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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    Best Gluten Free Holiday Appetizers

    Published: Dec 11, 2023 · Modified: Nov 19, 2024 by Cinde LittleThis post may contain affiliate linksLeave a Comment

    These are my best gluten free Holiday Appetizers, I hope you'll find one to add to your list of favourites, to repeat year after year. The holidays are tough for everyone on a restricted diet yet savvy celiacs, with outside the box ideas, love to share how they've come to love it.

    Four Holiday Appetizers; vegetable Christmas tree, Pomegranate Pear Guacamole, Smoked Salmon pate and Bocconcini Tomato wreath. this gluten free recipe

    Like so many things we do once a year, we've never made a system to quickly glance at those winning recipes you'd love to make. There are all kinds of ways to save recipes and on a blog Recipe Roundups are the list. I've got a holiday baking list and a gluten free turkey dinner list.

    Jump to:
    • Presentation Counts
    • Super Simple Holiday Appetizers
    • A Little Fuss But Worth The Effort
    • The Best Holiday Dips
    • Individual Portions
    • Little Bites
    • Spanish Tapas
    • Get The Dishes

    Presentation Counts

    My best tip for your own appetizer party is to choose less dishes and focus on a beautiful presentation. Invite only friends you trust to contribute and make it all gluten free and spectacular!

    The same advice applies if you're taking one dish to a party. I say "Go Big or Go Home" and what I mean is use an unusual platter, pedestal tray, giant martini glass or shot glasses to create a WOW presentation.

    Super Simple Holiday Appetizers

    1
    A platter with smoked salmon pate surrounded by Belgain endive leaves to look like a flower.
    4-Ingredient Smoked Salmon Pate
    I can't count how many times I've shared the recipe for my 4-ingredient Smoked Salmon Pate. Always standing right over top of it on a buffet table.
    Check out this recipe
    2
    Vegetable and Dip Christmas tree made with broccoli, cauliflower and cherry tomatoes all set on top of a platter with dip.
    Vegetable and Dip Christmas Tree
    The best Christmas version of vegetables and dip! The tray is spread with dip so it holds the veggies in place and people get some with every bite.
    Check out this recipe
    3
    A wreath made of cherry tomatoes, bocconcini and fresh basil.
    Bocconcini Cherry Tomato Wreath
    For a festive presentation make a wreath using Bocconcini-Cherry Tomato toothpicks and fresh basil. It's a pop-in-your-mouth hors' d'oeuvre.
    Check out this recipe

    A Little Fuss But Worth The Effort

    4
    A plate piled with gluten free Cornbread Sausage Stuffing Balls.
    Gluten Free Cornbread Sausage Stuffing Balls
    Gluten free Cornbread Sausage Stuffing Balls are a fun appetizer or just another way to eat more stuffing (with gravy). We all want that!
    Check out this recipe
    5
    A black tray of smoked salmon sushi pizza cut in squares and sprinkled with snipped chives and sesame seeds.
    Healthy Smoked Salmon Sushi Pizza
    This healthy Smoked Salmon Sushi Pizza is an un-fried version of the popular Canadian invention, sushi pizza. Also perfect if you don’t want to hand-rolled sushi. It comes together fairly quickly but cutting the pieces is key to a nice presentation. A sharp knife is key!
    Check out this recipe
    6
    A plate with futomaki, homemade sushi rolls, with pickled ginger and wasabi.
    Homemade Sushi Rolls: Hosomaki and Futomaki
    Learn what you need to know to make homemade sushi rolls gluten free. Two people can eat this many rolls so increase as needed for a fun Sushi Night with friends or family.
    Check out this recipe

    The Best Holiday Dips

    If you're going to enjoy dip at a holiday party you're probably making it.

    7
    An oversized martini glass filled with Pomegranate Pear Guacamole topped with sparkling red pomegranate seeds.
    Pomegranate Pear Guacamole
    Serve this Pomegranate Pear Guacamole in an oversized martini glass, sprinkled with brilliant red pomegranate seeds for any holiday party.
    Check out this recipe
    8
    A cracker being dipped into a dish of warm Cranberry Dip surrounded by colourful raw veggies.
    Warm Cranberry Dip
    Gluten free cooks need easy recipes that are naturally gluten free and this warm dip is one of those. A simple, seasonal favourite that is greater than the sum of its’ parts. The toasted almonds and green onions are not to be omitted.
    Check out this recipe

    Individual Portions

    Dips have their place but gluten free eaters always appreciate individual servings. Use shot glasses, martini glasses, Mason jars or any container you want. Instead of the standard veggie tray serve veggies and dip in shot glasses and watch everyone dig in.

