Christmas Tree Spinach Dip Breadsticks

I mean, just imagine some crispy and savory spinach dip breadsticks filled with a luscious and creamy spinach dip, then shaped into a Christmas tree.

Say goodbye to those boring appetizers and sprinkle some festive joy onto your holiday menu with this delightful recipe.

Trust me when I tell you that this spinach dip Christmas tree with pizza dough will be the star of your Christmas dinner: the combination of the crunchy exterior and creamy interior will leave your guests craving more after the first bite.

From the first bite to the last one, this golden breadsticks recipe will take your taste buds to a winter wonderland.

Watch this quick step-by-step tutorial to see how easy it is to make the best Christmas Appetizer.

Reasons For Loving This Christmas Tree Spinach Dip Breadsticks

1. Looks impressive and festive. Who doesn’t love an appetizer shaped like a Christmas tree that instantly will put you into a joyful spirit?
2. Extremely delicious. Just imagine some crunchy breadsticks filled with a creamy dip made from fresh spinach, herbs, and creamy cheese, creating a satisfying appetizer perfect for Christmas dinner.
3. A crowd-pleaser. Whether you are throwing a holiday party or want a quick and easy-to-make appetizer, these Christmas tree spinach dip breadsticks are extremely versatile and perfect for sharing.
4. Easy to make. Although they look incredibly impressive, these breadsticks are also surprisingly easy to make without spending too much time in the kitchen.
5. Kid-friendly recipe. That lovely tree shape will conquer the kids during holiday gatherings. Also, this recipe is a great way to get children excited about eating their veggies.
6. Perfect for parties. This breadsticks recipe is great for holiday parties and potlucks since it’s so easy to transport and serve. And the individual tree-shaped servings are perfect for guests to grab and enjoy.
7. Versatile recipe. This recipe is also super versatile, so you can play with the flavor combinations and get creative by making it according to your preferences.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Let’s gather all the essential ingredients we’ll need. Here are a few notes on the ingredients:

• Frozen Spinach – Packed with nutrients, frozen spinach is one of the main ingredients in this recipe that adds a vibrant green color and a mild earthy flavor to the dip. You can also use fresh spinach, but make sure to cook it until it wilts first.
• Cream Cheese – With its tangy and slightly sweet flavor, cream cheese creates a rich, creamy melting-in-your-mouth dip that completes perfectly with the crunchy dough.
• Garlic Cloves –  Fresh garlic is one of the key ingredients that pairs incredibly with cream cheese and spinach.
• Onion Powder – used to add a boost of flavor to the spinach filling.
• Chili Powder – is an optional ingredient, but it’s the perfect addition to this recipe if you are a fan of spicy food.
• Salt & Pepper – no recipe without these two ingredients, right? They are used to enhance all the flavor in this breadsticks recipe.
• Italian Seasoning – feel free to add your favorite dried herbs such as oregano, thyme, or rosemary.
• Parmesan Cheese – This type of cheese provides the spinach dip with a nutty and salty flavor, enhancing its overall taste profile.
• Mozzarella Cheese – Don’t use bagged pre-shredded cheese. Freshly shredded mozzarella is best for this recipe since it melts perfectly.
• Pizza Crust Dough – You can buy it from the store or make it at home.
• Butter – Butter is used to brush the breadsticks before baking them to help achieve a golden and crispy texture on the exterior.
• Garlic Powder- used to be mixed with the melted butter before brushing the Christmas tree breadsticks. You can skip it if you are using salted butter.

How To Make Christmas Tree Spinach Dip Breadsticks

Here, you will find the necessary steps to guide you through making these festive bites, starting from the creamy spinach dip to shaping the breadsticks into a Christmas tree(which is not difficult at all).

Make The Spinach Dip

Add the thawed spinach and cream cheese to a large bowl and, using an electric mixer, beat until creamy.

Then add the seasonings (salt, garlic, onion powder, chili powder, pepper, and Italian seasoning) and beat to combine.

Next, stir in the parmesan cheese and shredded mozzarella cheese using a silicone spatula or a hand mixer.

TIP: Make sure to thaw and drain the spinach thoroughly before mixing it with the cream cheese to remove excess moisture.

