20 Best Hot Appetizers to Serve in Winter for Cozy Nights

There's something undeniably magical about winter nights. The crisp, frosty air outside makes the warmth inside feel even cozier. Whether I'm snuggled up with a good book, hosting a movie marathon with friends, or enjoying a quiet evening with family, the right food can enhance those winter moments.

Hot appetizers are my go-to for these occasions—they're comforting, delicious, and perfect for sharing. So, I've compiled a list of my 20 Best Hot Appetizers to Serve in Winter for Cozy Nights. These recipes will not only keep you warm but also bring a sense of delight to your chilly evenings.

1. Cheesy Garlic Bread

Cheesy garlic bread is always a crowd-pleaser. The combination of melted cheese, garlic, and crusty bread is simply irresistible.

Ingredients:

• Baguette or Italian bread
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Cut the bread into slices without cutting all the way through.
3. Mix butter and garlic, spread it generously between bread slices.
4. Stuff shredded mozzarella between slices.
5. Sprinkle Parmesan on top.
6. Bake for 10-15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. Garnish with parsley and serve warm.

2. Spinach and Artichoke Dip

This classic dip is warm, oozy, and loaded with spinach and artichokes. Perfect with crispy bread or crackers.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup frozen spinach, thawed and drained
• 1 cup canned artichoke hearts, chopped
• 1 cup cream cheese
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl.
3. Transfer to an oven-proof dish.
4. Bake for 20 minutes, until bubbly and golden.
5. Serve with bread or crackers.

3. Baked Brie

Warm and gooey, baked Brie is an elegant yet simple appetizer that's perfect for winter gatherings.

Ingredients:

• 1 wheel of Brie cheese
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)
• Fresh rosemary for garnish

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Place Brie on a baking sheet.
3. Drizzle honey over the top.
4. Sprinkle with chopped nuts.
5. Bake for 10-12 minutes until softened.
6. Garnish with fresh rosemary and serve with crackers.

4. Buffalo Chicken Dip

For those who love a little kick, Buffalo Chicken Dip is a spicy, creamy treat that'll warm you from the inside out.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce
• 1/2 cup ranch dressing
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
3. Transfer to a baking dish.
4. Bake for 20 minutes, until bubbly.
5. Serve with tortilla chips or celery sticks.

5. Stuffed Mushrooms

Stuffed mushrooms are filled with a savory mixture of cheese, herbs, and breadcrumbs. A delightful bite-sized treat!

Ingredients:

• 20 large white mushrooms, stems removed
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup cream cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Mix all ingredients except mushrooms in a bowl.
3. Fill each mushroom cap with the mixture.
4. Place on a baking sheet.
5. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until golden.
6. Serve warm.

6. Jalapeño Poppers

These spicy little bites are filled with cheese and wrapped in bacon, perfect for a winter kick.

Ingredients:

• 10 jalapeños, halved and seeded
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 10 slices bacon, halved

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Mix cream cheese and cheddar cheese.
3. Fill each jalapeño half with the cheese mixture.
4. Wrap each with half a slice of bacon.
5. Place on a baking sheet.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes until bacon is crispy.
7. Serve warm.

7. Mini Quiches

Mini quiches are versatile and filled with delightful flavors from spinach, cheese, and ham.

Ingredients:

• 1 package puff pastry
• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or Swiss)
• 1/2 cup chopped cooked ham
• 1/2 cup cooked spinach
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Cut puff pastry into small circles and press into a mini muffin tin.
3. Mix eggs, milk, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
4. Distribute cheese, ham, and spinach evenly into pastry cups.
5. Pour egg mixture over fillings.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes until eggs are set.
7. Serve warm.

8. Potato Skins

Loaded potato skins with cheese, bacon, and green onions are comfort food at its best.

Ingredients:

• 4 large russet potatoes
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 2 green onions, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Bake potatoes for 1 hour until tender.
3. Cut potatoes in half and scoop out most of the flesh.
4. Sprinkle cheese inside skins and return to the oven until cheese is melted.
5. Top with sour cream, bacon, and green onions.
6. Serve warm.

9. Meatballs

Tender, juicy meatballs are perfect for a winter appetizer, especially when paired with a tangy marinara sauce.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
3. Roll into small balls and place on a baking sheet.
4. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until browned.
5. Serve with marinara sauce.

10. Pigs in a Blanket

These little sausages wrapped in crescent dough are always a hit at any gathering.

