66 Of Our Best And Easiest Appetizer Recipes For Any Occasion

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Loaded Deviled Eggs

Toppings like bacon, cheddar, sour cream, and chives aren't just for potatoes. This fresh take on a Southern classic hits all the flavor points. Get the taste of two classic dishes, loaded baked potatoes and deviled eggs, in one bite.

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Red Chipotle Pepper Jelly

If you have a jar or two of this pepper jelly in the fridge, you're one block of cream cheese away from the perfect Southern appetizer. Served on Ritz crackers or toasted baguette slices, cream cheese and pepper jelly is always a hit. It's up to you if you want to keep this jelly recipe a secret.

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Bacon Bow Tie Crackers

This two-ingredient recipe couldn't be more simple. If you want to provide a light snack without having to use another set of dishes before dinner, this bite-sized appetizer is a great option. Depending on the size of the crowd you'll be serving, you may want to consider doubling this recipe. These tasty bites will start to disappear quickly once your guests arrive.

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Bloody Mary Poached Shrimp

This poached shrimp can be served at a myriad of events, from a backyard barbecue to a holiday cocktail party. You are not only bringing the spice, you are transporting happy diners to a beachside retreat with these flavors. Be sure to prepare extra servings.

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Hot Cheesy Crab Dip

Pairing this cheesy dip with sturdy Endive leaves, celery, or jicama brings fresh snap and taste to the table. Aside from choosing produce for dipping, you can also serve with the crackers or bread of your choice. Just be sure to serve this dip hot for best flavor.

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Picnic Egg Salad

Boiling eggs is the most time-intensive part of pulling together this classic egg salad recipe, which of course doesn't take too much time. It's also the perfect make-ahead recipe as you can make it a day in advance and keep it in the refrigerator overnight. We use toasted baguettes as the base, but you can also serve with crackers to make it more portable.

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Spicy Bisquick Sausage Balls

Using hot sausage adds some heat to these sausage balls. As tempting as it may be, make sure not to reach for pre-shredded cheese for this recipe. Grating your own cheese will give you the best results.

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Warm Cheese Box Bites

If your reaction to this suggestion is, "More cheese? Good.", then this recipe is for you. Serving these cheese box bites warm is key to delivering maximum flavor. You can make them ahead of time and keep them in the freezer, just warm them right before serving.

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Butter-Baked Saltine Crackers

Southern Living Butter Baked Saltines on a platter to serve — Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Karen Rankin, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen

If dinner will be served soon after guests arrive, but you still want to offer up a small bite when they walk through the door, these dressed-up saltines will save the day. Plus, we bet you already have the two ingredients you'll need to pull these crackers together on hand in your kitchen.

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Creamy Avocado Dip

A slightly creamier version of guacamole, this no-cook avocado dip can be enjoyed with fresh veggies, tortilla chips, or a combination of both. Paired with your favorite margarita, this delicious dip will be a regular on those Saturday nights with friends.

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Jalapeño Popper Dip

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

You'll know this dip is ready to come out of the oven when the top is bubbling and golden brown. Made with cream cheese, Cheddar cheese, and Pepper Jack Cheese, we assure you there's no shortage of cheesy goodness in this recipe. When we say our best appetizer recipes are good for any occasion, we mean it!

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Tiny Tacos

These tiny tacos start with a pile of cheddar cheese on a hot pan. Then, a tortilla round is added along with a spoonful of seasoned beef. Serve them hot off the skillet with lime wedges for a little extra flavor.

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Taco Dip

A spicy mix of sour cream, cream cheese, and taco seasoning make up one of the layers in this crave-worthy taco dip. You'll start by making the pico de gallo to give the tomatoes time to fully drain so that they don't water out the dip. Store it for up to three days in the fridge.

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Slow-Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip

Secure a repeat invitation by showing up to any potluck or cookout with this slow-cooker rendition of Buffalo Chicken Dip. Frank's Red Hot is our sauce of choice, but you can use your favorite. The spice in this addictive dip pairs great with a cold beer.

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Asparagus Ribbon Crostini

Who says your appetizer selection can't be elegant? Serving ribbons of asparagus on top of baguette slices turns it from a side dish into a spring-ready finger food. Fresh mint helps make it even more colorful.

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Corn and Jalapeño Dip

Corn and Jalapeno Dip — Hector Manuel Sanchez

This dip requires just eight ingredients and minimally no work. All you'll have to do is dump the ingredients in your slow cooker, give them a stir, and then set it to cook. Just make sure to reserve the bacon to add halfway through the cooking process. Plus, making a dip in the slow cooker will ensure it stays warm until your guests arrive.

