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.
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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
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 and 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.
Each provides such a unique flavor and these light snacks are perfect for an appetizer or just for an afternoon chat with guests. If you want to offer something warm alongside your cheese and crackers, these bacon wrapped dates are the perfect holiday appetizer - stuffed with goat cheese, wrapped in crispy bacon and drizzled with hot honey, they take just 25 minutes and disappear every time.
Easy Appetizer Recipes
1
Baked Caprese Dip
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.
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 easy appetizer for game day or New Year's Eve! They're delicious and come together in under 30 minutes.
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!
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!
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 easy appetizer ideas for last-minute parties?
Hey friend, I'm Madison!
I'll teach you how to make simple from-scratch recipes, like seasonings, sauces, dinners and even desserts, that make cooking from home less overwhelming and more enjoyable. My recipes have been featured on publications like South Your Mouth, Fun.com, Her Campus, Mental Floss, and the TastingTable.
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. 🙂
Yes, it is all about the company anyway right! But, your little appetizers are darling and look so good. #client
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. 🙂
Yummy! Looks so delicious. I would love to have snacks at your house, you are the snack queen!
Great ideas, Madison! I had never thought of putting strawberries on a Ritz. I LOVE goat cheese, so I need to try that ASAP!
That's a great idea. I love how everything looks uniform but also gives your tastebuds a variety of options!
These all look so yummy!! I entertain a lot with different crackers, meats, and cheese. its so easy!