There’s something about the festive charm of a classic holiday appetizer that just makes the season feel complete. This Christmas Tree Deviled Eggs Recipe transforms simple deviled eggs into adorable, eye-catching Christmas trees that bring both cheer and flavor to your table. Trust me, these aren’t just cute—they’re delicious and surprisingly easy to make!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’ve made this Christmas Tree Deviled Eggs Recipe a holiday staple because it’s just so festive yet simple enough to whip up last minute. It’s one of those dishes that gets rave reviews every time I bring it—partly for its looks, but mostly because it tastes creamy, tangy, and fresh all at once.
- Whimsical Presentation: The tree shape with little bell pepper stars adds a charming holiday vibe to your party spread.
- Perfect Balance of Flavors: The creamy avocado mixed into the yolk adds richness while the lemon juice brightens everything up.
- Customizable Recipe: You can swap out seasonings or garnishes easily to suit your taste or dietary needs.
- Easy to Make Ahead: You can prep the filling in advance and assemble just before serving for stress-free hosting.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This recipe relies on a handful of simple ingredients that come together beautifully. The creamy avocado is a standout twist on traditional deviled eggs, providing both flavor and a smooth texture. And those yellow bell pepper stars? They aren’t just pretty; they add a subtle crunch that contrasts nicely with the softness of the filling.
- Eggs: Large eggs are best—they provide ample yolk for a creamy filling and hold their shape well once hard-boiled.
- Mayonnaise: Brings a silky, rich texture that makes the yolks luscious.
- Dijon Mustard: Adds a mild tang and complexity without overpowering.
- Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice brightens the mixture and prevents any mayo heaviness.
- Avocado: Adds creaminess, a subtle buttery flavor, and a vibrant green color that fits the Christmas tree theme.
- Salt & Pepper: Essential for seasoning—don’t be shy with these!
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes or Red Bell Pepper Pieces: These act as the “ornaments” on your egg trees, providing a pop of color and a tiny kick if you like spice.
- Yellow Bell Pepper: Used for cutting out little star shapes for the tree toppers, adding crunch and a sweet flavor.
Make It Your Way
I love how versatile this Christmas Tree Deviled Eggs Recipe is. While I stick to the avocado and Dijon combo most times, I’ve tried adding different seasonings or swapping out the star garnish for something seasonal like pomegranate seeds for a little burst of sweetness and color. It’s a fun way to make yours unique!
- Variation: Once, I added finely chopped fresh herbs like dill and chives to the filling for an herby twist—and it was a hit at brunch.
- Dietary modification: You can make it dairy-free by using vegan mayonnaise and still have that creamy texture.
- Spicy kick: Mix in a pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne for a warming depth.
- Ornament swap: Tiny pomegranate seeds turn these into shiny red baubles that taste just as good as they look.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Tree Deviled Eggs Recipe
Step 1: Cook Your Eggs to Perfection
Start by hard-boiling your eggs using whichever method you trust—Instant Pot, stovetop, or even the oven. I prefer the Instant Pot for foolproof results: no gray rings, just perfect yolks. Once cooked, plunge them into ice water immediately. This stops the cooking and makes peeling easier—trust me, peeling warm eggs is a nightmare.
Step 2: Preparing the Filling
Carefully peel your eggs and slice them lengthwise. Scoop the yolks into a bowl and mash them well. Mix in the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and that ripe avocado until you have a smooth, creamy paste. Season with salt and pepper to taste. The avocado gives this recipe a gorgeous green tint perfect for your “trees.”
Step 3: Form the Christmas Tree Shape
Pipe or spoon the yolk mixture back into each egg white half, swirling it upward so it resembles a little tree. This part is fun—take your time shaping the “branches” just right. A piping bag with a star tip works wonderfully, but a plastic bag with the corner snipped will do just fine.
Step 4: Add the Final Festive Touches
Sprinkle some crushed red pepper flakes or arrange tiny red bell pepper pieces on each tree to mimic ornaments. Then, use a 1-inch star-shaped cookie cutter to cut stars from the yellow bell pepper and place one atop each tree. It’s these little details that make the dish truly festive.
Top Tip
I’ve made this Christmas Tree Deviled Eggs Recipe dozens of times and here are some nuggets I’ve picked up along the way that might save you a headache or two.
- Egg Peeling Hack: Peeling cold eggs under running water makes it way easier and helps remove stubborn bits of shell.
- Getting the Shape Just Right: Use a piping bag fitted with a large star tip for that perfect tree silhouette—the swirls really make a difference in presentation.
- Choosing the Avocado: Make sure your avocado is perfectly ripe, not mushy, for the smoothest filling texture and the best color.
