30 FESTIVE CRANBERRY APPETIZERS FOR YOUR HOLIDAY BASH

Looking for cranberry appetizers for your holiday party? Here are 30 festive cranberry bites, from cranberry brie bites and cheese balls to dips, sliders and sweet treats, all easy to make ahead.

Nothing says holiday party like a table full of ruby red cranberry appetizers.

They’re sweet, tart and pair perfectly with creamy cheeses and savory bites. For an easy one to start with, try our turkey and brie cranberry cracker bites.

This list covers cheesy bites, meat appetizers, dips, fresh bites and sweet treats, so you can build a whole holiday spread.

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CRANBERRY APPETIZERS FOR THE HOLIDAYS

🧀 Cheesy Cranberry Bites

Brie, goat cheese, feta and cheddar all love cranberry. These are the stars of any holiday spread.

1. Cranberry Brie Bites in Puff Pastry

Flaky puff pastry cups filled with melty brie, cranberry sauce and a sprinkle of pecans. The appetizer everyone reaches for first.

Use a mini muffin tin to shape the pastry. They bake in 15 minutes and look bakery-made.

Ingredients:

• 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
• 4 oz brie, cut into small cubes
• 1/2 cup whole berry cranberry sauce
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans
• Fresh rosemary or thyme

Instructions:

1. Heat the oven to 375°F and grease a 24-cup mini muffin tin.
2. Cut the pastry into 24 squares and press into the cups.
3. Add a cube of brie and a small spoon of cranberry sauce to each.
4. Sprinkle with pecans and bake 15 minutes until puffed and golden.
5. Top with a tiny sprig of herbs before serving.

2. Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Log

Creamy goat cheese rolled in dried cranberries, toasted pecans and fresh herbs. It looks stunning on a cheese board and takes 10 minutes.

Chill the goat cheese well before rolling so it holds its shape.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz goat cheese log, chilled
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped
• 1/2 cup pecans, toasted and chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tbsp honey
• Crackers, for serving

Instructions:

1. Mix the cranberries, pecans and parsley on a plate.
2. Roll the goat cheese log in the mixture, pressing gently.
3. Drizzle with honey.
4. Serve with crackers.

3. Cranberry Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip

Fresh cranberries chopped with jalapeño, cilantro and lime, then spooned over a block of cream cheese. Sweet, spicy and addictive.

Make the cranberry topping the night before. It gets juicier and more flavorful.

Ingredients:

• 12 oz fresh cranberries
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 to 2 jalapeños, seeded
• 1/4 cup cilantro
• 2 green onions
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 8 oz cream cheese
• Crackers, for serving

Instructions:

1. Pulse the cranberries, sugar, jalapeño, cilantro and green onions in a food processor.
2. Stir in the lime juice and chill at least 4 hours.
3. Spread the cream cheese on a plate.
4. Spoon the cranberry mixture over the top and serve with crackers.

4. Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce and Pecans

A whole wheel of brie baked until gooey, topped with cranberry sauce, pecans and honey.

Score the top of the brie before baking so the topping sinks in.

Ingredients:

• 1 wheel brie (8 oz)
• 1/3 cup cranberry sauce
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans
• 1 tbsp honey
• Fresh rosemary
• Crackers or baguette slices

Instructions:

1. Heat the oven to 350°F and place the brie in a small baking dish.
2. Score the top and spread with cranberry sauce.
3. Sprinkle with pecans and drizzle with honey.
4. Bake 12 to 15 minutes until soft and gooey.
5. Garnish with rosemary and serve warm.

5. Cranberry Feta Pinwheels

Tortillas spread with a creamy cranberry feta filling, rolled up and sliced into colorful pinwheels.

Wrap the rolls tightly and chill for at least 2 hours so they slice cleanly.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped
• 2 green onions, sliced
• 4 large flour tortillas

Instructions:

1. Mix the cream cheese, feta, cranberries and green onions.
2. Spread evenly over the tortillas.
3. Roll up tightly and wrap in plastic.
4. Chill 2 hours, then slice into 1 inch rounds.

6. Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball

Sharp cheddar and cream cheese rolled in cranberries and pecans. A holiday party classic that’s easy to make ahead.

Shape the ball the day before and roll it in the coating just before serving.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar, shredded
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 3/4 cup chopped pecans
• Crackers, for serving

Instructions:

1. Beat the cream cheese, cheddar, half the cranberries and garlic powder.
2. Shape into a ball, wrap and chill 2 hours.
3. Mix the remaining cranberries and pecans.
4. Roll the ball in the mixture and serve with crackers.

7. Cranberry Whipped Feta Dip

Silky whipped feta topped with a bright cranberry relish and pistachios. Sweet, salty and very pretty.

