At Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Year's Eve, welcome your family and friends with these wonderful Dominican Christmas appetizers, several of them are traditional and some are criollo-inspired. Sweet and savory, they are perfect for unforgettable gatherings.
By - Reviewed: . Original: Nov 21, 2025
These snacks are a must-have on your Dominican picadera platter during the holiday season, and here are some that you can't miss and are sure to impress your guests.
You can check all our Christmas recipes, enjoy our Dominican Christmas drinks, and learn about our Christmas and holiday traditions.
Pastelitos y empanaditas (12 ways)
12 ways to make pastries and empanadas to please everyone with various dough types and fillings for all tastes.
Baked no butter empanadas
Spectacular baked empanadas, easy to make, butter-free, and you can fill them with our huge collection of empanada fillings.
Yuca empanadas (cativías)
A wonderful crispy empanada made from cassava or cassava flour that is gluten-free and will delight everyone.
Kipe (or quipe)
This wonderful dish of Middle Eastern origin has become one of the staples of our picadera tray, and you can make it yourself with this comprehensive recipe and video.
Arepitas y arañitas de yuca fritters
Fabulous, crispy cassava fritters with the rich aroma of aniseed, perfect for snacking on at parties.
Sweet empanadas
Don't forget to prepare something sweet, and these sweet empanadas are essential. You can fill them with several of our fruit sweets or your favorite jam.
Croquetas (croquettes)
This classic dish from the Hispanic world is a must on our tables, and you'll be surprised at how easy it is to make these creamy croquettes with a crispy coating.
Guava and cheese empanadas
If you're craving something sweet, you'll love these delicious guava and cheese empanadas. You can make the guava paste using our recipe, or buy it ready-made.
Bollos de yuca y queso balls
These delicious cassava balls filled with cheese are a wonderful snack. They are very inexpensive, and your guests will be amazed.
Chulitos (yuca and spicy meat)
You can't miss out on this delicious Dominican snack. Chulitos are cassava rolls filled with spicy ground beef that will leave your guests speechless.
Ripe plantain balls
Inspired by cassava balls, I created these ripe plantain balls filled with cheese that don't need to be fried, and stand out for their subtle sweetness and crispy crust.
Did you find the recipe you were looking for? If you have a favorite, please share it in the comments!
Also, check out more of our Dominican Christmas recipes.
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