These Christmas Tree Tortilla Chips Are the Easiest Holiday Appetizer

Give your favorite dips the cutest seasonal upgrade with Christmas tree tortilla chips.

Every December, my kitchen becomes a small but enthusiastic operation devoted to finding something festive to eat that isn’t another batch of cookies. At Christmastime, all rules are off, and holiday dining quickly becomes chaotic—especially when you’re craving something savory in a room already devoted to sugar. You may know the feeling—sheet pans stacked like scaffolding, the oven humming nonstop, sprinkles on the counter and a sink that never seems to empty.

So when this tutorial from Smart School House on turning spinach tortillas into Christmas trees slid onto my screen, the simplicity made me pause. This felt like a Christmas miracle: something whimsical and actually easy to do. All it took was a Christmas tree cookie cutter, a package of spinach tortillas and a little baking spray.

How to make Christmas tree tortilla chips

Christmas Tree Tortilla Chips Tr25 Christmas Tree Tortilla Chips Dr 12 09 03b — Dan Roberts for Taste of Home

These really are as wonderfully simple as they look. They’re tortillas, cut and baked. That’s it. One step, no finesse required. Which also makes them the rare holiday snack that kids can actually help with, all the way through, from cutting to “testing” the first batch. It’s fast, forgiving and just structured enough to feel like an activity without becoming a project.

Start with spinach tortillas (the color does most of the festive work for you)
Use a Christmas tree cookie cutter to cut out shapes
Arrange in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet
Lightly spray with cooking spray and bake at 350°F for seven to 10 minutes

What to Serve with Christmas Tree Tortilla Chips

Overhead shot of Christmas tree shaped green tortilla chips arranged into a festive tree on a serving board, complete with pretzel-stick trunks and cheddar cheese stars, with a holiday dip and drinks nearby; — Dan Roberts for Taste of Home

Part of these chips’ holiday magic is their versatility. The flavor is mild and slightly earthy from the spinach, so they work just as well with creamy dips as they do with fresh, bright ones. They’re sturdy enough for thicker spreads, light enough for casual snacking and neutral enough that you can serve them with just about any dip you already planned to make.

These are some easy, festive pairings that work especially well:

Spinach Artichoke Dip: Warm, creamy and familiar, it leans into the green-on-green vibe and feels instantly intentional for the season.
Roasted Vegetable Dip: Savory and slightly sweet, this veggie dip adds warmth to your spread and makes the snack feel more substantial.
Grinch Guacamole: This mischievous little holiday pairing looks just as fun as it tastes.
Pomegranate Guacamole with Feta Cheese: The jewel-like pops of pomegranate in this dip look like tiny ornaments against the backdrop of the Christmas tree chips.

Make the spread even more festive by plating the tree cutouts with star-shaped cheese bites, pretzel squares that look like little presents and breadsticks as the tree trunk.

If you need a last-minute holiday appetizer, a low-stress kitchen win with the kids or just a break from the sugar parade of the season, these chip-sized trees will fit in beautifully.