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This fabulous Christmas Party Dip platter is shaped like Santa’s Hat and features creamy whipped feta, pesto, and hummus. It’s topped with pomegranate arils, which really make the dish pop.
Serve this trio of dips as an appetizer (or snack) on the big day, or impress your friends and family at this year’s Christmas party. It’s a real crowdpleaser, and so easy to make for the holidays.
You can make this recipe in advance and keep it in the fridge until your guests arrive. And if you are short on time, feel free to swap for store-bought dip.
Christmas Party Dip Ingredients
Please be sure to scroll down to the recipe card below for the complete details!
- Feta: I use a block.
- Cream cheese: Opt for full-fat plain cream cheese, sour cream, or Greek yogurt.
- Chickpeas and aquafaba (the liquid): I use chickpeas in a carton, but any will work.
- Olive oil: A mild olive oil offers the best taste.
- Tahini: I like the creamy, runny kind that doesn’t separate.
- Garlic, cumin, chili, and sea salt: Balances the flavors and adds spice.
- Pesto: Pairs well with the other dips. Make your own or buy at the store.
- Pomegranate: Adds sweetness and crunch.
- Chia seeds: Use chia seeds to make the whipped feta more visible on your platter.
- Cucumber: Opt for English or Persian cucumbers.
How to Make a Christmas Party Dip
- Prepare the dips. Whip together the feta, cream cheese, and garlic to make the whipped feta. Make the hummus with chick peas (using some of the liquid), tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, chili, and sea salt.
- Assemble the platter. Start by spooning the hummus, then top with the pomegranate seeds. Add the feta, then the pesto.
- Final touches. Sprinkle the chia seeds over the feta dip, then arrange cucumber slices to serve.
Tips for Success
- Top the hummus with pomegranate seeds, then add the whipped feta and pesto. This way, the seeds won’t bounce into the other dips.
- Use two round platters to serve, and arrange the cucumber slices between them. Alternatively, serve the cucumber in a separate bowl.
Possible Variations
- Whipped feta: Try whipped brie, goat cheese, ricotta, skyr, or plain cream cheese.
- Hummus: Swap for any dip you like.
- Pesto: Use any dip that is not white.
- Cucumbers: Replace with any vegetables, or serve with crackers, or crostini.
- Chia seeds: Try white or black sesame seeds, or even finely chopped almonds.
- Pomegranate seeds: Chopped tomatoes, red peppers, or radishes.
FAQs
Yes, absolutely. Make it a few hours before, and keep it covered in the fridge until 20-30 minutes before serving.
Save them in a glass container and eat within 1-2 days.
A square or rectangular platter could work, too. It might be easier to leave off the pesto in that case.
Other Dips
Recipe Tip
Save any leftover hummus or whipped feta dip to top onto your salads or sandwiches.
Christmas Party Dip
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons pesto, basil or parsley
Whipped feta dip
- 1 tablespoon cream cheese, plain
- 150 grams feta
- 1 garlic clove
Hummus
- 380 grams chickpeas, drained (save the liquid)
- 40 grams aquafaba, chickpea liquid
- 50 grams tahini
- 25 grams extra virgin olive oil
- 1 garlic, cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
Toppings
- 1/2 pomegranate
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds
- 1 cucumber, English or Persian
Instructions
- In a mini food processor, whip the feta, cream cheese, and garlic until creamy.
- Season to taste.
- To make the hummus, drain the chickpeas and reserve all of the liquid.
- Mix the chickpeas, aqaufaba (chickpea liquid), tahini, garlic, lemon juice, cumin, and chili until creamy. You can add more aquafaba if you want.
- Season to taste.
- Spoon the hummus onto a round platter in the shape of Santa's hat (save room for a bauble and the bottom trim).
- Add pomegranate arils on top.
- Shape a whipped feta bauble and trim onto the platter.
- Sprinkle chia seeds at each end of the trim and to one side of the bauble.
- Fill pesto into the blank space on each side of the bauble.
- Serve with cucumber slices.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
