Do you love hosting gatherings but dread the idea of spending hours in the kitchen? If so, you’re in luck. We’ve put together a list of easy yet mouthwatering appetizers that are sure to impress your guests without requiring too much effort, and these recipes are perfect for busy hosts who want to spend more time enjoying the party and less time worrying about the food. Let’s explore 19 top appetizer options that make entertaining a breeze.
Baked Brie with Jam and Puff Pastry
Simple, impressive, and decadent, this appetizer couldn’t be simpler to make. Wrap a wheel of brie in frozen puff pastry, bake until golden, and top with jam or chutney—it’s that simple! Food.com says they take no time to prepare and only 30 minutes to bake, yet they offer a fine dining flavor combination—creamy cheese with buttery, flaky pastry and sweet, fruity jam.
Hummus and Veggie Platter
This option is perfect if you have vegan or vegetarian guests and can be made beforehand, freeing up time once your guests arrive. Buy store-bought hummus or whip up your own in a food processor, then surround it with an array of brightly colored crudites, like bell peppers, carrots, cucumbers, celery, and broccoli. You could also add crusty bread or crackers.
Miniature Cheesecakes
Looking for a sweet appetizer that everyone will enjoy? These individual cheesecakes are surprisingly easy to make and perfect for experimenting with different flavors and add-ins. Take a muffin tin lined with cupcake wrappers and add a layer of graham crackers for the crust. Fill the top with a simple New York-style cheesecake mix, or add fruit like raspberries and kiwi.
Mini Quiches
These bite-sized quiches are great if your guests will be walking around in a party setting rather than sitting down to eat formally. They are full of savory flavors and fairly simple to make. Use a muffin tin to create individual quiches, and feel free to experiment with different fillings, like sausage and cheddar, caramelized onions and goat cheese, or roasted vegetables and feta.
Caprese Skewers
This appetizer works extremely well with fresh, quality ingredients—a simple celebration of summer flavors that takes minutes to prepare. Simply thread cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and fresh basil leaves onto skewers and drizzle with good-quality olive oil, balsamic glaze, and a sprinkle of sea salt. You could even offer some with pesto sauce as well.
Bruschetta with Whipped Feta and Roasted Peppers
This simple recipe involves toasting baguette slices and then topping them with creamy whipped feta cheese, olive oil, and lemon juice. Add a layer of roasted red peppers on top to add a complimentary sweetness and a splash of bright color. Just ensure you toast the bread once your guests arrive, so it’s still warm!
Spinach and Artichoke Dip
This classic crowd-pleaser has many variations but is often a hit at any gathering. The most common version combines cream cheese, frozen spinach, artichoke hearts, parmesan cheese, and spices, baked in a casserole dish until bubbling. Serve straight from the dish with good-quality bread, crackers, or tortilla chips for a rustic yet delicious appetizer.
Mini Sausage Rolls
This nostalgic appetizer is great for picky guests, like children or vegetable dodgers! Wrap mini hot dogs in puff pastry dough and bake until golden brown. They’re very easy to prepare and perfect for feeding a large crowd, plus they tend to be popular when cool as well. If you want to jazz them up, offer dipping sauces like honey mustard, spicy ketchup, or garlic mayo.
Deviled Eggs
Another classic finger food, this timeless appetizer is versatile, budget-friendly, and can be prepared well in advance. This simple recipe calls for hard-boiling eggs, peeling and halving them, and then filling them with their scooped-out yolks mashed with mayonnaise, dill pickles, and seasoning. Top with bacon or chives for a simple yet delicious appetizer.
Buffalo Chicken Dip
This creamy, spicy dip is perfect for entertaining sports fans on game days or for any casual gathering that requires finger foods. Shred cooked chicken and combine it with cream cheese, hot sauce, blue cheese, and spices before baking in the oven. Once cooled, serve the dip with celery, carrot sticks, or tortilla chips for scooping.
Melon and Prosciutto Skewers
This elegant appetizer uses a famous combination of flavors and is ideal for parties or guests who don’t enjoy ‘heavy’ foods. You can prepare it easily by threading cubes of honeydew melon, cantaloupe, and prosciutto onto skewers and drizzling with balsamic glaze. The sweet, fresh flavor of the melon pairs perfectly with the intense, smoky salted ham.
Cucumber Tea Sandwiches
These dainty tea sandwiches are perfect for baby showers, luncheons, or any event requiring a classy touch! Spread a thin layer of cream cheese on thinly sliced cucumbers and use them like ‘bread’ to make sandwiches with fillings like smoked salmon and dill, thinly sliced chicken breast with cranberry sauce, or classic egg salad with chives.
Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries
Searching for a sweet option that isn’t too heavy? Melt any type of chocolate (or a combination of light and dark) over water before dipping in fresh strawberries—make sure they’re dry, or the chocolate won’t stick. Let any excess drip off before placing each fruit on parchment paper. Allow them to cool and harden completely before serving.
Edamame with ‘Everything Bagel’ Seasoning
This simple appetizer is perfect for last-minute gatherings because it is so easy to prepare but also delicious and packed with nutrients! Sauté or steam frozen edamame pods according to the package instructions. While still hot, toss them with olive oil and Everything Bagel Seasoning for an addictive addition to your spread.
Shrimp Cocktail
An oldie but a goodie! This classic starter is easy to prepare, can be prepared in advance, and is always a crowd-pleaser. Poach or boil large, good-quality shrimp and let them cool completely. Serve them chilled with home-bought cocktail sauce, or make your own with horseradish, ketchup, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and a dash of hot sauce.
White Bean Dip with Toasted Pita
If your guests value a nutritious and delicious appetizer, try this protein-packed dip of cannellini beans, garlic cloves, tahini, lemon juice, and olive oil, blended together until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper, then serve with toasted pita bread or vegetable sticks for dipping.
Antipasto Platter
This elegant, Italian-inspired appetizer looks great as a centerpiece and has some added ‘wow’ factor if prepared generously. Allow your guests to graze on an array of cured meats, cheeses, olives, marinated vegetables, and crackers. You can easily customize the ingredients to suit your budget and guests’ tastes.
Taco Dip
Perfect for parties, this crowd-pleasing appetizer is simple to make and tastes great. Spread a layer of refried beans in a pie dish, then top with seasoned ground beef, shredded cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, olives, and jalapeños. The toppings can be adjusted depending on your preferences, and it can be served with tortilla chips, bread, crackers, or crudites.
Caprese Salad Bites
If you like Caprese salad’s simple, complimentary flavors but want to add some carbohydrates, try this bread-based finger food. Use fresh, high-quality cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and fresh basil leaves and press them into hollowed-out mini baguette rounds. Drizzle with olive oil and a balsamic glaze for a deliciously easy finger food.
