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During the week between Christmas and New Year’s, we typically find ourselves with a little more downtime than usual. It’s the perfect time to relax and indulge in some tasty treats. Whether you’re lounging on the couch, curled up with a good book, or enjoying a movie marathon, these snacks will make your relaxed holiday afternoons even more enjoyable. We’ve got something for everyone, from easy-to-prepare dips and spreads to quick sweet treats. So sit back, put your feet up, and let us help you enjoy some delicious snacks this holiday season.
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Gouda Pimiento Cheese Dip
Food & Wine / Photo by Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Phoebe Hausser
Chef Jeremy Salamon folds aged Roomano Gouda into a no-cook, one-bowl pimiento cheese with piquillo peppers. A brief chill will help meld the flavors; it’s ready in about 45 minutes.
Fried Saltines
Greg DuPree / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Thom Driver
F&W’s Andee Gosnell revives a Southern staple: a brief dip in hot oil turns pantry saltines pastry-light and blistered in about 20 minutes. Shower with flaky salt or dust with spices; these fried crackers are outstanding with dips, oysters, or caviar.
Masala Mixed Nuts
Chef Maneet Chauhan often makes this nut mix for Diwali, but it’s delicious any time of year. Fry a besan-coated mix of peanuts, cashews, almonds, and walnuts, then dust with chaat masala for tang and crunch. It’s ready in under 25 minutes.
Indulgent Hot Chocolate
Christopher Testani / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Christine Keely
Andrea Nguyen’s rich, silky cocoa layers Dutch-process cocoa with coconut milk and tops it with chocolate-infused whipped cream; it’s ready in about 20 minutes.
Grilled Chile-Cheese Toasts
Food & Wine / Photo by Morgan Hunt Glaze / Food Styling by Sally McKay / Prop Styling by Abby Armstrong
Chef Suvir Saran and cookbook author Stephanie Lyness layer low-moisture mozzarella with jalapeño, tomato, cilantro, and spices on pre-toasted bread for oozy, South Asian–style cheese toasts in about 30 minutes.
Sheet Pan Nachos
Jordan Provost / Food Styling by Thu Buser
This sheet pan method keeps chips sturdy under a hearty layer of chicken, beans, peppers, and evenly melted cheddar and Jack cheese. It’s on the table in roughly 30 minutes; finish with avocado, jalapeño, and lime.
Buffalo and Blue Cheese Popcorn
James Beard Award–winning writer Adina Steiman shares a recipe for a 15-minute popcorn that channels the classic flavors of buffalo wings. Freshly popped corn is divided and tossed with buttery hot sauce on one side and blue cheese powder with celery salt on the other, then combined for a snack that delivers heat, tang, and richness in every handful.
Giant Chocolate Cookie with Cacao Nibs and Flaky Salt
Opt for a giant chocolate cookie for your chill holiday afternoons. Cut into wedges, the cookies resemble chocolate shortbread, but these treats — studded with chopped bittersweet chocolate and cacao nibs — are far more indulgent.
Cacio e Pepe Potato Chips
Jordan Provost / Food Styling by Thu Buser
Toss warm kettle chips with Parmesan cheese and coarse black pepper for a five-ingredient, 10-minute crowd-pleaser.
Smoked Salmon Dip
This creamy, smoky dip features flaky smoked salmon two ways: Half is finely chopped to add a pleasant texture to the dip alongside briny pops of capers, while the rest is pureed with mayonnaise, sour cream, and cream cheese, deepening the flavor. Fresh dill and chives keep the dip light; lemon juice adds brightness while also keeping the dip perfectly scoopable — you’ll have no broken chips here.
Quesadizzas
This clever mash-up of a quesadilla and pizza is ready in less than half an hour, with jalapeño-laced pepper jack cheese and garlicky Portuguese linguiça providing a zesty kick.
Chivda
Greg Dupree / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Thom Driver
This festive snack mix is built on crisp poha with nuts, coconut, seeds, curry leaves, and anardana for bright sour notes. It comes together quickly and keeps well for visitors all week.
Dirty Martini Dip
Robby Lozano / Food Styling by Nicole Hopper / Prop Styling by Josh Hoggle
Gin-soaked Castelvetrano olives and a creamy blue cheese base channel the briny swagger of the classic cocktail in dip form. It’s also easy to make ahead; adjust the “dirtiness” to taste.
Coffee Granola
At Alma in West Hollywood, California, chef Ari Taymor cleverly combines morning oats with coffee. The result is a crunchy, sweet-savory mix that’s perfect with yogurt or ice cream, or even just eaten by the handful.
Dark Chocolate Bark with Roasted Almonds and Seeds
Julia Hartbeck
This super-chunky dark chocolate bark from chocolatier Jacques Torres only requires a few ingredients to make bark perfection: dark chocolate, roasted whole almonds, and salted roasted sunflower and pumpkin seeds. This recipe is a great way to use leftover nuts from holiday baking.
Blueberry Almond Yogurt Toast
Yogurt toast is sometimes called custard toast, which offers a clue to how the simple mixture of yogurt, egg, and syrup baked on top of a piece of toast beautifully mimics the texture and flavor of French toast or even a cheese Danish. It comes together in just a few minutes, making it a great snack.
Roasted Edamame Snacks
Edamame roasted in a spiced soy sauce mixture makes a fantastic snack and is also incredibly easy to make. Add this to your rotation for a satisfying savory crunch.
