Spread Holiday Cheer with These Cheesy Appetizers

Related To:

Tyler Florence's Baked Prosciutto and Brie with Apple Butter

Tyler Florence's Baked Prosciutto and Brie with Apple Butter

Tyler Florence's Baked Prosciutto and Brie with Apple Butter

Photo by: Matt Armedariz ©2012 Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Matt Armedariz, 2012 Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

A foolproof way to keep hunger at bay — and ravenous partygoers out of the kitchen — before the big holiday dinner is appetizers, and lots of 'em. We have plenty of tried-and-true Christmas appetizer recipes to choose from, but the ones that fly off the table the fastest are always ones filled with cheese.

Here are  five of our favorites, including crunchy crostini topped with baked p rosciutto, apple butter and melted Brie (pictured above) and deep-fried mozzarella bites. The best part? They're all ready in 30 minutes or less, so you can get back to babysitting your slow-roasted prime rib and other magnificent holiday dishes.

Once you pop, the fun don't stop with a bite-sized ball version of mozzarella sticks.

debi-mazar-fresh-ricotta-crostini-recipe_s4x3

Did you know you can make fresh ricotta in less than 30 minutes? Once you try it, you'll never buy the packaged stuff again. Serve it on crostini with a sprinkle of lemon zest, or jazz it up with cured meat.

Giada's Goat Cheese and Sundried Tomato Profiteroles

Giada's Goat Cheese and Sundried Tomato Profiteroles

Giada's Goat Cheese and Sundried Tomato Profiteroles

Photo by: Matt Armendariz ©2012 Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Matt Armendariz, 2012 Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Think of profiteroles as savory cream puffs, stuffed with goat cheese, sun-dried tomatoes and a drizzle of basil-mint oil.

Photo by: Matt Armendariz ©Â 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Matt Armendariz, Â 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Spice up your cheese plate with spicy red pepper flake-spiked honey. This contrasts particularly well with salty Pecorino, but you can try pairing it with an array of your favorite cheeses.

More holiday appetizers from our friends:
The Lemon Bowl: Baba Ganoush Recip e

The Wimpy Vegetarian: Miso Mashed Potato Stuffed Mushrooms

A Mind "Full" Mom: Christmas Tree Deviled Eggs
The Fed Up Foodie: Italian Cheesy Bites

Next Up

Essentials: Wine Guide

With a basic understanding of wine, including where to buy, what to buy and how to pair it with food, you'll never fear the wine aisle again.

How to Pair Wines With Sweets

Get our guide to which wines are appropriate for your dessert soiree.

Beat the Wheat: Gluten-Free Pasta Bolognese

Here's a great all-day, feel-good cooking project for you — hand-cut pasta with 6-hour Bolognese sauce!

Dinner Rush! Chicken Legs with Roasted Grapes and White Cheddar Grits

Entertain over the holidays with an easy chicken dish that is impressive and perfect, whether it's date night or a party for 12.

Party in Five: Last-Minute Holiday Cocktail Party

Try these easy holiday party ideas, including party food, cocktail recipes and more, from Cooking Channel.

Debi Mazar’s Holiday Dinner Party Tips

Extra Virgin's Debi Mazar shares her tips for throwing a dinner party during the holidays.

A Festive, Healthy Holiday Party

Try these lighter holiday party appetizers for bites that will fill guests up without weighing them down.

On TV

Cheap Eats

7am | 6c

Cheap Eats

7:30am | 6:30c

Cheap Eats

8am | 7c

Cheap Eats

8:30am | 7:30c

Good Eats: Reloaded

9:30am | 8:30c

Good Eats

10am | 9c

Good Eats

10:30am | 9:30c

Good Eats

11am | 10c

Good Eats

11:30am | 10:30c
6pm | 5c
6:30pm | 5:30c
7pm | 6c
7:30pm | 6:30c
On Tonight
On Tonight
8pm | 7c
8:30pm | 7:30c
9pm | 8c
9:30pm | 8:30c
10pm | 9c
11pm | 10c
12am | 11c
12:30am | 11:30c
1am | 12c
1:30am | 12:30c
2am | 1c
3am | 2c
What's Hot

The Best Thing I Ever Ate

Sundays 10|9c

So Much Pretty Food Here