Cranberries, with their vibrant hue and tangy taste, are a staple of the holiday season. And these delectable cranberry appetizers aren’t just visually appealing but are also bursting with flavor. Get ready to add a pop of color and a dash of zing to your holiday spread!
The holiday season is a time for gathering with friends and family and enjoying delicious food. And what better way to kick off a meal than with some tasty appetizers?
Best Cranberry Appetizer Recipes
This year, why not add some cranberry goodness to your appetizer spread? Cranberries are not only festive in color, but they also add a unique sweet-tart flavor that pairs well with many other ingredients.
From savory to sweet, there are so many options for incorporating cranberries into your holiday appetizers. We’ve rounded up some of the best recipes from around the web that feature this delicious and versatile fruit.
Whether you’re hosting a big family dinner or just having a cozy night in, these cranberry appetizers are sure to be a hit.
Why We Love These Recipes
- Cranberries add a bright pop of color to any dish, making them perfect for holiday gatherings.
- The sweet-tart flavor of cranberries pairs well with many other ingredients, making them versatile in both savory and sweet dishes.
- These recipes are easy to make and can be prepared in advance, allowing you more time to relax and enjoy the festivities.
1- Raspberry Cranberry Jello Salad
This easy jello salad from My Creative Manner has raspberry cranberry flavor for a jiggly addition to the appetizer options. With just a few ingredients, you can make this festive and colorful dish that will impress your guests.
Ingredients include: raspberry jello, gelatin, cranberry sauce, and crushed pineapple with juice.
2- Cranberry Nut Goat Cheese Ball
Cranberry, nuts, and goat cheese make such a tasty combination for a cheese ball. This recipe from Midwexican is perfect for holiday gatherings or a winter snack.
With a crunchy coating of chopped nuts, this cheese ball is not only delicious but also visually appealing.
Ingredients include: cream cheese and goat cheese, dried cranberries, orange zest and fresh orange juice, and roasted walnut and pecan pieces.
3- Baked Brie with Cranberry and Walnuts
This baked brie from A Reinvented Mom is so tasty for the holidays! It has cranberries and walnuts over the top of melty cheese. Serve with crackers or bread for a flavorful appetizer.
Ingredients include: brie cheese wheel, cranberry sauce, and chopped walnuts or pecans.
4- Cranberry Jalapeno Dip
This cranberry jalapeno dip by A Grill for All Seasons is sweet, spicy, and so flavorful! Serve this to add a little sweet heat to your holiday appetizer option. It’s perfect for dipping with chips, crackers, or veggies.
Ingredients include: cream cheese, cranberries and cranberry sauce, jalapeno, and sugar.
5- Cranberry Goat Cheese Log
This cranberry goat cheese log is festive, flavorful, and so delicious! Make this for a colorful appetizer that everyone will enjoy. A Dash of Meg Nut shares how, with just a few ingredients, you can create this beautiful and tasty appetizer that is perfect for any holiday gathering.
Ingredients include: goat cheese, dried cranberries, and cinnamon.
6- Cranberry Cream Cheese Bites
Make these cranberry cream cheese bites for a simple and flavorful Thanksgiving appetizer. These bite-sized treats from Resplendent Kitchen are perfect for a light starter before the main course.
Ingredients include: puff pastry, vegan cream cheese, cranberry sauce, hazelnuts, and rosemary.
7- Cranberry BBQ Meatballs
These meatballs by Blackberry Babe have the best BBQ flavor! With cranberries mixed in, you are sure to love these as a starter or as party food. They are sweet, tangy, and perfectly delicious.
Ingredients include: ground beef, country sausage, oats, onion, seasonings, jellied cranberry sauce, chili sauce, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce or light soy sauce.
8- Cranberry Walnut Brie Bites
Make these cups of brie, nuts, and cranberries from Princess Pinky Girl for a bite-sized starter for the holidays. These mini brie bites are so delicious and easy to make. They have all the flavors of a classic baked brie in one bite.