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Spicy Cheese Twists

This slightly upgraded version of cheese straws comes together with frozen puff pastry sheets. This approach is so easy, you will become committed to perfecting these puffy delights. Appetizers for dinner, anyone?

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Hot Brown Party Rolls

Leave it to Test Kitchen Pro Ivy Odom to turn Kentucky's famous Hot Brown sandwiches into a big-batch, one-dish appetizer that's perfect for your Derby party. As a matter of fact, you need to consider these savory grab-and-go snack for every tailgate event you are invited to.

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Bacon-Pimiento Guacamole

Just when you thought fresh guacamole couldn't get any better, we added bacon and pimientos. This elevates the guac game in a serious way, and if you're not careful, those around you will demand this version and nothing else. Take your chances with some festive blue tortilla chips, and you will have a winner of a starter.

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Slow-Roasted Cherry Tomato Bruschetta

Tangy goat cheese and crispy baguette slices are the ideal canvas for this comforting yet light take on bruschetta. The sweetness of the cherry tomatoes knocks the flavor profile out of the park. Keep this in your back pocket for the neighborhood dinner club, and your contribution will be a sure hit.

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Basic Pimiento Cheese

Coarse, freshly grated cheese works best in order to nail the right texture for this Souther classic, so get out your box grater. The key to great pimiento cheese is to freshly grate the cheese at home, and to resist buying shredded cheese at the market. Spread between bread to create little tea sandwiches, or serve as a dip for crackers and veggies.

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Creamy Spinach-Ricotta Crostini

Sometimes when you're spending all of your time preparing the main meal, a quick and simple recipe is needed to save the day. This recipe is just that, coming together in just 15 minutes. The presentation makes it almost restaurant-worthy.

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Mini Potato Skins

If you're looking for a fun, crowd-pleasing appetizer that needs to travel well? This just might be the recipe for you. To take them to a party, you can prepare the recipe almost to completion, and then finish it at your destination. You can also prepare them at home and serve them as a side.

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Easy Buffalo Chicken Dip

Rich, creamy, and chicken-filled, this Buffalo Chicken Dip recipe is packed with irresistible flavor. It's definitely hearty enough to be a part of a dinner of appetizers. What else will you prepare for finger food night?

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Ham And Cheese Sliders

This ham and cheese slider recipe is a beloved Southern classic. Imagine game day being accentuated by these handheld snacks, along with all the other trappings of successful tailgating. Anyone who takes a bite will definitely be on your team.

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Pizza Pepper Poppers

After-school snacking has never looked so fun. Get all the flavor of your favorite pizza in these stuffed peppers that are ready with just 10 minutes of hands-on time. This filling treat will not have anyone complaining about where dinner might be.

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Beer Cheese Fondue

Rosemary-Bacon Nut Mix — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

No one at your holiday gathering will be able to resist the retro charm of a pot of fondue. We switched up the dipping options with sliced bratwurst, steamed broccoli, roasted Brussels sprouts, and fingerling potatoes.

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Smoky Black-Eyed Pea Hummus

This unique hummus recipe is made with black-eyed peas instead of chickpeas and topped with flavorful paprika. You will find yourself wanting to experiment with different ingredients for hummus once you've tasted this. Our smoky field pea hummus is another great example.

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Smoked-Fish Dip

Chef Adam Evans of award-winning Automatic Seafood & Oysters in Birmingham, Alabama, shared this incredible dip recipe with us. A good dip almost always disappears before the end of the night, but if you're lucky enough to have any leftovers, this Smoked Fish Dip will be amazing spread on a baguette for a sandwich the next day.

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Mushroom-Stuffed Phyllo Cups

Prep these mini mushroom bites ahead of time and pop them in the oven for five minutes just before guests arrive. These will go fast, as they are simply addicting and so easy to ingest in one bite. Be sure to have some extra stashed in the fridge.

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Baked BLT Dip

This creamy dip recipe takes the best qualities of a BLT sandwich and transforms it into an easy and delicious appetizer. With fresh tomatoes, this recipe is especially delightful. Simply spreading it on one piece of hearty bread makes an excellent open-faced sandwich.

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Georgia-Style Boiled Peanuts

This easy, slow-cooker snack is always a Southern favorite. Nostalgic snack nuts taste best washed down with an ice cold beer.