    9
    A tray with three soup shooters of butternut squash soup with a tiny garnish of sour cream, cilantro and toasted pumpkin seeds.
    Butternut Squash Soup with Poblano Chiles
    This soup has a southwestern flare with cumin and poblano chiles. Skip the poblano chiles if you must but they're in season when butternut squash is and they add some zip. This recipe is perfect for serving soup shooters at a fancy party.
    Check out this recipe
    10
    A tray of eight Vegetable and dip Shooters in liqueur glasses.
    Veggie and Dip Shooters
    Shooters are a fun way to serve veggies and dip. This is the same recipe as the Veggie Christmas Tree above. Go for green and red veggies for the best holiday presentation.
    Check out this recipe
    11
    A platter with bamboo skewers of chicken satay with peanut sauce on the side.
    Chicken Satay
    No one can resist tiny skewers of chicken satay with peanut sauce.
    Check out this recipe

    Little Bites

    With a little effort even fried potatoes and mini pancakes can make it to the list of impressive appetizers. Make a dainty version of your favourite fried cakes, add a garnish and you've got a holiday worthy appetizer.

    12
    A tray of gluten free buckwheat Blini topped with smoked salmon, sour cream and dill.
    Gluten Free Buckwheat Blini
    These small round pancakes are traditionally made with buckwheat flour and served as an appetizer with lox and sour cream.
    Check out this recipe
    13
    A platter of Bubble and Squeak Patties topped with sour cream and chives.
    Gluten Free Bubble and Squeak Patties
    This is an appetizer version of the British potato and cabbage dish called Bubble and Squeak.
    Check out this recipe

    Spanish Tapas

    Tapas are the little dishes of Spain. Served on toothpicks, some of them perfect for stand up entertaining while others work best for a buffet or family style dinner.

    14
    A rectangular platter with triangles of Manchego cheese covered with a slightly smaller triangle of Quince Paste.
    Manchego Cheese with Quince Paste
    This simple tapa is a little out of the ordinary and looks gorgeous presented in an alternating pattern on a rectangular tray.
    Check out this recipe
    15
    White plate with shrimp in garlic sauce sprinkled with parsley, in the background is garlic, chile flakes and paprika.
    Shrimp in Garlic Sauce
    This is an easy tapa recipe, one of those little dishes from Spain, that can also be served as a main course.
    Check out this recipe
    16
    A plate with banderillas; toothpicks loaded with cold veggies (potato, olives, pickles, peppers and more) with a swipe of homemade mayo.
    Spanish Banderillas
    These little banderillas are a tapa, the little dishes of Spain. Served on a regular toothpick they are intended to pop into your mouth in one bite. Be sure to serve them with homemade mayo for a real treat!
    Check out this recipe
    17
    A plate with three Chorizo Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates.
    Chorizo Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Dates
    Chorizo Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates are a Spanish tapa and they fall into the popular and much loved category of bacon wrapped anything.
    Check out this recipe
    18
    A single wedge being lifted from a whole Potato Chorizo Frittata.
    Potato Chorizo Frittata
    Potato Chorizo Frittata is perfect to feed a crowd. It can be made in advance and served in wedges or in small squares as an appetizer.
    Check out this recipe
    19
    A moulded Rice Salad garnished with strips of roasted red pepper and sprinkled with parsley.
    Tuna Rice Salad Tapa
    This is a cold tapa, often served as an individual portion. I prefer to serve it as a molded salad for any picnic or buffet table.
    Check out this recipe
    20
    Meatballs in Almond Sauce served as an appetizer with toothpicks
    Meatballs in Almond Sauce
    Served individually on a toothpick these meatballs are a tapa. In my house they are also an everyday dinner. If you plan well you can take them to a party as an appetizer and have enough leftover for dinner the next night.
    Check out this recipe

    Get The Dishes

    Don't feel left out thinking everyone else has all the fancy serving dishes. Borrow from friends, visit Thrift Stores or search online for shot glasses, a giant martini glass and on and on. That's how to make your dish stand out!

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