Ingredients:

• 1 package cocktail sausages
• 1 tube crescent dough
• 1 egg, beaten

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Roll out crescent dough and cut into small triangles.
3. Wrap each sausage in dough.
4. Brush with beaten egg.
5. Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden brown.
6. Serve warm with mustard or ketchup.

11. Chicken Satay

Skewers of marinated chicken served with a tasty peanut sauce make for a flavorful appetizer.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken breast, cut into strips
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• Wooden skewers

Instructions:

1. Combine soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger to make a marinade.
2. Marinate chicken for at least 1 hour.
3. Preheat grill or broiler.
4. Thread chicken onto skewers.
5. Grill for 6-8 minutes until cooked through.
6. Serve with peanut sauce.

12. Crab Cakes

Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, crab cakes are a luxurious winter treat.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb crab meat
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
2. Form into small patties.
3. Preheat a skillet with oil over medium heat.
4. Cook crab cakes for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown.
5. Serve with tartar sauce.

13. Bacon-Wrapped Dates

Sweet and salty bacon-wrapped dates are incredibly addictive and perfect for cold nights.

Ingredients:

• 12 dates, pitted
• 12 almonds
• 6 slices bacon

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Stuff each date with an almond.
3. Cut bacon slices in half.
4. Wrap each date with half a slice of bacon.
5. Secure with a toothpick.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes until bacon is crispy.
7. Serve warm.

14. Mozzarella Sticks

Crunchy on the outside and gooey on the inside, mozzarella sticks are a classic favorite.

Ingredients:

• 12 mozzarella sticks
• 1 cup flour
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• Oil for frying

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a deep pan to 375°F.
2. Dredge each mozzarella stick in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs.
3. Fry until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes.
4. Drain on paper towels and serve with marinara sauce.

15. French Onion Soup Bites

All the flavors of French onion soup in a bite-sized appetizer, perfect for a cozy winter night.

Ingredients:

• 2 large onions, thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1/2 cup beef broth
• 1 sheet puff pastry
• 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Cook onions in butter over medium heat until caramelized.
3. Add beef broth and cook until thickened.
4. Roll out puff pastry and cut into squares.
5. Place a tablespoon of onion mixture on each square.
6. Sprinkle with cheese.
7. Bake for 10-12 minutes until puff pastry is golden and cheese is melted.
8. Serve warm.

16. Sausage Rolls

Spicy sausage wrapped in flaky dough, perfect for a warm and filling appetizer.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground sausage
• 1 tube puff pastry
• 1 egg, beaten

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Roll out puff pastry and cut into strips.
3. Place sausage on each strip and roll up.
4. Brush with beaten egg.
5. Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.
6. Serve warm with dipping sauce.

17. Cheese Fondue

Melted cheese with bread for dipping, a comforting classic for winter nights.

Ingredients:

• 1 clove garlic, halved
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 8 oz Gruyère cheese, shredded
• 8 oz Emmental cheese, shredded
• 2 tsp cornstarch
• French bread, cubed

Instructions:

1. Rub the inside of a fondue pot with garlic.
2. Heat wine in the pot until simmering.
3. Toss cheese with cornstarch and gradually add to wine, stirring until melted.
4. Keep warm and serve with bread cubes.

18. Baked Clams

Baked clams are a delicious seafood appetizer packed with flavors of garlic and Parmesan.

Ingredients:

• 12 clams, shucked
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp melted butter
• Parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Mix breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic, and butter.
3. Spoon mixture onto each clam.
4. Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden.
5. Garnish with parsley and serve warm.

19. Loaded Nachos

Warm and cheesy nachos are perfect for sharing during a cozy winter evening.

Ingredients:

• Tortilla chips
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• 1/2 cup cooked ground beef
• 1/4 cup sliced jalapeños
• 1/4 cup diced tomatoes
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup guacamole

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Spread tortilla chips on a baking sheet.
3. Sprinkle cheese and ground beef over chips.
4. Bake for 10 minutes until cheese is melted.
5. Top with jalapeños, tomatoes, sour cream, and guacamole.
6. Serve warm.

20. BBQ Chicken Sliders

Mini BBQ chicken sandwiches are hearty and flavorful, making them a great winter appetizer.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
• 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
• Slider buns
• Pickles, optional

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Mix shredded chicken with BBQ sauce.
3. Spoon chicken onto slider buns.
4. Add pickles if desired.
5. Bake for 10 minutes until warm.
6. Serve immediately.

Conclusion

These are my top 20 hot appetizers to keep your winter nights cozy and delightful. Each recipe brings warmth and deliciousness, making them perfect for any gathering or a quiet night in. Enjoy and stay warm!