Ingredients include: puff pastry, brie cheese, cranberry sauce, walnuts, and fresh thyme.
9- Cranberry Salsa
This cranberry jalapeno salsa is so fresh and flavorful. Serve it with chips or top tacos with it. The combination of tart cranberries, spicy jalapenos, and sweet pineapple makes this salsa by Two Healthy Kitchens a unique and delicious appetizer option.
Ingredients include: cranberries, pineapple, honey, jalapeño, and salsa regulars such as red onion, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.
10- Cranberry Gruyere Tarts
These tarts by Barley and Sage are loaded with fruity cranberries and have melty gruyere cheese on puffed pastry for a really delicious holiday starter. They are easy to make and perfect for entertaining.
Ingredients include: puff pastry, cranberry sauce, fresh cranberries, gruyere cheese, and fresh thyme.
11- Cranberry Brie Bread Bowls
Make this cheesy bread bowl with cranberries for a tasty holiday treat with this recipe from A Paige of Positivity. This works as an appetizer or as party food. The combination of warm, gooey brie and tart cranberries in a crispy bread bowl is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients include: cranberries, brown sugar, candied pecans, brie, and bread.
12- Cranberry Orange Drop Biscuits
Make this drop biscuit recipe to offer before dinner on Thanksgiving. These are delicious, easy, and so flavorful! The combination of tart cranberries and sweet orange makes these biscuits by Finding Zest a tasty accompaniment to any meal.
Ingredients include: all-purpose flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, orange zest, cranberries, melted butter, milk, and Smucker’s Fruit & Honey Triple Berry Fruit Spread.
13- Cranberry Pecan Bread
This no-knead bread by Life as a Strawberry is perfect for the holidays! It would be perfect alongside a cranberry butter board. The combination of tart cranberries and crunchy pecans in warm, homemade bread is simply irresistible.
Ingredients include: yeast, honey, all-purpose flour, dried cranberries, and toasted pecans.
14- Cranberry Brie Cracker Bites
This no-bake recipe has cranberries, brie, and Ritz crackers for an easy and budget-friendly snack to share. These mini bites from Happy Foods Tube are perfect for snacking on while waiting for the main course.
Ingredients include: ritz crackers, brie, cranberry sauce, and fresh chives.
15- Cranberry Goat Cheese Crostini
This cranberry crostini tastes elegant but is so easy to assemble and serve! It has a great flavor for your holiday parties. The combination of creamy goat cheese and tangy cranberry jam on crispy baguette slices by Cake n Knife is absolutely delicious.
Ingredients include: french baguette, fresh cranberries, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, thyme leaves, goat cheese, and fresh thyme leaves.
16- Pecan Cheese Ball Bites
Pecans, cranberries, and cream cheese make this easy appetizer a favorite for the holidays. This recipe from The Cagle Diaries is colorful and delicious! Plus, these pecan cheese ball bites are easy to make and can be prepared ahead of time for effortless hosting.
Ingredients include: cream cheese, pepper jack cheese, cranberries, pecans, seasonings, and pretzel sticks.
17- Cranberry Waldorf Salad
Serve small cups of this fruity Waldorf salad before dinner. Everyone will love this unique and tasty recipe by Spend with Pennies! The combination of cranberries, apples, and walnuts in a creamy dressing is simply irresistible.
Ingredients include: cranberries, seedless green and purple grapes, apples, celery, raisins, walnuts, vanilla yogurt, and orange zest.
No matter what type of holiday gathering you’re hosting or attending, these delicious cranberry appetizers are sure to impress. They are easy to make, packed with flavor, and perfect for sharing with loved ones.
With these tasty options, you can easily incorporate cranberries into your holiday appetizer spread. From dips and spreads to baked brie and tarts, there’s something for everyone on this list.
So, next time you’re planning a holiday gathering, don’t forget to add some cranberry goodness to your appetizer menu.
Don’t forget to pin these fun cranberry recipes for the holidays:
