Whether you’re hosting people on Christmas Eve or having family over for a Hanukkah party, last-minute holiday appetizers are great to have handy. These Blue Ribbon recipes are easy to make and can be whipped up in no time.
“I was born in Milwaukee and my mother was of German/Czech heritage so my fondest memories are of things like this,” explains Dianne Ward (Aberdeen, WA).
Dianne’s Milwaukee Potato Pancakes (Latkes) use a combination of coarse and finely shredded potatoes giving them an excellent texture. Grated onion is incorporated into the potatoes and becomes caramelized after frying.
Flatting the latkes while frying guarantees they will have very crispy edges. Sprinkle with a little sea salt and serve with applesauce and sour cream on the side. Yum!
If you love salmon, you’ll adore Marilyn Davidson’s (San Diego, CA) Smoked Salmon Dip. It’s jam-packed with flavor. A terrific, unexpected appetizer made with only a few ingredients.
Serve with crackers or warmed bread. Marilyn used jalapeno bread which adds more flavor. Search the gourmet bread aisle and see what you can find.
“These are easy and the reviews are as if you worked all day,” reveals Brandy Male (Mustang, OK). “This is an old classic with a new twist.”
Brandy’s Party Meatballs have a ton of flavor. Jalapeno jelly and garlic powder doctor the chipotle BBQ sauce up a bit and are a fantastic addition. Just add everything to the Crock Pot and let them cook leaving you time for other party preparations.
“I love the combination of spicy and sweet,” explains Dawn Cordova of her Sweet Hot Kisses. “This appetizer is a perfect combination of my favorite flavors.”
The hardest part of making this app is waiting for the cream cheese to soften and the puff pastry to thaw. Each flaky puff is filled with cream cheese, jalapeno, and pepper jelly. The pepper jelly adds a hint of sweetness and spice.
Deviled eggs are always popular and Lee Thayer shared a Crab Stuffed Deviled Egg recipe that’s anything but boring.
“Feel free to use lump crab meat or imitation crab,” suggests Lee. “They have great taste.”
These are decadent and perfect for a special occasion. Crabmeat adds a nice texture to the filling. These deviled eggs are creamy and filled with crab.
Even if you’re not heading anywhere and just want munchies, these last-minute holiday appetizers are perfect. You can find even more apps in our New Year Party Recipes recipe collections. Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, and Happy Pinching!