If you’re looking for an irresistible appetizer that’s as festive as it is flavorful, you’ve got to try this Christmas Tree Spinach Dip Breadsticks Recipe. It’s the perfect blend of cheesy, garlicky spinach dip sandwiched between layers of soft, golden breadsticks, all cleverly shaped into an eye-catching Christmas tree. Trust me, when you whip this up, your guests will be asking for the recipe—it’s a guaranteed party favorite and a lovely way to bring a bit of holiday magic to your table.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Festive & Fun: The unique Christmas tree shape adds instant holiday cheer to your appetizer spread.
- Creamy & Cheesy Filling: The blend of spinach, cream cheese, parmesan, and mozzarella creates a dip that’s rich and luscious.
- Simple to Make: Using refrigerated pizza dough means prepping this festive treat is easy and quick.
- Perfect Crowd-Pleaser: My family and guests always go crazy for this; it’s a guaranteed hit at parties.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe relies on classic flavors that play so well together — creamy, cheesy, savory, with just the right touch of garlic and seasoning. Using frozen spinach that’s well squeezed dry keeps the breadsticks deliciously moist without being soggy.
- Frozen chopped spinach: Make sure to thaw and squeeze out all excess water—a watery dip will make the bread soggy.
- Cream cheese: Soften it well for easy mixing; the creaminess binds everything beautifully.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic adds that wonderful punch of flavor.
- Salt, onion powder, chili powder, pepper, Italian seasoning: These bring layers of flavor; adjust chili powder if you prefer less heat.
- Parmesan cheese: Adds sharpness and a salty bite to balance the creaminess.
- Mozzarella cheese: Wonderful for melt and stretch; it’s key to that gooey texture.
- Refrigerated pizza crust: Using store-bought dough saves tons of time and still tastes fantastic.
- Butter topping: Simple butter mixed with Italian seasoning and garlic powder gives the breadsticks their golden, flavorful finish.
Variations
One of the things I love about this Christmas Tree Spinach Dip Breadsticks Recipe is how easy it is to customize depending on what you have on hand or your taste preferences. Don’t hesitate to experiment and make it your own!
- Add a spicy kick: I sometimes blend in a pinch of red pepper flakes or swap chili powder for smoked paprika for a smokier flavor — my guests love the slight heat.
- Mix up the cheeses: Swap mozzarella for provolone or add shredded cheddar for a sharper bite. I’ve tried all three combos, and they’re delicious variations.
- Use different herbs: Fresh basil or oregano can brighten the flavor in the dip if you want to skip the Italian seasoning.
- Diet-friendly tweaks: Swap regular cream cheese for a lighter version or use gluten-free pizza dough to accommodate dietary needs without sacrificing taste.
How to Make Christmas Tree Spinach Dip Breadsticks Recipe
Step 1: Mix the Spinach Dip Filling
First up, combine your thawed and squeezed spinach with softened cream cheese in a bowl. I like to use a hand mixer to get everything creamy and smooth—this seriously makes a difference in texture. Add the minced garlic, salt, onion powder, chili powder, pepper, Italian seasoning, parmesan, and mozzarella. Mix until fully combined and creamy. You can even taste your blend here to tweak seasoning—go ahead, I always sneak a little spoonful!
Step 2: Shape the Dough into Christmas Trees
Unroll your pizza dough onto a sheet of parchment paper. Using a pizza cutter, slice the dough into one large triangle and two smaller triangles. The trick I learned is placing the two smaller triangles side by side with their straight edges touching on a second parchment sheet, creating a second large triangle shape to match the first. This setup helps with layering and shaping the breadsticks later.
Step 3: Assemble Your Spinach Dip Breadsticks
Spread your spinach dip evenly over the combined smaller triangle dough. Then, carefully flip the large triangle dough on top, so you have a sandwich of dough and luscious spinach dip in the middle. This layered approach ensures every breadstick has that perfect spinach dip surprise inside.
Step 4: Cut and Twist to Create ‘Branches’
Here’s where it gets fun: leaving about an inch in the center intact, make cuts from the center out to the sides, about an inch apart, on both left and right sides. This gives you strips (or branches) that you’ll twist. I usually give the top short strips just a half twist, and the longer bottom strips 2-3 full twists to get that pretty, pine-branch effect. It’s easier than it sounds once you get going — just have fun with it!
Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection
Pop your beautiful Christmas tree breadsticks in a 350°F oven for 30-35 minutes. You’ll want to bake until the top is a rich golden brown and the bottom is fully cooked—undercooked dough is the only downside here, so don’t be shy about giving it enough time. Keep an eye during the last 10 minutes so it doesn’t burn.
Step 6: Butter and Serve Warm
While the breadsticks are baking, melt your butter and stir in Italian seasoning and garlic powder or salt. As soon as the breadsticks come out of the oven, brush them with this butter mixture. The butter not only adds flavor but also gives the breadsticks that irresistible shiny glaze. Serve warm for maximum gooeyness—I promise, it’s worth it!
Pro Tips for Making Christmas Tree Spinach Dip Breadsticks Recipe
- Dry Your Spinach Thoroughly: I learned the hard way that squeezing out excess water from frozen spinach prevents soggy breadsticks.
- Use a Pizza Cutter for Clean Edges: It makes shaping and cutting the dough much easier and neater—trust me, it saves time.
- Don’t Skip the Butter Brush: Brushing seasoned butter right after baking adds flavor and that beautiful golden sheen you want.
- Bake Fully for Best Texture: Undercooked breadsticks won’t hold their shape or taste quite right, so give them the full 30-35 minutes.
