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Home - Recipes - Side Dishes

Latest Updated: Feb 28, 2026 by Andrew Gray

What to Serve with Eggnog? 10 BEST Side Dishes

Serve Eggnog alongside Antipasto Skewers, Savory Shortbread, Bacon-Wrapped Little Smokies, Sourcream Lemon Cake, and Pretzel Bites.

Antipasto Skewers -

A dish of various ingredients will match nicely with eggnog, and you can have a complete meal.

For a lighter option, try Pretzel Bites. Pretzel Bites -

Do you like chewy snacks with slightly salty flavor?

Eggnog is a frothy, sweet, and creamy milk-based beverage.

Some variants also contain alcohol and go by the name egg milk punch.

It originated in the UK, it's a popular drink in many places today.

Eggnog is an enjoyable drink that pairs with numerous items.

You can add different types of alcohol and spices.

At the same time, you can also serve different items such as muffins, stuffed mushrooms, chocolate bread pudding, and sweet potato casserole.

Hence, if you wish to include this delicious beverage in your menu, you won't have to worry about what to serve with eggnog.

Table of Contents

Toggle
  • 10 Best Side Dishes to Pair with Eggnog
    • 1 - Antipasto Skewers
    • 2 - Savory Shortbread
    • 3 - Bacon-Wrapped Little Smokies
    • 4 - Sourcream Lemon Cake
    • 5 - Pretzel Bites
    • 6 - Cheese Pecan Wafers
    • 7 - Stuffed Mushrooms
    • 8 - Cornbread Muffins
    • 9 - Chocolate Bread Pudding
    • 10 - Sweet Potato Casserole
  • Frequently Asked Questions

10 Best Side Dishes to Pair with Eggnog

Here is a list of the ten best dishes that complement eggnog.

1 - Antipasto Skewers

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A dish of various ingredients will match nicely with eggnog, and you can have a complete meal.

Antipasto is a good idea, but you can make the skewer version instead of serving the food on a platter - or try antipasto squares side ideas for gatherings.

It will look more appealing and is more convenient for guests too.

Instead of placing one item after another on their plate, they can take a skewer each and enjoy the food.

You can add various items to the antipasto skewers, like tomato, artichoke hearts, grilled asparagus, salami, cheese, olives, and tortellini.

2 - Savory Shortbread

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How about some delicious shortbread but with a savory flavor - or try savory scones side suggestions for variety?

Just imagine dipping the biscuit in the beverage and taking a bite.

It sounds heavenly.

Savory shortbread is also easy to make, and you can use different herbs on each biscuit for variety.

We guarantee that your guests will enjoy the pairing.

Sage, rosemary, thyme, basil, parsley, cilantro, and mint are all delicious and aromatic, so you can work with any herb, depending on what is available.

3 - Bacon-Wrapped Little Smokies

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Meat dishes go pretty well with eggnog, as learned earlier.

You can therefore choose to add a variety of items.

Smokies are also suitable food to enjoy with egg-milk beverages.

Give it a little twist by wrapping slices of bacon around the smokies - and consider little smokies side dishes for more pairing ideas.

You can add brown sugar to the dish for sweetness in your dish.

Smokies are made of different meats. So, you can decide whichever you prefer.

The dish tastes best when baked. So, use this method for making the bacon-wrapped little smokies.

They taste good whether cold or warm. Thus, you can make it in advance too.

4 - Sourcream Lemon Cake

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If you want something sweet, sour, and fragrant to serve with eggnog, the sour cream lemon cake will fit on your menu nicely - or pair it with lemon curd side options that complement it.

You can make the cake in a Bundt pan to create the best-shaped cake.

Sour cream gets its flavor from the addition of lactic acid bacteria to the cream.

It's then left to ferment for one day.

There are different types of sour cream with more or less fat.

So, you can choose a variety you like.

The lemon juice and sour cream add a nice tang to the cake.

They also balance the sweetness When baked, you'll have a lovely-looking cake with beautiful flavors.

5 - Pretzel Bites

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Do you like chewy snacks with slightly salty flavor? If yes, pretzel bites fit the bill nicely.

They make a lovely combo with eggnog too - and match steak bites side pairings for hearty menus as well.

Pretzels are old-fashioned but still widely popular because of their uniqueness.

One aspect separates pretzel bites from others.

It's dipping the dough in an alkaline solution.

It makes the snacks brown and glossy. Making pretzel bites is also simple.

