21 quick Christmas party food recipes

1. Brie and pastrami melts

Prep time: 10 min

We wish we could eat party food every day when it tastes as good as this; olive and walnut toasts make the perfect base for a heavenly flavour combination of pastrami, oozing brie and pickled cornichons. This is one showstopper of a canapé.

2. Cheese fondue

Prep time: 15 min

The party hasn’t officially started until the fondue comes out. Cheesy, indulgent and perfect for cold-weather feasts – it doesn’t get much better than an oh-so-gooey fondue.

3. Salmon tartare blinis

Prep time: 15 min (+ curing time)

Salmon in its most saintly form, you can’t get any more classic than a tray full of gorgeous salmon blinis. If you’re looking for a canapé which takes minimal effort but supplies maximum flavour, this tartare blinis recipe is your guy. Perfect for a light bite on Christmas morning too.

4. Anchovy rarebit

Prep time: 25 min

Salty, savoury canapés like this anchovy rarebit recipe have a special place in our heart; you can leave it as it is or take it to the next level with delicate slivers of toast with capers and shallots. Bite-sized, savoury goodness indeed.

5. Spiced paneer with quick-pickled cucumber

Prep time: 25 min (plus marinating)

Could this be the new cheese and pineapple? We know these paneer bites will catch on; they’re topped with quick pickled cucumber to cut through the cheesy goodness and honestly, who could resist after taking one look at them…

6. Red onion chutney, olive and goat’s cheese twists

Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 20 min

There’s no doubt that red onion chutney, olive and goat’s cheese makes one heavenly trio. These extremely more-ish cheese twists are easier to make than you think, and you can create them up to 12 hours in advance. Sounds like a recipe for success.

7. Stilton date and walnut sausage rolls

Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 25 min

It’s universally acknowledged that sausage rolls make the ultimate party food. We’ve taken this classic recipe one step further for the festive period, with a gorgeous combination of salty sausagemeat, stilton and sweet dates.

 8.  Cheesy choux wreath with hot smoked salmon and horseradish dip

Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 25 min

Perhaps the easiest and most effective way to entertain, excite your dinner guests with an impressive tear-and-share cheesy profiterale wreath, served with a fiery smoked salmon, horseradish and cream cheese dip. It’s bound to get the party going.

9. Mini crayfish and crab brioche bites

Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 15-20 min

We know that the seventies-style prawn cocktail is a dinner party staple, but it’s time to ramp things up a bit. These mini crayfish and crab brioche bites are the new nibbles in town, and they taste pretty perfect, if we do say so ourselves.

10. Cheesy polenta fritters

Prep time: 45 min

Dainty and cheesy morsels such as these polenta fritters will always go down a treat at any gathering. This recipe makes about 20 so it’s perfect for feeding a crowd; give them a go and watch them disappear in seconds.

11. Salmon terrine

Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 15-20 min (plus overnight chilling)

A lovely little centrepiece to place on your festive table, this is a classic salmon terrine with a burst of pickled celery to cut through the richness. Simply delicious.

We’ve got mini versions too which would work well as a dainty starter.

12. Crab croquetas with romesco dipping sauce

Prep time: 1 hour (plus chilling)

It’s hard not to love croquetas, hailed for their crispy exterior and smooth, creamy insides. This gorgeous crab croqueta recipe with romesco dipping sauce will rival all others and will be the talk of the party.

13. Chocolate meringue kisses

Prep time: 10 min

Yes you heard that right… these charming chocolate meringue kisses only need three ingredients and take 10 minutes to make. A simple and effective sweet treat for the festive season.

14. Christmas pudding ice cream

Prep time: 10 min (plus freezing) 

If you’ve got Christmas cake or pudding to spare, this recipe is a must. Use up any leftovers to make this knockout Christmas pudding with shop-bought ice cream, and you’ll be finished in just 10 minutes.

15. Mince pie rings

Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 25 min

Adorable, more-ish and fittingly festive, these mini mince pies offer a twist on a classic recipe and will certainly draw in the crowds.

16. Brandy snaps with Baileys espresso martini cream

Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 60 min

We’ve brought back the brandy snap for Christmas, and we think you should too. This Christmassy recipe is filled with a wonderful Baileys espresso martini cream for extra oomph. So good, so more-ish, they’ll be gone before you know it.

17. Vanilla pannacottas with sloe gin and rosemary jelly

Prep time: 35 min (plus setting)

Shop-bought pannacotta pales in comparison to these beauties. This is a gorgeous mini pud recipe, with a festive fuse of rosemary and gin-spiked jelly taking it from classic pannacotta to a really special dessert. Make these and it’ll be a party to remember.

18. White Russian roulade

Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 10 min (plus cooling)

This is a sweet roulade recipe that’s bound to impress; a light chocolate sponge is filled with whipped cream and covered in chocolate curls. It’s Christmas, so we’ve also laced the cream with coffee liquer and vodka for a white Russian-inspired flavour. Devilishy boozy indeed…

19. Banana and hazelnut chocolate pots

Prep time: 40 min (plus chilling) 

Arguably the ultimate dinner party pud, make this chocolate pot up to two days in advance to achieve unadulterated, chocolate heaven…

20. White chocolate, orange and ginger profiteroles

Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 23 min

No one can resist the call of profiteroles, especially when they look this good. We’ve revitalised a 1970’s classic with white chocolate drizzle and a luscious orange and ginger cream filling to create a classic dessert with an exciting twist. The perfect festive mouthful!

21. Eggnog layer cake

Prep time: 60 min
Cook time: 30-35 min (plus chilling)

Looking for a festive show-stopping layer cake to adorn the Christmas party table? Say hello to this eggnog layer cake. Strictly for adults only, wait until you slice through rum-laced eggnog frosting to reveal a rich chocolatey interior, with more eggnog custard. You can slice it up and serve it to the crowds at your festive get-together.