Next time guests come over, assemble one of these easy appetizer recipes to share with your friends and family. From dips to small bites, there are lots of delicious and simple choices.
We have all been in that situation where somehow guests end up invited over unexpectedly.
Gathering around the table doesn't always have to be perfect.
But it can be really stressful when you feel obligated to provide some sort of food and you haven't been able to go to the store to pick up something quick and easy, even if it's just chips and guacamole while you are chatting.
With a bit of creativity, it's easy to come up with a quick appetizer to share with your guests. Scroll through this list — you might have everything you need for one of these recipes in your cabinets and fridge already!
What to Keep on Hand for Easy Appetizers
Keep your pantry stocked with a few things so you can always have a quick and easy appetizer ready to go. I love coming up with different ideas that don't require me to go to the store.
For example, we always have an unopened box of crackers in our cabinet. They are so light and easy to add your own toppings to create a delicious snack.
Here are some of my go-to shortcut appetizer recipes — that are so easy, they don't even really count as recipes!
- Charcuterie plate: Crackers or crostini, jam, honey, cheese slices and cured meats like pepperoni
- Olive oil dip: Warm bread (fresh or frozen that you can warm in the oven) and a plate of olive oil with a drizzle of Italian seasoning for dipping
- Chips & salsa: Tortilla chips and a jar of salsa or two
- Hummus & pita chips: Garbanzo beans, lemon juice, tahini and pita chips
- Flatbread pizzas: Pita bread with pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese and any toppings you have on hand
You can create a variety of these snack options using both sweet and savory flavors found in your kitchen.
Quick Cheese & Cracker Combos
Cheese and crackers are some of the easiest appetizers you can make. Unopened cheese can last a little while in the fridge, and you can keep an unopened box of crackers in your pantry.
Here are some great combos:
- pepperoni and cheddar cheese
- goat cheese and strawberries
- cream cheese and apple
- pepper jelly and cream cheese
- baked brie and apples
- pimento cheese and bacon bits
Each provides such a unique flavor and these light snacks are perfect for an appetizer or just for an afternoon chat with guests.
Easy Appetizer Recipes
Make one or two of these easy appetizer recipes for your next gathering! Your guests are going to beg for you to make them again.
These honey sriracha baked wings bring a great balance to the ever-popular sweet and spicy pairing for chicken wings.
The easiest baked caprese dip can be made with just five simple ingredients. These cheesy, tomato dip comes out of the oven bubbling and ready to be spread on a toasted slice of bread! This easy appetizer is perfect for parties or just a pre-dinner snack!
This Pepper and Jelly Cream Cheese Appetizer is a huge holiday tradition because it's super easy to make, and the whole family can enjoy it! It's simply a block of cream cheese with pepper jelly or fruit preserves on top, served with your favorite crackers. The combination is a perfect blend of sweet, spicy and salty!
Five Minute Blender Salsa is the easiest way to enjoy fresh, delicious restaurant style salsa at home! One batch makes enough for a crowd and can be made in minutes with a blender or food processor. See how easy (and delicious) this restaurant style salsa is!
Chicken sliders with homemade enchilada sauce make a perfect game day appetizer or quick weeknight dinner! These chicken sliders can be prepped ahead of time with slow cooked chicken and making homemade enchilada sauce ahead of time. These chicken enchilada sliders are buttery and tangy!
This Cream Cheese Jalapeño Popper Dip will become your go-to party appetizer! It's a classic, easy recipe that can be thrown together for any occasion. This dip is made with cream cheese, sour cream, jalapeño peppers, tomatoes and green chiles and topped with bread crumbs, all baked and served with crackers for dipping.
Football season is back which means tailgating recipes are back in full swing! This skillet sausage dip is a must have for this football season.
This easy, grilled shrimp recipe is delicious and versatile. Serve them with cocktail sauce or tartar sauce.
This simple, yet savory and spicy buffalo chicken dip is a perfect party dish to serve to family and friends!
This creamy and tangy dip is super easy to make. Just throw the ingredients in a food processor, and serve it up with pita bread or veggies.
Ripe, juicy tomatoes and fragrant, fresh basil are the stars of this classic bruschetta. Serve it as a summer appetizer or alongside your favorite Italian dinner.
This delicious and cheesy garlic bread is SO easy to put together! It will elevate your next Italian dinner to the next level or just make it as an appetizer.
Goat Cheese Rosemary Baked Chicken Meatballs are a perfect game-day appetizer! These meatballs are made with ground chicken, fresh rosemary and creamy goat cheese and come together in under 30 minutes. T
This Tomato Bacon Goat Cheese Puff Pastry Appetizer is the perfect pre-dinner snack when you're hosting friends and family! It's so quick to throw together and enjoy while dinner finishes cooking. A simple frozen puff pastry topped with crispy bacon pieces, dollops of goat cheese and sliced grape tomatoes makes a quick appetizer that everyone will enjoy!
These easy buffalo chicken meatballs are the party appetizer you didn't know you needed!
This pear and goat cheese crostini combines sweet and savory in a perfect, easy appetizer recipe. This crostini has goat cheese and is topped with pear and drizzled with honey. This flavor combination is perfect for any time of year!
Pizza muffins are such a simple and easy savory treat to make any time of the day, any day of the week!
You're going to love how tasty this easy guacamole turns out! Serve it with your favorite tacos or as an easy appetizer.
Pesto Crostini with Prosciutto is a lovely appetizer with all the flavors of Italy! You'll love this quick and easy appetizer.
With the perfect blend of crunchy, creamy and spicy, these jalapeno popper wonton cups are the perfect appetizer.
Cheesy, meaty Pepperoni Dip is an entertainer’s dream! This easy appetizer comes together quickly for a crowd, whether you’re feeding your family, hosting an at-home gameday gathering or even game night!
Cream cheese ranch roll ups are the easiest and most popular appetizer you could ever make. Rich cream cheese, ranch dressing mix and veggies all rolled into tortillas – these cream cheese roll ups will disappear in a flash at any party!
A get-together is never complete without a platter of deviled eggs to enjoy! It is THE go-to appetizer when unsure what to bring to the party.
Pineapple Mango Salsa Chicken Lettuce Wraps are the perfect lighter meal. These lettuce wraps are entirely gluten-free, paleo, whole30, and so delicious! Made in under 20 minutes, these wraps have just a few simple ingredients and are packed with flavor while being low carb.
Breaded in savory parmesan breadcrumbs and made perfectly crispy in the air fryer, these air fryer zucchini chips are a delicious appetizer or side dish.
What are your solutions for last-minute hosting?
owensmom says
Yes, it is all about the company anyway right! But, your little appetizers are darling and look so good. #client
Stacia says
I've done the cheese, crackers and pepperoni before but I like to put them in the oven for a few minutes to let the cheese melt if it's just my husband and I snacking. 🙂
Laura Jean Gilleland says
Yummy! Looks so delicious. I would love to have snacks at your house, you are the snack queen!
Jenna Owens (@aSavoryFeast) says
Great ideas, Madison! I had never thought of putting strawberries on a Ritz. I LOVE goat cheese, so I need to try that ASAP!
Claire @ Fashion + Feathers says
That's a great idea. I love how everything looks uniform but also gives your tastebuds a variety of options!
Amanda | Life With Grace says
These all look so yummy!! I entertain a lot with different crackers, meats, and cheese. its so easy!