Blend the feta for a full minute so it’s completely smooth.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz feta
• 4 oz cream cheese
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 cup cranberry sauce
• 1 tsp orange zest
• 2 tbsp chopped pistachios
• Pita chips or crackers

Instructions:

1. Blend the feta, cream cheese and olive oil until smooth.
2. Spread in a shallow bowl.
3. Mix the cranberry sauce and orange zest and spoon over the top.
4. Sprinkle with pistachios and serve.

8. Honey Whipped Feta Cranberry Crostini

Toasted baguette slices topped with honey whipped feta and cranberry sauce. Easy, elegant and quick to assemble.

Toast the bread a day ahead and store it in an airtight container.

Ingredients:

• 1 baguette, sliced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 6 oz feta
• 2 oz cream cheese
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1/2 cup cranberry sauce
• Fresh thyme

Instructions:

1. Brush the baguette slices with oil and toast at 400°F for 8 minutes.
2. Blend the feta, cream cheese and honey.
3. Spread on the toasts and top with cranberry sauce.
4. Garnish with thyme.

9. Cranberry Brie Phyllo Cups

Store-bought phyllo cups make these the fastest bite on the list. Brie, cranberry and a pecan on top.

Bake them right before guests arrive so the brie is still melty.

Ingredients:

• 30 mini phyllo cups
• 4 oz brie, cubed
• 1/2 cup cranberry sauce
• 30 pecan halves

Instructions:

1. Heat the oven to 350°F.
2. Place a cube of brie in each phyllo cup.
3. Top with a little cranberry sauce and a pecan.
4. Bake 5 to 7 minutes until the brie melts.

10. Cranberry Brie Pull Apart Bread

A round loaf cut into a grid and stuffed with brie and cranberry sauce, then baked until melty. A showstopper centerpiece.

Brush with garlic butter for extra flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1 round sourdough loaf
• 8 oz brie, sliced
• 3/4 cup cranberry sauce
• 3 tbsp butter, melted
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Fresh rosemary

Instructions:

1. Cut the bread in a crosshatch pattern without cutting through the bottom.
2. Stuff the cuts with brie and cranberry sauce.
3. Brush with garlic butter.
4. Wrap in foil and bake at 350°F for 15 minutes, then unwrap and bake 10 more.

🍖 Cranberry Meat Bites

Hearty bites with chicken, turkey and beef that keep guests full.

11. Cranberry BBQ Meatballs

All-beef meatballs in a sweet and tangy cranberry BBQ glaze. Just three ingredients in the slow cooker.

Keep them on warm in the slow cooker and set out toothpicks.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs frozen all-beef meatballs
• 1 can (14 oz) jellied cranberry sauce
• 1 cup BBQ sauce

Instructions:

1. Add the meatballs to a slow cooker.
2. Whisk the cranberry sauce and BBQ sauce and pour over.
3. Cook on low 4 hours or high 2 hours, stirring once.
4. Serve warm with toothpicks.

12. Cranberry Chicken Salad Cucumber Cups

Creamy cranberry pecan chicken salad spooned into crunchy cucumber cups. Light, fresh and low carb.

Scoop the cucumber rounds with a melon baller to make neat little cups.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked chicken, finely diced
• 1/3 cup dried cranberries
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans
• 1/3 cup Greek yogurt
• 2 tbsp mayonnaise
• 2 English cucumbers
• Fresh dill

Instructions:

1. Mix the chicken, cranberries, pecans, yogurt and mayo.
2. Slice the cucumbers into 1 inch rounds and scoop out the centers.
3. Fill each cup with chicken salad.
4. Garnish with dill.

13. Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels

Sliced turkey, cranberry cream cheese and spinach rolled in tortillas. Perfect for using up holiday leftovers.

Pat the spinach dry so the pinwheels don’t get soggy.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/3 cup dried cranberries, chopped
• 4 large tortillas
• 8 oz sliced turkey
• 2 cups baby spinach

Instructions:

1. Mix the cream cheese and cranberries.
2. Spread over the tortillas.
3. Layer the turkey and spinach, then roll tightly.
4. Chill 1 hour and slice.

14. Cranberry Turkey Sliders

Hawaiian rolls filled with turkey, cranberry sauce and melted provolone, brushed with butter and baked.

Bake them covered first so the cheese melts, then uncover to crisp the tops.

Ingredients:

• 12 Hawaiian rolls
• 12 oz sliced turkey
• 1/2 cup cranberry sauce
• 6 slices provolone
• 3 tbsp butter, melted
• 1 tsp poppy seeds

Instructions:

1. Slice the rolls in half as one slab.
2. Layer turkey, cranberry sauce and cheese.
3. Brush the tops with butter and sprinkle with poppy seeds.
4. Bake covered at 350°F for 15 minutes, then uncovered for 5.

