Melt away at these cheese starters for Christmas

Cheese as a starter: the perfect start to your Christmas dinner

At a Christmas dinner, the starter is more than just a snack; it sets the tone for the whole evening. With cheese as a starter, you start off right. Whether you opt for a creamy cheese fondue, crispy bruschettas or a festive cheese board, these dishes will get your Christmas menu off to a great start. And the best part is, these Christmas starters are not only super tasty but also easy to make.

Our favourite cheese starters for Christmas

We have listed our top cheese starters for Christmas for you. They are all easy to prepare and guaranteed to be a hit with your guests. You will find all the recipes on our website, so you can get started right away!

1. Cheese fondue with a twist

Want to surprise your guests with a classic, but with a twist? Then try our cheese fondue with goat's cheese. This unique variant with extra old goat's cheese and goat's cheese with herbs & garlic provides a rich, deep flavour. It is not only delicious, but also looks great on your Christmas table.

What you need.

• 200g Henri Willig Goat's cheese Extra Old
• 200g Henri Willig Goat's cheese Herbs &Garlic
• 1 clove of garlic
• 300 ml dry white wine
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• Fresh bread and assorted vegetables for dipping

How to make it:

1. Rub the inside of your fondue pan with the garlic clove for extra flavour. 
2. Heat the white wine over medium-high heat and slowly add the grated goat cheese.
3. Keep stirring until the cheese is completely melted and you have a smooth mixture.
4. Mix the cornstarch with a little water into a paste and add it to thicken the fondue slightly.
5. Serve the fondue with pieces of fresh bread, cherry tomatoes, pieces of peppers and mushrooms. [photo recipe]

2. Bruschettas with portobello truffle cheese

Looking for a savoury snack or starter? Then try our bruschettas with portobello and truffle cheese. These bruschettas are simple to make and the combination of the savoury truffle cheese with the soft portobello is sure to impress your guests.

What you need.

• 150g Henri Willig truffle cheese
• 4 portobello mushrooms
• 1 ciabatta or baguette 
• 1 clove of garlic
• Olive oil
• Fresh thyme or basil
• Pepper and salt

How to make it:

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C.
2. Brush the portobello mushrooms with olive oil, season with salt and pepper and roast them in the oven for about 10-15 minutes.
3. Slice the bread and lightly toast them.
4. Rub the warm rolls with the garlic clove.
5. Top the rolls with truffle cheese slices and place the warm portobello mushrooms on top.
6. Garnish with fresh thyme or basil.

3. Extra festive luxury cheese board

Want to keep it simple yet chic? Then our extra festive luxury cheese board is just what you are looking for. Combine different types of Henri Willig cheeses, such as young cheese with green pesto and mature goat's cheese, with fresh fruit and raw vegetables. An unforgettable start to your Christmas dinner guaranteed!

Tips for your cheese board:

• Green pesto cheese: Delicious with sundried tomatoes and olives.
• Aged goat's cheese: Delicious with figs and nut bread.
• Fenugreek cheese: Pairs well with dates and honey.
• Add crackers, fresh bread and chutneys for extra variety.

4. Christmas cheese sticks

Bring some playfulness to your appetiser with our Christmas cheese sticks. These crunchy stems are perfect as a light starter or as part of a drinks board. They are quick and easy to make and are sure to please young and old alike.

What do you need?

• 1 roll of puff pastry
• 150g Henri Willig young mature cheese
• 1 egg yolk
• Sesame or poppy seeds
• Christmas-themed cutters (such as stars or Christmas trees)

How to make it:

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C and line a baking tray with baking paper.
2. Roll out the puff pastry and cut out Christmas figures using the shapes.
3. Place a slice of cheese on each mould and cover with a second puff pastry mould. Press the edges well.
4. Brush with egg yolk and sprinkle with the seeds.
5. Bake the cheese sticks for about 15-20 minutes until golden brown.

5. Spicy nachos as a hot appetiser

Nachos with cheese are always a hit, and with our spicy nach os you can put a delicious starter on the table in no time. Sprinkled with Henri Willig's Chili Cheese and served with crème fraîche, salsa and guacamole, these nachos are a guaranteed hit.

What you need.

• Tortilla chips
• 200g grated Henri Willig Chili Cheese
• 1 red onion, finely chopped 
• Jalapeños, in rings
• Salsa, guacamole and crème fraîche
• Fresh coriander

How to make it:

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C.
2. Spread the tortilla chips on an oven dish or baking tray.
3. Sprinkle the grated chilli cheese on top.
4. Divide the red onion and jalapeños over the cheese.
5. Bake in the oven until the cheese is melted (about 10 minutes).
6. Garnish with fresh coriander and serve with the dipping sauce.

A suitable starter for every Christmas dinner

The beauty of these cheese appetisers for Christmas is that they are easy to adapt to your taste and that of your guests. Whether you go for an intimate dinner or a big party, there is always a dish to suit you. With these easy Christmas appetisers with cheese, you will create a cosy atmosphere and a delicious start to your Christmas dinner.

Complete your Christmas with our cheese gifts

Would you like to surprise your guests or are you still looking for an original Christmas gift? Then take a look at our festive cheese gifts! From beautiful gift sets to delicious packages with our best cheeses.

• Christmas gift pack excellent port: A selection of delicious cheeses, including our limited edition sparkling wine cheese, combined with a delicious white port.
• Christmas gift pack with wine: Everything you need for a cosy evening, including a selection of our finest cheeses and an excellent wine.
• Cheese tasting set of 5 Cheeses: Taste the diversity of Henri Willig cheeses and discover your favourite.

-> Discover all gift options.

Need more Christmas appetiser ideas?

Still looking for more inspiration for a Christmas appetiser with cheese? On our website, you'll find an extensive collection of recipes perfect for the festive season. Whether you are looking for an impressive main dish or a simple side dish, with Henri Willig's cheeses you will turn any dish into something special.

-> Check out all our recipes for more inspiration.

Happy holidays!

We hope these cheese starters will give you enough inspiration to make your Christmas dinner a success. Do you have any questions or would you like some advice on our products? Feel free to contact us. We wish you a wonderful and cosy Christmas!