Easy Appetizer Recipes - Just a Taste (2024)

HomeRecipesRecipe CollectionsEasy Appetizer Recipes

Kelly Senyei

Posted: December 18, 2015
Updated: December 27, 2023

Kickstart your meal with a wide range of easy appetizer recipes, including creamy dips, glazed meatballs, cheese plates and more crowd-friendly favorites. Whether you’re hosting a casual gathering, a festive soirée or just craving a delightful snack, these recipes are designed to impress with minimal fuss!

Easy Appetizer Recipes - Just a Taste (2)

Looking for some amazing appetizer recipes? Look no further! Whether you’re hosting a party or attending one, these easy appetizer recipes are sure to leave your guests impressed. From creamy dips (like my favorite French onion dip!) to bite-sized finger foods and more, I’ve got you covered.

These appetizers are perfect for entertaining because they’re simple to make and can often be prepared ahead of time, saving you valuable time and effort. Let’s dive right in and make your next gathering a delicious success!

Make-Ahead Appetizers

With these make-ahead appetizers, you can be the ultimate host without sacrificing flavor or stressing about preparation. From savory bites to irresistible dips, these recipes let you impress guests and savor the moment.

Party-Perfect Cheese Straws

The Best Deviled Eggs with Bacon

Homemade Chex Mix(Slow Cooker or Oven)

Crescent Roll Veggie Bars

Baked Brie Bites with Jam

  • Marinated Goat Cheese with Fresh Herbs: All you need is three simple ingredients for this cheesy appetizer.
  • Everything Parmesan Cheese Crisps: They’re salty, crunchy, chewy, cheesy and ever-so-addicting.
  • Sweet and Spicy Roasted Nuts: This recipe works with nearly any combination of nuts, herbs and sugar.
  • Pickled Deviled Eggs: The combination of perfectly pickled eggs and a zesty deviled filling creates a unique and irresistible appetizer that adds a burst of flavor to any gathering.
  • The Best Pineapple Salsa: It’s sweet. It’s tangy. It’s refreshing. Many pineapple salsa recipes call for roasted peppers, dry seasonings or heavy dressings. You won’t find any of those here!
  • Texas Caviar: Spoon it over cream cheese and dig in with crackers or serve it as a dip alongside crunchy tortilla chips.
  • Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers: Assemble the poppers and refrigerate them; then, air fry them just before serving.
  • Mini Fruit and Cheese Turnovers: These are the ultimate make-ahead appetizers that allow any host or hostess to serve up a party-worthy snack while still enjoying the festivities.

Finger Foods and Bites

Elevate your gathering with finger-friendly party foods. From turkey sliders to cheese-stuffed meatballs, these small bites are packed with flavor and make it easy for your guests to enjoy.

Spinach-Artichoke Dip Wonton Cups

Air Fryer Cream Cheese Wontons

Easy Taco Salad Cups

Easy Muffin Pan Pizza Cups

How to Make the Best Charcuterie Board

  • Crispy Baked Crab Rangoon: This easy recipe stars a quick-fix cream cheese and crab mixture tucked inside wonton wrappers before being baked to golden brown, crispy perfection.
  • Muffin Tin Lasagna Cups: These are a party-friendly spin on a comfort food favorite! They come together in 15 minutes and are loaded with three types of cheese, plus your choice of Italian sausage or veggies.
  • Easy Chicken Parmesan Sliders: Juicy breaded chicken topped with marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese and fresh basil piled high atop buttery brioche slider buns.
  • Eggplant Parmesan Bites: These hot and crispy bites are perfect for dunking in warm marinara. It’s like Eggplant Parm, minus the forks. Finger foods for the win!
  • Cheese and Pepperoni Pizza Bites: Pillowy dough pockets filled with all your fave pizza toppings are baked until golden brown and topped off with extra cheese.
  • The Ultimate Sheet Pan Nachos: Every bite is a combination of crunchy tortilla chips, gooey cheese and flavorful toppings. Best of all, these nachos are completely customizable with all of your favorite nacho toppings.
  • Everything Puff Pastry Pigs In a Blanket: The humble hot dog gets a welcome makeover with buttery puff pastry and everything seasoning. Dip and dunk ‘em in ketchup or mustard for the ultimate in simple snacks!
  • Arancini with Marinara Sauce: Cheese-stuffed rice balls coated in breadcrumbs and fried until golden. You’re only 20 minutes away from these hot and crispy appetizers.
  • Crispy Parmesan Gnocchi: Transform pillowy potato gnocchi into irresistibly crispy bites, infused with the rich flavor of Parmesan.
  • Deep-Fried Ravioli On a Stick: Easy, cheesy and seriously addicting.
  • Parmesan Pasta Chips: Hot, crispy, garlicky and oh-so-cheesy. Best of all, you can make them in an air fryer or in the oven.

Creamy Dips and Spreads

These recipes are easy to make yet incredibly indulgent, with rich and bold flavors that will take your snacking game to the next level. From hot and creamy artichoke dip to unique and mouth-watering spreads, we’ve got you covered.

