Get ready to win the holiday party season with the most adorable and delicious appetizer imaginable: Christmas Tree Deviled Eggs! This recipe transforms the classic deviled egg into a festive masterpiece that’s almost too cute to eat. Almost. They are simple to make, a total crowd-pleaser, and the perfect way to add a touch of whimsy to your holiday spread.
We use a secret ingredient to get that perfect, vibrant green color without a single drop of food coloring. The creamy, savory filling is piped into a charming tree shape and decorated with edible “ornaments,” making it a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults. Let’s get ready to sleigh the appetizer game!
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Tree Deviled Eggs Recipe
This isn’t just a recipe; it’s a conversation starter! Here’s why these festive bites will become your new holiday tradition.
- Incredibly Festive: The adorable tree shape is a showstopper on any holiday table.
- Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, this recipe is perfect for cooks of all skill levels.
- Naturally Colored: We use creamy avocado to achieve a beautiful green hue, adding fantastic flavor and texture without artificial dyes.
- Perfect Party Food: They’re a fantastic make-ahead option, freeing you up to enjoy the festivities. If you’re planning a full spread, consider pairing them with other easy bites like festive cranberry brie bites.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a handful of simple ingredients to create these delightful Christmas Tree Deviled Eggs.
- Large Eggs: The foundation of our recipe.
- Ripe Avocado: Our secret weapon for that perfect, natural green color and creamy texture.
- Mayonnaise: Use a good quality, full-fat mayo for the best flavor.
- Dijon Mustard: Adds a tangy depth that cuts through the richness.
- Lemon Juice: Keeps the avocado from browning and brightens the filling.
- Salt and Black Pepper: To taste.
- Pretzel Sticks: For the adorable and edible tree trunks.
- Red Bell Pepper or Pomegranate Seeds: For decorating as ornaments and the tree-topping star.
Step-by-Step Instructions: Crafting Your Festive Eggs
Follow these simple steps to create your own edible Christmas trees. The process is straightforward and fun!
Step 1: Cook and Prep the Eggs
Place the eggs in a saucepan and cover them with cold water by about an inch. Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat. Once boiling, turn off the heat, cover the pot, and let the eggs sit for 10-12 minutes. Immediately transfer the eggs to an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Once cooled, carefully peel them and slice them in half lengthwise. Gently scoop out the yolks into a medium bowl.
Step 2: Create the Green Filling
To the bowl with the egg yolks, add the ripe avocado, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Mash everything together with a fork until it’s smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to your liking. For an extra smooth filling, you can use a hand mixer.
Step 3: Pipe the Christmas Trees
Transfer the green yolk mixture to a piping bag fitted with a star tip (like a Wilton 1M). This is key to getting the classic Christmas tree look. Pipe the filling back into the egg white halves, starting with a wide base and building up in a zig-zag motion to a point at the top, mimicking the shape of a tree.
Step 4: Decorate Your Trees
Now for the fun part! Break pretzel sticks in half and insert one piece into the base of each “tree” to create the trunk. Finely dice a small piece of red bell pepper and place a tiny square on top of each tree as the star. You can also use pomegranate seeds or other colorful chopped veggies for ornaments.
Tips for the Best Christmas Tree Deviled Eggs
Want to make your deviled eggs the talk of the party? Follow these pro tips.
- Don’t Overcook the Eggs: To avoid that dreaded green ring around the yolk, stick to the 10-12 minute cook time and use an ice bath immediately.
- Use a Ripe Avocado: A soft, ripe avocado is essential for a smooth, creamy, and vibrantly green filling.
- Piping is Key: A star-tipped piping bag is non-negotiable for achieving the tree texture. If you don’t have one, you can snip the corner of a zip-top bag, but the effect won’t be as defined.
- Taste As You Go: Always taste your filling before piping it. Adjust salt, pepper, or mustard levels to get it just right. For a different kind of holiday treat, check out this amazing peppermint bark recipe.
Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions
These Christmas Tree Deviled Eggs are perfect for making ahead. For the best results, cook and peel the eggs and make the filling up to 24 hours in advance. Store the egg whites in an airtight container and the filling in a separate airtight container or piping bag in the refrigerator. Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the filling to prevent browning. When you’re ready to serve, simply pipe the filling into the whites and decorate.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, but they are best enjoyed fresh as the avocado can start to discolor over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! For the best results, prepare the hard-boiled egg whites and the avocado filling up to 24 hours in advance. Store them in separate airtight containers in the fridge and assemble just before serving.
The key is to use a piping bag with a star tip (like a Wilton 1M or 2D). Start with a wide base and pipe the filling in a continuous side-to-side motion, getting narrower as you move up to create a cone or tree shape.
We use a ripe avocado mashed into the egg yolk filling. It creates a beautiful, vibrant green color and adds a wonderful creamy texture and flavor, no food coloring needed!
The best way to transport them is in a dedicated deviled egg carrier. If you don’t have one, a muffin tin is a great alternative as it will hold each egg securely in place and prevent them from sliding around.
A small piece of a pretzel stick makes the perfect tree trunk. For the star, you can use a tiny, finely diced piece of red bell pepper, a single pomegranate seed, or even a star-shaped sprinkle.
Share Your Festive Creations!
We can’t wait to see your version of these Christmas Tree Deviled Eggs! They are such a fun addition to any holiday meal, whether served as an appetizer or alongside a main course. If you are looking for other sweet holiday ideas, these no-bake sugar cookie truffles are always a winner. If you make this recipe, be sure to leave a comment below and share a photo on Pinterest!
Christmas Tree Deviled Eggs Recipe
Christmas Tree Deviled Eggs (The Ultimate Festive Appetizer)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Place eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil, then turn off the heat, cover, and let sit for 10-12 minutes. Transfer to an ice bath to cool completely.
- Peel the cooled eggs and slice them in half lengthwise. Gently remove the yolks and place them in a medium bowl.
- To the bowl with the yolks, add the avocado, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice. Mash with a fork until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Transfer the filling to a piping bag fitted with a star tip. Pipe the filling into the egg white halves, starting with a wide base and building up in a zig-zag motion to a point to resemble a Christmas tree.
- Insert a piece of a pretzel stick into the base of each tree for a trunk. Top each tree with a tiny piece of finely diced red bell pepper for a star. Serve immediately or chill until ready to serve.
Notes
Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
