15 Easy 3-Ingredient Recipes That’ll Make the Holidays So Much Simpler
From appetizers to desserts, these seasonal dishes will taste like you spent all day in the kitchen!
There’s no doubt about it: The holiday season is busy. Chances are, your itinerary from Thanksgiving to the New Year is jam-packed with festive gatherings, travel arrangements, and work deadlines, plus other pending to-dos like holiday shopping and decorating. With everything on your plate throughout this hectic time of year, you might find it nearly impossible to carve out time for a home-cooked meal.
Luckily, though, with these easy three-ingredient recipes, you don’t have to spend all day in the kitchen to enjoy delectable dishes during the holiday season. Whether it’s a crowd-pleasing Thanksgiving appetizer, a celebratory Christmas cocktail, or a simple side on a busy weeknight, these recipes require minimal time, effort, and money to throw together. Based on the unforgettable taste, however, no one will be able to tell!
Ahead, you’ll find creamy, cheesy dips and decadent desserts infused with seasonal flavors like apple or peppermint, which will be a smashing hit at any holiday party. You’ll also discover roasted vegetables that use just a handful of ingredients yet taste restaurant-worthy. And there are plenty of air-fryer recipes that'll make cooking over this bustling time of year a breeze. Whether you’re hosting a holiday party or looking for manageable family dinner ideas, these appetizers, sides, drinks, and desserts will blow you away with how easy they are to prepare—and how delicious they taste!
Scroll through our collection of three-ingredient recipes for the busy holiday season, and thank us later!
Discover more stress-free recipes:
Quick and Easy Apple Tart
These apple tarts technically have four ingredients, but the pinch of salt hardly counts, in our opinion! Frozen puff pastry, sliced apples, and brown sugar come together to make the dreamiest holiday dessert. If you’re feeling brave enough to tack on one more ingredient, caramel, powdered sugar, or whipped cream on top is optional—but totally worth it!
Get Ree's Quick and Easy Apple Tart recipe.
Easy Artichoke Dip
The name of this easy dip says it all! This three-ingredient recipe calls for marinated artichokes, baby spinach, and queso blanco—that's it! It’ll be ready in 10 minutes or less, and the finished product will taste divine. Serve it as an after-school snack with sliced veggies or as a holiday appetizer with tortilla chips.
Get Ree's Easy Artichoke Dip recipe.
Peppermint Bark
It isn't Christmastime without peppermint bark, and this recipe will let you savor all the festive flavors without the stress! To prepare these holiday treats, all you have to do is sprinkle crushed candy canes over melted white chocolate, mixed with peppermint oil. A few pieces will make an addicting afternoon snack, after-dinner treat, or edible Christmas gift!
Get Ree's Peppermint Bark recipe.
Roasted Asparagus
Looking for the easiest, most versatile side to complete your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner? These roasted asparagus spears will not disappoint—especially for the chef! Drizzle some olive oil and sprinkle some salt and pepper (we're counting that as one!) over a bunch of green stems, and you've got the perfect complement to any main course.
Get Ree's Roasted Asparagus recipe.
Beet Walnut Goat Cheese Dip
With all the overindulging that tends to happen over the holidays, you'll probably want to mix in some light bites, too. If you're hosting or attending a Christmas party, consider this three-ingredient dip. Pickled beets, herbed goat cheese, and toasted walnuts come together to create a colorful, flavorful, and nutritious spread for any gathering.
Get Ree's Beet Walnut Goat Cheese Dip recipe.
Hot Chocolate Mix
A cozy cup of cocoa is one of the best ways to end a cold December evening. With this three-ingredient recipe, you'll be able to prepare the comforting beverage in advance and stir in some hot water whenever you please. These drink mixes also make a hassle-free holiday gift that'll warm your family and friends' hearts (and stomachs!).
Get the Hot Chocolate Mix recipe.
Pigs in a Blanket
Universally loved by kids and adults alike, pigs in a blanket is a nostalgic classic. And just three ingredients and 25 minutes are all it takes to summon them! For this recipe, the only items you'll need are crescent roll dough, mini smoked sausage, and a large egg for brushing. If you want to go the extra mile, shake some everything bagel seasoning on top.
Get the Pigs in a Blanket recipe.
Air Fryer Baked Potato
Baked potatoes are comfort-food must-haves over the holidays, but throwing them in the oven can take a while. If you're pressed for time (and want extra-crispy spuds), toss them in an air fryer. Coat each one in olive oil and seasonings, and in no time, you'll have a delicious side with golden edges and a fluffy middle.
Get the Air Fryer Baked Potato recipe.
Easy Peppermint Fudge
Rich and silky-smooth, this fudge recipe is just as quick, easy, and minty as the aforementioned peppermint bark, but with a denser consistency and a more chocolate-forward taste. A medley of semi-sweet chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and crushed peppermint candies will make an irresistible Christmas dessert or a thoughtful Christmas gift.
Get Ree's Easy Peppermint Fudge recipe.
3-Ingredient Buffalo Dip
Put this three-ingredient buffalo dip on the table during NFL Sundays or before Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, and watch it vanish in an instant. Savory, spicy, and satisfying, this appetizer features chicken salad, Buffalo-style hot sauce, and crumbled blue cheese—nothing else! Pair the spread with veggies, pita chips, or tortilla chips for dipping.
Get Ree's 3-Ingredient Buffalo Dip recipe.
Air Fryer Green Beans
This is another time-efficient air-fryer recipe you don't want to sleep on this holiday season. Just like the three-ingredient asparagus dish, this vegetable side entails tossing the stems in olive oil and salt and pepper before baking them in the basket. Including prep time, these crunchy green beans will be ready to munch on in 15 minutes!
Get the Air Fryer Green Beans recipe.
Chocolate Martini
Christmas celebrations call for cocktails, and what better way to celebrate than with a chocolate martini in hand (especially one that takes five minutes!)? In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, you’ll mix Bailey’s Irish cream, chocolate liqueur, and vodka together. Although the end product will taste creamy and chocolatey as is, if you want to up the ante, garnish it with chocolate syrup and chocolate shavings.
Get the Chocolate Martini recipe.
3-Ingredient Asparagus Tart
Transform buttery puff pastry, salty fontina cheese, and crisp asparagus into a divine tart with this three-ingredient recipe. Well-balanced and nourishing, this snack lends itself well to simple lunches on busy afternoons or easy appetizers for big group gatherings.
Get the 3-Ingredient Asparagus Tart recipe.
Skyline Dip
If you're craving the warming taste of Skyline chili, this dippable version takes half the time, effort, and ingredients. Layer cream cheese, canned chili, and shredded cheddar in a casserole dish, and you'll have a bubbling, gooey, spicy appetizer for a Christmas potluck or family holiday party.
Get Ree's Skyline Dip recipe.
Ranch Water
For a holiday beverage that’s lighter and less sugary than the average cocktail, try a glass of ranch water. By filling a cup of ice with tequila, fresh lime juice, and sparkling water, you’ll create a refreshing, bubbly, and citrusy-sweet concoction. To make it more festive, add a decorative straw and adorn the rim with a lime wedge!
Get the Ranch Water recipe.
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