Looking for Christmas starter ideas? These festive favourites feature classic seafood and pâté starter recipes as well as modern twists, veggie options and canapés. Discover more starter recipes and ideas and Christmas recipes for more inspiration.
Crispy caramelised sprouts add a sweet crunch and festive twist to this carbonara.
A gorgeous pairing of two delicate flavours - sweet and juicy melon with smoky slices of Parma ham
Halloumi, Serrano ham and figs come together beautifully in this wintery starter complemented by a dressing that combines fiery chilli and sweet honey. This fuss-free Christmas starter can be ready in just 20 minutes, leaving you more time to relax
Roasted squash and grapes add warmth to this winter salad that's packed with flavour and crunch.
Mellow pear, creamy Stilton and sweet candied walnuts are a flavour sensation when paired together in this delicious bruschetta recipe. It makes for an easy Christmas Day starter or appetiser.
Wow guests with this spicy reinvention of a classic Christmas starter.
Sweet honey and sesame roasted parsnips pair with garlic yogurt and a crispy kale and pearl barley salad - it’s perfect for a cold winter’s day.
This sharing platter is a colourful, vibrant dish to add to any Christmas party table
This golden, fluffy focaccia is topped with green olives, red onion slices and tangy Parmesan
These miniature jackets are sure to delight at your next Christmas party
Set the scene for your Christmas lunch with this vibrant salad. Sweet red cabbage tastes heavenly matched with tangy blue cheese and roasted pecans in this festive starter.
Warm up with this rich recipe, made with crumbled stilton, floury potatoes and sweet caramelised onions
Kick off your Christmas feasting with these clever cheese bauble starters in three festive flavour combinations.
This is not your average salad – packed with sweet roasted beetroot and creamy Stilton, this vibrant dish is perfect for an elegant Christmas supper
This recipe deliciously pairs buttery puff pastry with caramelised shallots, ripe pear, creamy Stilton and aromatic rosemary. It's an elegant Christmas starter that not only looks stunning but tastes delicious, too – the ideal way to kick off dinner
This savoury dish has a reputation for being tricky to make, but it needn't be with this simple to follow recipe
An indulgent starter idea to add to your staple of dinner party ideas. Making these tartlets is also a great way of using up any leftover Stilton. The earthy walnuts are the perfect topping to the strong flavours of Stilton and watercress.
This pretty pastry parcel is filled with melted camembert - the best Christmas present! We've added herbs and cranberry sauce to the cheese to make it extra-special and served it alongside grapes and crackers for dipping. It's great for all your festive hosting occasions or as a starter on Christmas Day.
Crunchy, sweet and zingy, this vibrant salad makes an interesting starter for Christmas Day or winter dinner parties. Make the dressing and toast the nuts a couple of days in advance, to save time on the day.
Is there anything better than sausage rolls for a party or gathering? We certainly don’t think so! Unless, of course, you upgrade them by combining the usual sausage meat with a stuffing mix in these 20-minute wonders. Another A-star for the air-fryer.
'Your freezer is your best friend when it comes to preparing for festivities and I make sure mine is stocked come November', explains foodie blogger Jade Greenhalgh. 'This versatile arancini is my fave – perfect as a starter, canapé or indulgent veggie main.’
Inspired by French onion soup, this delicious twist features echalion shallots, which have a milder and sweeter flavour than onions. This is an easy yet impressive make-ahead recipe, see tip below, ideal for dinner parties or your Christmas Day starter.
For a veggie starter on Christmas Day, try these simple chestnut-stuffed mushrooms. With a herby chestnut stuffing and crisp, nutty garlic breadcrumb topping, these are a great fuss-free way to start the festivities.
This gorgeous salad uses seasonal clementines tossed in a sweet dressing with some added crunch from nuts and pomegranates. Perfect for a festive starter or healthy, colourful lunch over the Christmas holidays.
You can't go wrong with a baked Camembert at Christmas. Take it to the next level by serving with crispy potatoes for dipping and sticky French onions. This is sure to go down a treat at any festive dinner party.
Chef, author and TV presenter, Kwoklyn Wan shares his simple, yet totally delicious twist on sesame prawn toast. Kwoklyn says: "Christmas is a time for sharing, and a plate stacked high with glistening, golden sesame chicken toasts is the perfect festive finger food for a gathering."
An elegant starter that's colourful, light and quick to prepare, this smoked salmon recipe is just the ticket to kick off the proceedings on Christmas Day
Sweet, fresh and zesty, this twist on the classic prawn cocktail is the best way to get your festivities underway
Try a cheesy festive twist on meaty stuffed mushrooms for a great vegetarian Christmas Day starter that's ready in under 30 minutes and totally gluten-free
These vegetarian individual cheesy parcels are a main course that is sure to impress guests. Creamy camembert and flavoursome Portabellos, along with porcini mushrooms for depth make this a perfect hearty dinner.
Give Christmas veg a makeover with this festive party snack
Nothing says Boxing Day like a buffet. This Scandinavian-inspired platter is packed with bold and fresh flavours - just what you need after Christmas!
These Vietnamese-inspired spring rolls are as delicious as they are fresh and light. Using leftover turkey, they're perfect for a Boxing Day buffet or a healthier snack or meal over the holidays. Everyone will have fun making the rolls – don't worry if they're not perfect!