Christmas Spinach Dip Tree Appetizer Recipe

If you’re on the prowl for a festive, crowd-pleasing appetizer that’s both fun to make and tastes absolutely delicious, then you’re going to love this Christmas Spinach Dip Tree Appetizer Recipe. I promise, it’s a total showstopper at holiday parties and potlucks! The way that cheesy, garlicky spinach dip gets tucked inside a beautifully twisted pizza crust shaped like a Christmas tree — it’s like holiday magic on a platter. Stick around, because I’m about to share everything you need to know to make this delightful appetizer your new go-to for the season.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

This Christmas Spinach Dip Tree Appetizer Recipe relies on simple ingredients you can easily find in most grocery stores — I love how they all come together for creamy, cheesy goodness with plenty of festive flair. Plus, the pizza dough is what makes shaping the tree a breeze.

• Frozen chopped spinach: Make sure to thaw and squeeze out excess water to avoid a soggy filling.
• Cream cheese: Softening to room temp is key for mixing easily and keeping the dip smooth.
• Garlic cloves: Freshly minced garlic packs more flavor than pre-minced or powdered versions.
• Italian seasoning: Adds herby depth that’s perfect for this Christmas-inspired dip.
• Salt & pepper: Essential for balancing all the other flavors.
• Onion powder: A subtle layer of savory sweetness.
• Cayenne pepper: Just a pinch to add a little warmth without overpowering.
• Shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese: Use a combo for melty, gooey texture.
• Grated parmesan cheese: Boosts richness and sharpness in the filling.
• Refrigerated pizza crust: This saves so much time and effort, plus it bakes up beautifully crisp and golden.
• Butter (for topping): Brushed on at the end for a savory, glossy finish.
• Garlic powder and extra Italian seasoning (for topping): A sprinkle at the end intensifies the flavor and makes the tree smell amazing.

Variations

I love making this Christmas Spinach Dip Tree Appetizer Recipe my own by tweaking the cheese blends or playing with herbs. Feel free to experiment — this recipe is super forgiving and perfect for adding your own twist!

• Using different cheeses: I’ve tried pepper jack for a spicy kick — it’s a hit with the family when I want to mix things up.
• Make it vegetarian or vegan: Swap cream cheese for a plant-based version and use vegan cheeses. The shape and flavor still shine.
• Adding chopped artichokes: For an extra veggie punch, stir in some chopped hearts of palm or artichoke hearts to the dip.
• Spicing it up: If you like heat, add a dash of red pepper flakes or finely chopped jalapeño to the filling.

How to Make Christmas Spinach Dip Tree Appetizer Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Parchment

First things first— preheat your oven to 400°F (about 200°C). I like to move the oven rack to the lower third; this helps the bottom crust bake thoroughly without burning the top. Next, cut two large sheets of parchment paper. One will line your baking sheet, and the second will help as a surface to shape and roll your dough. Trust me, this step makes cleanup so much easier!

Step 2: Mix the Spinach Dip Filling

In a medium bowl, use an electric mixer to combine the thawed and squeezed spinach and softened cream cheese. Once smooth, stir in your fresh minced garlic, salt, onion powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. This mixture smells incredible already! Finally, fold in the parmesan cheese and half of your shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese to keep things nice and cheesy.

Step 3: Shape Your Dough Into a Christmas Tree

Unroll the refrigerated pizza dough onto the second piece of parchment paper. You might notice a few thicker spots — a quick roll with your rolling pin will smooth them out. Using a pizza cutter, cut a large triangle with the base at the narrower edge. This will be the tree itself.

Got some leftover dough? Don’t toss it! Press those smaller triangle pieces together to make a trunk for your tree. Gently tug and stretch the dough as needed to keep the shape — if it’s a bit stubborn, I found warming it just slightly with my hands helps it relax.

Step 4: Fill and Assemble Your Tree

Spread the spinach dip mixture evenly over the tree-shaped dough base, then sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese on top. Next, flip over the remaining dough and gently drape it over the filling to seal it in. Don’t worry if the dough pulls or stretches—just reshape it carefully as needed so it fully covers the filling.

Step 5: Twist the Branches

Using your pizza cutter, make 1-inch-thick cuts from the edges toward the center, leaving about an inch uncut along the middle. Now comes the fun part! Twist each strip 2-3 times to resemble tree branches. The short top piece only needs a gentle half twist. This process not only looks amazing but lets the filling peek through for big flavor.

Step 6: Bake and Finish

Slide the whole assembled tree onto the parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 20-22 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp on the bottom. When it’s out of the oven, immediately brush with melted butter mixed with garlic powder and Italian seasoning. This finishing touch takes the flavor and appearance to another level — I’ve had guests ask for the recipe just because of this buttery topping!

How to Serve Christmas Spinach Dip Tree Appetizer Recipe

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle a little extra parmesan cheese or some finely chopped fresh parsley on top before serving to add a pop of color and freshness. Some pomegranate seeds scattered around the tree add a fun holiday red contrast, too—and they’re totally edible decoration!

Side Dishes

This appetizer pairs wonderfully with simple sides like carrot and celery sticks or a crisp winter salad dressed with a citrus vinaigrette to balance the richness of the dip. For a heartier spread, I like adding a platter of assorted cured meats and olives alongside.

Creative Ways to Present

Try placing your Christmas spinach dip tree on a large round wooden cutting board for serving—it creates a rustic, festive vibe. You can also nestle mini ornaments or twinkle fairy lights around the board for extra holiday cheer (just remove them before eating, of course!). I once served this with little dipping bowls filled with ranch and marinara sauces — guests loved the extra flavors!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually wrap leftover tree pieces tightly in plastic wrap and keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you want a snack, you’ll find the flavors have even melded more deliciously overnight.

Freezing

If you want to prepare ahead, you can freeze the assembled but unbaked tree. Just wrap it well with plastic and foil, then bake directly from frozen—adding a few extra minutes to the bake time. I tried this a few holidays ago and was pleasantly surprised that the dough held up beautifully.

Reheating

To reheat, I pop leftover pieces in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 8-10 minutes or until warmed through and crisp again. Microwaving works in a pinch but tends to soften the crust, so I avoid that if I can.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Spinach Dip Tree Appetizer Recipe has become a festive tradition in my house — it’s such a joy to serve something that tastes like cozy comfort food but looks impressively festive and creative. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do and that it brings a little extra magic to your holiday celebrations. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll be on repeat every season!

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