cheese charcuterie board

12 Foods Everyone Loves at Holiday Parties

The holidays are here, and you know what that means – food, fun, and frantic searches for the perfect party dish! As a mom and professional chef (a.k.a. queen of the kitchen and chaos), I know a thing or two about keeping grown-ups and kids happy during the holidays.

The right food can make any gathering unforgettable, but choosing the wrong thing can be a complete disaster. You don’t want to spend all your precious time and energy preparing something that no one will enjoy!

That is why I wanted to share my 12 favorite dishes that are all guaranteed crowd-pleasers. These are the all-stars of any holiday spread, loved by kids, grandparents, and everyone in between. Trust me, I have made them all! Give any one of these a try, and you are sure to be the hero of the holidays.

Pigs in a Blanket

Air fryer pigs in a blanket with a mustard sauce on a plate.
Image Credit: The Urben Life.

As a mom and professional chef, I can tell you there’s no holiday snack more universally loved by adults and kids alike than pigs in a blanket. They’re bite-sized, buttery, and addictive. You can never eat just one!

Even the pickiest eaters can’t resist these little guys — they disappear faster than you can say “pass the mustard.” Luckily, they are super easy to make, so you can quickly whip up a second batch!

Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Artichoke spinach dip in a baking dish with a cheese pull
Image Credit: Elena Veselova/Shutterstock.

Creamy, cheesy, and downright dreamy, spinach and artichoke dip is the ultimate crowd-pleaser. It’s warm and cozy, just like the holidays should be, and pairs perfectly with everything from crackers to veggies.

As a mom, I love sneaking in some greens without anyone complaining. It’s a holiday miracle when the kids all eat their spinach!

Cheese and Charcuterie Board

Simple Charcuterie Board
Image Credit: Pass Me Some Tasty.

Cheese and charcuterie boards aren’t just a perfect, delicious food. They’re edible works of art!

As a chef, I love how customizable they are. You can mix cheeses, meats, fruits, and nuts to match any vibe and use whatever you can find.

As a mom, charcuterie boards save me from last-minute stress because they’re easy to assemble while still looking fancy. I can whip one up in minutes, giving me something to bring to a party no matter how hectic my day is.

Mini Crab Cakes

Two crab cakes on a plate. Tasting.
Image Credit: Pear Tree Kitchen.

Mini crab cakes are like little bites of elegance that scream “special occasion.” No one is eating fancy crab meat on a regular occasion! They’re crispy, flavorful, and just the right size for mingling at a holiday party.

They also make you look like a culinary genius, even if you’re short on prep time. I love serving mini crab cakes with fancy toothpicks to add a little extra flair.

Stuffed Mushrooms

Air fryer stuffed mushrooms on a plate. An overhead view.
Image Credit: Low Carb Africa.

Stuffed mushrooms are the perfect mix of savory, earthy, and cheesy goodness. They’re a holiday staple in my house because they’re quick to whip up but taste like a gourmet dish.

My kids love helping me stuff them, too. That means it’s an activity and a food! Hands-on cooking fun for the win!

Sweet Potato Casserole

Sweet Potato Casserole
Image Credit: Corrie Cooks.

Sweet potato casserole is where dessert meets dinner, and I’m all for it. So are my kids and pretty much everyone else I know!

Sweet potato casserole is rich, sweet, and topped with either marshmallows or a crunchy pecan streusel (or both…why not?!). It’s one of those dishes that makes everyone feel nostalgic and happy and begging for seconds.

Deviled Eggs

deviled eggs
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Deviled eggs are proof that simple ingredients can shine at any holiday party. They have been popular for decades, but they still steal the show at the holiday table. Deviled eggs are creamy, tangy, and endlessly customizable (paprika swirl, anyone?).

As a mom, I love how they’re a protein-packed snack that even little hands can grab on their own. As a chef, I love how I can get creative and give the adults a fancier version of this classic.

Baked Brie with Jam

Baked Brie with Fig Jam tasting.
Image Credit: My Everyday Table.

Few things are as decadent and delicious as warm baked brie. Just thinking about it makes me feel all warm and cozy!

All you need to do to create this incredible treat is top a wedge of brie with jam, wrap it in some puff pastry or crescent roll dough, then bake! It’s the kind of dish that makes people gasp when you bring it out.

The brie is rich and gooey and perfectly sweet, thanks to the jam. It also feels super fancy, even though it’s secretly very easy to make.

Holiday Sugar Cookies

Snowflake and Christmas tree shaped sugar cookies
Image Credit: Yobab/Shutterstock.

What’s the holiday season without sugar cookies? They’re festive, colorful, and so much fun to decorate with kids. As a mom, I treasure the memories of icing cookies with my daughters.

Of course, I try to make my sugar cookies look picture-perfect to keep my culinary reputation! But literally, anyone can make sugar cookies and make them look good.

Gingerbread Men

Gingerbread cookies
Image Credit: Bogdan Sonjachnyj/Shutterstock.

Gingerbread men are classic for a reason! The warm spices, crisp edges, and adorable decorations make them a holiday hit every single year. My kids love designing their own gingerbread “family,” and it’s a great way to get everyone in the holiday spirit.

Bringing a tray of gingerbread cookies to a party is like bringing a tray of love! It’s something I think everyone needs to make at least once a season.

Hot Chocolate Bar

Hot chocolate station with variety of topppings.
Image Credit: Arina P Habich/Shutterstock.

Nothing says cozy holiday vibes like a hot chocolate bar. Get out little bowls of marshmallows, whipped cream, candy canes, chocolate chips…pretty much any topping you want! Make some hot chocolate, and then let everyone go to town customizing their personal cocoas!

This is always a hit with kids and adults alike. A hot cocoa bar will bring tons of warm, cozy holiday fun.

Homemade Mac and Cheese

close up view of a hand picking up delicious mac and cheese with a fork. the cheese is dripping nicely from the silverware. southern style homemade comfort food
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Homemade mac and cheese is comfort food at its finest. Creamy, cheesy, and baked to perfection, it’s a side dish that feels like a warm hug. My kids, of course, love it, my guests devour it, and as a chef, I enjoy adding little touches like breadcrumbs or a blend of fancy cheeses.

Homemade mac and cheese can be a side dish to almost any meal or a total meal all on its own. I must admit, I make it multiple times a year!

Author: Amanda Bochain

Amanda is a professional pastry chef with a bachelor’s degree from The Culinary Institute of America. She has worked in the hospitality field for over 18 years including owning and operating a bakery cafe that specializes in wedding cakes. Amanda loves traveling, discovering secret vacation destinations and, of course, trying new local cuisines. She loves gardening, running and eating ice cream for breakfast. She has three kids, ages 8, 5 and 3, who are her official recipe taste testers.

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