Shape Into Christmas Tree

Place one piece of pizza crust dough on the prepared baking sheet. Use a pizza cutter or a large knife to cut the dough into a large triangle.

Evenly spread the spinach mixture over the dough.

Place the second sheet of dough over the spinach dip. Then, using your fingers, feel the outline of where the spinach mixture is spread and cut along the edges using a pizza cutter or a sharp knife.

Remove the excess dough and cut 1-inch slits on both sides of the tree, leaving an inch or two in the center intact to create the tree trunk.

Let’s Twist

Starting from the base, twist the pastry to get in at least two turns on the lower branches. Continue this process until the top of the tree, where you can make only one single twist in the top branches.

Baking Time

Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes or until golden brown on top and cooked through on the bottom.

Remove the pan from the oven, and brush the Christmas tree spinach dip breadsticks with the mixture made of melted butter and garlic salt.

Essential Tips For Success

• Use high-quality ingredients: try using fresh and high-quality ingredients, including the pizza dough and cheeses, to ensure you’ll obtain the best flavors and textures in your final dish.
• Thaw and drain the spinach: this step is important in making this recipe to prevent a watery consistency and ensure your breadsticks won’t get soggy.
• Shape the breadsticks properly: try rolling the breadstick dough as evenly as possible to ensure an even browning.
• Let the breadsticks cool: After removing the breadsticks from the oven, allow them to cool slightly before serving to become easier to handle.
• Pay attention while cutting the dough. Don’t cut through the center of the dough when making strips to twist to maintain that beautiful tree look.

Variations

• Smoked Bacon: Add about 1/4 cup of cooked and crumbled bacon to the spinach dip filling for a delicious and savory smoky twist.
• Sun-Dried Tomato and Feta Dip Breadsticks: Replace the spinach with chopped sun-dried tomatoes and crumbled feta cheese to bring a tangy and slightly sweet flavor to this dish.
• Spicy Spinach Dip Breadsticks: For those who love a kick of heat in their food, add 1/2 tsp of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the spinach dip filling or incorporate some diced jalapeños.

Storage Ideas

If you just ended up with a few leftovers(which is hard to believe), follow the next tips and steps to learn how to store them properly and enjoy some breadsticks fresh; just like freshly removed from the oven.

1. Fridge: You can store these breadsticks in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap in the fridge for up to 5 days
2. Freezer: If you want to store them for longer, you can freeze these Spinach Dip Breadsticks. To do that, place any leftovers in a freezer-safe container or bag and ensure they are tightly sealed, then transfer the container to the freezer and store the breadsticks for up to 2 months.

Reheating

When you want to enjoy the breadsticks, remove them from the refrigerator or freezer and allow them to come to room temperature.

• You can reheat the breadsticks in a preheated oven at 350°F/180°C for about 5 minutes until they are warmed through.
• You can also reheat these leftovers in the microwave for 30-second intervals until heated.

Serving Suggestions 

• Dipping Sauces: you can serve a variety of dipping sauces alongside these breadsticks. Our favorites include marinara sauce, ranch dressing, garlic aioli, or a creamy cheese dip.
• Charcuterie: Create a charcuterie board with a selection of different cheeses, cured meats, olives, and sauces to enjoy these breadsticks.
• Fresh Vegetables: Carrot sticks, celery sticks, bell pepper strips, and cherry tomatoes are a great selection of fresh vegetables that can be enjoyed with these breadsticks.

Troubleshooting

Even if making these spinach breadsticks is quite a simple and quick process, some problems may appear during the cooking process. Here are some tips that will help you. And if you face any other problems during this recipe, leave us a comment to help you solve them.

1. Filling Consistency: If you substitute spinach with other greens, chop them finely and remove any excess moisture since the filling may become too watery and make the breadsticks soggy. 
2. The Dough Is Too Sticky: If the dough is too sticky or quite difficult to handle, dust the work surface with flour.
3. Breadsticks Not Holding Their Shape: If they unfold during the baking process, it could be because they were not rolled tightly enough. So, to avoid this happening, ensure the dough is rolled tightly and sealed properly to maintain the desired shape.