This year, give your Christmas party or dinner a touch of class with this simple yet elegant Christmas Wreath Appetizer. This show-stopper appetizer starts with fresh sprig that are shaped into a wreath.
Garnished with festive red cherry tomatoes, black and green olives, and mini mozzarella balls, this healthy Christmas appetizer will be sure to impress all your guests.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
As appetizer recipes abound, there's no need to stick with the same old standby's this year. This festive Christmas Wreath Appetizer packs a flavorful punch while providing a stunning visual presentation on a holiday platter!
With its simple combination of red cherry tomatoes, mini mozzarella balls, and both black and green olives, you'll be sure to win rave reviews from family and friends alike. So get ready - it's time t make this delicious twist on traditional holiday fare!
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Ingredients
Why not try making something really special this year by crafting a colorful, festive Christmas wreath appetizer that is sure to add some cheer to your event?
With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you will soon have a beautiful holiday wreath appetizer ready in no time!
- Rosemary sprigs from fresh rosemary.
- Cheese cubes (you can use Cheddar, Swiss, Montery Jack, Pepper Jack, even Smoked Gouda).
- Mini Mozzarella balls - I recommend BelGioioso Pearls or Ciliegine as they are the right size.
- Black olives, pitted - Salty Kalamata are wonderful with this healthy wreath appetizer.
- Green olives, pitted - Spanish Manzanilla (red pimento stuffed) will looks stunning for a Christmas wreath appetizer!
- Cherry Tomatoes (for Christmas I use all red, but you can use the blend of yellow, orange, and red cherry tomatoes also).
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make a Healthy Christmas Appetizer
This is more a visual tutorial than a recipe, as it is like a vegetable crudite or chacuterie board, you tend to use what you have one hand or what you can source.
The theme is a wreath, and while I love rosemary, other herbs will also be just as beautiful. Consider using fresh Bay leaves, or fresh tarragon. Even ordinary parsley will look beautiful!
Our Christmas Wreath appetizer is vegetarian, but you could easily add cubes of ham or other cured meats also.
Step 1. Create the Wreath Base
Loosely arrange the rosemary sprigs, or other herbs chosen, into a circle about 10 to 12" diameter. You can use a charcuterie board, platter, or simply a plate like I did.
Place the cheese cubes around the the wreath with space between them for other tidbits.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 2. Add the Black Olives
Drain the black olives and pat them dry with a paper towel. Position them on the rosemary or herb wreath nearby the cheese cubes.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 3. Add the Cherry Tomatoes
Position cherry tomatoes and the mini mozzarella balls next on the wreath in decorative locations between the black olives and cheese.
A tip for larger cherry tomatoes is to stick a toothpick into the stem, then stick the exposed portion of toothpick into the wreath. This will help position the cheese cubes being added to a holiday appetizercherry tomatoes and prevent them from rolling out of position.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 4. Finish with the Green Olives
Last, add the green olives. This is where pitted, pimento stuffed olives, or even garlic stuffed olives would be even more stunning!
Set some toothpicks and a bowl in the center of the wreath, or nearby, with a blend of all the leftover mini mozzarella balls, olives, and cherry tomatoes.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Serving Suggestions
This is one of those Christmas appetizers to make ahead. Just keep the plate or platter in the refrigerator with plastic wrap lightly on the top (to keep the cheese from drying out).
Your guests will love that this is a gluten free Christmas appetizer. For guests already looking for low carb appetizers, or keto appetizers, this fits the bill, letting everyone indulge!
For more Christmas appetizers to make ahead, see our Smoked Salmon Cucumber Rolls, Cherry Tomato Bruschetta, Hedgehog Cheese Ball, and Italian Charcuterie Board.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Substitutions
Imagine how beautiful this wreath would be using fresh cut bay laurel sprigs! Not many of us have such a tree in our gardens, but if you do, fresh bay laurel leaves are a perfect substitute for rosemary sprigs.
Variations
A few delicious variations on this Christmas Wreath appetizer are:
- Olive Wreath Appetizer - Replace the cheese and tomatoes with a wider variety of olives. The colors will be stunning.
- Antipasto Wreath Appetizer - Arrange your holiday wreath appetizer with cubes of meats. Ham, fans of Prosciutto, spicy Capicola, and Genoa Salami.
- Cheese Wreath Appetizer - Use flutter fans of deli thin cheeses, cubes of cheeses.
Storage
Store any leftovers in small baggies. Separate the meats, cheeses, and vegetables. Keep in the refrigerator and use for light snacking.
Tips for Success
- Pat the olives dry so they don't get moisture on the cheese cubes.
- You can buy pre cut cheese cubes in the grocery store, making this healthy Christmas wreath a snap!
Frequently Asked Questions
No, don't freeze this Christmas wreath appetizer. The fresh herbs will change, the tomatoes will get soggy. The best thing to do with leftovers is to separate the components and refrigerate them. Toss in your next salad!
Food Safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
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📖 Recipe
Christmas Wreath Appetizer
Ingredients
For a 10" to 12" Healthy Christmas Appetizer
- Rosemary fresh sprigs to make a circle
- 4 oz Cheddar Cheese cubed
- 4 oz Mozzarella mini Pearls or Ciliegine
- ½ cup Kalamata olives drained and patted dry
- ½ cup Manzanilla olives drained and patted dry
- ½ cup tomatoes cherry or grape
Instructions
- Loosely arrange the rosemary sprigs, or other herbs chosen, into a circle about 10 to 12" diameter.Rosemary
- Place the cheese cubes around the the wreath with space between them for other tidbits.4 oz Cheddar Cheese
- Drain the black olives and pat them dry with a paper towel. Position them on the rosemary or herb wreath nearby the cheese cubes.½ cup Kalamata olives
- Position cherry tomatoes and the mini mozzarella balls next on the wreath in decorative locations between the black olives and cheese.½ cup tomatoes, 4 oz Mozzarella
- Last, add the green olives. This is where pitted, pimento stuffed olives, or even garlic stuffed olives would be even more stunning!½ cup Manzanilla olives
- Set some toothpicks and a bowl in the center of the wreath, or nearby, with a blend of all the leftover mini mozzarella balls, olives, and cherry tomatoes.
Notes
- A tip for larger cherry tomatoes is to stick a toothpick into the stem, then stick the exposed portion of toothpick into the wreath. This will help position the cherry tomatoes and prevent them from rolling out of position.
Nutrition
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