Hassle-free holiday: 31 easy Christmas eats

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Get ready for a stress-free holiday season with tasty, easy-to-make Christmas eats that guarantee more time for fun and less time spent in the kitchen. With 27 delightful recipes at your disposal, you’ll discover the perfect balance between scrumptious festive dishes and simplified preparation — a true game-changer for your holiday meals!

Sliced ham with oranges and mint.
Instant Pot Ham. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

These recipes cater to a variety of tastes and preferences, ensuring that everyone around the table will find something they love. It doesn’t matter if you’re a fan of classic holiday dishes or eager to try something new – this assortment of tasty starters, mains, and desserts has got you covered. So, gear up to exceed expectations while enjoying a relaxed, memorable holiday yourself.

Instant Pot Char Siu

Looking for a standout dish this Christmas? Try the Instant Pot Char Siu. This Chinese dish is as flavorful as it is easy to prepare, and it’s great for wowing guests or just switching up the holiday menu a bit. Plus, it’s made in an Instant Pot, which means less stress for you.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Char Siu

Sticky Toffee Pudding

Sticky Toffee Pudding is a seriously satisfying dessert that also happens to be simple to make. Isn’t that what the holidays are all about—great food without the fuss? It’s a warming, delicious treat that everyone will love, and that you’ll love making.
Get the Recipe: Sticky Toffee Pudding

Overhead shot of dulce de leche cookies.
Dulce de Leche Cookies. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Dulce de Leche Cookies

Up your Christmas cookie game with these Dulce de Leche Cookies. They are as delightful as they are simple to bake, giving you more time to savor the holiday spirit. A perfect balance of creamy and sweet, they might become your new tradition.
Get the Recipe: Dulce de Leche Cookies

Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers

Add a little kick to your Christmas menu with Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers. They’re a breeze to make, so you won’t need to stress about spending all day in the kitchen. Plus, they’re packed with flavor and just the right amount of heat—not too spicy for the holidays.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers

Cooked shrimp in a green and white striped bowl, garnished with parsley.
Instant Pot Shrimp. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Instant Pot Shrimp

Give your holiday a seafood twist with Instant Pot Shrimp. This dish is a real Christmas winner—it’s simple, quick to prepare, and proves that holiday food doesn’t have to be trickier than your average dinner. Just delicious flavors in less time.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Shrimp

Kolacky

Go for something different this festive season with Kolacky. These Eastern European fruit-filled pastries are no-fuss, all delicious, and you won’t believe how quickly they come together. They’re great if you’re looking for a creative addition to the usual Christmas cookies tradition.
Get the Recipe: Kolacky

Smoked Salmon Dip

A Smoked Salmon Dip is exactly what you need for a hassle-free appetizer. It’s quick, it’s tasty, and it’s going to save you tons of time in the kitchen. One taste, and your guests will definitely agree—it’s a holiday win!
Get the Recipe: Smoked Salmon Dip

Hamentashen cookies piled on a white plate with more cookies on a rack in the background. There is jar of jam with a spoon in it in the background too.
Hamentashen. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Hamentashen

Bring a bit of tradition to the holidays with Hamentashen. These fruit-filled pastries are effortlessly delicious and less time-consuming than other festive desserts, so you can focus more on the fun and less on stressing over what’s in the oven.
Get the Recipe: Hamentashen

Apple Galette

No need to be an expert baker to create a delicious dessert this Christmas. This Apple Galette is all about fresh flavors and simple preparation, meaning you can sit back and enjoy the holidays instead of worrying about a complicated pie recipe.
Get the Recipe: Apple Galette

Low-angled shot of a honey cookie broken in half with stacks of honey cookies and a glass of milk in the background.
Honey Cookies with Orange and Cinnamon. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Honey Cookies with Orange and Cinnamon

Cookies are a must during the holidays, and these Honey Cookies with Orange and Cinnamon are the perfect way to mix up the old favorites. They’re simple to bake, and they bring a bit of citrusy brightness that’s so needed in the depths of winter.
Get the Recipe: Honey Cookies with Orange and Cinnamon

Air Fryer Jalapeno Popper Bites

These Air Fryer Jalapeno Popper Bites are the perfect start to your holiday meal. They’re quick, easy, and a bit spicy—the perfect way to kick off a festive evening. They’re a big flavor hit without a lot of work, so you’ll be free to focus on the fun and not fussing over food.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Jalapeno Popper Bites

Instant Pot Ham

Enjoy a globally cherished classic with Instant Pot Ham. Juicy, succulent ham becomes easily attainable, perfect for holiday feasts or weeknight meals, showcasing international comfort food made simple.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Ham

A plate of rice and duck on a blue plate.
Instant Pot Duck Confit. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Instant Pot Duck Confit

