Roundup of Healthy Holiday Appetizer Recipes {Easy Orange Beet Dip}

The Holiday Season is a tough time to keep things in check when it comes to eating. There are so many tempting appetizers at holiday parties, many of which are loaded with butter, cream and cheese. It's easy to over indulge during the holiday season, with the thought of going on a diet in the new year.

But you can have your cake and eat it too! There are plenty of eye-popping healthy appetizers that are full of flavor, just lighter, so you can enjoy yourself this holiday season without overindulging. I found a nice selection of easy healthy appetizers that would be perfect for serving during the holiday season. I've included a few of my own along with a quick and healthy Orange Beet Dip recipe.

These appetizers are easy to make, and full of pizazz so you won't feel like you're missing out on anything. All of these appetizer recipes are lighter than the typical holiday fare, using whole ingredients, but no butter, cream or cheese. I've made suggestions next to a few of these recipes to lighten them up. Eating lighter and in moderation is the key during the holiday season.

Here's a roundup of easy and healthy appetizer recipes to serve to your guests or just for noshing on:

Appetizers  ~ Finger Foods

• Assorted Tartine {Jeanette's Healthy Living}
• Baked Polenta with Tomato-Pepper Sauce {Veganmania}
• Beluga Lentil Crostini {101 Cookbooks} (serve on whole grain toast)
• Chili Pea Puffs {Monica Bhides}
• Chili Spiced Almonds {Jeanette's Healthy Living}
• Coconut Oat Crusted Crusted Chicken Nuggets with Two Pomegranate Dipping Sauces {Family Fresh Cooking}
• Red Curry Meatballs with Vietnamese Dipping Sauce {Jeanette's Healthy Living}
• Roasted Baby Eggplant with Caponata Sauce {Steamy Kitchen}
• Sweet Potato Latkes {Reluctant Veggie} (Instead of frying latkes, brush lightly with olive oil on both sides and bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes, turning latkes over at 10 minutes)
• Vegan Stuffed Mushrooms {What Would Cathy Eat} 
• Vegetable Spring Rolls with Peanut Dipping Sauce {Two Peas and Their Pod}
• Zatar Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce {Jeanette's Healthy Living}

Appetizers ~ Dips

• Baked Artichoke Dip {101 Cookbooks}
• Buffalo Chicken Dip {Jeanette's Healthy Living}
• Crab Dip {Jeanette's Healthy Living}
• Fresh crudite with Ranch Style Dressing {Kalyn's Kitchen} in mini glasses or in tall glasses make a beautiful presentation, simple and elegant
• Fig Tapenade with Crackers {Elana's Pantry}
• Chickpea Dip with Toasted Cumin and Pomegranate {Recipe Girl}
• Pomegranate Salsa served with baked tortilla chips {Lauren's Latest}
• Smoky Black Bean Dip {Jeanette's Healthy Living}
• White Bean and Artichoke Dip with Whole Wheat Tortilla Chips {Kalyn's Kitchen}

Orange Beet Dip

This dip is like eating an orange beet salad in one bite.  You can find precooked baby beets in the fresh produce section.

Printable Recipe

8 ounces cooked baby beets (about 3 beets)

3 teaspoons minced fresh mint

zest from one clementine

1 teaspoon rice vinegar

endive leaves

Place beets, mint, zest and rice vinegar in a food processor and process until smooth.  Serve with endive leaves.

I hope you try some of these healthy appetizer recipes this holiday season. Please share your favorite healthy holiday appetizer ideas or recipes by leaving a comment, or linking them below.