29 Easy Bring-Along Dishes That Make Holiday Gathering a Breeze

Holiday gathering gets a whole lot easier when you’ve got bring-along dishes that travel well, taste amazing, and don’t drain your time or energy. These recipes are dependable crowd-pleasers that cut down on kitchen chaos and keep you from scrambling last minute. They help you show up confident, prepared, and stress-free, even when the holiday schedule feels like a marathon.

Maple Brussels Sprouts

Maple Brussels sprouts make a perfect bring-along side when you want something easy that still feels holiday special. The sprouts roast in one pan with a light maple glaze, so you get caramelized edges and gentle sweetness without extra work. Packed into a warm dish with a simple cover, they travel well to potlucks or family dinners.
Get the Recipe: Maple Brussels Sprouts

Angel Pie

Angel pie is a dream to take along because you can chill it the day before and carry it straight in the pie dish. A crisp meringue crust, silky lemon filling, and soft whipped topping give the dessert table a bright, festive lift. Carry it in the same pan, pop off the wrap, then watch the plates clear in quiet appreciation.
Get the Recipe: Angel Pie

Sweet Potato Bites

Sweet potato bites come through when you need a fun holiday appetizer that looks cute on a platter but doesn’t cost much time or money. Little rounds of seasoned sweet potato topped with marshmallow toast up beautifully, giving you crispy edges with soft centers in every bite. Once the platter hits the coffee table, conversation slows for a moment while everyone grabs a bite.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Bites

Pecan Pie

Pecan pie is a classic bring-along dessert that rides in the car like a champ and slices neatly once you arrive. A no-roll crust, gooey caramel-style filling, and crackly toasted pecans feel nostalgic without much effort at all. Arrive holding a homemade pie, and dessert duty feels sorted before you even hang up your coat.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Pie

Homemade Non-Alcoholic Eggnog

Homemade non alcoholic eggnog works so well for gatherings because you can mix a big batch in advance and pour it into a lidded pitcher or jar. The creamy texture and gentle spice taste like pure holiday comfort, whether people sip it plain or add their own twist. Set the pitcher beside the snacks, and suddenly the room feels more relaxed, with everyone lingering a little longer.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Non-Alcoholic Eggnog

Crustless Cheesecake

Crustless cheesecake makes an ideal shareable dessert to bring when you want something rich that transports easily. It bakes in a regular dish with a smooth interior and tangy sour cream topping, so no springform pan or fancy crust is required. Slide the dish onto a dessert table, and guests find slices easy to serve without any extra fuss from you.
Get the Recipe: Crustless Cheesecake

Cornbread

Cornbread is a cozy side that fits right into any holiday potluck or family dinner when you need something simple yet comforting. The pan bakes up soft and moist with golden edges, ready to cut into generous squares. Placed in the center of the buffet, it brings a slow, homey comfort that helps everyone ease into the meal.
Get the Recipe: Cornbread

Christmas Charcuterie Board

A Christmas charcuterie board is a star bring-along because you can build it at home, wrap it tightly, and unveil it fully ready at the party. Cured meats, cheeses, crackers, fruit, plus a few festive touches, create a colorful spread that needs no oven time at all. Walk in with the board wrapped tight, then unwrap it to instant oohs, ahhs, plus a host who looks very relieved.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Charcuterie Board

Ginger Beer Mocktail

Ginger beer mocktail is perfect for taking along to holiday parties because you can mix the base in minutes, then top with fizz once you arrive. Crisp apple, warm ginger, and bright citrus feel festive in a glass without needing any alcohol. Pouring a round is an easy way to join in the cheers even when you are the one driving home.
Get the Recipe: Ginger Beer Mocktail

Holiday Popcorn

Holiday popcorn is a dream potluck snack since one big batch fills multiple containers with almost no effort. Sweet salty popcorn mixed with pretzels, candy, and sprinkles instantly brightens any snack table. A tub of it on the counter keeps guests happily munching while the main dishes finish up.
Get the Recipe: Holiday Popcorn

Drop Biscuits

Drop biscuits travel beautifully in a lined basket or covered dish, staying soft and warm for brunches or morning get togethers. Buttery, tender bites fit right in next to eggs, casseroles, or even leftover ham. Showing up with a pile of homemade biscuits makes you everyone’s favorite guest without much work on your end.
Get the Recipe: Drop Biscuits

Cinnamon Palmiers

Cinnamon palmiers stack neatly into tins or containers, which makes them ideal for on the go holiday visits. Flaky pastry spirals coated in sugar and cinnamon look elegant on a tray even though they start with simple puff pastry. Unpacking a plate of them beside the coffee earns you instant smiles from the whole room.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Palmiers

Blueberry Mocktail

Blueberry mocktail is easy to bring in a pitcher so all you need to do on arrival is add ice and bubbles. The mix of berries, lime, and mint looks jewel toned in a glass, giving the drinks table real party energy without any alcohol. Guests of all ages happily grab a glass while you relax knowing the “fun drink” box is checked.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Mocktail

Creme Brulee

Creme brulee can be baked at home in small ramekins, chilled, then carried in a pan straight to your holiday dinner. Silky vanilla custard waits under a thin layer of sugar that you torch or broil right before serving. Lining up those little dishes on the table instantly makes the gathering feel special.
Get the Recipe: Creme Brulee

