13 Easy Appetizers for Your Next Holiday Cocktail Party

Kate Hudson packs her mini burgers with plenty of seasoning like paprika, celery seeds and onion powder—plus a serving of kale or spinach so you can sneak in a few veggies for the kids.

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The classic finger food gets a delightful twist from Lidia Bastianich thanks to cornichons and diced zucchini. “They can be made earlier in the day and kept in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve,” says the chef. “They taste better after the flavors blend for an hour or two.”

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Rachael Ray tops her cheesy starter with homemade roasted grapes, balsamic vinegar and toasted pistachio nuts. Serve with crostini dressed with olive oil and sea salt for a showstopping spread.

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For a holiday gathering, chef Ludo Lefebvre likes serving his gourgeres with goat cheese or orange preserves. "They're the perfect bites for parties," he says.

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Pizza should make an appearance at every party in our opinion — and the holidays are no different. With fresh ingredients like argula, cherry tomatoes and burrata, Donatella Arapia's recipe won't weigh you down before the big meal.

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Your favorite holiday appetizer gets a miniature makeover. The secret to these 5-ingredient treats is to cut the puff pastry into rounds and pre-bake it, then top with apricot preserves, candied pecans, and brie for the last few minutes.

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The new Top Chef: Charleston judge, Graham Elliot, drizzles the meaty mushroom with homemade peanut sauce and suggests leaving out more with the skewers so guests can dip as they please.

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If you're in a pinch and need to throw together a last minute pre-dinner snack, the author of Made In India Meera Sodha, has just the answer. The chili powder-spiked nuts will keep guests satisfied while you put the finishing touches on the main event.

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Whip up this combination of our two favorite things — ranch and hummus. The recipe, which comes from Ilan Hall of The Gorbals restaurant in Brooklyn, "has the same flavor as ranch and is healthier for you, too."

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Replace your standard tater tots with in-season butternut squash to make the perfect finger food. The spicy maple mustard adds a surprising gourmet twist.

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These healthy (and gluten-free!) spinach balls will help satisfy people's craving for comfort food long before you set the table for dinner.

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Whip up a homemade herbed dressing for a fun, festive dip — and make snacking and socializing easy for guests by prepping the pre-cut veggies in individual cups. Get the recipe HERE.

Layered with cucumbers, olives, feta cheese, tomatoes and greek yogurt on top of a base of hummus, this is a lightened-up alternative to a classic seven-layer dip. Plus, it's big enough to serve a crowd.

Get the recipe HERE.