When it comes to Christmas dinner, your main course is the star of the show, but the delicious appetizers and finger foods are what really get the party started. You can keep things simple with an appetizer that can be prepped ahead of time, or go for something elegant that will truly wow everyone at the table. If you're looking to keep things lighter, there are plenty of healthy appetizers to explore, including vegan options that will have people reaching for seconds. These cheery Christmas appetizers are the perfect way to kick off a festive meal, whether you're cooking for two people or twenty.

This list of Christmas appetizers includes everything from holiday salads that make the most of winter veggies to cozy cheese plates that come together in minutes. But there's no reason you can't get creative with something like homemade salsa or flavorful chicken wings. Some of these dishes even come together in the air fryer, saving you time and kitchen space for the rest of the meal.

If you're looking for even more inspiration for Christmas dinner, we've got you covered with ideas for holiday side dishes, seasonal cocktails, and of course, Christmas desserts. After all, it's not a dinner without Christmas cookies and other festive, sweet holiday treats to cap off the night!

Pass the baguette! This melty, cranberry-covered Brie will be the star of your hors d'oeuvres spread.

Get the Cranberry Baked Brie recipe.

Delicious at any holiday event, but especially a Nochebuena celebration, these flaky empanadas are filled with ground beef, spices and briny olives.

Get the Beef Empanadas recipe.

This elegant appetizer brings together smoked salmon and salmon poached with white wine and shallots. Go fast, because this won't last long at any party.

Get the Salmon Rillette recipe.

To recreate this adorable holiday app, you'll need three cheese wheels, prosciutto for the scarf, sugared cranberry buttons, raisin eyes and a chile pepper nose. So easy, and so cute!

With provolone, blue cheese, onion and sliced delicata squash — what's not to love? Cut into shareable slices for guests to munch on before the big dinner.

Get the Delicata Squash Pizza recipe.

While all your guests will be super impressed that you made your own crackers, only you will know the simple secret — pie dough. Pair these savory snacks with your favorite dip recipe!

Get the Parmesan Seeded Crackers recipe.

These crispy, delicious latkes come together in mini cast-iron skillets, which might be the perfect way to serve everything.

Get the Crispy Skillet Carrot Latkes recipe.

If you're all about looking fancy with zero effort, this sweet and savory tart is for you.

Get the Brie and Apple Tart recipe.

It doesn't get easier than this classic starter that comes together with just five ingredients. You can serve these with butter for a simple Christmas appetizer.

Get the Famous Popovers recipe.

Get the party started with briny, flavorful feta cheese marinated with chili, lemon and rosemary. Serve them alone or with bread and crackers.

Get the Marinated Feta recipe.

Nothing tops a tray of cheese and crackers ... well, unless it's a whole log of cheese.

Get the Goat Cheese Log with Cranberries, Chives and Black Pepper recipe.

These tender roasted veggies are the perfect unexpected addition to the snack table. Plus, they come together in just 10 minutes, leaving you free to tend to the rest of the meal.

Get the Roasted Artichokes recipe.

This might be the most flavorful appetizer ever. It brings together fish sauce, lime juice, brown sugar and garlic, paired with smoky shishito peppers. Did we mention it comes together in the air fryer?

Get the Garlicky Wings and Shishito Peppers recipe.

RELATED: 23 Easy Chicken Wing Recipes to Make

Gooey, melty cheese + crusty bread = an appetizer everyone will enjoy!

Get the Cheese Fondue recipe.

Forget game day — pigs in a blanket deserve a spot on your holiday table. Arrange the dogs in a circle formation for a more striking display.

Get the Pigs in a Blanket recipe.

This easy appetizer can be prepped ahead of time, leaving your kitchen free for the rest of the meal. It's definitely an upgrade from jarred salsa!

Get the Black Bean Salsa Fresca recipe.

This tasty appetizer makes the most of in-season onions and fennel. It's basically getting to eat pizza before your real dinner, and who doesn't like that?

Get the Onion Flatbread recipe.

Serve this creamy dip with some crunchy veggies for a lighter appetizer before a big Christmas dinner.

Get the Tzatziki recipe.

RELATED: 80 Best Party Dip Recipes to Feed a Crowd

Dips, while delicious, can be messy. Avoid the inevitable by topping slices of crispy bread with a cheesy artichoke spread.

Get the Spinach Artichoke Tartines recipe.

If you really want to impress your guests, tell 'em that you made this homemade dip without soup mix. It's true!

Get the French Onion Dip recipe.

Still have Thanksgiving leftovers? Turn cranberry sauce into a glaze to sweeten up frozen cocktail meatballs.