Cranberry Brie Bites

Cranberry brie bites tuck easily into a baking dish or lidded container, so they arrive looking just as tidy as when they left your oven. Each puff pastry cup holds melty brie and tart cranberry sauce in a bite that feels perfectly festive for mingling. Guests pick them up without utensils, which keeps the party moving and the host grateful.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Brie Bites

Old Fashioned Fudge

Old fashioned fudge sets firm enough to cut into neat squares that travel well in tins, boxes, or even small bags. Deep chocolate flavor with a creamy texture feels generous on any dessert table. Handing a tin to your host covers both dessert and a sweet little thank you gift in one go.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Fudge

Air Fryer Stuffed Mushrooms

Air fryer stuffed mushrooms slide neatly into a shallow container, making them a great choice when you are in charge of appetizers. Tender caps packed with creamy, cheesy filling taste just as good warm or at room temperature. Setting them out on a small plate near the drinks quickly turns that corner into the most popular spot in the house.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Stuffed Mushrooms

Slow Cooker Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Slow cooker spinach and artichoke dip is a dream bring-along because it stays warm in the crock from your kitchen to the party table. The creamy, cheesy dip scoops perfectly with bread, crackers, or chips so it slides right into any holiday spread. Showing up with a warm crock instantly takes pressure off the host.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Paloma Mocktail

Paloma mocktail is easy to mix in a big jar before you leave, ready to top with ice and bubbles once you arrive. Tart grapefruit and fragrant rosemary feel bright and special, so guests get something fun to sip even without alcohol. A chilled pitcher on the table keeps everyone refreshed while you stay relaxed.
Get the Recipe: Paloma Mocktail

3 Ingredient Shortbread

Three ingredient shortbread packs neatly into a tin, which makes it perfect for car rides and crowded hallways. The buttery, crumbly cookies look sweet on any dessert table without demanding much effort from you. A tin of them in your hands feels like an easy win before you even ring the doorbell.
Get the Recipe: 3 Ingredient Shortbread

M&M Christmas Cookies

M&M Christmas cookies stack well in containers, so they are an easy grab when you are heading out the door. Soft, chewy centers dotted with colorful candies fit into any cookie lineup at a potluck or family visit. Walking in with a plate of them guarantees the dessert table looks a little more festive.
Get the Recipe: M&M Christmas Cookies

Hot Chocolate Cookies

Hot chocolate cookies hold up beautifully on the go, which makes them a reliable treat to bring to holiday game nights or movie marathons. Gooey centers, melted marshmallows, and a drizzle of chocolate give instant cozy vibes the second the lid comes off the container. Bring a box to any gathering, watch the tray clear long before the night is over.
Get the Recipe: Hot Chocolate Cookies

Reindeer Chocolate Bark

Reindeer chocolate bark snaps cleanly into pieces and fits perfectly into tins or boxes for easy transport. Smooth chocolate topped with candy noses and pretzel antlers makes everyone grin before they even take a bite. Unwrapping a tin of it instantly turns into a mini moment of holiday fun.
Get the Recipe: Reindeer Chocolate Bark

Almond Crescent Cookies

Almond crescent cookies nestle neatly into layers of parchment, making them ideal for traveling without crumbling. Dusty with powdered sugar, they bring a soft, nostalgic touch to any cookie tray. Arrive with a stacked cookie plate, suddenly your contribution feels wonderfully old school.
Get the Recipe: Almond Crescent Cookies

Honey Mustard Salmon

Honey mustard salmon works well for casual gatherings because it can be served warm or closer to room temperature after a short drive. Flaky fillets coated in a sweet tangy glaze look polished on a platter without any last minute fuss. Set it on a buffet, everyone gets a main dish option that feels a bit special.
Get the Recipe: Honey Mustard Salmon

Pineapple Cheese Ball

Pineapple cheese ball firms up in the fridge, so it travels like a dream wrapped in plastic and tucked into a container. The creamy mix of cheese, pineapple, peppers, and pecans turns into an instant focal point once you add crackers around it. Place it at the center of the snack table to give people a reason to linger nearby.
Get the Recipe: Pineapple Cheese Ball

Saltine Toffee

Saltine toffee breaks into sturdy shards that stack cleanly in a tin, ready to pass around once you arrive. Each piece brings sweet caramel, salty cracker crunch, chocolate, and pecans in a bite guests rarely stop at just once. A small tin travels easily yet makes you look impressively prepared.
Get the Recipe: Saltine Toffee

Basil Tomato Mozzarella Skewers

Basil tomato mozzarella skewers are perfect when reheating is not an option, since they taste great straight from the fridge or cooler. Juicy tomatoes, soft mozzarella, and fresh basil drizzled with balsamic look polished the moment they hit the table. Lay the skewers out on a platter; the colors alone draw people in.
Get the Recipe: Basil Tomato Mozzarella Skewers

3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Blossoms

Three-ingredient peanut butter blossoms can be baked ahead, cooled, and stacked in a container for effortless transport. Soft peanut butter cookies topped with chocolate kisses feel familiar and welcome at any holiday dessert table. Tuck a tray under your arm on the way out the door, and dessert duty instantly feels covered.
Get the Recipe: 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Blossoms