Whether you’re rolling out the red carpet for a full holiday dinner party or just need to keep your in-laws something to snack on before Christmas dinner is served, the perfect holiday appetizer is—for the most part—what keeps your guests satiated and out of the kitchen while you’re prepping everything else. In keeping with the festive vibes, we’ve curated a list of our favorite holiday apps, ranging from a colorful, pomegranate seed-studded kale salad to succulent grilled oysters.
Buttery Dinner Rolls
We know—dinner rolls? On a list of holiday apps? But these aren’t just any dinner rolls: Creative Culinary Director Rhoda Boone makes them using a butter-enriched dough, then brushes the tops with melted butter before and after baking. The dough balls bake together in an Enameled Cast Iron Skillet, resulting in a buttery pull-apart loaf with a bronzed lid—perfect for a pre-dinner bite or to accompany one of your holiday mains.
Kale Salad with Pomegranate Seeds and Roasted Carrots
A salad can be a crisp, refreshing counterbalance to an over-the-top holiday spread—but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be equally flavorful (or colorful). This massaged kale salad is a contrast in color and texture: light yet hearty, with crumbled goat cheese, crunchy toasted seeds, and sweet, buttery glazed carrots.
Grilled Oysters Two Ways
Oysters are a New Year’s Eve classic—but why not get the party started a week early? This recipe for Grilled Oysters Two Ways includes two different (yet similarly buttery) toppings: a New Orleans-style one with garlic, parmesan, and hot sauce, and another inspired by a classic Bloody Mary cocktail. Use a Carbon Steel Grill Frying Pan over the grill for a little extra char, or a Carbon Steel Griddle for a less messy (and more indoor-friendly) option.
Potato Latkes
Courtesy of Made In co-founder and President Jake Kalick’s mother Kelly, these crisp, lacy latkes fry up perfectly golden brown in our Carbon Steel or Stainless Clad Frying Pan. And, while a hot potato pancake practically demands a hearty dollop of sour cream and applesauce, we bet these would be equally fantastic topped with smoked salmon and creme fraiche.
Beet Rösti with Rosemary
Because we needed at least one other savory, crispy vegetable pancake in this lineup. Courtesy of food writer, 30x cookbook author, and Made In Editor-at-Large Mark Bittman, this crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside rösti is stained a festive purple-y red from fresh beets, and is fragrant with rosemary. Using a non stick pan—such as our ProCoat or CeramiClad Non Stick Frying Pan—is a non-negotiable here for easy cooking and cleanup.
Salsa Verde en Molcajete
Served with high-quality tortilla chips, homemade salsa verde makes an excellent, light-yet-satisfying precursor to the main meal. Courtesy of the Medina sisters of Duplo Design, this recipe calls for a traditional stone Molcajete to grind the salsa, yielding a silkier texture and richer, brighter flavor than a blender or food processor.
Southern-Style Cornbread
Cornbread is great for sopping up stews and chilies, but it makes an equally satisfying pre-meal nibble—especially with a dollop of flavored butter. Fluffy and moderately sweet, this recipe from Horn Hospitality’s Matt Horn bakes up perfectly golden brown in our French porcelain Baking Dish.
Spanish-Style Grilled Shrimp with Garlic Butter
Grilled shrimp feel special enough for any festive meal—especially a holiday feast. Inspired by Spanish tapas, these sweet head-on shrimp require little more than a swipe of garlic-infused butter and a quick sear on a seasoned Carbon Steel Griddle to taste like absolute perfection.
Ready to Cook?
We’re strong believers in enjoying everything in moderation—except, that is, when it comes to holiday cooking and feasting. Of course, if you’re going to indulge, you may as well do it right: with our professional-grade Cookware and Bakeware, every appetizer—from a classic potato latke to a buttery grilled oyster—feels a little extra festive.
