Make Ahead and Bake-From-Frozen Appetizers for Effortless Christmas Entertaining
The best thing you can do for your upcoming holiday season is to be ready for family and friends at a moments notice. Stock your freezer with appetizers that bake straight out of the freezer. No thawing, no fuss – just golden delicious bites ready to serve with a glass of Champagne. These 7 elegant make-ahead recipes can all be prepped in early December, frozen and baked to perfection on Christmas or New Year’s Eve.
1. Golden Winter Spring Rolls
Butternut Squash, Chicken & Feta Phyllo Bundles
Wrapped in crisp, buttery phyllo, these rolls are filled with roasted butternut squash, tender chicken, creamy feta, honey, sage and crushed cashews. The bake up flaky and golden. We served them with a side of cranberry dipping sauce for a more festive touch.
2. Gruyere Bites
Gruyere, Honey, Chives, and Toasted Almonds in a Phyllo Roll
These little bites of heaven are layers of buttery phyllo, with a generous handful of shredded Gruyere cheese in between them. Roll up the sheets and slice to get little rounds of phyllo and gruyere. Topped with a drizzle of honey, chives and toasted blanched almonds. This is a classic little cocktail nibble.
3. Italian Sausage Rolls
Italian Sausage, Shredded Cheese in a Puff Pastry Roll
We make these so often and they are consistently a hit of the party. You won’t find a simpler appetizer to make.
4. Tamarind and Pistachio Sausage Rolls
Ground Pork with Pistachios, Fennel Seeds, Sautéed Onions, Nutmeg, Red Current Jelly and Tamarind
This was a new twist on the sausage roll we’ve been making for years. Just a different flavour profile but still an easy classic. We served these with ketchup mixed with tamarind and it created a tangy twist.
5. Smoked Salmon Pastry Twists
Everything Bagel, Smoked Salmon, Creamed Dill Cheese Meets Puff Pastry
These elegant twists feature smoked salmon and lemon-dill cream cheese sandwiched between butter puff pastry, sprinkled with everything bagel seasoning. They become a chic, savoury twist.
6. Parmesan Crusted Wings
Wings Marinated in Italian Dressing and Tossed in a Panko/Parm Crust
The guys love these. Chicken wings are marinated in Italian dressing, then coasted in a crunchy mix of panko crumbs and grated shredded cheese. The coating becomes crispy but buttery. Make lots; these will fly.
7. Crispy Arancini with Melon Passata
Parmesan Risotto Balls with an Italian Cheese Center
Rice balls are essentially what these are and they are delicious. These do need fried from frozen but they are so good it is worth us mentioning them here. After making the risotto and letting it cool, you will create little balls with a dollop of Italian flavoured cream cheese. You’ll fry these from frozen until crisp and golden then served over a silky melon passata.
Prep all of these make-ahead bites in early December, label and freeze them in airtight bags and on Christmas Eve, you will simply bake and fry them from frozen. You’ll have a full spread of gourmet appetizers without lifting a finger the day of. Just enjoy your loved ones.
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Golden Winter Spring Rolls- Butternut Squash, Chicken and Feta Phyllo Bundles