You can make large batches if you invite many guests for the occasion.

You can limit the portion if you're making pretzel bites for dinner.

6 - Cheese Pecan Wafers

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It's truly amazing to learn that some foods/dishes taste good even with few ingredients.

Cheese pecan wafers are among those items.

They taste pleasant and also match exceptionally well with eggnog - similar to cauliflower cheese side pairings for comfort food.

When you taste wafers, you may think they contain many items, but it's the opposite.

You'll need only six ingredients: pecans (halves), all-purpose flour, red ground pepper, salt, Cheddar cheese, and butter.

The pecan wafers are popular at various functions as everyone loves to take a bite.

Hence, you can make large portions to have sufficient quantity for everybody.

7 - Stuffed Mushrooms

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Savory and sweet dishes taste equally good with eggnog, so we add both types.

Besides, everyone prefers something different hence when you add sweet and savory dishes; guests can pick and choose.

Stuffed mushrooms are yummy and addictive - try stuffed mushroom side ideas for gatherings alongside them.

They're so good that your palate will be ready for more food once you take a bite.

The dish looks elegant, and you may even think making the stuffed mushrooms is challenging, but it's relatively easy.

You can use various ingredients for the filling, like cheese, ham, veggies, cream cheese, etc.

Cremini or baby bella is preferred because it's more delicious than button mushrooms.

8 - Cornbread Muffins

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Muffins are another popular snack frequently served with eggnog, as they pair pretty well.

But instead of the usual variety, you can serve muffins made of cornbread.

They're yummy and versatile and complement eggnog too - and pair well with cornbread side pairings for meals.

Cornbread has a buttery, rich flavor and is usually savory if you don't add sugar.

But you can make the muffins sweet for a change.

The process for making cornbread muffins is the same as other muffin varieties, so you only need to follow the steps carefully.

You can adjust the amount of sugar and honey according to your preference.

But not everyone likes foods that are too sweet, so you can make the muffins mildly sweet to suit everyone's palate.

9 - Chocolate Bread Pudding

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It's another delicious dessert that complements eggnog.

It looks super good and even complex. But it's one of the simplest dishes to make.

It takes only one hour and five minutes to prep and cook the dessert.

Even though the pudding is tasty, it doesn't need unusual ingredients.

The primary item is, in fact, stale bread, along with eggs, milk, cocoa, chocolate chips, and sugar.

It's essential to follow the recommended time and not go beyond it.

Else, the pudding will get too dry and won't taste fantastic.

Your guests will all want a taste. You must therefore, make a big batch depending on the number of guests.

10 - Sweet Potato Casserole

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Lastly, we have a popular, tasty, and filling dish that also complements eggnog.

It's a sweet potato casserole. We believe you'll enjoy the combination with the beverage.

We don't have a regular potato dish, but we have this, so it's a fun addition to your menu.

The dish is mildly sweet, and you can consider it a dessert.

But it's also hearty, so you'll feel full but not feel overloaded because the eggnog will balance the flavors nicely.

Sweet potato comes in different colors, and they have a creamy texture; it's possible to make the dish with any variety.

But the orange one is considered the best for baking, so you can make the dish with that for the best results.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best side dish for Eggnog?

Antipasto is a good idea, but you can make the skewer version instead of serving the food on a platter. Savory Shortbread How about some delicious shortbread but with a savory flavor?

Most home cooks pick this because it adds contrast and rounds out the meal.

What side adds the most nutritional balance?

A leafy green or fiber-rich vegetable balances the meal best. Antipasto is a good pick for adding color and nutrients.

Pairing a protein-heavy main with a lighter vegetable side keeps the meal from feeling too heavy.

Is a starchy side necessary?

Not always. A vegetable-only pairing works when the main course already includes starch.

Add rice, bread, or potatoes only if the meal needs more substance.

What is the best side when short on time?

Roasted frozen vegetables, pre-cooked grains, or a quick pan sauté all come together in under 15 minutes with minimal prep and no special equipment needed.

Detailed tasting notes for eggnog appear in eggnog taste notes and description. Differences with rompope are explained in rompope vs eggnog difference guide.

Explore more: This post is part of our Side Dish Pairing Guide.
Andrew Gray

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Andrew Gray - GustoMeadow founder

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Restaurant industry veteran sharing real recipes, honest substitutes, and tips that actually work in a home kitchen.

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