Pesto Mozzarella Cheese Stick Christmas Tree Recipe
This is the easiest, festive holiday appetizer you will make this year and it’s in the shape of a Christmas tree! All you need is a few store bought ingredients and a large serving platter and you will have a fun appetizer perfect for holiday parties and Christmas eve. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t love mozzarella sticks? This simple Christmas appetizer even incorporates the festive look with red and green elements! Let me show you how to make this mozzarella cheese stick Christmas tree platter. Full instructions and printable recipe card below.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
Everyone is always crazy busy during the Christmas season running from holiday party to holiday party that you need to bring a dish to. While I love making homemade appetizers, sometimes I just don’t have time. My favorite part of this recipe is it uses simple ingredients, only takes 15 minutes to put together, but looks like you put serious effort into making it. It’s a great way to make a festive holiday platter without spending too much time on it.
Ingredients
Mozzarella Sticks – The main component of this appetizer is mozzarella cheese sticks. I bought a big pack of pre-made cheese sticks at Costco but I have also seen them in the freezer section at my local grocery store.
Dipping Sauce Options – I decided to use two sauces for my platter. Basil pesto and marinara sauce. Both of these are pre-made but feel free to make your own if you have time. You could also serve them with red pizza sauce, white parmesan garlic sauce, or garlic butter sauce. I have an easy version of melted butter with Italian seasoning and garlic powder that I use in my pizza crust recipe.
Mozzarella Pearls – For the star on top of the Christmas tree I used mozzarella pearls and a star cookie cutter. These little cheese balls are the perfect size for snacking and go well with the tomatoes. They are usually located in the deli section at the grocery store.
Cherry Tomatoes – I added cherry tomatoes to make the Christmas tree ornaments and they can be eaten with the mozzarella pearls.
Fresh Basil – I garnished the top and bottom of the Christmas tree with fresh basil leaves. You can also use spinach or parsley.
Olive Trays – For the Christmas tree trunk and the bottom of the tree I used thin olive trays to hold the pesto and marinara sauce. They were the perfect size.
Star Cookie Cutter – I used a star cookie cutter to hold the mozzarella pearls but you could also use a star shaped dish.
Additional Garnish – I didn’t use anything extra but parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, or fresh herbs would also be a great addition.
How to Make the Christmas Tree
You will need to start with a large cookie sheet or cutting board so it can be moved without disrupting the shape. I used a large cutting board and covered it with chalk board paper.
Place one olive tray in the middle and one perpendicular below it. Then place the star cookie cutter in the center of the top of the olive tray. Then place a baked mozzarella stick on either side of the tree trunk at the top just under the star. This is the only row with only one stick. Then continue down the center with two mozzarella sticks at an angle to make a cone shape or large triangle. Continue with the next row until you get to the inside bottom corner.
Garnish the top and bottom of the tree with basil leaves to fill in the gaps. Add marinara and pesto to each of the olive trays and decorate the tree with cherry or grape tomatoes. Fill the star with the mozzarella pearls.
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Pesto Mozzarella Cheese Stick Christmas Tree Recipe
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 32 pieces 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Looking for a fun appetizer in the shape of a Christmas tree for your holiday gathering? You have to try this pesto mozzarella cheese stick Christmas tree recipe. Not only is it a quick and easy appetizer but it is full of Christmas flair and who doesn’t love mozzarella cheese sticks? All you need is a few store bought ingredients and a large serving platter and you will have a fun appetizer perfect for holiday parties and Christmas eve. It even follows a red and green theme and is sure to be a huge hit!
Ingredients
- 1 pkg Mozzarella Cheese Sticks (32 count or more)
- 1 jar Marinara Sauce
- 1 jar Pesto Sauce
- 1 pkg Cherry or Grape Tomatoes
- 1 pkg of Mozzarella Pearls
- Fresh Basil Leaves
Instructions
- On a prepared baking sheet bake mozzarella cheese sticks according to package directions until golden brown. Mine took about 15 minutes.
- While the mozzarella sticks bake, set up a serving tray or large cutting board with olive trays and star cookie cutter in a Christmas tree shape. Place one olive tray in the middle and one perpendicular below it. Then place the star cookie cutter in the center of the top of the olive tray.
- Once the mozzarella sticks have cooled, arrange them at an angle pointing down on either side of the tree trunk just under the star. Then continue down the center with two mozzarella sticks per row to make a Christmas tree shape. Continue with the next row until you get to the inside bottom corner.
- Garnish the top and bottom of the tree with basil leaves to fill in the gaps.
- Add marinara and pesto to each of the olive trays.
- Decorate the tree with cherry or grape tomatoes.
- Fill the star with the mozzarella pearls.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Looking for more Christmas recipes? Try my grandma’s Polish Christmas cookies, avocado toast Christmas tree deviled eggs, creamy whipped feta balsamic bruschetta dip, Baileys Irish cream white Russian, or my keto cream cheese and sausage stuffed mushrooms.
Storage
Leftovers will last in the fridge for about 5 days in an airtight container.
When to Make Mozzarella Stick Christmas Tree
This festive appetizer is perfect for the holiday season when everyone is running short on time. This Christmas cheese tree only takes 15 minutes and looks so cute on the holiday table. It makes the perfect appetizer or holiday snack.
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