How to Serve Christmas Tree Spinach Dip Breadsticks Recipe

Garnishes
I love adding a sprinkle of extra parmesan cheese or some finely chopped fresh parsley right before serving—it adds a lovely pop of color and a fresh note that complements the richness. Sometimes I even pop a few halved cherry tomatoes around the platter to mimic little ornaments on the tree!
Side Dishes
While this recipe can stand on its own, I really enjoy pairing it with a crisp green salad or a bowl of warm tomato soup for dipping. For a party spread, some marinated olives and roasted nuts make a perfect complement—easy and elegant.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to impress guests, try serving your Christmas Tree Spinach Dip Breadsticks on a wooden cutting board lined with parchment paper, surrounded by festive napkins and little bowls of extra dipping sauces like ranch or marinara. For a holiday brunch, add some edible gold leaf or colorful edible glitter on top of the cheese for that extra wow factor—I’ve surprised my family with this and it was a showstopper!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually store leftover breadsticks in an airtight container wrapped with parchment paper in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheating in the oven helps restore that freshly baked crispness and gooey center much better than the microwave, which can make them a bit rubbery.
Freezing
You can freeze the assembled, unbaked Christmas Tree Spinach Dip Breadsticks by wrapping tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to bake, thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as usual. I’ve done this for holiday prep and it really takes the stress out of party planning!
Reheating
To reheat, I set my oven to 350°F and bake the breadsticks for about 10-12 minutes until warmed through and crispy on the outside. This method retains the best flavor and texture compared to microwaving, which dries them out too much.
FAQs
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Can I use fresh spinach instead of frozen for the Christmas Tree Spinach Dip Breadsticks Recipe?
Yes, you can! If using fresh spinach, cook it down in a pan until wilted and most of the moisture evaporates, then squeeze it dry before mixing into the dip. This helps prevent soggy breadsticks just like with frozen spinach.
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What type of pizza dough works best for Christmas Tree Spinach Dip Breadsticks?
Refrigerated pizza crust works great since it’s easy to handle and already rolled out for you. If you prefer, homemade or fresh pizza dough can be used, but keep in mind it might require additional rising time.
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Can I prepare the Christmas Tree Spinach Dip Breadsticks ahead of time?
Definitely! You can assemble the breadsticks up to the twisting stage, cover tightly, and refrigerate for a few hours before baking. Alternatively, freeze unbaked shapes and bake from thawed as needed.
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How do I store leftovers to keep them fresh?
Wrap leftovers tightly in foil or place in an airtight container, then refrigerate. To reheat, use an oven instead of microwave to maintain crispness and flavor.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this Christmas Tree Spinach Dip Breadsticks Recipe turns out every time — warm, comforting, and bursting with festive fun. Whether you’re hosting a holiday party or want a cozy appetizer to share with your family, this recipe brings a little extra joy to the table. I’m confident you’ll find it as easy, delicious, and crowd-pleasing as I do. So go ahead, twist, bake, and indulge — and watch those breadsticks disappear fast!
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Christmas Tree Spinach Dip Breadsticks Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: 14 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These festive Christmas Tree Spinach Dip Breadsticks combine cheesy, garlicky spinach dip sandwiched between layers of pizza dough, twisted into a beautiful tree shape and baked to golden perfection. Perfect as a holiday appetizer or party snack, they are buttery, flavorful, and fun to make and share.
Ingredients
Breadsticks
- 12 oz Frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
- 6 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
- 1 tube refrigerated pizza crust (13.8 oz)
Butter Topping
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder or garlic salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the breadsticks.
- Prepare Spinach Dip: In a mixing bowl, beat together the thawed, dried chopped spinach and softened cream cheese until smooth. Add minced garlic, salt, onion powder, chili powder, pepper, Italian seasoning, grated Parmesan, and mozzarella cheese. Beat until the mixture is creamy and well combined.
- Shape Pizza Dough: Unroll the refrigerated pizza crust onto a sheet of parchment paper. Use a pizza cutter to cut out one large triangle shaped like a Christmas tree and two smaller triangles. Move the smaller triangles to a second sheet of parchment paper, aligning their straight edges together to form a second, identical tree-shaped triangle of dough.
- Assemble Layers: Spread the prepared spinach dip evenly across the second triangle of dough. Carefully flip the first triangle over this layer, creating a sandwich of pizza dough with the spinach dip in the middle.
- Cut Tree Slices: Make vertical cuts from near the center out to the sides every inch or so on both left and right sides of the dough, leaving about an inch in the center intact. These will form the branches of the tree.
- Twist Branches: Grab each sliced section and twist it upwards to create twisted breadstick ‘branches.’ Shorter pieces at the top should be twisted about halfway around, while longer pieces near the bottom can be twisted two or three full turns to add texture and appearance.
- Bake: Place the shaped breadstick tree on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the breadsticks are golden brown on top and cooked through on the bottom. Avoid undercooking for best texture.
- Prepare Butter Topping: While baking, melt the butter in a small bowl and stir in Italian seasoning and garlic powder or garlic salt until well combined.
- Brush and Serve: Immediately after removing breadsticks from the oven, brush the seasoned melted butter over the entire breadstick tree. Serve warm for a festive and delicious appetizer.
Notes
- For detailed guidance on shaping the tree, watch the accompanying video tutorial provided in the original recipe post.
- Ensure spinach is thoroughly squeezed to avoid excess water making the dough soggy.
- Use fresh or good-quality shredded cheeses for best flavor and meltability.
- Serve with marinara or ranch dip for added flavor options.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 breadstick
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg

