Easy Christmas Charcuterie Cups: Best Holiday Appetizer
These Easy Christmas Charcuterie Cups are a total game-changer for holiday hosting. They solve the age-old problem of feeding a crowd without creating a mess or a mountain of dishes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- Crackers (about 24), such as Ritz and pretzel sticks
- Salami (about 6 oz), sliced and quartered
- Pepperoni (about 4 oz), mini pepperonis
- Cheddar Cheese (about 6 oz), cut into ½-inch cubes
- String Cheese (2-3 sticks), peeled and cut into ½-inch rounds
- Seedless Red Grapes (about 1 cup)
- Fresh Strawberries (about 12), hulled and halved or quartered
- Fresh Rosemary Sprigs (optional, for garnish)
- Mini Candy Canes (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prep Your Ingredients (5 minutes): Wash and dry grapes and strawberries. Hull strawberries and slice in half or quarters. Cut cheddar cheese into ½-inch cubes. Peel string cheese and cut into ½-inch rounds. If salami isn’t pre-sliced, slice into thin rounds, then cut each round into quarters.
- Set Up Your Assembly Line (2 minutes): Arrange ingredients in order: crackers, meat, cheese, fruit. Line up cups.
- Layer the Base (2 minutes): Place 2-3 crackers at the bottom of each cup (e.g., two Ritz and one pretzel stick).
- Add the Meat (3 minutes): Add salami (folded into triangles or rolls) and 2-3 mini pepperonis on top of crackers.
- Add the Cheese (3 minutes): Drop in 2-3 cubes of cheddar cheese and 2-3 rounds of string cheese, nestled between meat pieces.
- Top with Fruit (3 minutes): Add 2-3 red grapes, then crown with a strawberry half, cut-side up.
- Garnish and Serve (2 minutes): Tuck a small rosemary sprig into the side of each cup (optional). Add a mini candy cane if desired. Serve immediately or refrigerate.
Notes
To keep crackers from getting soggy, assemble cups without fruit and add fruit just before serving. Pat fruit dry thoroughly. Use firmer cheeses like cheddar or Gouda to avoid mess. Can be made up to 24 hours ahead (without fruit).
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 13.5
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 13.5
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 11
Keywords: Christmas charcuterie cups, holiday appetizer, easy appetizer, charcuterie cups, individual charcuterie, kid-friendly appetizer, Christmas party food