easily with refrigerated crescent roll dough, prepared pesto sauce and a jar of roasted red peppers. —Kathleen Farrell, Rochester, New York
The post 50 One-Bite Holiday Snacks appeared first on Taste of Home.
Annamarie Higley