Homemade Sour Cream and Onion Dip

Jalapeño Corn Dip with Bacon

Whipped Brie Cheese

  • Warm and Cheesy Onion Dip: It’s hot, creamy and perfect for dunking with tortilla chips or fresh veggies. Best of all, it can be made a day in advance then baked right before serving!
  • Rotisserie Chicken Taco Dip: Unlike a vertically-stacked traditional layered taco dip, my taco dip is wide and round, which means every dip yields a chip fully loaded with all of the chicken taco dip components.
  • Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip: This easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing dip is a perfect harmony of shredded chicken, tangy buffalo sauce and creamy goodness, ensuring a savory kick in every scoop.
  • Quick Beer Cheese Dip: It’s my all-time favorite dip for soft pretzels but chips or veggies are great, too!
  • Slow Cooker Queso Dip: There’s nothing thin or saucy about it! All you need is four simple ingredients and some seriously sturdy chips for dipping and dunking.
  • Cheesy Roasted Cauliflower Dip: This flavorful dip, featuring perfectly roasted cauliflower, promises a creamy texture and a burst of savory richness, making it an irresistible choice for your next gathering.
  • Cowboy Butter: You’ll want to slather this on everything from veggies to crusty baguette toasts!

Hummus and Guacamole

Whether you’re a fan of the classic chickpea blend or the avocado-infused treat, these hummus and guacamole recipes promise a burst of flavor in every bite.

Green Goddess Avocado Hummus

Guacamole Bruschetta

Pomegranate Guacamole

  • Creamy Edamame and Pea Hummus: Packed with vibrant green goodness, this unique twist on classic hummus offers a fresh and delightful flavor, making it a perfect companion for your favorite dippables.
  • Bacon Scallion Hummus: Doesn’t bacon make everything better?
  • Creamy Greek Yogurt Guacamole: This will be the healthiest and creamiest guacamole to ever hit your lips (and chips!).
  • Guacamole Deviled Eggs: Garnish the eggs with Cotija cheese crumbles and a sprinkle of taco seasoning for the ultimate cool and creamy make-ahead appetizer.

The Best Dessert Dips

No appetizer spread is complete without a delicious dessert dip!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Dip

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Dip

Pumpkin Dip with Pie Fries

Fresh Cherry Cheesecake Dip

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Easy Appetizer Recipes - Just a Taste (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between an appetizer and an hors d oeuvre? ›

Purpose and Setting: Hors d'oeuvres can be thought of as 'mingling food'; small portioned items that are passed around in a social setting. Appetizers on the other hand are often served directly to you while seated at a table.

What are the 6 types of appetizer? ›

They work perfectly to tide you over until your dinner is ready, but they also ensure you're not full when your meal comes.
  • co*cktails. co*cktails are some of the most popular appetizers. ...
  • Hors D'oeuvres. ...
  • Canape. ...
  • Relishes & Crudite. ...
  • Salad. ...
  • Soup. ...
  • Chips & Dips.
Aug 1, 2022

How do I choose appetizers for a party? ›

Keep visual appeal in mind as you envision arranging appetizers for the spread. The bright hues of fresh herbs, fruit, and meats pop near the creamy colors of cheeses, hot dips, and crackers or bread. Consider temperature and texture. Offer both hot and cold foods in your appetizer spread.

What is considered as the simplest type of appetizer? ›

Fresh Fruits and Vegetables – are the simplest appetizer. Fruits are good appetizers because they give an attractive appearance, fragrance, appealing taste and delicious flavor. For example, you could serve a platter of thinly sliced cucumbers, chunks of red bell pepper and baby carrots.

What is the new trend in appetizers? ›

Dumplings, spring rolls, tempura and other Asian appetizers beyond egg rolls are having their star moment – even in non-ethnic restaurants.

Which of the following is the simplest appetizer? ›

Explanation: Fresh Fruits and vegetables are the simplest appetizer.

What is the number one appetizer in America? ›

Buffalo wings

They consist of chicken wings that are deep-fried until crispy and then coated in a tangy and spicy sauce. The wings are typically served with celery sticks and blue cheese dressing on the side.

What are mini appetizers called? ›

An hors d'oeuvre (/ɔːr ˈdɜːrv(rə)/ or DURV(-rə); French: hors-d'œuvre [ɔʁ dœvʁ]), appetiser or starter is a small dish served before a meal in European cuisine. Some hors d'oeuvres are served cold, others hot.

What do you call a party with just appetizers? ›

Call them hors d'oeuvres or call them appetizers, they stand on their own at an event and have stopped being just a starter. On trend are the “All Appetizers” or “Heavy Hors d'oeuvres” parties. These co*cktail party style events allow for more mingling, interaction and movement.

How to serve starters at a party? ›

Serving the Appetizers
  1. Know when to serve the appetizers. Cold appetizers should be set out before the party actually starts. ...
  2. Serve some of the appetizers on trays. ...
  3. Clear room around the simple appetizers. ...
  4. Set drinks out as well.

What is a tiny appetizer or hors d oeuvres offered to guest? ›

Amuse Bouche (ah mews boosh) – a tiny appetizer or hors d' oeuvres offered to guest seated at their tables either before or after they have ordered from the menu.

Why are appetizers called hors d oeuvres? ›

Hors d'œuvre in French literally means 'outside the work', that is "not part of the ordinary set of courses in a meal". In practice, it is a dish which stands on its own as a snack or supports the main course.

What is considered an hors d oeuvre? ›

a small bit of appetizing food, as spicy meat, fish, cheese, or a preparation of chopped or creamed foods, often served on crackers or small pieces of toast, for eating at co*cktail parties or other gatherings where drinks are served with no other food.

What are the 2 types of hors d oeuvre? ›

We have two types, hot and cold hors d'oeuvres, along with hors d'oeuvre food stations. Some of the foods that you can have served at your gathering include: Mini Beef Kabobs.

What is an example of an appetizer? ›

: a food or drink that stimulates the appetite and is usually served before a meal. The appetizers included shrimp with co*cktail sauce, vegetables and dips, cheeses, and fruits. 2. : something that stimulates a desire for more.

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