Get the Sweet and Sour Meatballs recipe.

RELATED: 51 Juicy Meatball Recipes That Are Simple to Make

Meet the ultimate make-ahead app: Coat the cheese log with the lemony herb mixture on Christmas Eve, then pull it out of the fridge 30 minutes before guests arrive at your door.

Get the Goat Cheese Appetizer recipe.

Serve these tangy mushrooms on a sliced baguette or eat them plain — they're incredible either way.

Get the Pickled Mushrooms recipe.

Sneak arugula into this pesto for added nutrients and color. Drizzle it over a slice of fresh bread or in this case, on top of ricotta-coated crostini.

Get the Arugula Pesto recipe.

Freshly-cut veggies are way more exciting after they're dipped in a bowl of creamy dip. Or skip the veggies altogether and go straight for the good stuff: salty chips and seedy crackers.

Get the Dill Dip recipe.

Balance out the oyster's salty flavor with a bite of mustard, horseradish and lemon zest.

Get the Oysters with Mustard-Horseradish Relish recipe.

You may think scallions are fit for springtime, but they're just as flavorful in the winter months. Take our word for it by layering them on top of a cheesy tart.

Get the Onion Tart recipe.

Beets are a staple in the winter months — and this recipe really makes them shine. In a bowl, toss 6 oz cooked beets (cut into 1/4-inch pieces), 1 Tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp orange zest and 1/8 tsp each salt and pepper. Fold in 1/4 cup green olives (chopped), then spoon onto endive leaves and sprinkle with chopped basil.

Add a spoonful of this four-ingredient confit onto crusty bread slices for a tasty bruschetta.

Get the Cherry Tomato Confit recipe.

This cheesy, golden galette will warm you right up.

Get the Rustic Potato and Fennel Galette recipe.

These roasted olives are basically made for Christmas — look at the colors!

Get the Roasted Olives with Lemon, Garlic and Herbs recipe.

If you're looking to add more veggies into your Christmas diet (we blame the cookies!), then give this creamy soup a try.

Get the 20-Minute Cauliflower Soup recipe.

Add some veggies into the mix with puff pastry-wrapped asparagus. Don't worry, though: There's still bacon coiled around each stalk.

Get the Sprigs in a Blanket recipe.

Cheesy, garlicky and irresistible. What more could you ask for on Christmas?

Get the Cheesy Monkey Bread recipe.

Beets, cucumber and salted pistachios come together to make a tasty (and healthy!) light salad.

Get the Cucumber Roasted-Beet and Pistachio Salad recipe.

You'll forget all about the mashed potatoes once you taste these crispy, buttery spuds.

Get the Crispy Golden Smashed Potatoes recipe.

What's a holiday appetizer spread without some classic deviled eggs?

Get the Deviled Eggs recipe.

Because you'll definitely be craving this cold-weather classic all Christmas evening.

Get the French Onion Soup recipe.

Roasted beets add the perfect amount of crunch to this beautiful medley of arugula, radishes and mozzarella.

Get the Crispy Beet and Mozzarella Salad recipe.

The easiest (and tastiest) way to get your filling of veggies at the holiday feast.

Get the Roasted Asparagus and Ricotta Tart recipe.

Behold the easiest appetizer ever: Just sprinkle on some parmesan and fresh chives onto store-bought potato chips.

Get the Parmesan-Chive Chips recipe.

'Tis the season to feast on some savory, herby dips!

Get the Best Ever Spinach and Artichoke Dip recipe.

Create cute cups by pressing puff pastry into muffin tins and dolloping jam (apricot, raspberry and fig are tasty!) and cubes of gooey Brie on top.

Get the Jammy Brie Cups recipe.

This delicate, baked Parmesan cheese cups are deceptively easy to make. You can fill them with whatever you want, but grape tomato, olive and feta make for a light and refreshing snack.

Get the Frico Cups recipe.

Use frozen pizza dough to easy make a savory and sharable app for pizza lovers.

Get the BBQ Italian Sausage and Pepper Pie recipe.

Twist everything bagel seasoning and grated cheese into store-bought puff pastry for the easiest appetizer ever!

Get the Pecorino & Everything Spice Straws recipe.

If you love artichoke dip but you're looking for something a little lighter, try this roasted artichoke recipe. The cheesy mustard dressing packs plenty of flavor unto these artichokes.

Get the Roasted Artichokes with Caesar Dip recipe.

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire are great and all, but your guests will also love these flavorful, protein-filled nuts.

Get the Spicy Deviled Walnuts recipe.

Your guest won't even realize that they're getting a serving of veggies in while they're munching away on crispy Zucchini bites.

Get the Zucchini Tots recipe.

