Freezer Appetizers for the Festive Season

With the holidays looming, I always try to get myself slightly ahead by stocking the freezer with dishes I can just pull out and serve. These festive freezer appetisers are all make-ahead friendly and get baked or cooked from frozen, no thawing needed!

The idea is pretty simple: make your party snacks and appetizers weeks in advance to take the strain off entertaining. These recipes are all specifically chosen because they hold up well after being frozen and bonus: they don’t need to be thawed. You simply bake or air fry from frozen and they turn out absolutely perfect, every time.

1. Pigs in a blanket

We love pigs-in-a-blanket all year round but they are synonymous with the holidays, with good reason. No-one can resist them. Wrap them, flash-freeze on a baking sheet or tray lined with parchment paper then transfer to a freezer bag and keep for up to 3 months. Pull out however many you want, egg wash and bake or air fry until crisp and golden.

Pigs in a blanket

2. Brie en Croute

For something that sounds so fancy, this recipe couldn’t be simpler. Fig jam and a whole wheel of brie, wrapped in a sheet of thawed puff pastry and frozen. That’s it. On the day, brush with with egg wash and bake until golden brown and melty inside. Simply irresistible.

Brie en croute

3. Harissa Lamb Meatballs

These meatballs are incredibly flavorful, ever-so-slightly spicy from the harissa and a total crowd pleaser. I bake or air fry them from frozen but you could also pan-fry them with extra harissa, like mentioned in the original recipe. Form them, flash-freeze on a parchment-lined tray then bag them up and keep for up to 3 months.

Harissa Lamb Meatballs

4. Spanakopita

Phyllo dough filled with cream spinach and feta.

Flaky phyllo pastry filled with a delicious savory spinach and feta filling. I make little mini triangles that freeze well and are simply delicious baked until crisp and golden.

Mini Spanakopita

5. Garlic Parmesan Shortbread Crackers

Rich, buttery and dangerously snackable, these shortbread crackers are the ultimate little snack and make an excellent addition to absolutely every cheese board or charcuterie platter you’ll be putting together this festive season. Make the dough, form into a log and refrigerate until firm. Slice, freeze in a single layer and pop into a freezer bag. Bake from frozen until crisp and golden. Done!

Garlic Parmesan Shortbread Crackers

Freezer Tips

Flash-freeze before bagging: This is the most important step. This prevents everything from clumping together into one giant frozen block. Place the items in a single layer on a sheet or tray lined with parchment paper for 1-2 hours until solid then transfer to freezer bags or containers.
Wrap well to prevent freezer burn: Flash-freezing is a good first step to prevent freezer burn but make sure your items are wrapped well and press out as much air as possible from freezer bags.
Label, label, label: Most of these items will be easily identifiable in a freezer bag but I always label everything with the date so I know exactly what it is and when it was prepped.

More Freezer-Safe Appetizers

FAQ’s

How far in advance can you make freezer appetizers for Christmas?

Most appetizers that are freezer-friendly can be made 1-3 months ahead.

Can you cook appetizers straight from frozen?

Most pastry-wrapped options, meatballs, etc. can go straight from the freezer to the oven or air fryer. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time.

What party food should you avoid freezing?

Anything mayo-based or with cream sauces, anything with fresh vegetables that don’t stand up well to freezing like asparagus, lettuce and fresh herbs, raw tomatoes, etc.