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31 exotic Christmas recipes to make your neighbors jealous

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By Robin Donovan

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Ready to add some international flair to your holiday table? These 31 exotic Christmas recipes are guaranteed to spark envy across the fence. From spicy twists to sweet surprises, your festive feast is about to get a whole lot more interesting.

A plate of sticky toffee pudding cakes with caramel sauce.
Sticky Toffee Pudding. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Instant Pot Char Siu

Sliced char siu pork with lettuce leaves.
Instant Pot Char Siu. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

This Instant Pot Char Siu presents a luscious Chinese-style barbecue pork. Its convenience and rich flavors make it a standout dish for any festive gathering.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Char Siu

Instant Pot Duck Confit

Overhead shot of a confit duck leg with orange sauce and star anise pods.
Instant Pot Duck Confit. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

This French delicacy made easy in the Instant Pot results in tender duck with crispy skin. It’s a luxurious addition to the Christmas table.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Duck Confit

Instant Pot Ham

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

Elevate your holiday dinner with this effortlessly cooked ham. The Instant Pot ensures a juicy and flavorful centerpiece.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Ham

Instant Pot Shrimp

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

Enjoy a quick and elegant seafood option with this Instant Pot shrimp recipe. It’s a light yet festive choice among the heavier holiday dishes.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Shrimp

Dulce de Leche Cookies

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

These cookies, filled with creamy dulce de leche, are a sweet treat from Latin America. They add a unique twist to traditional Christmas cookies.
Get the Recipe: Dulce de Leche Cookies

Sticky Toffee Pudding

A plate of sticky toffee pudding cakes with caramel sauce.
Sticky Toffee Pudding. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

A classic British dessert, Sticky Toffee Pudding combines moist sponge cake with a rich toffee sauce. It’s a warm, comforting end to a Christmas feast.
Get the Recipe: Sticky Toffee Pudding

Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers

Bacon wrapped jalapenos on a white plate.
Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Spicy and cheesy, these Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers are a perfect appetizer. They add a zesty kick to your holiday spread.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers

Kolacky

Several poppy seed filled kolacky on a white plate with red and gold ribbons in the background.
Kolacky. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Kolacky, a traditional Eastern European pastry, offers a sweet, fruit-filled bite. It’s a delightful addition to any Christmas dessert table.
Get the Recipe: Kolacky

Smoked Salmon Dip

Smoked salmon dip in a bowl with crackers and veggies for dipping.
Smoked Salmon Dip. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

This dip, featuring smoked salmon, is a sophisticated and creamy appetizer. It pairs perfectly with crackers or bread for a festive starter.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Salmon Dip

Hamentashen

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 are triangular Jewish pastries traditionally served during Purim but also a unique addition to Christmas gatherings. They offer a sweet, fruit-filled experience.
Get the Recipe: Hamentashen

Salted Toffee Cookie Bars

Stack of 3 toffee cookies.
Salted Toffee Cookie Bars. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

The balance of sweet toffee with a hint of salt creates a palate-pleasing sensation. Every bite of these cookie bars offers a delightful crunch and a taste that lingers.
Get the Recipe: Salted Toffee Cookie Bars

Honey Cookies with Orange and Cinnamon

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.

Infused with the warmth of honey, orange, and cinnamon, these cookies are a flavorful treat. They bring a comforting aroma to the holiday season.
Get the Recipe: Honey Cookies with Orange and Cinnamon

Air Fryer Jalapeno Popper Bites

Bowl of jalapeno popper bites.
Air Fryer Jalapeno Popper Bites. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

These bite-sized versions of Jalapeño Poppers are a crispy, spicy delight. Made in the air fryer, they’re a convenient and tasty appetizer.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Jalapeno Popper Bites

Instant Pot Stuffed Pepper Soup

Low angle shot of stuffed pepper soup in a white bowl.
Instant Pot Stuffed Pepper Soup. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

A hearty and warming soup, this dish brings the flavors of stuffed peppers into a bowl. It’s a cozy and comforting meal for chilly holiday evenings.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Stuffed Pepper Soup

Green Bean Salad

Low angle shot of green bean salad with fried onions and dry ricotta on a white plate.
Green Bean Salad. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