Think of these three-ingredient bites as fancy ham and cheese sandwiches, and watch them disappear at your Christmas party this year.

Get the Prosciutto & Mustard Pinwheels recipe.

Regular jumbo shrimp become a zesty treat thanks to a little Old Bay seasoning.

Get the Old Bay Shrimp recipe.

The key to this authentic salsa is to grill all the ingredients before hand, giving the dip a delicious, smokey flavor.

Get the Charred Salsa recipe.

This tasty potstickers won't fill you up before the main course. Serve with a Thai Lime Dipping Sauce for even more flavor.

Get the Shrimp Curry Potstickers recipe.

With towering fresh veggies and creamy burrata, these tartines are almost too pretty to eat.

Get the Asparagus, Burrata and Prosciutto Tartines recipe.

Smothered with corn flakes and buttermilk, these crispy roasted chicken sliders will bring your party guests good tidings of comfort and joy.

Get the Crispy Hot-Honey Chicken Sliders recipe.

Avocado toast, who?! This toast is dressed in festive hues thanks to red chili and fresh parsley.

Get the Wild Mushroom Toasts recipe.

Because potatoes are at the top of your Christmas list.

Get the Parsnip Potato Latkes with Sautéed Apples recipe.

RELATED: Latke Recipes That will Take Your Hanukkah to the Next Level

No ketchup here: Top these mini burgers with homemade relish instead.

Get the Lamb Sliders with Pepper Relish recipe.

Here's proof that every occasion can be turned into a pizza party. Yep, even Christmas.

Get the Spicy Sausage, Kale and Goat Cheese Pizza recipe.

Avoid an awkward Lady and the Tramp situation with these bite-size pasta nests.

Get the Spaghetti Meatball Nests recipe.

Salad on toast?! Well, life is all about balance.

Get the Radicchio Salad with Roasted Fennel and Shrimp recipe.

If you fill up on your greens now, that means you can eat as many cookies as you'd like after dinner. It's the unspoken rule of Christmas, trust us.

Get the Romaine Salad with Lemon-Pecorino Vinaigrette recipe.

These loaded tarts are a no-mess, no-fuss way to enjoy winter's favorite squash.

Get the Butternut Squash and Feta Tartlets recipe.

ELATED: Irresistible and Easy Butternut Squash Recipes You Need to Make

Mushroom fans will devour these warm, cheesy apps in seconds — wait and see.

Get the Bruschetta with Mushrooms and Fontina recipe.

If you need an excuse to serve the classic Caprese combo, just think how it will match your Christmas color scheme.

Get the Tomato and Mozzarella Bites recipe.

This rum-infused, pecan-encrusted cream cheese spread works in more ways than one. It's an appetizer when served with crackers, or a dessert when paired with graham crackers.

Get the Boozy Cherry Log recipe.

You've got spiked eggnog and spice cake, now keep to the spicy theme with this chorizo-topped appetizer.

Get the Chorizo-and-Manchego Crostini recipe.

Psst: The first ingredient is store-bought pizza dough, so this recipe is even easier than it sounds.

Get the Three-Ingredient Pretzel Bites recipe.

Dusted with turmeric, garlic powder, and a little Parmesan cheese, these roasted florets offer a lot more flavor than the usual kernels.

Get the Cauliflower "Popcorn" recipe.

Warning: Guests might fill up on these addictive crostinis before you even serve the roast.

Get the Gingery Shrimp Toasts recipe.

Mustard might not be the first spice that comes to mind when you think of meatballs, but this Dijon-flavored recipe will change the way you think.

Get the Turkey Meatballs recipe.

Onion dip's already a sure-fire crowd pleaser. Step up your hostess game by serving it with oven-roasted flatbreads that hold their own.

Get the Naan Chips recipe.

Get the Grilled Onion Dip recipe.

They're basically like mashed sweet potatoes, but fried and crispy. You want these.

Get the Sweet Potato Croquettes recipe.

Pie before the main course is a most excellent idea.

Get the Winter Veggie Tart recipe.

Cheesy, melt-in-your-mouth biscuits beat out regular rolls every time.

Get the Fluffy Apple-Cheddar Biscuits recipe.

Not only are these crackers the perfect bites of cheddar and black pepper, they're also shaped into the cutest little holly leaves.

Get the Cheddar Holly Crackers recipe from Delish.

This flavor-packed cheese spread tastes even better when smothered on a warm biscuit.

Get the Texas-Style Pimento Cheese recipe from Country Living.

Sure, you may have decorated your Christmas tree already ... but have you made one that you can eat?

Get the Pull-Apart Christmas Tree recipe from Delish.