If you’re looking for a festive appetizer that’s both delightful and eye-catching, this Christmas Tree Deviled Eggs Recipe is your new holiday go-to. I absolutely love how these eggs turn into little edible Christmas trees—perfect for parties, family gatherings, or just brightening up your everyday snack game. Trust me, once you try this, you’ll be hooked on how simple and fun it is to make these charming deviled eggs.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Festive and Fun: The Christmas tree shape brings instant holiday cheer that wow guests every time.
- Bright, Fresh Flavors: Herbs and pickle relish add a vibrant zing that lifts the classic deviled egg filling.
- Easy to Make: Using a food processor ensures smooth filling, and piping the trees is simpler than you think!
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare the filling in advance and pipe just before serving for the best presentation.
Ingredients You’ll Need
All these ingredients work together to give your Christmas tree deviled eggs that lovely balance of creaminess, tang, and fresh herb notes. Plus, the red bell pepper garnish adds that perfect pop of color to imitate ornaments. When shopping, look for fresh herbs and a good-quality mayonnaise for the best flavor.
- Eggs: Fresh eggs but not too fresh—they peel easier if they’ve had a few days in the fridge.
- Mayonnaise: Use a creamy, flavorful mayo for richness in your filling.
- Mustard: I recommend yellow mustard for its mild tang that blends beautifully.
- Dill pickle relish: Adds a crunchy, sweet, and tangy zing that brightens the filling.
- Fresh parsley: Finely chopped for a fresh, herby touch that pairs perfectly with dill.
- Fresh dill: Use plenty—it’s the star herb that makes these deviled eggs truly festive.
- Green food coloring (optional): Just a drop can make the filling a perfect holiday green, but it’s totally optional.
- Kosher salt: Enhances all the flavors without overpowering them.
- Ground black pepper: Adds a subtle warmth to the creamy mixture.
- Red bell pepper: Finely diced for garnish—it mimics the tiny ornaments on the Christmas trees.
Variations
I like to play around with this Christmas Tree Deviled Eggs Recipe depending on the crowd—sometimes I add a little smoked paprika for depth or swap dill pickle relish for capers for a briny twist. Feel free to make it your own and experiment!
- Smoked Paprika: Adds a smoky, slightly spicy kick that transforms the classic deviled egg into something a little more sophisticated.
- Capers instead of pickle relish: If you’re into tangy bursts, capers make a lovely substitute that’s a bit punchier.
- Avocado mash: For a creamy, healthier spin, swap out some or all of the mayo with ripe avocado—you’ll get a fresh green colored filling naturally!
- Mini cherry tomatoes: Try them as garnish if you want a juicier “ornament” with a different texture than red pepper.
How to Make Christmas Tree Deviled Eggs Recipe
Step 1: Perfectly Boil and Chill the Eggs
Start by placing your eggs in a large pot filled with about 2 inches of boiling water. Cooking them for exactly 12 minutes yields firm yolks that are easy to work with. Immediately transfer the eggs to an ice water bath—this cool-down step is crucial. It halts cooking and makes peeling so much easier without nicking the whites. I discovered this trick early on, and it’s game-changing for deviled eggs.
Step 2: Peel, Halve, and Scoop
Once cooled, gently peel each egg. I like to do this under running water to help remove tiny shell bits. Slice each egg lengthwise and carefully scoop out the yolks into a food processor bowl. Pro tip: try to keep the white halves intact for a polished look later.
Step 3: Blend Your Filling to Silky Perfection
Add mayonnaise, mustard, dill pickle relish, fresh parsley, dill, salt, pepper, and the optional drop of green food coloring to the yolks. Then, pulse it all in your food processor for 1-2 minutes. This creates an ultra-smooth, vibrant green filling that’s easy to pipe and tastes amazing. I used to mash by hand, but once I tried a food processor, I never went back.
Step 4: Pipe Your Christmas Tree Filling
Transfer your filling into a piping bag or a zip-top bag with a small corner snipped off—about half an inch works great. Fill the cavity of each egg white half with some filling first, then pipe upwards in a back-and-forth zigzag to build a triangle shape resembling a Christmas tree. This step is fun and effortless once you get the hang of it. My kids love helping here!
Step 5: Add Garnishes and Serve
Sprinkle finely diced red bell pepper pieces over each tree to mimic festive ornaments. For an extra herbal touch, garnish with sprigs of fresh dill. Serve these straight away or chill them—either way, they look and taste fantastic. Your guests will definitely ask for the recipe.
Pro Tips for Making Christmas Tree Deviled Eggs Recipe
- Ice Bath Magic: Always cool eggs quickly after boiling; it stops cooking and makes peeling painless.
- Use a Food Processor: It creates an ultra-smooth, vibrant filling and totally blends those herbs like a pro.
- Piping Bag Trick: If you don’t have one, a sturdy zip-top bag with the corner snipped works perfectly for shaping trees.
- Don’t Overfill: Leave a little space around edges while piping; it keeps the tree shaped and neat instead of a messy blob.
How to Serve Christmas Tree Deviled Eggs Recipe
Garnishes
I love using finely diced red bell pepper as “ornaments” because they add a sweet crunch and gorgeous red color that screams Christmas. Fresh dill sprigs make wonderful “tree branches” to enhance the herbaceous character and add some natural texture. Sometimes I switch it up with tiny pomegranate seeds for a jewel-like sparkle, which is always a showstopper.
