Christmas buffet ideas

Next try our best ever Christmas recipes, snacks to take on winter walks and Christmas breakfast ideas. Find out what to eat this Christmas for a happy gut.

Savoury Christmas buffet ideas

Tear-and-share sausage roll

Thought sausage rolls couldn't get any better? Think again - this tear-and- share sausage roll features a baked camembert centrepiece. Rippled with a swirl of cranberry sauce, this is one Christmas party food idea you'll be coming back to year after year. Now try our tear-and-share garlic bread and vegan sausage rolls.

Grilled goat's cheese sliders with red pepper jam

Everyone loves a burger, and even more so in mini form. These vegetarian mini sliders feature a homemade red pepper and chilli jam atop a fried and crumbed slice of goat's cheese. They're an impressive-looking option that's actually remarkably easy. For a vegan option, try our pulled BBQ jackfruit sliders with mustard slaw.

Savoury spiced baklava

The classic Middle Eastern dessert is given a festive and savoury twist to create a stunning spiced baklava that's perfect for sharing. Harissa-spiced butternut squash and chickpeas make for a warming, seasonal filling that vegetarians and meat-eaters alike will love. Why not serve a more traditional sweet baklava too? Discover our rose baklava and sticky orange and ginger baklava.

Christmas cheeseboard

Is there any better excuse to enjoy cheese than at Christmas? In true Christmas indulgence style, this festive cheeseboard celebrates a smörgåsbord of salty, creamy and nutty cheeses nestled in with cured meats and pickled accompaniments. Serve alongside a homemade Christmas jam.

Honey-glazed roast gammon

This is a fuss-free way of cooking a Christmas gammon joint. It steams in the oven alongside aromatics, and is then finished with a honey mustard glaze. Try our top Christmas ham recipes.

Beetroot tarte tatin

For a stunning vegan centrepiece to add to your Christmas party spread, try this beetroot tarte tatin. Making the most of shop-bought puff pastry to save time and effort, the beetroot tops are transformed into a zingy salsa verde to drizzle on top. Discover our vegan Christmas dinner recipes.

Smoked mackerel pâté with cucumber and pickled beetroot

A smoky mackerel pâté is a refreshing contrast to the often rich and heavy food we tend to consume at Christmas. This version is topped with quick-pickled ribbons of cucumber and slices of beetroot to create a dish that's as delicious as it is aesthetically-pleasing. For a classic French pâté, try our chicken liver pâté and for your vegetarian guests why not serve a mushroom pâté.

Seafood platter tart

Although a little more effort, this seafood platter tart more than reaps the rewards – and if you're short on time you can always swap out the homemade mayo for a ready-made one. The fruits of your labours – crab, scallops, prawns and squid atop a flaky shortcrust pastry base. Learn how to create effortless party food platters.

Pigs in blankets

Why wait until the big day to serve these classic pigs in blankets? Nobody can resist a succulent chipolata wrapped in crispy bacon. Next, try our pigs in spiral blankets and pigs in blankets with sage and apple.

Parsnip crisps

Homemade parsnip crisps sound a lot more time-consuming than they really are – here parsnips are simply peeled, tossed with oil and oven-baked until crispy and golden. Allow your creativity to go wild with the seasonings – think ground cumin, dukkah or even ras el hanout. For more crisp inspiration, try our vegetable crisps with curry salt, paprika crisps or baked kale crisps.

Charred winter cabbage with caesar dressing and bacon croutons

This isn't any normal salad – the combination of the salty, crunchy bacon pieces with the charred savoy cabbage and quick caesar dressing is sure to convince any winter salad naysayers. Try this recipe and then discover more ways with white cabbage and red cabbage.

Deep-fried olives stuffed with ricotta and Guindilla chilli

Incredibly moreish, these deep-fried olives make the perfect party nibble to bring your Christmas buffet to life. Stuffed with a fiery chilli and ricotta filling, serve them with slices of lemon ready to squeeze on top. Now try our easiest party nibbles.

Bubala's hummus with burnt butter

Forget any of your preconceptions about hummus because Bubala's hummus with burnt butter is ready to blow these right out of the water. Their ultra smooth and silky dip features a well of nutty brown butter in the middle, perfect for dipping with those parsnip crisps.

Cheese straws

Cheese straws never fail to go down a treat at any buffet or party spread. These ones make the most of ready-rolled puff pastry for a quick and easy cheesy snack. Discover our pick of the best cheese gifts this Christmas.

Bateman's lobster rolls

From Manzi's seafood restaurant in Soho, these lobster rolls are elevated with a homemade mayo and tangy thousand island dressing. You could cut them up into bite-size portions to suit your guest numbers – and we won't tell if you swap the homemade mayo for a speedier shop-bought version. Find more lobster recipes here.

Beetroot and goat's cheese terrine

Layer up slices of beetroot with a creamy, herby goat's cheese filling. It looks stunning and is prepared and chilled the day before. Discover more ways to cook with beetroot.

Sweet Christmas buffet ideas

Christmas rocky road

For a festive twist on the classic rocky road, crushed ginger biscuits are mixed with cranberries and pistachios in this Christmas rocky road recipe – pure joy. For more bite-size sweet treats, try our stollen bites.

Churro waffle fingers with dipping sauce

These churro waffle fingers make the most of shop-bought waffles to create a seriously quick and easy sweet option. Brushed with melted butter and cinnamon sugar, your guests will love dunking them into the homemade milk chocolate dipping sauce. Try more recipes with chocolate.

Sour cherry trifle with almonds

For a show-stopping dessert centrepiece, this sour cherry trifle with almonds is sure to take the crown. Sour cherries provide the perfect tang to offset the richness of the vanilla and custard cream. For more trifle inspiration, try our black forest version, sherry trifle and vegan trifle.

Bûche de Noël

A festive dessert classic, Christmas is not complete without a Bûche de Noël. This one rolls layers of chocolate sponge with Chantilly cream and is topped with chocolate buttercream. We've got plenty of tips to help you create the perfect roulade too. Next, try our gingerbread log and another with Baileys cream and hazelnut brittle.

Christmas tart

For a stress-free dessert option, this Christmas tart makes the most of a shop-bought pastry case. Top with brandy-soaked mixed dried fruit and flaked almonds and serve with a dash of cream or brandy butter. If you're a lover of all things almond, next try our frangipane mince pies.