22 Simple Boxing Day Appetizer Recipes to Impress Guests

Boxing Day is one of my favorite times of the year. The hustle and bustle of the holiday season begin to wind down, and it's the perfect opportunity to gather friends and family for a cozy get-together. I've always believed that good food is the key to a successful party, and what better way to start than with some delightful appetizers?

"22 Simple Boxing Day Appetizer Recipes to Impress Guests" is sure to be your go-to guide. These recipes are not just easy to make, but they also pack a punch in the flavor department. So, let's dive into these scrumptious bites that will have your guests singing your culinary praises!

1. Deviled Eggs

A classic favorite that’s always a hit.

Ingredients:

• 6 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Paprika for garnish

Instructions:

1. Boil the eggs for about 10 minutes. Cool them in ice water.
2. Peel and halve the eggs. Scoop out yolks and mix with mayonnaise, mustard, salt, and pepper.
3. Spoon or pipe the mixture back into the egg whites.
4. Sprinkle with paprika before serving.

2. Bruschetta

An Italian delight that captures the freshness of tomatoes and basil.

Ingredients:

• 1 baguette, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, halved
• 4 ripe tomatoes, diced
• Handful of fresh basil, chopped
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Toast the baguette slices and rub with garlic.
2. Mix tomatoes, basil, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Spoon the tomato mixture onto the baguette slices.

3. Spinach Artichoke Dip

Creamy and decadent, perfect for dipping.

Ingredients:

• 1 10-ounce package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
• 1 14-ounce can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
• 1 cup cream cheese
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ cup sour cream
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Mix all ingredients in a bowl until well combined.
3. Transfer to a baking dish and bake for 20 minutes or until bubbly.
4. Serve warm with crackers or bread.

4. Stuffed Mushrooms

Hearty and delicious, stuffed mushrooms are always a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients:

• 20 large white mushrooms
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ cup parsley, chopped
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. Remove stems from mushrooms and chop finely.
3. Sauté chopped stems with garlic in olive oil.
4. Mix sautéed stems with breadcrumbs, cheese, parsley, salt, and pepper.
5. Stuff the mushroom caps with the mixture.
6. Bake for 20 minutes.

5. Shrimp Cocktail

Simple, elegant, and always impressive.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 lemon, halved
• 1 cup cocktail sauce

Instructions:

1. Boil water with the lemon halves.
2. Add shrimp and cook until pink, about 3 minutes. Drain and cool.
3. Serve with cocktail sauce.

6. Caprese Skewers

A fresh, colorful appetizer that's quick to make.

Ingredients:

• 1 pint cherry tomatoes
• 1 package mozzarella balls
• Fresh basil leaves
• Balsamic glaze

Instructions:

1. Skewer cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and basil leaves.
2. Drizzle with balsamic glaze before serving.

7. Bacon-Wrapped Dates

Sweet, savory, and irresistible.

Ingredients:

• 20 pitted dates
• 10 strips bacon, cut in half

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Wrap half a bacon strip around each date.
3. Secure with a toothpick and place on a baking sheet.
4. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until bacon is crispy.

8. Mini Quiches

Bite-sized and filled with flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1 package mini phyllo shells
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• ½ cup shredded cheese
• ¼ cup chopped ham or vegetables
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. Whisk eggs and milk together.
3. Add cheese, ham, salt, and pepper.
4. Fill phyllo shells with mixture.
5. Bake for 15 minutes or until set.

9. Guacamole

A creamy, zesty dip that’s always a hit.

Ingredients:

• 3 ripe avocados
• 1 small red onion, finely chopped
• 1 tomato, seeded and chopped
• 1 lime, juiced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Mash the avocados in a bowl.
2. Mix in onion, tomato, lime juice, salt, and pepper.
3. Serve immediately.

10. Sausage Rolls

Flaky pastry and savory sausage – what’s not to love?

Ingredients:

• 1 package puff pastry, thawed
• 1 pound sausage meat
• 1 egg, beaten

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Roll out puff pastry and cut into strips.
3. Place sausage meat on each strip and roll up.
4. Brush with beaten egg.
5. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

11. Cheese Platter

Simple yet sophisticated.

Ingredients:

• Selection of cheeses (cheddar, brie, gouda, etc.)
• Crackers
• Grapes and nuts

Instructions:

1. Arrange cheeses, crackers, grapes, and nuts on a platter.
2. Serve at room temperature.

12. Meatballs

Juicy and flavorful, served with a tangy sauce.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup marinara sauce

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Mix beef, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, salt, and pepper.
3. Form into balls and place on a baking sheet.
4. Bake for 20 minutes.
5. Serve with marinara sauce.

13. Spinach Pinwheels

A fun and tasty finger food.

Ingredients:

• 1 package crescent roll dough
• 1 cup spinach, chopped
• ½ cup cream cheese
• ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. Roll out crescent dough and spread with cream cheese.
3. Sprinkle with spinach, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.
4. Roll up and slice into pinwheels.
5. Bake for 12-15 minutes.

14. Cucumber Bites

Light and refreshing.

Ingredients:

• 1 large cucumber, sliced
• 1 cup cream cheese
• Smoked salmon, chopped
• Fresh dill for garnish

Instructions:

1. Spread a layer of cream cheese on cucumber slices.
2. Top with smoked salmon and dill.

15. BBQ Chicken Wings

Tangy, sticky, and delicious.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound chicken wings
• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Season wings with salt and pepper.
3. Bake for 30 minutes or until crispy.
4. Toss with BBQ sauce before serving.

16. Pigs in a Blanket

A perennial favorite with kids and adults alike.

Ingredients:

• 1 package mini sausages
• 1 package crescent roll dough

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. Wrap each mini sausage in a piece of crescent roll dough.
3. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.

17. Chicken Skewers

Grilled to perfection and full of flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound chicken breast, cubed
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions:

1. Preheat grill to medium heat.
2. Skewer chicken, bell pepper, and onion.
3. Mix soy sauce, honey, and garlic.
4. Brush skewers with sauce and grill for 10-12 minutes.

18. Sweet Potato Fries

Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside.

Ingredients:

• 2 large sweet potatoes, cut into fries
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F.
2. Toss sweet potatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Spread on a baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes.

19. Cheese Stuffed Jalapeños

A little spicy, a lot cheesy.

Ingredients:

• 10 jalapeños, halved and seeded
• 8 ounces cream cheese
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. Mix cream cheese and cheddar cheese.
3. Stuff each jalapeño half with the cheese mixture.
4. Bake for 15-20 minutes.

20. Crab Cakes

Elegant and rich, perfect for special occasions.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound crab meat
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• ¼ cup mayo
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
2. Form into small cakes.
3. Heat oil in a skillet and fry cakes until golden, about 3 minutes per side.

21. Fried Mozzarella Sticks

Gooey and crispy, a childhood favorite.

Ingredients:

• 1 package mozzarella cheese sticks
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• ½ cup flour
• 2 eggs, beaten
• Oil for frying

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a deep skillet.
2. Dip cheese sticks in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs.
3. Fry until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes.

22. Nachos

A crowd favorite that’s easy to whip up.

Ingredients:

• Tortilla chips
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• ½ cup black beans
• ½ cup salsa
• ¼ cup chopped tomatoes
• ¼ cup sliced jalapeños
• Sour cream for serving

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Spread chips on a baking sheet.
3. Top with cheese, beans, salsa, tomatoes, and jalapeños.
4. Bake for 10 minutes or until cheese is melted.
5. Serve with sour cream.

Conclusion

Hosting Boxing Day celebrations just got easier with these simple and delightful appetizer recipes. You'll impress your guests while enjoying the festive season without stress. Try these out, and watch as your loved ones savor every bite, making your gathering truly memorable. Cheers to great food and great company!