My appetizer guide is filled with recipes ideas that will help you plan your holiday parties. Whether you are hosting or looking to bring something to a party, you can find the perfect appetizer here.
Thanksgiving is this Thursday and Christmas is just 30 days away. It's that time of year when everyone is throwing parties and going to parties. I figure you might want to add a couple appetizer recipes to your arsenal.
I always like to bring something to eat (usually an app) and a bottle of wine whenever I am invited to someone's home for a party. Letting the host or hostess know in advance that you will bring something makes hosting a little bit easier, it's something that is always appreciated.
When in doubt, I like to bring artichoke dip or homemade hummus. Both are party staples that are universally loved. If the host or hostess has those basics covered, get creative!
Some of these recipes are quick no-bake dips and snacks, other can be prepared in advance, and some are memorable apps that take a little more time and effort. Whatever you are looking for, I've got you covered.
The Appetizer Guide:
40+ Appetizer Recipes
All the appetizer recipes you could ever need! No-bake recipes, make ahead recipes, classic dips, and creative but easy appetizers - this list has it all!
Homemade Pesto Hummus is so much better than the hummus you can buy at the grocery store. This hummus is filled with lemon, garlic, and basil flavors. It is the perfect balance between the tastes of pesto and hummus.
Butter Bean Hummus | I like this butter bean hummus more than traditional hummus made with garbanzo beans. It has a light fresh taste – it is a taste that reminds me of summer (even when it isn’t). The best part is that it takes just 1 minute to prepare - just throw everything into the food processor and mix until smooth!
Buffalo Cauliflower is the best way to eat cauliflower. This vegetarian version of wings turns cauliflower into a spicy snack. Cauliflower florets get battered, baked, coated with spice buffalo sauce and served with ranch or blue cheese dressing.
This buffalo dip has a spicy creamy cheese sauce with chunks of chicken. It is somewhat similar to queso.
You can make these mozzarella sticks with mozzarella or cheddar. Ranch seasoning and buffalo sauce gives them a flavor boost.
This is the classic Midwestern style buffalo chicken dip made with cream cheese, ranch seasoning, shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, and cheese.
Caesar Dip is the perfect addition to a vegetable platter, and a fun way to eat vegetables. This recipe takes just 5 minutes to prepare and uses ingredients you probably have at home already.
My family has been making this recipe my entire life and it is a personal favorite. It doesn't have spinach, just chunks of artichoke in parmesan creaminess.
This is more like a traditional spinach and artichoke dip, but Greek yogurt lightens the number of calories without changing the taste.
Take that spinach artichoke dip and use it to fill sweet peppers and wrap them with prosciutto for a bite sized snack.
These Shishito Peppers with a Parmesan Lime Sauce for dipping are an on-trend appetizer to serve at your next party.
These baked jalapenos are a special ingredient - a little bit of crumbled bacon in the breadcrumb topping.
If you have leftover mashed potatoes, this is the ideal appetizer to make! Jalapenos get filled with cheesy mashed potatoes and wrapped with bacon.
Corn Queso | This creamy cheesy corn queso is loaded with fresh steamed corn, tomatoes, and green chilies. With just 15 minutes of preparation time, this easy appetizer will become a go-to.
Learn how to make queso with this easy from scratch queso recipe. Warm melted queso made with is delicious over chips, baked potatoes, tacos, and hot dogs. This recipe is a great addition to any party!
I promise that these croquettes are easier to prepare than you might think! I like to fry them up in advance and then keep them warm in the oven.
These mac and cheese bites are in cups of proscuitto and are topped with Cheez-It crumbs!
Slices of sweet potato get topped with goat cheese and a cranberry salsa to create this app.
Baked goat cheese topped with fresh tomatoes and basil is a new take on the classic appetizer.
Inspired by a memorable snack we had at Diego Pops in Scottsdale, these nachos have brussels sprouts, beet crema, red onions, chiles, cheese, and an egg.
This appetizer is made with store-bought pastry dough that gets rolled up with zucchini, summer squash, herbed cheese, and prosciutto. It's easy to make but impressive!
Charles invented this appetizer that consists of mini meatballs and balls of mozzarella on sticks in a bed of marinara sauce.
Homemade pita chips are better than store bought. I've been making pita chips like this since high school. Plus, making them yourself lets you add your favorite cheeses and herbs.
This is a hearty appetizer perfect for sports gatherings.
It doesn't get easier than this. Spread proscuitto with goat cheese and wrap it around a breadstick. You can lightly bake it or not!
Inspired by Del Frisco's, this is the best thing to make with leftover steak.
Or maybe you have leftover ham, in which case these egg rolls filled with ham and cheese are the thing to make.
It is easy to prepare these sliders in large batches. It's a sustancial snack to serve at a party without serving an entree.
This is so simple and relies on a sophisticated flavor pairing. The only cooking involved is reducing the balsamic vinegar.
Store bought phyllo cups get filled with brig, fig jam, and honey to make this app that can be served warm or at room temp.
Fill sweet peppers with seasoned ground beef, add pimento cheese, wrap with prosciutto, and bake!
This is a different take on a cheese board. Ricotta takes center stage and then gets paired with a variety of sweet and savory toppings.
Inspired by a meal I had in Lisbon, these toasts are topped with rosemary seasoned goat cheese, prosciutto, and honey. It's something a little different but oh so impressive.
Garlic knots taste even better when they get stuffed with cheese!
Naan gets layered with whipped feta, pesto, tomatoes, and pine nuts and quickly baked. It's a little fancier than making pizza.
This dip is fantastic. It's incredible. It has rich flavors from sauteed mushrooms, cheese, and herbs. Spread it on bread, or use leftovers to fill and omelet.
Stuffed mushrooms are a classic for a reason: everyone likes them!
Roasted garlic adds flavor and roasted jalapenos bring the heat to this guacamole recipe.
This classic guacamole is made without cilantro, the herb that some people say tastes like soap! This recipe can be made in just 10 minutes and has bright citrus flavors.
This giant sized grilled cheese is made with colby jack and cheddar cheeses and is topped with a garlic basil butter. Serve it as an appetizer or a meal - this is an easy way to feed a crowd!
Baked Brie with Cranberry Chutney is made with a wheel of brie that is topped with a simple homemade cranberry chutney and then wrapped in puff pastry and baked. It's a cheese lover's dream.
Crispy prosciutto makes these deviled eggs something extraordinary.
Don't be surprised if this is the first appetizer to disappear at a party. The best part is that this no-cook recipe can be made in just 5 minutes!
Not quite an appetizer recipe, but this guide of hosting a party without cooking is helpful if you are hosting guests.
Want to save these appetizer recipes for later? Here is an image to save on Pinterest:
Do you have any go-to appetizers? I would love to hear about them in the comments!
