I love the way holidays is a multi-sensory experience. There are so many memories wrapped up in the sound of a Christmas song, the familiar scent of a holiday candle, the feel of cozy socks and the taste of your favorite holiday snack, all against the backdrop of green trees and twinkling lights. I can’t remember what I ate for lunch yesterday, but just a piece of cinnamon sugar bread, and I was immediately driven home to my grandmother, clearly recalling her holiday party in 2004. This season has a lot of meanings rooted in the senses, especially when it comes to the foods we enjoy with friends and family. I find myself hosting get-togethers simply because I need a chance to rekindle all the nostalgia and, of course, indulge in all of my favorite gluten-free dairy-free holiday appetizers. .
Since I eliminated gluten and dairy from my diet many years ago, I’ve been on a mission to recreate the butter and flour-filled classics I look forward to every holiday season. In the process, I discovered some great gluten-free dairy-based appetizers. Some are cleaned up to be the best holiday classics, while others are new staples in my party rotation. So, to celebrate the holiday season, I hope you enjoy this gluten-free dairy-free holiday appetizer recipe and that you show off the memories by making one (or all) of them!
Chorizo-Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Dates by The Defined Dish
Why we love it: You can’t mistake anything bacon-wrapped in a party, but when bacon and dates come together, it’s game over. These bacon-wrapped dates are delicious, hearty, and absolutely delicious. Trust me, you won’t regret doing these things.
Hero composition: Chorizo adds a bit of saltiness to these pieces, perfectly balancing the sweet flavors from the dates. When you add the sauce in, these bites take deliciousness to the next level.
Sweet Potato Black Bean Dip by Minimalist Baker
Why we love it: It’s not a holiday party without some kind of dip, and this isn’t your usual bean dip. With sweet potatoes, black beans, and avocado, this dish is essentially a combination of all of my favorite Southwest flavors in one bowl.
Hero composition: Not only do sweet potatoes add a gorgeous color, but they’re also the key ingredient to achieving the perfect balance between savory and sweet that makes this dip so great.
Squash Hummus with Tahini & Whole Pumpkin Seeds
Why we love it: Hummus has become a loose term today, with variations popping up everywhere. In my opinion, you can’t go wrong with adding in seasonal ingredients like squash and pumpkin seeds to enjoy traditional festive hummus.
Hero composition: The squash is pre-roasted for a beautiful golden color and intensely sweet flavor. When combined with tahini, you have a delicious, earthy concoction that’s only left to die.
Minimalist Baker’s Kale and Spinach Dip Ice Cream
Why we love it: Spinach dip is such a neutral dish, almost everyone loves it. But here’s a really healthy and dairy-free version.
Hero composition: When soaked overnight, cashews make a great base for dips and sauces. Plus, when you add almond milk, nutritional yeast, and vegan parmesan, you can enjoy the hearty taste of classic spinach-dipped artichokes without stomach upset.
Proscuitto, Le and Arugula Rolls by The Defined Dish
Why we love it: There’s something classic and uplifting about the combination of cured meats, fresh fruits and greens. These cupcakes are just fancy enough for a holiday get-together that doesn’t require any cooking. You can even add some vegan cheese to the mix to make these treats a little tastier.
Hero composition: I look forward to pear season every year and try to incorporate this seasonal gem into any dish I can. They add the perfect amount of sweetness to any dish.
PHOTO: gluten-free dairy-free holiday appetizers
Spicy Vegan Pimento Cheese Ball by Minimalist Baker
Why we love it: The holidays are the perfect time to experiment in the kitchen. If you haven’t tried making a vegan cheeseburger, you’re missing out! This dish has simple ingredients, is fun to make and is sure to impress even your cheese-loving guests.
Hero composition: I bet you can guess the base of this non-dairy cheese ball. Yes, soaked cashews! When combined with the right ingredients, cashews have a delicious texture and flavor that other nuts just can’t beat.
The sweet and spicy seeds of the ambitious kitchen
Why we love it: Candied nuts are a great snack. We love them not only because they’re delicious, but also because they bring the best aroma to your home while they’re baking. Sweet, spicy, crunchy and rich, this recipe checks all the boxes.
Hero composition: The spices are the stars of this recipe, and add an unexpectedly delicious flavor to these candied nuts. The vegan butter and maple syrup allow the nuts to taste deliciously sweet when cooked. This recipe is also easy to batch and makes a great gift for friends and neighbors.
Crispy Mashed Potatoes by Ambitious Kitchen
Why we love it: Meet your new favorite potato recipe. Simple, straightforward and crunchy, these mashed potatoes are addictive, especially when paired with your favorite dip or sauce.
Hero composition: In my book, there’s room for potatoes on every occasion. Plus, this recipe is proof that you don’t need much to make potatoes taste great.
Martha Stewart’s Spicy Baked Chickpeas
Why we love it: It’s always good to have a few basic appetizers mixed in with some more detailed, labor-intensive dishes. Enter: crispy roasted chickpeas. This is a great dish as a standalone snack or served with salads, soups, etc.
Hero composition: Chickpeas turn golden brown and crispy when baked in the oven, and when you add some seasoning, you’ll want to eat them right away.
PHOTO: gluten-free dairy-free holiday appetizers
Pork Dumplings Cabbage of Identified Dish
Why we love it: There’s something about dumplings that just give off a festive feel, and preparing them can turn into a fun event with family and friends. Honestly, I think I’ll never find a gluten-free dumpling recipe as good as the real thing. But when I tried these, they exceeded all expectations. These dumplings are worth it!
Hero composition: The sweet salty pork filling in these dumplings is what makes this dish attractive. With ginger, scallions, siamese coconut, and more, every bite is packed with flavor. When it comes to healthy comfort foods, this one wins.
No Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Caramel Peanut Butter by Chris Love Julia
Why we love it: This dish reminds me of the snacks we usually have during the holidays. It seems like every week a new round tin pops up on our front porch along with another addictive snack mix. You’ll want to enjoy some of this chocolate peanut butter caramel corn and share it with those you know!
Hero composition: Popcorn makes a great base for any snack, as it absorbs whatever flavors you mix. In this case, the peanut butter and chocolate take this treat from an everyday snack to something more festive and enticing.
Sweet and Sour Brussels Sprouts
Why we love it: Camille says it best when she describes these brussel sprouts as “quite close to perfect.” These brussel sprouts are anything but boring with dates, cider, maple syrup, and more thrown into the mix.
Hero composition: Brussels sprouts are always best served crispy and burnt, and this recipe is no exception. If you’re looking for a way to add more veggies to your holiday grocery list, look no further!
PHOTO: gluten-free dairy appetizers
Minimalist baker’s 7-ingredient vegan stuffed mushrooms
Why we love it: Decadent yet so healthy, you’ll want to make these stuffed mushrooms over and over again. Plus, this recipe only requires seven ingredients.
Hero composition: Today, it’s no secret that mushrooms are packed with many benefits. They are a rich source of fiber and antioxidants, and their neutral taste and texture make them a great canvas for any type of surface.
Minimalist baker’s quick crispy cauliflower
Why we love it: Can you tell we’re enjoying the crunchy veggies here? I’ve been making this grilled cauliflower recipe over and over again and it never disappoints.
Hero composition: These days cauliflower is everywhere. Not only is it packed with fiber and nutrients, but it’s also one of the most versatile vegetables. This recipe works great as a side dish or standalone appetizer and is suitable for any occasion.
