5 quick and tasty appetisers to serve at your Christmas party

Holiday parties are a great excuse to get everyone together and celebrate each other and the season. As much fun as they are, hosting a gathering can be a lot of work when you have to plan a menu, decorate and clean.

Time in the kitchen doesn't have to be stressful. You and your family can work together to make the following homemade appetizers that will elevate your holiday season get-togethers.

1. Spring rolls

Spring rolls are a delicious appetiser to serve your guests as they settle in. Stocking frozen spring rolls to heat up at home eliminates the need to run to a restaurant and makes preparation quick and easy. Shrimp spring rolls are a great choice because they can be made in the oven, on the stove or in an air-fryer. Consider brushing some barbeque sauce over them before serving or giving your guests an assortment of condiments and dipping sauces so they can enjoy the flavors of shrimp and crispy vegetables any way they like.

2. Chicken mortadella-wrapped jalapeño poppers

If you're looking for a savoury food with a bit of heat, try making chicken mortadella-wrapped jalapeño poppers. These cream-cheese-filled, bite-sized delights are always a party favourite, easy to make and craveable. If you want to decrease the heat, try a more mild pepper like poblano.

3. Cheese and garlic pull-apart bread

Cheese and garlic pull-apart bread is simple to make and serve. It's as easy as taking a loaf of bread, scoring the top half with cross sections much like a tic-tac-toe board, and adding as much cheese and garlic as you like. Then, bake it to melt the cheese, and serve it on a platter for your guests to rip apart and devour. You can even experiment with different types of cheeses and breads. Because of its simplicity, this appetiser is easily customizable.

4. Caprese bites

This refreshing appetiser only requires three ingredients: fresh mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes and basil leaves. You can either cut up the components and stack them on top of each other or use toothpicks or skewers to make it easy for friends and family to snack and chat while mingling around your living room. If you want to spruce it up, add a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar reduction over the bites along with a sprinkle of Italian seasoning.

5. Coconut shrimp dippers

Coconut shrimp is easy to find at most supermarkets and is a fun finger food you can serve at your holiday party. Once baked, you can set them on a plate along with bowls of orange marmalade sauce and coconut curry for your guests to dip into and enjoy!