This fresh and vibrant Green Bean Salad offers a light contrast to the usual heavy Christmas fare. It’s a healthy and flavorful side dish.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Salad

Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes

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

These individual cheesecakes blend the festive flavors of pumpkin and spices. They’re a delightful and portion-controlled end to a holiday meal.
Get the Recipe: Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes

Apple Cider Donut Cake

Overhead shot of this apple bundt cake on a cake stand with apples in the background.
Apple Cider Donut Cake. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Combining the flavors of apple cider and donuts, this cake is a novel dessert. It brings a taste of autumn to your Christmas celebration.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cider Donut Cake

Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce

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

A classic with a twist, this Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce is effortlessly delightful. It adds a tangy and sweet touch to your holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce

Cheesy Mashed Potato Casserole

Masshed potato casserole in a baking dish with a cracker crumb topping.
Cheesy Mashed Potato Casserole. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

This indulgent casserole takes mashed potatoes to the next level with added cheese. It’s a comforting and crowd-pleasing side dish.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Mashed Potato Casserole

Butternut Squash Phyllo Pie

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

This dish showcases butternut squash in a flaky phyllo pastry. It’s a sophisticated and flavorful addition to any holiday menu.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Phyllo Pie

Black Sesame Cookies

Black sesame cookies on a baking sheet with a spoonful of black sesame seeds.
Black Sesame Cookies. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

These cookies offer a unique twist with the nutty flavor of black sesame. They’re a distinctive and delicious choice for a Christmas cookie exchange.
Get the Recipe: Black Sesame Cookies

Quaker Oatmeal Cookies

Low angle shot of oatmeal cookies on a white plate.
Quaker Oatmeal Cookies. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

A timeless classic, Quaker Oatmeal Cookies are a comforting and chewy treat. They bring a sense of nostalgia and warmth to the holiday season.
Get the Recipe: Quaker Oatmeal Cookies

Instant Pot Chicken Biryani

Overhead shot of 3 plates of chicken biryani.
Instant Pot Chicken Biryani. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

This Instant Pot version of Chicken Biryani brings the aromatic flavors of Indian cuisine to your Christmas feast. It’s a spicy and savory dish that’s sure to impress.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Biryani

Pommes Duchesse

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

Elegant and buttery, Pommes Duchesse are a French potato classic. They add a touch of sophistication to your Christmas dinner spread.
Get the Recipe: Pommes Duchesse

Potatoes au Gratin

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

This creamy and cheesy dish is a luxurious take on potatoes. Potatoes au Gratin are a rich and satisfying side that pairs well with any main course.
Get the Recipe: Potatoes au Gratin

Air Fryer Hot Cocoa Cookies

Stack of hot cocoa cookies on a plate.
Air Fryer Hot Cocoa Cookies. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

These cookies infuse the cozy flavor of hot cocoa into a sweet treat. Made in the air fryer, they’re a novel addition to your holiday baking.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Hot Cocoa Cookies

Egg Nog Bundt Cake

Low angle shot of a wedge of eggnog cake on a glass plate.
Egg Nog Bundt Cake. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

This cake captures the essence of eggnog in a festive Bundt form. It’s a moist and flavorful dessert perfect for holiday gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Egg Nog Bundt Cake

Green Bean Stuffing Casserole

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

Combining green beans and stuffing, this casserole is a two-in-one side dish. It’s a creative and tasty addition to the Christmas menu.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Stuffing Casserole

Instant Pot Chicken Adobo

Overhead shot of a plate of chicken adobo with rice and scallions on the side.
Instant Pot Chicken Adobo. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Bringing Filipino flavors to your table, this Instant Pot Chicken Adobo is both tangy and savory. It’s an effortless yet exotic dish.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Adobo

Maple Bacon Beignets

Maple Bacon Beignets in a bowl.
Maple Bacon Beignets. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

These beignets blend the sweetness of maple with the savoriness of bacon. They’re a unique and indulgent treat for a Christmas brunch or dessert.
Get the Recipe: Maple Bacon Beignets

Air Fryer Churros

Churros on a white plate with a bowl of caramel dipping sauce on the side.
Air Fryer Churros. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

These churros offer a taste of Spain and are made easily in an air fryer. They’re a crisp and sweet end to any festive meal.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Churros

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