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The holidays are the perfect time to have fun with food, and nothing captures the festive spirit quite like Easy Christmas Ornament Appetizers. These adorable, bite-sized cheese ball ornaments look stunning on a holiday table and come together in just minutes with simple ingredients. With colorful coatings like cranberries, pistachios, herbs, and cheddar, these little ornaments sparkle with Christmas cheer and instantly elevate any holiday gathering.
If you’ve ever wanted a holiday appetizer that is cute, fun, delicious, quick, and practically foolproof, you’ve found it. These ornament appetizers combine creamy cheese ball flavor with a playful, seasonal presentation that guests can’t resist. Whether you’re hosting a Christmas Eve party, a work potluck, a holiday brunch, or simply want a festive snack board, these ornaments will be the highlight of the spread.
This recipe is wonderfully customizable — choose your coatings, flavor the cheese to your preference, and decorate as much (or as little) as you want. You can prepare them ahead of time, store them easily, and present them on a charcuterie board or as the star of the appetizer table. They’re elegant enough for adults yet whimsical enough for kids — the perfect combination.
In this full-length guide, you’ll learn how to assemble the ornaments, shape them correctly, decorate them creatively, and present them beautifully. By the end, you’ll have a showstopping holiday appetizer that looks like it took hours but really takes about 15 minutes.
Let’s dive into the delicious world of edible Christmas ornaments!
Why You’ll Love These Christmas Ornament Appetizers
✔ Fun and Festive
They look like real Christmas ornaments — bright, colorful, and perfect for the season.
✔ No Cooking Required
All assembly, no baking, frying, or cooking involved.
✔ Fast and Easy
You can make a full platter in under 20 minutes.
✔ Perfect for Parties
Bite-sized, handheld, and easy to grab — ideal for grazing tables.
✔ Customizable
Use any cheese, coating, or flavoring you want.
✔ Kid-Friendly
Kids love helping shape and decorate the ornaments.
Ingredients
Cheese Mixture
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Coatings (Choose 3–5)
- Chopped dried cranberries
- Finely chopped parsley
- Crushed pistachios
- Everything bagel seasoning
- Crushed pecans
- Paprika + herbs mix
- Shredded cheddar
Tops & Decorations
- Pretzel sticks (for ornament “tops”)
- Chives or green onion strips for ribbons
- Tiny rosemary sprigs (optional)
Instructions
1. Make the Cheese Ball Base
- In a bowl, mix softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Stir until smooth and fully combined.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
2. Shape Into Mini Ornaments
- Scoop small amounts of the cheese mixture and roll into 1-inch balls.
- Place on a parchment-lined tray.
- Chill for 10 minutes to firm up (optional, but helpful).
3. Prepare Your Coatings
- Place each coating (cranberries, nuts, herbs, etc.) in separate small bowls.
- Finely chop nuts or herbs so they adhere easily.
4. Roll the Cheese Balls
- Roll each cheese ball in the coating of your choice until fully covered.
- Mix and match colors to create a festive assortment.
5. Add the Ornament Tops
- Break pretzel sticks into short segments.
- Press one gently into the top of each cheese ball to create the “ornament hook.”
- Add chive strips or rosemary for extra decoration.
6. Serve
- Arrange on a white platter or wooden board like colorful ornaments.
- Add rosemary sprigs or cranberries for extra holiday flair.
Easy Christmas Ornament Appetizers
Festive bite-sized cheese ball ornaments coated in colorful toppings and decorated with pretzel hooks. A quick and adorable holiday appetizer.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Mix cream cheese, cheddar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Roll cheese mixture into 1-inch balls.
- Place coatings such as cranberries, nuts, or herbs in small bowls.
- Roll each ball in a coating until fully covered.
- Press a small pretzel piece into the top to resemble an ornament hook.
- Arrange on a platter and garnish with chives or rosemary.
Notes
Add pretzel hooks just before serving so they remain crisp.
Tips for Perfect Ornament Appetizers
Keep the Cheese Soft Before Rolling
Soft cheese shapes more easily. Chill only after shaping.
Use Colorful Coatings
Red (cranberries), green (parsley or pistachios), yellow-orange (cheddar), and brown (nuts) give the ornaments authentic Christmas color.
Chill Before Serving
10–20 minutes helps them firm up and hold shape.
Prep Ahead
Make the cheese balls 2 days in advance; add pretzel hooks the day you serve.
Serve with Crackers
They are delicious on their own but even better with buttery crackers.
Variations
Bacon Ranch Ornaments
Mix ranch seasoning and bacon bits into the cheese.
Goat Cheese Ornaments
Swap cream cheese for goat cheese and roll in herbs.
Spicy Christmas Ornaments
Add chopped jalapeños or sprinkle with cayenne pepper.
Sweet Holiday Ornaments
Mix honey and cream cheese; roll in candied pecans.
Serving Suggestions
- Add them to a holiday charcuterie board.
- Serve as the centerpiece on an appetizer platter.
- Present them on a decorative Christmas plate.
- Place them inside a wreath-shaped platter for a stunning effect.
- Add toothpicks to create easy grab-and-go bites.
Make-Ahead Tips
✔ Shape cheese balls up to 48 hours ahead.
✔ Store coated ornaments separately in the fridge.
✔ Add pretzel sticks just before serving (they soften in the fridge).
Fun Holiday Fact:
Christmas ornaments date back to the 1500s in Germany, originally made from apples, nuts, and cookies — meaning these edible ornament appetizers bring the tradition full circle!