15. Cranberry Glazed Chicken Wings

Crispy baked wings tossed in a sticky cranberry glaze. A festive change from buffalo wings.

Pat the wings very dry and use baking powder for extra crispy skin.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs chicken wings
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup cranberry sauce
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 clove garlic, minced

Instructions:

1. Toss the wings with baking powder and salt.
2. Bake on a rack at 425°F for 45 to 50 minutes, flipping halfway.
3. Simmer the cranberry sauce, soy sauce, honey and garlic for 5 minutes.
4. Toss the wings in the glaze and serve.

16. Cranberry Turkey Meatballs

Sage turkey meatballs served with a cranberry dipping sauce. They taste like Thanksgiving in one bite.

Bake them a day ahead and reheat in the sauce.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp dried sage
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1 cup cranberry sauce
• 1 tbsp orange juice

Instructions:

1. Mix the turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, sage and garlic powder.
2. Roll into small balls and bake at 400°F for 15 minutes.
3. Warm the cranberry sauce and orange juice.
4. Serve the meatballs with the sauce for dipping.

🥣 Cranberry Dips and Spreads

Scoopable dips that pair with crackers, chips, pita and fruit.

17. Cranberry Salsa over Cream Cheese

A bright, chunky cranberry salsa served over cream cheese. It’s sweet, tart and a little spicy.

Serve with butter crackers or tortilla chips.

Ingredients:

• 12 oz fresh cranberries
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup red onion
• 1 jalapeño, seeded
• 1/4 cup cilantro
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 8 oz cream cheese

Instructions:

1. Pulse the cranberries, sugar, onion, jalapeño and cilantro until chunky.
2. Stir in the lime juice.
3. Chill for at least 2 hours.
4. Spoon over the cream cheese and serve.

18. Creamy Cranberry Orange Dip

A sweet cream cheese dip swirled with cranberry and orange zest. Serve it with gingersnaps or apple slices.

It doubles as a dessert dip on a holiday snack board.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup ricotta
• 1/3 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup cranberry sauce
• 1 tbsp orange zest
• Gingersnaps or apple slices

Instructions:

1. Beat the cream cheese, ricotta and powdered sugar until smooth.
2. Swirl in the cranberry sauce and orange zest.
3. Chill for 30 minutes.
4. Serve with gingersnaps or apples.

19. Warm Spiced Cranberry Brie

Brie warmed with a spiced cranberry topping until it’s soft and scoopable. Cozy and so easy.

Serve it in a small skillet to keep it warm longer.

Ingredients:

• 1 wheel brie (8 oz)
• 1/2 cup cranberry sauce
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• Pinch of cloves
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tbsp chopped walnuts

Instructions:

1. Heat the oven to 350°F.
2. Mix the cranberry sauce, spices and brown sugar.
3. Spoon over the brie in a small skillet and top with walnuts.
4. Bake 15 minutes and serve warm with crackers.

20. Cranberry Hummus

Classic hummus blended with cranberry sauce for a pink, festive dip that’s sweet and savory.

Serve with sage pita chips for the full holiday flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained
• 1/2 cup cranberry sauce
• 2 tbsp tahini
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 clove garlic
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Pita chips

Instructions:

1. Blend everything except the pita chips until smooth.
2. Add a splash of water if too thick.
3. Spoon into a bowl and swirl in extra cranberry sauce.
4. Serve with pita chips.

🌿 Fresh and Fruity Cranberry Bites

Light, colorful bites that balance out the rich cheesy appetizers.

21. Sugared Cranberries

Sparkly, sweet-tart cranberries that look like little jewels. Snack on them or use them to decorate your appetizer board.

Let them soak in the syrup overnight for the best sugar coating.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups fresh cranberries
• 2 cups sugar, divided
• 1 cup water

Instructions:

1. Simmer 1 cup sugar and the water until dissolved, then cool slightly.
2. Stir in the cranberries and soak overnight in the fridge.
3. Drain and roll in the remaining sugar.
4. Dry on a rack for 1 hour.

22. Christmas Caprese Skewers with Cranberries

Mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes and basil on skewers with sugared cranberries. Red, white and green and so festive.

Arrange them in a tree shape on the platter for a fun centerpiece.

Ingredients:

• 24 mozzarella pearls
• 24 cherry tomatoes
• 24 basil leaves
• 24 sugared or fresh cranberries
• Balsamic glaze
• 24 small skewers

Instructions:

1. Thread a tomato, basil leaf, mozzarella and cranberry onto each skewer.
2. Arrange on a platter.
3. Drizzle with balsamic glaze just before serving.
4. Keep chilled until serving.

23. Cranberry Goat Cheese Bruschetta

Toasted bread topped with creamy goat cheese and a fresh cranberry orange relish.