Who says Christmas can’t be luxurious and relaxed at the same time? With the Instant Pot Duck Confit, you’re looking at a delicious, elegant dish that requires minimal hands-on time. Now you can enjoy both the meal and the holiday, as should be the case.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Duck Confit

Green Bean Salad

Embrace the lighter side of the holiday menu with a Green Bean Salad. This easy, refreshing dish adds a pop of healthy color to your Christmas table. It’s a tasty, healthy swap for other heavy dishes and really simple to throw together.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Salad

Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes with whipped cream stars on top.
Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes

It’s not Christmas without a delectable dessert. Try these Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes. They’re the perfect ending to your festive feast: light, creamy, and super easy to make. This way, you can end your holiday meal on a high note, without getting stressed about a difficult dessert.
Get the Recipe: Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes

Apple Cider Donut Cake

Christmas is a time to indulge. Why not do it with an Apple Cider Donut Cake? It’s sweet, comforting, and captures the essence of the holidays without demanding too much of your time in the kitchen. You can have your cake and eat it too.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cider Donut Cake

Cranberry sauce in a white bowl garnished with orange zest and star anise pods.
Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce

Ditch the canned stuff and upgrade your holiday meal with Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce. It’s simple, quick to prepare, and has a homemade taste that can’t be beaten. Let your Instant Pot take care of the hard work while you enjoy the festivities.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce

Cheesy Mashed Potato Casserole

Everybody’s favorite side dish just went up a notch. This Cheesy Mashed Potato Casserole is creamy, comforting, and brimming with cheese. The perfect pairing with any holiday main and pretty effortless to make—holiday cooking doesn’t get much better than this!
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Mashed Potato Casserole

Overhead shot of a phyllo pie cooked in a bundt pan.
Butternut Squash Phyllo Pie. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Black Sesame Cookies

Black Sesame Cookies are a fantastic way to shake up the traditional holiday cookie spread. They’re simple to make and have a unique flavor that’ll intrigue your guests. No need for you to worry about baking all day—you’ve got a holiday to enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Black Sesame Cookies

Quaker Oatmeal Cookies

Your cookie jar won’t be complete without Quaker Oatmeal Cookies. They’re simple, nostalgic, and straightforward to make—a clutter-free holiday dessert. That’s perfect for when you’d rather spend the holidays laughing with family than anxiously checking the oven.
Get the Recipe: Quaker Oatmeal Cookies

Pommes duchesse on a white plate wiht parsley.
Pommes Duchesse. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Pommes Duchesse

Bring a touch of French culinary luxury to your holiday spread with Pommes Duchesse. These elegant potatoes are easier to prepare than they look and bring a touch of classic French cuisine to your Christmas dinner. Round up the troops (family) and dig in.
Get the Recipe: Pommes Duchesse

Air Fryer Hot Cocoa Cookies

The comfort of hot cocoa in a cookie? Absolutely! Air Fryer Hot Cocoa Cookies are a festive treat that’s different, tasty, and really easy to make. Now, you can have your hot cocoa and eat it too—all without losing precious holiday time.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Hot Cocoa Cookies

Overhead shot of potatoes au gratin cooked in an oval baking dish.
Potatoes au Gratin. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Potatoes au Gratin

Need an irresistible side dish? Try Potatoes au Gratin. They are creamy, cheese-topped, and simple to cook—a real crowd-pleasure. Plus, they free you up to concentrate on the holiday fun and not just the holiday oven schedule.
Get the Recipe: Potatoes au Gratin

Egg Nog Bundt Cake

Celebrate in style with an Egg Nog Bundt Cake. This cake is guaranteed to impress your guests and is easier to make than you think. It’s a festive, mouth-watering dessert that lets you enjoy the holidays, rather than getting stuck in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Egg Nog Bundt Cake

Green Bean Stuffing Casserole. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.
Green Bean Stuffing Casserole. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Green Bean Stuffing Casserole

Combine two holiday favorites into one with this Green Bean Stuffing Casserole. It’s an easy, one-dish side that goes well with practically anything else on your holiday menu—saving you time and adding to the holiday feast without adding to the holiday stress.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Stuffing Casserole

Instant Pot Chicken Adobo

Spice up your Christmas meal with Instant Pot Chicken Adobo. It’s an easy, speedy dish that delivers lots of flavor without taking up hours of your time—a perfect holiday meal that lets you focus more on the celebration and less on the cooking.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Adobo

Air Fryer Churros

Who says the holidays can’t be a little adventurous? Serve up some Air Fryer Churros this Christmas. Made straightforward with an air fryer, these treats offer a sweet spin on holiday desserts—and there’s more time for you to enjoy the holidays, less time frying or fussing.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Churros

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