Starting to plan your own Christmas party celebrations? Top of the list should be some delicious Christmas canapés to keep hunger at bay.
For Christmas is a time to spend with loved ones, to exchange gifts, get in the merry spirit and most of all, to put on a delicious festive spread, have a drinks party and embrace ingredients that make this time of year so darn great. Cheeses, spices, meats, need we say more?
And when it comes to catering for Christmas parties, we've long been fans of mini food: toad in the holes, Yorkshire puddings, fish and chips.
But the one problem with the Christmas party season (other than our diamond shoes perhaps being half a size too tight) is that it can be difficult to get a proper meal. That by the time you've hovered by the kitchen, hoping to be first at the canapé tray, but then realised that it's only fair to give other guests a chance, you can often leave with a pang of hunger, the thought of a bowl of cereal on the sofa when you get home.
So when you're hosting a party, have a think about what it is you'd like to eat. The sort of Christmas canapés that are filling and satisfying, but also easy for you to make. Simple party recipes that won't keep you in the kitchen for hours.
Whether for dinner parties or as a pre-meal taster, these canapés recipes range from the traditional and warming to vegetarian and worldly. We've also included some winners from the titans of Christmas cooking Mary Berry and Gordon Ramsey, and a couple of other familiar names in there as well.
There's something to satisfy every taste and every time frame so, tuck in.
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1
Cranberry Christmas Crackers
A whimsical and sweet Christmas canape, filo pastry encasing cranberries and goat's cheese. Simple to make, and so fun to look at.
Trt this Cranberry Christmas Crackers recipe here
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2
Moroccan Chicken Puffs
Inject some north African flavour into your Christmas day feasting, with these delectable little pastry bites. The mixture of chicken, preserved lemon with soothing spices like cinnamon, ginger and coriander - is to die for.
Try this Morrocan chicken puffs recipe
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3
Parmigiano Reggiano And Rosemary Shortbread
A savoury twist on the classic sweet shortbread, these parmesan and salt-sprinkled biscuits are the perfect Christmas party food. They look beautiful on a wooden serving board, especially washed down with some mulled wine.
Try this rosemary shortbread recipe
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4
Goat's Cheese, Beetroot And Papaya Chutney Tartlets
Vegetarians will love this canape. Salty goat's cheese marries perfectly with sweet beetroot and papaya chutney. For even more of a festive flavour, replace goat's cheese with creamy brie and sprinkle with walnuts.
Try this goat's cheese tartlets recipe
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5
Artichoke Tartlets
Earthy, salty and bursting with flavour, artichokes seem to be the perfect accompanyment to soft and buttery pastry. Just bigger then bite-size, guests will love these and being very quick to make? You will too.
Try the recipe
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6
Mediterranean Vegetable Crostini
A flavour-packed Mediterranean take on the crostini, we love this idea as a pre-meal nibble.
Try this Mediterranean vegetable crostini recipe
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7
Pip McCormac's Sausage Pinwheels
These are a very modern version of that old party food classic, the sausage roll. They look a lot prettier, and the apple and chutney make them taste a lot fruitier, but there is a certain comfort in their warmth and buttery meatiness, and in the familiarity of this Christmas recipe. Serve them warm and they’ll be gone in seconds.
Try Pip McCormac's sausage pinwheels recipe
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8
Mini banana cream pancakes
Pudding canapés are the best canapés. Try this little cream and caramalised banana-stuffed pancakes.
Try this mini banana cream pancakes recipe
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9
Parma Ham and Parmesan Palmiersom
These tasty crisp little puff pastry canapés are a savoury version of the French sweet pastries of the same name. They are also good as an accompaniment to vegetable soups.
Try these parma ham and Parmesan palmiers
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10
Lisa Faulkner's Smoked Salmon Pate
This super quick and easy salmon paté makes a great canapé for a drinks party. Serve up with melba toasts for a charming retro feel.
Try Lisa Faulkner’s smoked salmon pate recipe
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11
Soft Boiled Quails Eggs with a Smoked Dipper
These quails eggs will be sure to delight your guests, especially with an added drizzle of rich truffle oil. The dipper is just a delicious salty mix in which to roll the eggs – a simple yet very satisfying canapé.
Try the soft boiled quails eggs recipe
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12
Pigs in Blankets with Sage
Christmas isn’t complete without some classic pigs in blankets. These juicy, bite-size sausages wrapped in bacon will get the party going.
Try this pigs in blankets with sage recipe
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13
Toasted Herby Nuts
A great way to get through any lingering Christmas nuts, this simple recipe transforms them into a real treat.
Try this toasted herby nuts recipe
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14
Blueberry and Stilton Blinis
Put your Christmas cheese platter classics to good use with this light starter. The salsa that tops these blinis not only tastes good with Stilton but with cheeses including Brie, Camembert and Leicester.
Try this blueberry and stilton blinis recipe
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15
Beef, red onion and horseradish crème fraîche crostini
Serve this crostini hot or cold, although the beef needs to be slightly rare to truly enjoy it at its tender, succulent best.
Try this beef, red onion and horseradish crème fraîche crostini recipe
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16
Mark Hix's Vegetable Crisps
Even crisps can be festive and a little bit special. These homemade parsnip, celery and beetroot crisps have an amazing flavour that beats any you can buy from the shops.
Try Mark Hix’s vegetable crisps recipe
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17
Mary Berry's Asparagus Goat's Cheese and Parma Ham Filo Rolls
Impress your Christmas party guests with these quick and easy canapes from Mary Berry. Our top tips are to buy the goat’s cheese in a tub (not a roll) and use vacuum-packed Parma ham, as you need evenly cut slices.
Try Mary Berry’s asparagus goat’s cheese and parma ham filo rolls recipe
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18
Emmental Goujeres
Light and cheesy, these tasty French goujeres make a perfect pre-dinner snack or will fill a party platter for the Christmas work do.
Try this emmental goujeres recipe
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19
Gordon Ramsay's Chilli Beef Lettuce Wraps
Swapping a tortilla wrap for a large lettuce leaf transforms this spicy beef wrap from Gordon Ramsay into a light snack or Christmas party appetiser.
Try Gordon Ramsay's chilli beef lettuce wraps recipe
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20
Pork scratchings
Pork scratchings are a British staple and this simple recipe will keep you crunching throughout the festive season.
Try this pork scratching recipe