The best Christmas picky bits, tried and tested, from polar bear bao buns to sausage roll wreaths

Score: 94/100

We'll be making this impressive sausage roll wreath the centrepiece of our festive buffet. The highest scoring product across the entire Christmas taste test (and we had over 600 entries!), it’s filled with fragrant, beautifully seasoned sausage meat, wrapped in bacon and encased in golden, flaky pastry.

It’s essentially a giant pig in blanket in sausage roll form. Testers raved about the 'amazing texture', with one describing it as 'like a pork pie, but better'.

Score: 92/100

Bao buns have become a festive canapé favourite in recent years, and these adorable polar bears are the cutest we've seen. Beneath the playful design are pillowy-soft steamed buns filled with shredded vegetables and sticky hoisin sauce. Fun to serve, delicious to eat and vegan too, they're guaranteed to get guests talking.

Available 11 November 2026

Score: 91/100

Tesco's party food line-up is super impressive this year, and these playful arancini stacks are no exception. Inspired by Spanish pintxos, each one combines a crisp arancini ball with spicy chorizo and a sharp cornichon for the perfect balance of rich, savoury and tangy flavours.

Tesco’s Dirty Olive Martinis (£3.50 for 160g) also scored an impressive 86/100 and would be ideal to serve alongside these at your next drinks party.

Available 26 October 2026

Score: 90/100

Crumpets, but make them party food. ASDA's fluffy mini crumpets swap the traditional blini for something even more comforting, topped with silky hollandaise and ribbons of smoked salmon. Rich, creamy and packed with flavour, these are guaranteed to disappear fast.

Available TBC

Score: 89/100

For a taste of nostalgia, look to Iceland's Chicken Kiev Skewers. The crispy chicken goujons are super tender and come with a delicious, extra-garlicky butter dip that testers couldn’t get enough of. Just don't expect any kisses under the mistletoe afterwards.

Available 6 November 2026

Score: 88/100

No party is complete without a bowl of olives, and this trio has every base covered. There are smoky grilled olives, gently spiced supersized olives and sweet red pepper-stuffed olives – each bringing something different to the mix. Just add a martini.

Available TBC

Score: 88/100

Gyoza? Go on then. These crisp little parcels are generously filled with tender duck and chunky vegetables, while the sour cherry hoisin dip adds a festive, mulled wine-inspired sweetness.

Available TBC

Score: 86/100

Skip the takeaway and serve these instead. Iceland has transformed crispy duck pancakes into a clever canapé, with rich meat, hoisin sauce and crunchy shredded pastry in every bite.

Available 6 November 2026

Score: 84/100

This pretty little scallop-shaped pastry cup is filled with a creamy, white-wine flecked scallop filling, with just a hint of cheese. Like a one-bite fish pie, they’re perfect for party season. Serve with a glass of champagne for maximum hosting points.

Score: 84/100

In our opinion, the best picky bits are just regular food, miniaturised. These sliders prove the point, pairing crunchy chicken with smoky barbecue sauce inside a soft pretzel-style bun. Small enough to eat in two bites, but satisfying enough to feel like the real deal.

Available 18 November 2026