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Learn how to use your crockpot to make your holiday cooking go smoothly with these 31 easy crockpot appetizer recipes.
My easy crockpot holiday appetizers will help you save time and space in your oven this holiday season without sacrificing flavor. Just toss the ingredients into your crockpot, let it do all the work, and you’ll have warm, crowd-pleasing apps ready to serve with zero stress!
You can also use your slow cooker to help you with the main course. My slow cooker ham, crockpot lasagna, and crockpot turkey breast are all perfect for the holiday table.
Why you’ll love these crockpot hors d’oeuvres and appetizers!
I use my slow cooker every holiday season, and I want to tell you why. Making appetizers in my crockpot allows me to enjoy the party instead of being stuck in the kitchen cooking! It is so easy to toss the ingredients for a recipe into my slow cooker, turn it on, and then walk away, coming back to warm, delicious food ready to share.
I have lots of delicious crockpot appetizer recipes that I wanted to share, all of which will be perfect for your holiday table. The slow cooker meatballs are my favorite, but everyone begs me to make the sausage and cheese dip. You can’t go wrong with any of these quick and easy appetizer recipes!
🎄 Hands-off cooking – Your crockpot does all the work while you enjoy the party.
🍴 Stays warm for hours – Crockpots are perfect for buffets, game days, or holiday grazing tables.
🧀 Crowd-pleasing comfort food – From cheesy dips to savory meatballs, there is something everyone loves!
Crockpot Appetizers To Celebrate The Holidays
1. Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe
If your holiday spread doesn’t include buffalo chicken dip, you might want to think twice about your menu. This dip is a true favorite every time it hits the plate. (It’s also a reader favorite here on All Things Mamma!)
2. Chili Cheese Dip
Bring the bold flavors to your holiday appetizers with this chili cheese dip. The crockpot lets the flavors in the chili develop slowly to create an out-of-this-world bite.
3. Rotel Dip
When you need a last-minute addition to your holiday appetizer menu, go with this Rotel cheese dip. You’ll only need 3 ingredients. Plus, since it’s made in the crockpot, it’s practically effortless.
4. Crockpot Spinach Artichoke Dip
You better hurry to get some of this crockpot spinach artichoke dip on your plate when it hits the table. The creamy, rich dip will be a favorite among your guests and will be guaranteed to go fast!
5. Crockpot Chicken Wings
Forget making a mess in the kitchen during the holiday season, and see how you can use your crockpot to make wings instead. The crockpot appetizer still gives the wings that perfectly cooked texture. They are crispy out on the outside and fall off-the-wing tender on the inside.
6. Crockpot Boiled Peanuts
Boiled peanuts may not be what comes to mind when thinking of holiday appetizers, but they will surely be a hit with your guests. The slow cooker does all the work and the peanuts turn out irresistible!
7. Pizza Dip
Pizza may not be on the menu for the main course this holiday season, but that doesn’t mean you can’t serve it up as an appetizer in the form of this cheesy pizza dip. The slow cooker keeps the dip nice and warm, so the cheese stays super melty, just like your favorite slice.
8. Barbecue Pineapple Meatballs
When you want to add a bit of sweetness to your holiday menu, go with these barbecue pineapple meatballs. The mini meatballs slow cook in a sweet pineapple barbecue sauce to create amazing flavor over time. Your taste buds will be impressed with the first bite of these crockpot appetizers meatballs.
9. Slow Cooker Cheese Chicken Ranch Sandwich
Transform this easy weeknight meal into your favorite holiday appetizer in one simple step. Instead of using traditional sandwich bread, switch it out for slider buns. The cheesy chicken will taste just as good when it is bite-sized!
10. Spicy Sausage and Cheese Crockpot Dip
Give your tastebuds a true explosion of flavor with this spicy sausage and cheese crockpot dip. The dip is made with two types of cheese, black beans, corn, tomatoes, and green chilies. This irresistible combo of Tex-Mex ingredients slowly cooks in the crockpot to create one amazing appetizer.
11. Cranberry Meatballs
Give the cranberries the spotlight they deserve this holiday season, and add these cranberry meatballs to your menu. Set the meatballs up in the slow cooker and let the cranberries go to work.
Crockpot Appetizers For A Crowd
12. Slow Cooker Chex Mix
Forget about the Chex Mix you know and love. This slow cooker Chex Mix takes the classic snack to the next level by cooking it in the slow cooker. This will be one holiday recipe that you will want to make all season long.
13. Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip
If you love buffalo chicken dip, but don’t love the heaviness it brings to your plate, switch it up and make this healthy version instead. This recipe keeps the same flavors of your favorite dip but lightens up the recipe, so you won’t feel guilty about going back for seconds and thirds of this crockpot appetizer.