Make the relish a day ahead so the flavors blend.

Ingredients:

• 1 baguette, sliced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 oz goat cheese
• 1 cup fresh cranberries
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp orange zest
• Fresh thyme

Instructions:

1. Toast the baguette slices brushed with olive oil.
2. Pulse the cranberries, honey and orange zest.
3. Spread goat cheese on the toasts.
4. Top with the cranberry relish and thyme.

24. Brie and Cranberry Stuffed Mushrooms

Mushroom caps filled with brie, cranberries and herbed breadcrumbs, then baked until golden.

Use cremini mushrooms. They hold their shape better than white button mushrooms.

Ingredients:

• 24 cremini mushrooms, stems removed
• 4 oz brie, cubed
• 1/3 cup dried cranberries
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp butter, melted
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley

Instructions:

1. Heat the oven to 375°F.
2. Fill each mushroom with a cube of brie and a few cranberries.
3. Mix the breadcrumbs, butter and parsley and sprinkle on top.
4. Bake 15 to 18 minutes.

25. Cranberry Walnut Endive Boats

Crisp endive leaves filled with blue cheese or goat cheese, cranberries and candied walnuts. Light and elegant.

Fill them right before serving so the leaves stay crisp.

Ingredients:

• 3 heads endive, leaves separated
• 4 oz goat cheese or blue cheese, crumbled
• 1/3 cup dried cranberries
• 1/3 cup candied walnuts
• 1 tbsp honey

Instructions:

1. Arrange the endive leaves on a platter.
2. Fill with cheese, cranberries and walnuts.
3. Drizzle with honey.
4. Serve right away.

🍫 Crunchy and Sweet Cranberry Treats

Sweet snacks and a festive drink to finish off the party table.

26. Cranberry Pistachio Bark

White chocolate bark loaded with dried cranberries and pistachios. Festive, easy and great for gifting too.

Use good quality white chocolate so it melts smoothly.

Ingredients:

• 16 oz white chocolate
• 3/4 cup dried cranberries
• 3/4 cup shelled pistachios
• Flaky sea salt

Instructions:

1. Melt the white chocolate gently.
2. Spread on a parchment lined tray.
3. Sprinkle with cranberries, pistachios and salt.
4. Chill until set, then break into pieces.

27. Cranberry Orange Mini Muffins

Bite-size muffins with tart cranberries and bright orange zest. Great for a brunch or holiday dessert table.

Toss the cranberries in a little flour so they don’t sink.

Ingredients:

• 1 3/4 cups flour
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 egg
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1/3 cup oil
• 1 tbsp orange zest
• 1 cup fresh cranberries, chopped

Instructions:

1. Heat the oven to 375°F and grease a mini muffin tin.
2. Mix the dry ingredients, then stir in the egg, milk, oil and zest.
3. Fold in the cranberries.
4. Fill the cups and bake 12 to 14 minutes.

28. Cranberry Orange Chex Mix

Crunchy cereal, pecans and dried cranberries in a sweet orange glaze. Make a big batch for snacking all party long.

Spread it out to cool completely so it stays crisp.

Ingredients:

• 6 cups rice or corn Chex
• 1 cup pecans
• 1/3 cup butter
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp orange juice
• 1 tsp orange zest
• 1 cup dried cranberries

Instructions:

1. Melt the butter, brown sugar, orange juice and zest.
2. Toss with the cereal and pecans.
3. Microwave 5 minutes, stirring every minute.
4. Stir in the cranberries and spread to cool.

29. White Chocolate Cranberry Popcorn

Popcorn drizzled with white chocolate and tossed with dried cranberries. Sweet, salty and so festive.

Add a few red and green sprinkles for extra color.

Ingredients:

• 10 cups popped popcorn
• 8 oz white chocolate, melted
• 3/4 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup chopped almonds
• Sprinkles (optional)

Instructions:

1. Spread the popcorn on a lined tray.
2. Drizzle with white chocolate.
3. Sprinkle with cranberries, almonds and sprinkles.
4. Let set, then break into clusters.

30. Cranberry Mocktail Spritzer

Cranberry juice, apple juice and sparkling water with a squeeze of lime. A bubbly holiday drink everyone can enjoy, kids included.

Garnish with sugared cranberries and a rosemary sprig.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cranberry juice
• 1 cup apple juice
• 2 cups sparkling water
• 1 lime, juiced
• Ice
• Sugared cranberries and rosemary, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Mix the cranberry juice, apple juice and lime juice in a pitcher.
2. Top with sparkling water just before serving.
3. Pour over ice.
4. Garnish with cranberries and rosemary.

Pick one from each section and you’ll have a balanced, beautiful holiday appetizer spread.