Easy Christmas Appetizers

At Enrique Tomás, we want to make Christmas entertaining as easy as possible! As the festive season approaches, we're all busy organising gift shopping, making plans with family and friends, and of course, preparing the meals and dinners that bring everyone together. If you're hosting one of this year's Christmas celebrations, we've got you covered. Here are eight easy Christmas appetiser ideas. They are quick to prepare, leaving you with more time to enjoy the company of your loved ones during the most festive time of the year!

8 Easy Christmas Appetiser Ideas

Keep things simple! The secret to creating unforgettable Christmas appetisers is choosing recipes that are easy to prepare while using exceptional gourmet ingredients from Spanish gastronomy, such as Jamón Ibérico and artisan cheeses. Pair everything with a carefully selected wine or Cava, and you'll have a festive spread everyone will remember. You'll even find many of these premium products in our Christmas hampers with jamón.

Now it's time to get cooking! Here are our favourite Christmas appetisers that are guaranteed to impress your guests without keeping you stuck in the kitchen.

1. Mini Soup Shots

Velvety vegetable soups served in small glasses or shot glasses make a fantastic light appetiser for Christmas gatherings. They're fresh, elegant and provide the perfect balance alongside richer canapés and festive nibbles. Here are a few delicious ideas for you to choose from:

Autumn vegetable soup

Asparagus soup with jamón

Pumpkin soup

These light starters are ideal for creating a varied festive table.

2. Jamón Ibérico Tartare

Tartare has become one of the signature dishes in restaurants everywhere. So why not serve it at your Christmas dinner? Most people are familiar with classic steak tartare or fish tartares made with tuna or salmon.

But have you ever tried a Jamón Ibérico tartare? It's an original, elegant appetiser that's guaranteed to surprise your guests while showcasing one of Spain's finest delicacies.

👉 Discover how to prepare Jamón Ibérico tartare step by step.

Jamón Ibérico Tartare

3. Skewers

Skewers are another brilliant idea for Christmas canapés. The possibilities are endless, but here are two combinations that never disappoint: the first combines avocado, mango, diced jamón, cherry tomatoes and goat's cheese for a fresh, colourful and contemporary appetiser. If you prefer something more traditional, you can never go wrong with the classic pairing of melon and jamón—it's a timeless combination that always proves popular.

Cold skewers for a healthy appetiser

Melon and jamón skewers

4. Tomato Carpaccio with Jamón Ibérico

Tomato Carpaccio with Jamón Ibérico

Although carpaccio originated in Italy, it has become increasingly popular in Spanish cuisine. Today you'll find endless variations, from beef and cod to prawns and tuna.

Our festive version features thinly sliced tomato topped with extra virgin olive oil, Jamón Ibérico and Parmesan cheese. It's light, elegant and full of flavour—a perfect Christmas starter that's both simple and impressive. Check out our recipe: Tomato Carpaccio with Jamón and Parmesan.

5. Assorted Christmas Canapés

No Christmas table would be complete without canapés. They're quick to prepare, endlessly versatile and always disappear first. One idea is a miniature goat's cheese salad canapé. Every cook has their own version, but ingredients such as mixed leaves, nuts, goat's cheese and Jamón Ibérico always work beautifully together.

Another festive favourite is green asparagus wrapped in slices of jamón. Simply wrap each asparagus spear, lightly pan-fry for a few minutes and serve warm.

Finally, try avocado toast topped with jamón and cherry tomatoes. Every bite is packed with fresh Mediterranean flavours. You'll find the complete recipes in our guide: "Three Canapés Perfect for Sharing".

Three Canapés Perfect for Sharing

6. Avocado and Jamón Ibérico Uramaki Rolls

If you're looking to surprise family and friends this Christmas, Jamón Ibérico and avocado uramaki rolls are the perfect appetiser. This simple yet original recipe combines the best of Japanese cuisine with one of Spain's most iconic delicacies, creating a delicious fusion that's guaranteed to stand out on your festive table. Follow our step-by-step recipe and you'll see just how easy they are to make.

Ingredients for Jamón Ibérico Uramaki Rolls

Finished Jamón Ibérico Uramaki Rolls

7. Jamón, Cured Meat and Cheese Boards

One of the easiest Christmas appetisers to prepare—and one that's always a guaranteed success—is a beautifully presented jamón, Iberian cured meat and cheese board. If you're lucky enough to receive a Christmas hamper filled with gourmet Spanish delicacies, there's no better way to enjoy them than by sharing them with family and friends over the festive season.

Take a little time arranging your selection so it looks as good as it tastes. We've already taken care of choosing the finest products—you simply have to sit back and enjoy the incredible flavours of authentic Jamón Ibérico, artisan cured meats and premium cheeses.

Jamón Ibérico Enrique Tomás

8. More Sophisticated Christmas Starters

If you'd like to go one step further this Christmas, we also have a selection of slightly more elaborate festive starters. In our article 5 Christmas Starters with Jamón Ibérico, you'll discover recipes featuring some of the season's most traditional ingredients, including king prawns, scallops and classic vol-au-vents.

These elegant dishes are perfect when you want to impress your guests while still letting the quality of the ingredients do the talking.

Oven-baked scallops with jamón

King prawns cooked with Manzanilla sherry and jamón

Ready to make this Christmas truly delicious? Discover our selection of Jamón Ibérico, artisan cured meats, cheeses, wines, Cava and Christmas hampers in our Online Shop. Merry Christmas and enjoy every bite!