Christmas is a time for getting together, enjoying good food and spending quality time with loved ones. Whether you're hosting a festive bash, heading out to a party or looking for easy but impressive nibbles to make on the big day, these Christmas canapé recipes will help you. From juicy coconut prawns to cute vegetarian tartlets to shepherd's pie fritters, these recipes offer something a little different and are so much tastier than the shop-bought alternatives.
Goat's Cheese & Onion Marmalade Tart from Cook Up a Feast by Mary Berry
This delicious puff pastry tart combines caramelised balsamic onions, thyme and salty goat's cheese – simple to prepare and sure to go down a treat when entertaining guests.
Carrot and Feta Bites with Lime Yoghurt from Flavour by Ruby Tandoh
These veggie bites combine carrot with the heat of spring onion, spice and plenty of tasty feta. Serve it up with the lime yoghurt, which Ruby reckons “does a good job of cooling the saltiness of the cheese and brightening the flavour of the carrot bites with a zesty, sour zing”. Sold!
Order a copy of Ruby Tandhoh's Flavour here.
Mini Cheese and Tomato Tartlets from Annabel Karmel's Busy Mum's Cookbook by Annabel Karmel
Bringing a Christmas nibble to a party? These pretty tartlets make for the best vegetarian canapés: melt-in-your-mouth pastry encase cherry tomatoes, onion, thyme and Parmesan… and super-easy to transport, too.
Get yourself a copy of Annabel Karmel's Busy Mum's Cookbook here.
Deep-fried Coconut Prawns from Rick Stein: The Road to Mexico by Rick Stein
Juicy king prawns coated in coconut breadcrumbs and fried until crunchy and golden. Serve this with Rick Stein's addictive spicy papaya dipping sauce – guaranteed, you'll be the most popular person at the party.
Order a copy of Rick Stein: The Road to Mexico here.
Pea Purée and Ham Tartlets from The Great British Bake Off: Everyday by Linda Collister
Any bake from The Great British Bake Off is bound to be good. These are very thin, melt-in-your-mouth cheese pastry, filled with minty peas and topped with crisp sails made from Parmesan and Parma ham. A fancy riff on a favourite flavour combo.
Get yourself a copy of The Great British Bake Off: Everyday here.
Shepherd's Pie Fritters from Luke's Cookbook by Luke Thomas
Rich beef mince coated in golden, crisp breadcrumbs, these little fritters are as good as they sound. Prepare these ahead of the day for a delicious festive spread.
Order a copy of Luke's Cookbook here.
Olive and Tomato Stars from Christmas on a Plate by Emma Marsden
These cute Christmas stars are cut from simple squares of puff pastry, with the corners folded in to create the shape. These are topped with cream cheese, sundried tomatoes and olives, but feel free to get inventive with your toppings – cream cheese and smoked salmon, paté or pesto would work just as well.
