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Looking for Christmas starter ideas? These festive favourites feature classic seafood and pâté starter recipes as well as veggie options and canapés. Find more Christmas recipes and inspiration.
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.
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
Roasted squash and grapes add warmth to this winter salad that's packed with flavour and crunch.
Sweet, fresh and zesty, this twist on the classic prawn cocktail is the best way to get your festivities underway
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 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
Make this easy, stylish starter on Christmas Eve, then simply slice to serve the following day
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.
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.
Kick off your Christmas feasting with these clever cheese bauble starters in three festive flavour combinations.
A simple starter that is ready in no time and will be a real crowd-pleaser
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.
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,
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.
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
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.
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.
A rich and wonderful lamb's liver pâté that goes best with lightly toasted (and slightly sweet) brioche, this recipe isn't for the faint of heart. It is, however, perfect for those who want to indulge themselves and delve into the world of classic French gastronomy.
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.
Recipes don't get much more comforting than this warming carrot and chestnut soup. Cooked chestnuts give the soup a deliciously nutty flavour and depth while finely grated Gruyere provides a lush and moreish mouthfeel.
These potted prawns with melba toast will make an impressive starter at your dinner party. Helpfully, they can be prepared hours in advance and kept in the fridge until your guests arrive. Wait until the last minute to make the melba toast to keep it nice and crisp.
This retro favourite has had a lovely makeover. Traditional Marie Rose is replaced by a crème fraîche with lemon, garlic and paprika. This powerful sauce is a brilliant match for the large prawns and crunchy little gem.
These spicy tostadas are made to be enjoyed as canapés with cocktails. Prawn, avocado, red chilli, coriander and lime combine for a Mexican flavour sensation. Be sure to leave enough time for marinating.
These oven-baked chicken drumsticks, deliciously spiced with curry paste, are sure to become a firm favourite with the whole family. Served with a refreshing cucumber salad, it’s the perfect dish to enjoy any night of the week
Forget sausages on sticks, impress guests with every mouthful of these tasty bites! Smoked salmon tartare is a classic and elegant appetizer that is both quick to prepare and cook, making it the perfect party food.
An elegant starter or side, making the most of the season's juicy figs.
Pinchos – or pintxos – are a traditional drinking snack that can be found strewn across bars and restaurants in northern Spain. This version, made with pork tenderloin and sweet bell peppers, makes for an impressive, meaty appetizer.
You can make these the night before. Keep them covered in the fridge, then simply pop them into the oven to roast along with the vegetables.
Use up all your leftover cheeseboard bits to make these extra-special cheesy chips. Chuck whatever cheeses you have left, along with chutney and cornichons, and get ready for some serious cheese pulls.
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