- Make Ahead Tip: You can prepare the filling a day in advance and keep it covered in the fridge—just pipe and decorate before serving.
How to Serve Christmas Tree Deviled Eggs Recipe
Garnishes
I usually stick with crushed red pepper flakes sprinkled over the filling to look like tiny red ornaments—simple and effective! But I’ve found that swapping these out for pomegranate seeds or finely diced red bell pepper pieces adds a fresh burst of flavor and an extra festive look.
Side Dishes
These deviled eggs pair beautifully with other holiday finger foods like smoked salmon bites, fresh veggie trays, or a bright cranberry relish. A light green salad with a tangy vinaigrette also complements their creaminess nicely without weighing you down.
Creative Ways to Present
For gatherings, I like arranging the deviled eggs on a platter lined with fresh parsley or kale to mimic a forest floor. Adding some edible glitter or a sprinkle of smoked paprika around the edge gives an extra festive sparkle. You can even place a tiny star-shaped piece of cheese atop the bell pepper star for some extra whimsy.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once assembled, keep leftovers covered tightly in the fridge and consume within 2 days for best quality. I like to store them in a single layer in an airtight container to avoid squishing those delicate trees.
Freezing
Freezing deviled eggs isn’t something I recommend since the texture changes—especially with avocado involved. If you want to prep early, freeze just the boiled eggs (unfilled) and assemble fresh on the day of your event for best results.
Reheating
Deviled eggs are best served cold or at room temperature, so I never warm them back up. Bringing them out about 15 minutes prior to serving helps them lose any chill without compromising texture or flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! You can boil the eggs and prepare the filling a day beforehand. Keep the filling in an airtight container in the fridge, then pipe and garnish the eggs just before serving to keep them looking fresh and delicious.
The trick I swear by is cooling the eggs immediately in ice water after cooking, then peeling them under running water. The water helps separate the shell from the egg white, making peeling less frustrating and resulting in smooth egg halves perfect for stuffing.
Of course! While the yellow bell pepper stars add a lovely color contrast and crunch, you can also use small cheese stars, pomegranate seeds for a burst of sweetness, or even tiny herbs like parsley or dill sprigs for decoration.
Avocado isn’t essential but it really elevates the texture and adds richness in a natural, fresh way. If you prefer a classic approach, you can substitute avocado with extra mayonnaise or sour cream, but I recommend trying it with avocado at least once—it’s a game changer!
Final Thoughts
This recipe has a special place in my heart because it combines the nostalgia of deviled eggs with the joyful spirit of Christmas. It’s a showstopper that never fails to spark conversation and compliments at holiday gatherings. I hope you’ll give this Christmas Tree Deviled Eggs Recipe a try and make it your own—because sharing good food with friends and family is what the season is all about!
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Christmas Tree Deviled Eggs Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 pieces
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This festive Christmas Tree Deviled Eggs recipe transforms the classic appetizer into a delightful holiday treat. Creamy yolk filling is piped into egg whites in a swirl to mimic a Christmas tree, adorned with crushed red pepper flakes or pomegranate seeds as ornaments, and topped with a bright yellow bell pepper star for a charming presentation perfect for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Eggs and Filling
- 6 large eggs
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ large ripe avocado
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnishes
- Crushed red pepper flakes or red pepper pieces
- 1 large yellow bell pepper
Instructions
- Hard-cook the eggs: Cook the eggs using your preferred method until hard boiled, approximately 10 minutes if using stovetop boiling. Then, cool the eggs until they are safe to handle.
- Peel and slice: Carefully peel the cooled eggs and slice each egg in half lengthwise to expose the yolks.
- Prepare the filling: Scoop the yolks into a bowl. Add mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and ripe avocado, then mash and mix until the filling is smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Fill the egg whites: Using a piping bag or spoon, pipe the yolk mixture back into the egg white halves, creating a tall swirl to resemble a Christmas tree.
- Add ornaments: Sprinkle crushed red pepper flakes or arrange small red pepper pieces or pomegranate seeds on the filling to mimic ornaments on the tree.
- Create and add the star: Use a 1-inch star-shaped cookie cutter to cut 12 stars from the yellow bell pepper. Place one star on top of each deviled egg tree to complete the festive look.
Notes
- For perfectly hard-boiled eggs, use the Instant Pot method or gently simmer eggs on the stovetop for 10-12 minutes.
- Using ripe avocado adds creaminess and a subtle flavor to the yolk filling.
- Substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter version.
- Try pomegranate seeds as colorful, edible ornaments instead of red pepper flakes.
- Prepare the eggs a day ahead and keep refrigerated until serving to save time.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 70 kcal
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
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