Side Dishes
Since these deviled eggs are rich and herby, I usually pair them with crisp crudités, a light green salad with a citrus vinaigrette, or even some buttery crostini. For holiday gatherings, they make a fantastic finger-food appetizer alongside a cheese board and winter spiced drinks.
Creative Ways to Present
One of my favorite ways to present these Christmas Tree Deviled Eggs is on a large serving platter covered with fresh kale or parsley “grass.” Then, I arrange the eggs into perfect rows like a little forest. I’ve even added tiny edible star-shaped cheese pieces on top to resemble tree toppers, which my family adored. It’s all about bringing the festive spirit to your plate!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I’ve found the best way to store leftovers is to keep the egg whites and filling separate if you can. Just cover the whites and filling tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate them. When you’re ready to serve again, pipe the filling fresh to avoid sogginess. If that’s too much fuss, storing them assembled in an airtight container works for up to 24 hours with minimal quality loss.
Freezing
Freezing deviled eggs isn’t something I usually recommend because the texture tends to suffer. Creamy fillings can separate and the whites get rubbery after thawing. If you must, freeze only the filling in an airtight container for up to a month and thaw in the fridge—reassemble and garnish fresh before serving.
Reheating
Deviled eggs are best served cold, so reheating isn’t really necessary or recommended. Just pull them out of the fridge about 10-15 minutes before serving to take the chill off, and they’ll be perfect. Heating them can ruin that delicate texture and flavor balance.
FAQs
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Can I make the Christmas Tree Deviled Eggs Recipe vegan or dairy-free?
While this recipe traditionally uses mayonnaise and eggs, you can experiment with vegan mayo and mashed tofu or avocado for a dairy-free, vegan alternative. The tree shape and garnish remain the same, just expect a different, but still delicious, texture and flavor.
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What’s the best way to peel boiled eggs easily?
Plunging eggs into an ice water bath right after boiling cools them rapidly and firms up the whites, which makes peeling easier. I recommend peeling under running water to help wash away tiny shell fragments and prevent tearing the egg whites.
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Can I prepare these deviled eggs in advance?
Absolutely! You can make the filling and store it in a piping bag in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Keep the egg whites separate and fill them just before serving for the freshest look and best texture.
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Why add green food coloring to the filling?
It’s purely for visual appeal! The herbs add a soft green tint, but a drop of green food coloring gives the filling that vibrant Christmas tree green that makes these deviled eggs stand out on your holiday table. If you prefer natural colors, feel free to skip it.
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How do I pipe the filling to look like a Christmas tree?
Fill the egg white cavity first, then pipe the filling moving side to side in a zigzag, gradually building up into a triangle shape. This creates a layered tree effect. Using a medium-sized piping tip or snipped bag corner makes the process smooth and fun.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Tree Deviled Eggs Recipe is definitely one of those dishes that brings joy not just through taste but through the process and presentation. I remember the first time I made these—my kids were so impressed and actually wanted to eat the filling by the spoonful! I hope you enjoy making them as much as I do, and that they bring that little extra sparkle to your holiday celebrations. Once you master this recipe, it becomes a festive tradition that’s both simple and incredibly charming. Give it a try, and let me know how your Christmas tree deviled eggs turn out!
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Christmas Tree Deviled Eggs Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 deviled egg halves
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These festive Christmas Tree Deviled Eggs transform a classic appetizer into a delightful holiday treat. Creamy egg yolk filling mixed with fresh herbs and colorful garnishes is piped into egg whites in the shape of Christmas trees, garnished with red bell pepper “ornaments” and fresh dill for a vibrant and fun presentation perfect for holiday parties.
Ingredients
Eggs
- 1 dozen eggs
Filling
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tsp mustard
- 3 Tbsp dill pickle relish
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 2 Tbsp chopped fresh dill, plus more for garnish
- 1 drop green food coloring (optional)
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
Garnish
- 1/4 cup diced red bell pepper
Instructions
- Boil the Eggs: Place eggs in a large pot with 2 inches of boiling water and cook for 12 minutes to achieve hard-boiled eggs. Immediately transfer them to a large bowl filled with ice water. Let them cool completely for about 12 minutes to stop cooking and make peeling easier.
- Peel and Halve Eggs: Carefully peel the cooled eggs. Slice each egg lengthwise in half and gently remove the yolks, setting the whites aside on a serving platter.
- Make the Filling: Place the egg yolks in a food processor. Add mayonnaise, mustard, dill pickle relish, chopped fresh parsley, chopped fresh dill, green food coloring if using, kosher salt, and black pepper. Process for 1-2 minutes until the mixture is very smooth, creamy, and uniformly green.
- Pipe the Filling: Transfer the yolk mixture into a piping bag or a zip-top bag with a 1/2-inch corner snipped off. Fill the hole of each egg white half, then pipe the filling in a back-and-forth motion to create a triangular shape resembling a Christmas tree.
- Garnish the Trees: Sprinkle finely diced red bell pepper over the piped filling to simulate Christmas tree ornaments. Add extra fresh dill on top if desired for a festive touch.
- Serve or Chill: Serve the deviled eggs immediately or chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve. For best results, pipe and garnish eggs just before serving if prepared in advance.
Notes
- Make Ahead: The filling can be prepared and stored in the piping bag in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Store the egg whites separately and pipe just before serving to preserve freshness and appearance.
- Smooth Filling Secret: Using a food processor ensures the herbs are finely chopped and the filling is smooth and vibrant green.
- Easy Peel Tip: The ice bath after boiling is essential for peeling the eggs easily without damaging the whites.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 deviled egg half
- Calories: 75
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 170 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1.5 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg