19 Apps, Treats & Essentials from Whole Foods Canada for Easy Holiday Entertaining

Best HealthUpdated: Dec. 20, 2019

Our holiday hosting motto: Why make it when you can fake it? Here, we've rounded up the best ready-to-go apps, treats, and hosting essentials that'll free up a little extra prep time (and also make great options for guests with dietary restrictions).

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whole foods easy holiday entertaining spring rolls

Appetizer: Gluten-Free Vegetarian Spring Rolls

In need of a last-minute app for a vegetarian or gluten-free guest? Reach for these spring rolls, which just need to be slipped into the oven before serving.

Saidon Sans Gluten Free Vegetarian Spring Rolls, $10 Whole Foods

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whole foods easy holiday entertaining empanada

Appetizer: Beef Empanadas

Beef empanadas make a crowd-pleasing app that’ll do their job at tiding guests over until the feast.

Manotas Empanada, $13 Whole Foods

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whole foods easy holiday entertaining perogies

Appetizer: Potato and Onion Perogies

Stuffed with potato and fried onion, these perogies are sure to entice every guest. Serve on individual food trays with a dollop of sour cream.

Pelmen Perogies, $5, Whole Foods

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Appetizer: Veggie bites

Have a holiday spread that’s lacking the veggies? These kale & quinoa bites will add a healthy option to your assortment of offerings.

Function Natural Foods Co. Kale & Quinoa Bites, Whole Foods

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whole foods easy holiday entertaining samosas

Appetizer: Vegan Samosas

Have a vegan guest who RSVP’d? Offer them vegan samosas, which they can eat without worry (and all your other guests will love, too).

Indianlife Samosas, $9, Whole Foods

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whole foods easy holiday entertaining cheese condiment

For the Cheese Plate: Sweet Olive Spread

Step up your cheese plate with an extra dose of sweet and savoury flavour, courtesy of this olive and fruit spread.

Mediterranean Market Dolce K Olive & Fruit Mix, Whole Foods

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whole foods easy holiday entertaining brie

For the Cheese Plate: Grab-and-Go Brie

No time to decide between the many cheese options behind the counter? Just grab Isigny Ste Mère’s brie and be on your way.

Isigny Ste Mère Grass Fed Bonhomme Brie, $15, Whole Foods

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whole foods easy holiday entertaining plum spread

For the Cheese Plate: Plum Spread

This plum spread will elevate any cheese and crackers on your platter.

Dalmatia Plum Spread, Whole Foods

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whole foods easy holiday entertaining crackers

For the Cheese Plate: Crowd-Pleasing Crackers

These gluten-free, organic, protein-rich crackers will meet all your guests’ dietary restrictions, while the crackers’ rosemary flavour will satisfy their tastebuds.

Mary’s Gone Crackers Super Seed, $8, Whole Foods

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For the Cheese Plate: Kid-Friendly Crackers

These organic millet and broccoli-packed crackers are kid-friendly and free of nuts, gluten, corn, soy, and other common allergens.

Hilary’s Organic Broccoli Veggie Bites, $8, Whole Foods

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whole foods easy holiday entertaining crisps

For the Cheese Plate: Elevated Crackers

For crackers that will, arguably, be as delicious as the main course, reach for these Parm Crisps.

Oven-Baked Parm Crisps Italian Herb, $10, Whole Foods

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whole foods easy holiday entertaining parm chips

For the Cheese Plate: Thin, Cheesy Crackers

Here’s another option of Parm Crisps, because they’re that good and, we think, you can never have enough.

Oven-Baked Parm Crisps, Original, $10, Whole Foods

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whole foods easy holiday entertaining nuts

For the Nut Bowl: Elevated Almonds

These almonds have been fried in olive oil, making them a superior option for the nut bowl.

Don Juan Marcona Almonds, Whole Foods

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whole foods easy holiday entertaining truffles

Dessert: Organic French Chocolate Truffles

Coated in cocoa powder, and rich and creamy on the inside, these chocolate truffles make a decadent treat.

Organic Chocolate Truffles, $7, Whole Foods

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Dessert: Organic French Cappuccino Truffles

So good, we put both flavours on this list! These cappuccino-flavoured truffles are begging to be served at après-feast coffee hour.

Organic Cappuccino Truffles, $7, Whole Foods

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Dessert: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Soy-Free Blueberry Fritters

These everything-free fritters make a decadent treat even the gluten-, dairy- nut-loving set will love.

Katz Gluten Free Donuts, Whole Foods

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Dessert: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Soy-Free Apple Fritters

Serve these warm with ice cream (make that dairy-free ice cream for the vegan guests) for a dessert no one will know was store-bought.

Katz Gluten Free Real Fruit Mini Pies, Whole Foods

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whole foods easy holiday entertaining candy cane cookies

Dessert: Kid-Friendly Cookies

Chocolate candy cane sandwich cookies never fail to appeal to the kiddies—but adults will appreciate them just as much, too.

365 Everyday Value Chocolate Candy Cane Sandwich Cookies, $7 Whole Foods

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whole foods easy holiday entertaining cherry pie

Dessert: Gluten-Free “Fresh-Baked” Pie

Swap this gluten-free pie over to your pie dish and, like the mini pies, no one will suspect it wasn’t freshly baked. Serve with ice cream (extra points for offering various dairy-free alternative ice creams) for a classic holiday dessert.

Katz Gluten Free Cherry Pie, Whole Foods

Originally Published: December 12, 2019