Winter Party Appetizers

The holidays are coming up, which means holiday parties with delicious dishes! Below are some of the most delectable winter party appetizer recipes we could find. Enjoy!

Stuffed Baked Mushrooms

(image via delish/rachel vanni)

If you love mushrooms, you have to make these flavorful stuffed baked mushrooms from Delish. They will be a popular appetizer at any winter dinner party.

Ingredients:

• Cooking spray
• 1½ pounds baby mushrooms
• 2 Tbsp butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ cup breadcrumbs
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan, plus more for topping
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 2 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped, plus more for garnish
• 1 Tbsp fresh thyme, chopped

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400° F. Grease a baking sheet with cooking spray. Remove the stems from the mushrooms, roughly chopping them. Place mushroom caps on a baking sheet.
2. Use a medium skillet over medium heat to melt butter. Add chopped mushroom stems and cook until most of the moisture is out. Add garlic and cook until fragrant. Add breadcrumbs and toast slightly. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
3. In a large bowl, mix together mushroom stem mixture, Parmesan, cream cheese, parsley, and thyme. Season with salt and pepper. When complete, fill the mushroom caps and sprinkle with Parmesan.
4. Bake until mushrooms are soft and tops are golden.
5. Garnish with parsley to serve.

Cheesy Bruschetta Bites

(image via the skinnyish dish)

You can never go wrong with this cheesy bruschetta bites recipe from The Skinnyish Dish.

Ingredients:

• 1 container Alouette garlic and herb soft cheese spread
• 30 mini phyllo shells
• 5 Roma tomatoes, sliced in half and flesh scooped out
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ cup fresh basil, plus extra for garnish
• 2 tsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 tsp olive oil
• Sea salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350° F. Bake mini phyllo shells for 5 minutes.
2. Chop tomatoes, place in a bowl, then add basil, garlic, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste and stir.
3. Fit a plastic baggie into a cup to scoop the garlic and herb cheese. Fold like you would a pastry bag and cut the tip.
4. Pipe small amounts of cheese into each phyllo shell.
5. Top with cheese and a small scoop of bruschetta.
6. Garnish with fresh basil.

Sweet Potato Bites With Avocado and Bacon

(image via well plated)

If you’re looking for a sweet and savory appetizer, try this amazing sweet potato bites recipe from Well Plated.

Ingredients:

• 4 slices thick-cut bacon
• 2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 sweet potatoes, scrubbed clean, peels on
• 1¼ tsp kosher salt
• ¾ tsp black pepper
• 2 medium avocados, peeled, pitted, and diced
• 1 Tbsp fresh lime juice
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• 3 Tbsp chopped cilantro

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400° F. Bake bacon, then place it on a paper towel-lined plate and pat dry. Dice when cooled and set aside.
2. Increase the oven temperature to 425° F. Line two rimmed baking sheets with foil and ½ Tbsp olive oil each. Slice sweet potatoes into ½- to ¼-inch slices. Arrange in a single layer, then brush tops with remaining olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake 20-25 minutes, until golden brown underneath, rotating the pans 180 degrees and changing their positions on the upper/lower racks halfway through. Remove pans from the oven, flip the slices over, then roast for an additional 8-11 minutes until golden on top.
3. In a small bowl, combine avocado, lime juice, remaining ¼ tsp salt, and smoked paprika. Mash lightly with a fork, leaving it slightly chunky. Set aside.
4. Transfer baked sweet potato slices to a serving plate. Top each with a dollop of the avocado mixture, chopped bacon, and cilantro. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Cranberry Baked Brie

(image via joyous apron)

Who doesn’t love Brie? It’s the perfect appetizer. We love how Joyous Apron prepares it with nuts and cranberry sauce.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz round Brie cheese
• ½ cup cranberry sauce
• 25 crackers
• 1 cup pecans
• Fruits (option)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. Place Brie on parchment paper atop a baking dish. Bake for 15 minutes.
3. Remove and let Brie sit for 1-2 minutes, then transfer to a serving platter.
4. Top with cranberry sauce and pecans. Serve with crackers and fruit.

Maple Bacon-Wrapped Carrots

(image via kevin is cooking)

This maple bacon-wrapped carrot recipe from Kevin Is Cooking will surely receive many compliments at any winter dinner party. It’s a savory dish rich in flavor, and the combination of maple syrup and bacon truly enhances the taste of the carrots.

Ingredients:

• 1½ pounds carrots
• 12 slices thin-cut bacon
• 1 Tbsp black pepper
• ⅓ cup maple syrup
• 1 Tbsp Sriracha sauce (optional)
• Parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400° F. Mix maple syrup and Sriracha sauce in a small bowl. Set aside.
2. Line a rimmed baking sheet or casserole dish with parchment paper.
3. Peel and trim carrots, leaving an inch of the stems. Wrap a bacon slice around each carrot from top to bottom. Place on baking sheet and repeat. Sprinkle with black pepper and roast.
4. After 25 minutes, carefully turn carrots over, baste with maple Sriracha sauce, and continue roasting for another 20-25 minutes, depending on the thickness. Bacon should be crispy. Remove from oven and baste with remaining sauce. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve immediately.