10 Healthy Holiday Appetizers That Are Vegan & Kid-Friendly
Festive, wholesome, and perfect for Christmas parties, school gatherings, and family celebrations.
The holiday season is full of opportunities to snack, celebrate, and share delicious food with loved ones. Whether you’re hosting a Christmas party, preparing a school-friendly treat, or planning a cozy night in with your family, having a selection of healthy vegan appetizers that kids actually WANT to eat can make your celebration so much easier. These 10 recipes are simple, colorful, and incredibly fun — each one full of plant-based goodness and holiday magic.
Let’s dive into these festive, kid-approved appetizers!
Attached below is a Printable Recipe Card for all 10 Appetizers
Vegan_Kid_Friendly_Holiday_Appetizers_Recipe_Cards
⭐ 1. Reindeer Veggie Cups
These adorable reindeer veggie cups make raw vegetables irresistible for even picky eaters. To make them, start by placing a tablespoon of hummus in the bottom of small clear plastic cups. Then fill each cup with baby carrots, celery sticks, and cucumber slices so they stand upright like little veggie bouquets. For the reindeer face, press two edible candy eyes onto the outside of the cup (or draw eyes with a food-safe marker), then attach a small red cherry tomato or red candy dot as the “nose.” Finally, place two mini pretzels on top of the veggies so they stick out like antlers. Kids love the fun presentation, and parents love that it’s a wholesome Christmas snack. Serve immediately or refrigerate until party time.
⭐ 2. Strawberry & Banana Candy Cane Fruit Stick
This recipe is a festive, fruity alternative to sugary candy canes. To create these Christmas candy cane fruit sticks, simply slice bananas and strawberries into even rounds. Arrange them on a plate in a curved candy cane shape by alternating one strawberry slice and one banana slice until the full candy cane design is formed. For extra holiday flair, lightly sprinkle unsweetened shredded coconut over the top to mimic snow. Kids enjoy the sweetness and bright colors while parents appreciate the healthy simplicity. These fruit sticks are best served immediately to prevent the bananas from browning, but a quick brush of lemon juice can help preserve color if you need to prep ahead.
⭐ 3. Mini Santa Sandwich Bites
These cute Santa bites make the perfect finger food for toddlers and young kids. Begin by spreading a thin layer of vegan cream cheese or mashed banana onto whole-grain crackers or mini rice cakes. Place a strawberry half at the top of each cracker to form Santa’s hat. Add mini chocolate chips or blueberry pieces for eyes, then finish Santa’s fluffy beard by layering small banana slices around the lower edge of the cracker in a semicircle. A tiny dot of cream cheese or a mini fruit candy can be added for the nose. These are fun to make with kids and are always a hit at holiday gatherings. Serve them chilled so the cream cheese stays firm.
⭐ 4. Broccoli Christmas Tree Platter
This festive veggie platter doubles as a table centerpiece. To assemble it, start by arranging fresh broccoli florets in the shape of a Christmas tree on a large platter. Add cherry tomatoes as ornaments by nestling them throughout the broccoli “branches.” Create the tree trunk using neatly stacked carrot sticks or pretzel rods. Finish the tree with a bright yellow bell pepper cut into a star shape placed at the top. For dipping, serve with a creamy vegan ranch dip, hummus, or dairy-free yogurt dip. This platter is colorful, nutritious, and perfect for encouraging kids to snack on vegetables during the holidays.
⭐ 5. Vegan Stuffed Mushrooms
These savory stuffed mushrooms are a warm appetizer kids and adults can enjoy together. Clean and de-stem a batch of button mushrooms, then finely chop the stems and sauté them with minced garlic, spinach, and a small spoonful of vegan butter or broth. Once softened, stir in whole-grain breadcrumbs and nutritional yeast for a cheesy, savory flavor. Spoon the mixture into each mushroom cap and bake at 375°F for 15–18 minutes until the tops are golden. The result is a soft, flavorful bite with a cozy holiday feel. Kids especially enjoy the small, handheld size, and the mild flavor makes them appealing even to selective eaters.
⭐ 6. Holiday Hummus Snack Board
This board is perfect for feeding a crowd and incredibly easy to customize. Start by spreading beet hummus, roasted red pepper hummus, or classic hummus onto a holiday-themed platter. Surround it with small bowls of dippables like sliced cucumbers, carrot sticks, pretzel crisps, snap peas, mini crackers, and cherry tomatoes. The bright colors of the veggies combined with the vibrant hummus make this board naturally festive. Kids love dipping and choosing their favorites, while adults appreciate the light and nutritious option mixed in among holiday treats.
⭐ 7. Veggie Pinwheel Spirals
These colorful pinwheel spirals are always a crowd-pleaser. Spread your favorite hummus over a soft tortilla or lavash bread. Add a thin layer of spinach leaves, followed by shredded carrots and thinly sliced cucumber strips. Roll the tortilla tightly into a log, then slice it into 1-inch spirals. The cross-sections reveal beautiful swirls of color that kids find exciting. The texture is soft and crunchy at the same time, making these pinwheels easy for little hands to grab and eat. Serve them chilled for the best texture.
⭐ 8. Cranberry Apple Salsa with Cinnamon Pita Crisps
This sweet-and-tangy appetizer tastes like Christmas in a bowl. To make the salsa, finely chop fresh cranberries, a sweet apple, and a small amount of red onion (optional for kids). Mix them with lime juice, a drizzle of maple syrup, and a pinch of cinnamon. For the cinnamon pita crisps, cut whole-grain tortillas into wedges, brush them lightly with coconut oil or water, sprinkle with cinnamon and a touch of coconut sugar, and bake at 350°F until crisp. Together, the warm spices and bright fruit flavors create a refreshing holiday snack that’s great for kids who like sweet dips.
⭐ 9. Sweet Potato Rounds with Cranberry Topping
These festive rounds deliver all the cozy flavors of the holidays in a simple, bite-sized form. Slice peeled sweet potatoes into ½-inch rounds and lightly brush them with maple syrup or olive-free broth. Roast at 400°F for 20–25 minutes until soft and lightly caramelized. Once cooled slightly, top each round with a spoonful of homemade cranberry sauce and a sprinkle of pumpkin seeds or chopped pecans for crunch. Kids enjoy the sweetness of the potato paired with the bright cranberry flavor, and adults appreciate the festive presentation. Serve warm or at room temperature.
⭐ 10. Vegan Holiday Snack Board (Kid Edition)
A plant-based grazing board is a great way to offer a variety of kid-approved snacks. Arrange cubes of vegan cheese, whole-grain crackers, red and green grapes, apple slices, mini pretzels, cherry tomatoes, dried cranberries, and cucumber slices on a platter. For a Christmas twist, shape the board into a wreath or Christmas tree pattern, using clusters of grapes or cherry tomatoes as “ornaments.” Kids love the freedom to choose their own snacks, and the colorful layout helps them eat more fruits and veggies without encouragement.
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These 10 healthy, vegan, kid-friendly holiday appetizers prove that festive food can be both nutritious and exciting. With vibrant colors, fun shapes, and simple ingredients, these recipes bring joy to your holiday table while keeping things wholesome. Whether you’re planning a school party, a holiday movie night, or a Christmas celebration with loved ones, this list will help you serve delicious snacks kids actually want to eat. Happy Holidays!
Here are a few other recipes you may enjoy making for the holidays:
Rudolph Sugar Cookies Decorated