14. Crockpot Macaroni and Cheese
Mac and cheese as an appetizer?! Why not! Serve it up in mini cups and the kids at your holiday party will be delighted.
15. Slow Cooker Kielbasa Bites
These mini kielbasa bites are simple to make in your slow cooker. Do yourself a favor and double the recipe, as everyone will be going back for more!
16. Queso Blanco
If you’ve never made Queso Blanco in the slow cooker, get ready to fall in love. The slow cooker makes the process so simple and keeps everything at the perfect temperature when you’re ready to serve.
Tasty Crockpot Appetizers
17. Crockpot BBQ Chicken
Get the party started right with a bite of buffalo chicken from the slow cooker. Swap out regular-sized burger buns for sliders to transform the dish into the ultimate holiday crockpot appetizer that couldn’t be easier to make.
18. Reuben Dip
If you love eating Reubens, you are going to adore this dip. It has all of the elements of the classic sandwich wrapped up into one bite.
20. Cocktail Meatballs
Would it really be a holiday party if there weren’t mini cocktail meatballs being served? Check off the holiday requirements with these mini meatballs. The secret ingredient of grape jelly gives an that irresistible sweet-and-savory flavor.
21. Slow Cooker Firecracker Chicken Meatballs
With firecracker in the ingredient title, you know these meatballs are going to be good. These meatballs combine sweet and spicy flavors to be a true firecracker on your tongue. After one bite, they’ll land a permanent spot on your holiday menu.
22. Jalapeño Popper Dip
This jalapeño popper dip will spice up your holiday menu in the best way possible. The dip is creamy, cheesy, and spicy, which means it’s impossible to stop eating it. Good look trying to eat just one bite!
23. Crockpot Pizza Casserole
Finding an appetizer that the kids will love is sometimes a bit difficult, but with this crockpot pizza casserole dish on the table, you won’t have that problem!
24. Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes
A simple potato dish is always a crowd-pleaser. This cheesy potato recipe will be just what you want to start off your holiday celebration.
Crockpot Appetizers Everyone Will Love
25. Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Meatballs
Don’t worry about making a big fuss in the kitchen when these slow cooker honey garlic meatballs are on the menu. The recipe uses frozen meatballs, cutting out half of the work to make this tasty dish.
26. Slow Cooker French Dip Sliders
Add your favorite sandwich to the appetizer menu this holiday season with these slow-cooker French dip sliders. The little sliders are so flavorful and juicy that it will be hard not to fill up on them before the big meal.
27. Crock Pot Chicken Nacho Dip
The best part about this crockpot chicken nacho dip is that it can be served in multiple ways. Leave it in a bowl next to some tortilla chips, or pour it over the crispy chips for a clever take on homemade nachos.
28. Slow Cooker Crack Chicken
Transform this popular weeknight dinner meal into your favorite holiday appetizer. Use slider buns to serve the chicken. Or, use it as a dip for chips and veggie sticks!
Simple Crockpot Appetizers For A Crowd
29. Velveeta Queso Blanco Recipe
Creamy, luscious, and mouthwatering are just a few ways to describe this Velveeta queso blanco dip. The homemade cheese sauce will get your tastebuds rolling in the right direction for your holiday meal.
30. Mississippi Roast Sandwiches
Cut these classic Mississippi roast sandwiches into bite-sized pieces for the perfect holiday appetizer. The slow cooker does all the work to turn the shredded meat into a melt-in-your-mouth bite.
31. Slow Cooker Honey Soy Chicken Wings
If spicy wings aren’t your cup of tea, add these slow-cooker honey soy chicken wings to your holiday appetizer menu. The slow cooker does all of the work, ensuring every bite is tender, juicy, and full of that delectable honey soy sauce.
FAQs
Seafood dishes, delicate vegetables, dairy items, or starches should be avoided when using a crockpot. If a recipe does include dairy or starches, they’re typically added right at the end of cooking. So, be sure to read the recipe carefully!
Yes! Don’t worry about precooking your chicken or meat before it enters the crockpot. As long as you follow the recipes for your favorite crockpot appetizers and cook the meat completely, it’s completely safe to eat.
Most crockpot recipes require some kind of liquid to create steam in the cooking process. Follow the recipe at hand, and see what is recommended for what you are trying to cook.
A Crockpot is actually a brand of slow cooker, but all crockpots are slow cookers. The main difference is that Crockpot models use a ceramic pot that heats from all sides, while some slow cookers heat only from the bottom.
In most cases, 4 hours on high heat is roughly equal to 8 hours on low heat in a slow cooker. Cooking on low allows flavors to develop more deeply, while high heat cooks food faster but may change the texture slightly.
More Recipes To Make In Your Crockpot
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