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.
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.
A gorgeous pairing of two delicate flavours - sweet and juicy melon with smoky slices of Parma ham
Serve a showstopping Christmas side that's sure to impress with this colourful tomato and mozzarella salad presented in a festive candy cane shape
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.
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."
These smoked salmon and cream cheese canapés have a lovely kick thanks to the wasabi. They’re quick, simple and ideal for serving at a cocktail party
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
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.
Gooey, oozy baked brie is a cheese lover’s dream - here paired with an impressive homemade bread. Serve up this easy baked brie recipe as part of a Boxing Day spread or for any special occasion
Use seasonal red cabbage, beetroot and pear to make this zingy winter salad. Top with a homemade herby chimichurri dressing and enjoy throughout the festive period.
Made with only 4 ingredients, these quesadillas are made using Christmas leftovers. Load tortillas with brie and cranberry sauce, then fry until the cheese has melted to make a festive lunch or snack.
This rich vegan and gluten-free pâté derives its powerful flavour from a mix of dried porcini and fresh chestnut and wild mushrooms.
Set the tone for your Christmas dinner with this impressive, luxurious starter. A Vietnamese-inspired salad that pairs meaty lobster with sharp grapefruit, fresh mint and a wonderfully fragrant sweet and sour dressing
A simple starter that is ready in no time and will be a real crowd-pleaser
Kick off your Christmas feasting with these clever cheese bauble starters in three festive flavour combinations.
Serve up this wonderfully creamy and garlicky whipped feta dip as part of a Christmas sharing platter. Simply blitz everything together and serve with crisp flatbreads or crackers for an easy festive party snack.
For a fruity vegan Christmas starter that everyone will love, look no further than these stuffed pears
This vibrant, textured salad is the perfect starter to kick off your Christmas dinner. Sweet, earthy beetroot in a fragrant herb crust paired with the crunchy walnuts and creamy goat's cheese – a classic Christmas starter that's sure to get good results
Try this delicious meaty starter for your next dinner party or festive feast. Quick-cooked minute steaks are wrapped around a roasted vegetable filling to create gorgeous little parcels your guests will love. Serve with a simple salad garnish for an easy,
Create a taste sensation with this fabulous salad, the pomegranate salsa infused with garlic and chilli perfectly complements the mild saltiness of the halloumi.
These delicious prosciutto parcels are stuffed with the tasty festive flavours of tangy blue cheese and sweet, sticky dates, making it the perfect starter for Christmas Day
This stunning starter dish is the perfect appetiser this Christmas. Combining the fruity tastes of pomegranate and creamy ricotta and goat's cheese, friends and family will fall in love with this impressive, yet quick to make mousse recipe.
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
These sweet potato rounds are perfect for a special occasion or as part of a festive feast. They are easy to make and can be prepared ahead, so there’s no hassle on the day. The roasted sweet potato discs make a delicious base for a whipped feta topping, s
If you're looking for a simple Christmas starter to serve this year, try this colourful roasted squash salad. With roasted tomatoes, fresh spinach and a festive pomegranate dressing, this vegan and gluten-free starter can kick off your Christmas dinner for everyone.
Try this artichoke bruschetta recipe for a simple Christmas starter idea. Cook jarred artichokes with lemon and plenty of fresh herbs and then pile onto crisp sourdough toasts for an easy way to begin the Christmas feast.
For an easy vegan starter idea, try these Portobello mushroom tarts. Tender mushrooms are cooked in fragrant garlic oil and baked in buttery puff pastry until crisp and golden for a super simple starter with just five ingredients.
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.
Combining two classics – Chinese-inspired prawn toast and retro-style prawn cocktail – these bite-sized canapés bring comfort and joy in equal measure. Better still, they take just 10 minutes to prepare and 10 minutes to cook in the air-fryer, while you can dial up the spice for extra heat.
This easy air-fryer brie is a must-try for entertaining. Top the cheese with fruity chutney for a gorgeous caramelised glaze and walnut pieces for extra crunch, then dip in! Cooking for a crowd? Simple double the recipe and cook both at the same time.
An elegant starter or side, making the most of the season's juicy figs.