Hosting Made Simple 🎉
When the holidays hit, the last thing you want is stress in the kitchen. These five-ingredient sheet-pan appetizers are designed for busy home cooks who want flavor, variety, and minimal cleanup. Each one uses a trusty sheet pan and pantry-friendly ingredients to deliver golden, crowd-pleasing bites every time.
Recipe Card
Recipe Title: Sheet-Pan Holiday Party Appetizers (5 Recipes in One)
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15–20 minutes (varies per recipe)
- Total Time: 35–40 minutes
- Servings: 6–8 guests (snack portions)
- Yield: 5 appetizer varieties, 24–30 bites total
Ingredients
Cranberry Brie Bites
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 6 oz Brie cheese, cut into cubes
- ½ cup cranberry sauce
- Fresh rosemary sprigs, for garnish
Bacon-Wrapped Dates
- 12 Medjool dates, pitted
- 4 oz goat cheese
- 6 slices bacon, halved
- Toothpicks
Garlic Parmesan Pretzel Bites
- 1 tube refrigerated biscuit dough
- 4 cups water + ¼ cup baking soda
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Mini Caprese Skewers
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- 8 oz mozzarella balls (ciliegine)
- Fresh basil leaves
- Balsamic glaze
Roasted Shrimp Cocktail
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning (or paprika + salt mix)
- 1 lemon, cut into wedges
Instructions
- Preheat & Prep Pan: Heat oven to 400°F. Line a half-sheet pan with parchment or a silicone liner.
- Cranberry Brie Bites:
- Cut puff pastry into 2-inch squares. Place into mini muffin wells or on the sheet pan.
- Add a Brie cube, spoon of cranberry sauce, and bake 12–14 minutes until golden. Garnish with rosemary.
- Bacon-Wrapped Dates:
- Stuff dates with goat cheese. Wrap each with half a bacon slice, securing with a toothpick.
- Arrange on sheet pan and bake 14–16 minutes until bacon is crisp.
- Garlic Parmesan Pretzel Bites:
- Cut biscuit dough into 1-inch pieces. Boil briefly in baking soda water (30 seconds).
- Drain, arrange on sheet pan, sprinkle with garlic + Parmesan, bake 10–12 minutes.
- Mini Caprese Skewers:
- Skewer tomato, mozzarella, and basil leaf. Arrange on a platter.
- Optional: place briefly in oven (3–5 minutes) to warm through. Drizzle with balsamic glaze before serving.
- Roasted Shrimp Cocktail:
- Toss shrimp with olive oil and Old Bay. Spread in a single layer.
- Roast 8–10 minutes until pink and curled. Serve with lemon wedges and cocktail sauce.
Chef’s Tips / Pro Notes
- Puff pastry: Keep it cold before cutting for flakier bites.
- Bacon-wrapped dates: Try blue cheese instead of goat cheese for a sharper flavor.
- Pretzel bites: Don’t skip the baking soda bath—it’s what gives them that pretzel chew.
- Make-ahead: Assemble Cranberry Brie Bites and Bacon-Wrapped Dates in the morning, refrigerate, then bake before guests arrive.
- Storage: Most bites taste best fresh, but leftovers keep 2–3 days in the fridge. Reheat at 350°F.
Product Recommendations
- Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Half Sheet (2-Pack) – durable pans that bake evenly.
- Reynolds Kitchens Parchment Paper – makes cleanup painless.
- BIA Cordon Bleu Serving Platters – stylish serving without fuss.
- OXO Good Grips Silicone Tongs – perfect for handling hot apps.
FAQs
Q: Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble in the morning, refrigerate, and bake just before serving.
Q: Can I freeze leftovers?
Cranberry Brie Bites and Bacon-Wrapped Dates freeze well. Reheat from frozen at 350°F for 10–12 minutes.
Q: How do I keep appetizers warm at a party?
Keep your oven on low (200°F) and rotate trays in and out.
Q: Can I substitute cheeses?
Yes—swap Brie for Camembert, goat cheese for cream cheese, or mozzarella for provolone.
Q: Are there gluten-free options?
Yes—use gluten-free puff pastry and biscuit dough alternatives for guests with dietary needs.
Conclusion + CTA
With just one pan and five ingredients per recipe, you can serve a full holiday spread without breaking a sweat. These sheet-pan appetizers are festive, flavorful, and foolproof.
👉 Save this recipe to Pinterest and click the product links above to stock your kitchen with the tools you need before the holidays!
Affiliate Disclosure
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.