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Looking for fun Christmas appetizers that are sure to stand out on your holiday table? This Pickle Christmas Tree is an easy, no-cook Christmas appetizer idea made with crunchy pickles and festive little decorations!
Why This Pickle Christmas Tree Is Such a Fun Holiday Appetizer!
I have wanted to make a Pickle Christmas Tree for YEARS, and today was finally the day it all went down in my kitchen! And you guys, it turned out EVEN cuter than I could have imagined!
I love Christmas recipes that are a little playful, and this one is just SO fun! The little cherry tomato ornaments and cheddar cheese star make it look like a tiny Christmas tree you can actually eat. How cute would this be on your holiday appetizer table?!
And can we talk about how easy this idea is? There’s no cooking involved, and you get that tangy, salty crunch from the pickles with little juicy bites of cherry tomato. It’s such a fun twist on a holiday snack, especially if you’re looking for something a little different from the usual party appetizers.
If you’re putting together a Christmas party spread, you could serve this pickle tree alongside cured meats, cheese, and nuts for an extra-festive snack board. I love the idea of having something this playful on the table!
P.S. If you’re planning a festive veggie spread, my Christmas Tree Veggie Tray is another cute idea to add to your holiday lineup!
How to Make This Pickle Tree Christmas Appetizer
Pickle Christmas Tree Appetizer
Ingredients
- 2 24 oz jar baby pickles, various sizes
- 8 16 oz jar organic baby dill pickles
- one 10 ounce container cherry tomatoes
- small block of cheddar cheese
- fresh rosemary
Instructions
- Wrap the foam crafting cone with food grade plastic wrap and place on a round plate or cutting board.
- Separate the pickles by size into 7 groups from largest to smallest. Reserve about 6 of the smallest pickles for the top of the tree. This will make tapering the pickles up the tree easier when constructing.
- Starting from the bottom of the cone, insert a toothpick about 1 1/2 inches up from the base of the cone. Press a toothpick 3/4 of the way into the cone and attach a pickle. Repeat until one row of pickles is complete. Notes: Attach the pickles with the smaller end facing up and curved side bowing outward.
- Repeat step #3 tapering up using smaller pickles for each subsequent row. Notes: Overlap the bottom row of pickles 1/4 of an inch with the top pickles. Also, place the top pickles in the gap between the bottom pickles.
- When you reach the top of the tree, insert 4-6 toothpicks on the top of the tree facing upward and attach the smallest pickles.
- Insert toothpicks into the tree and decorate with cherry tomatoes for the ornaments.
- Using a small star cookie cutter, cut out the cheese star and attach to the top of the tree with a toothpick. Notes: The cheese star can also be cut out by hand.
- Garnish the base of the tree with fresh rosemary.
- Optional, serve with cured meats, cheese, and nuts.
Notes
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