Our 20 Cheesiest Appetizer Recipes Ever

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Updated on June 2, 2024

Cheese Dreams — Photo:
Antonis Achilleos; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

In our experience, some of the best appetizer recipes include cheese on the ingredient list. We're talking about all of the classics like Pimiento Cheese, Sausage Balls, Cheese Dreams, and many more. When cheese is a main part of a recipe, you know it'll be delicious. Plus, these cheese appetizers are pretty easy to pull together, there's even no-cook options and plenty of other ideas with short ingredient lists that you can prep and make quickly. From Cheddar to Brie to Havarti and more, cheese is the star in these appetizer recipes.

01 of 20

Jalapeño Popper Dip

jalapeno popper dip — Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke

You'll know this cheesy dip is ready to come out of the oven once the top is golden brown and bubbly.

02 of 20

Warm Cheese Box Bites

Warm Cheese Box Bites — Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

These cheesy bites can be made ahead and stored in the freezer, but just make sure you serve them warm from the oven.

03 of 20

Baked Brie With Pomegranate And Pistachios

Baked brie with pomegranate and pistachios on a white plate — Antonis Achilleos; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

A tip from our Test Kitchen: Let the Brie sit on the counter a little while before baking so it comes to room temperature which will help ensure that it's warm throughout.

04 of 20

Pimiento Cheese

Basic Pimiento Cheese — Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox

This classic recipe calls for two whole blocks of Cheddar cheese, one sharp and one extra-sharp.

05 of 20

Party Cheese Ball

party cheese ball — Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

A cheese ball is the perfect way to get any party started without having to turn on the oven. Plus, it can be made and stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

06 of 20

Fried Mac and Cheese Bites

Fried Mac and Cheese Bites — Will Dickey

This recipe turns mac and cheese into a bite-sized appetizer that is sure to be loved by both kids and adults.

07 of 20

Cheese Dreams

Cheese Dreams — Antonis Achilleos; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

You probably already have all of the ingredients on hand in your kitchen to pull together this cheesy appetizer.

08 of 20

Texas Trash Dip

Southern Living Texas Trash Dip ready to serve with chips — Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Make room for this 10-minute cheesy miracle: sour cream and cream cheese provide a velvety texture to the canned refried beans, while the chiles, taco seasoning, and additional spices add the Texas kick that this recipe promises.

09 of 20

Beer-Cheese Fondue

Creamy Feta Phyllo Bites — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

This cheesy pot of fondue comes together in just 15 minutes.

10 of 20

Baked Brie In Puff Pastry

Baked Brie In Puff Pastry — Alison Miksch; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

Even though this cheese appetizer is easy to pull together and requires just a handful of ingredients, we're sure it'll impress everyone and have them asking for the recipe.

11 of 20

Skillet Beer-Cheese Dip With Pretzel Bites

Skillet beer-cheese dip with pretzel bites in skillet — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

This skillet cheese dip calls for Cheddar cheese, Havarti cheese, and a whole block of cream cheese. Frozen pretzel bites help it come together a little more quickly.

12 of 20

Kentucky Beer Cheese

kentucky beer cheese — Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist:Christine Keely Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

Coming together in just 10 minutes, this no-cook appetizer recipe couldn't be easier.

13 of 20

Pizza Pepper Poppers

Pizza Pepper Poppers — Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Christina Daley

These pepper poppers will allows you to enjoy the flavors of pizza in bite-sized form.

14 of 20

Pimiento Cheese Sausage Balls

Pimento Cheese Sausage Balls — Southern Living

Two classic Southern recipes, pimiento cheese and sausage balls, come together to create one crowd-pleasing appetizer.

15 of 20

Hot Cheesy Crab Dip

Hot Cheesy Crab Dip — Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

The addition of jumbo lump crabmeat makes this cheesy dip fit for special occasions.

16 of 20

Cheddar Cheese Straws

Cheese Straws — Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford

Just six ingredients, including a whole pound of cheese, are needed to make this classic appetizer.

17 of 20

Warm Cheese-and-Spicy Pecan Dip

Warm Cheese-and-Spicy Pecan Dip — Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

We prefer serving this dip with baguettes, but you can also serve it with your favorite crackers.

18 of 20

Mini Pimiento Cheese Balls

Mini Pimiento Cheese Balls — James Ransom, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

Each miniature cheese ball is topped with a small square cracker, but you can serve with additional crackers so guests can enjoy every bite.

19 of 20

Cheesy Artichoke Dip With Spring Crudités

Southern Living Cheesy Artichoke Dip With Spring CruditÃ©s on a serving platter — Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

Crisp spring vegetables pair well with this cheesy dip, but pita chips would work too.

20 of 20

Crispy Cheese Wafers

Crispy Cheese Wafers

Rice cereal is the secret ingredient that adds an extra crunch to these cheesy wafers.

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