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Sweet Potato and Chorizo Sausage Bites

Extra-sharp cheddar cheese, a dash of cinnamon, and a few scoops of plum jelly give this chorizo sausage ball recipe multiple layers of savory flavor. Take these sweet-potato-and-chorizo-sausage balls as the rest of the South's answer to Louisiana's savory boudin balls–each delicious bite is loaded with meat with a little kick from spicy chorizo.

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Mini Black Bean and Cheese Enchiladas

You'll never guess you can whip up these easy appetizers in only three steps. Simply bake flour tortillas in muffin pans, fill with all the fixin's (like black beans, refried beans, enchilada sauce, green chilies, and shredded Monterey Jack cheese) and bake. Top with sour cream, lettuce, pico de gallo, and scallions. You can have these appetizers out in 30 minutes or less.

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Baked Brie Bites

Sparkling Pomegranate Punch — Laurey W. Glenn

Made from only five ingredients but packed with flavor, these bites come together in under 10 minutes. Each ingredient is store-bought; simply assemble the flaky phyllo dough shells, creamy Brie cheese, tasted pecans, sweet and spicy pepper jelly, fresh parsley, and serve.

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Party Poppers

This quick and easy appetizer, with just a few ingredients and even fewer steps, will make entertaining easy without the hassle of fussing over the oven all day and night. For those who like it hot, swap mini sweet peppers for spicy jalapeños.

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Spinach And Vidalia Dip

Take a moment to meet your new favorite appetizer. This twist on the classic spinach dip is sure to please even the most particular guests. Just like traditional spinach dip, the recipe mixes together spinach, sour cream, and chives to achieve that cool, onion flavor with a kick.

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Deviled Potatoes

Two Southern classics, deviled eggs and potato salad, join forces to create these two-bite wonders. Scooping out the middle of the potato, filling it with flavor, and it stuffing it back in make it reminiscent of a deviled egg, but it taste just a like a scoop of bite-sized potato salad goodness. The pulp is mixed with sour cream, capers, mustard and a few other key ingredients that will not leave guests missing a traditional potato salad.

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Crawfish Dip

Filled with flavor from a variety of spices, guests will be wowed by the flavor of this simple dish that lets the slow cooker do most of the work. After making this dip, serve it in a slow cooker to keep it warm (and to avoid doing any extra dishes). Set this appetizer out with crackers or toasted baguette slices and watch it disappear at your next party.

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Tex-Mex Deviled Eggs

One of the South's most iconic appetizers fuses with the nineties' obsession with Tex-Mex to create a twist on this beloved party appetizer. Traditional ingredients such as mayonnaise and mustard still garnish the dish, but ingredients reminiscent of Tex-Mex such as cilantro, jalapeño, and chili powder infuse the dish with plenty of the Tex-Mex flavor that guests will immediately recognize.

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Lump Crab Mornay

Recipe developer Julia Reed adapted this creamy dip from a recipe in Bayou Cuisine by St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Indianola, Mississippi. Located in the Mississippi Delta, this recipe pays homage to the rich culture in the region, using lump crabmeat and red pepper to add spice. This dip can be kept in a chafing dish or a slow cooker set on a very low temperature to keep the dip perfect throughout the night for guests to enjoy.

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Sweet And Salty Snack Mix

This grab-and-go snack is a delightful combination of cereal, pretzels, peanut butter, marshmallows, brown sugar, and honey. This mix will satisfy that sweet and salty combo that everyone craves. If you make this ahead and store in an airtight container, consider yourself over prepared.

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Cheese Dreams Recipe

These little gems will be one of the first appetizers to disappear. Sharp cheddar cheese is the star of this dish, but Worcestershire sauce, heavy cream, and dry mustard also make this dish a hit among guests. Be ready to share the recipe on command.

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Muffuletta Deviled Eggs

A spin on the classic New Orleans sandwich, this easy appetizer melds the flavors of olive salad and salty salami that would go on a traditional muffuletta with a creamy mayonnaise for a deviled egg version. And forget about these being eaten just as an appetizer. These tasty eggs are a great snack or a nice little surprise in a lunchbox.

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Meatball Sliders With Tomato Sauce

This fun dish is two recipes in one: delicious, easy meatballs and a slow-simmered tangy tomato sauce. The sauce is slow cooked for 8 hours on low, and that rich, tangy flavor can only be achieved when the sauce is made with plenty of time in advance. After sauce has cooked, submerge meatballs and cook on high for 1 hour to ensure that the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce penetrates every crevice of the hearty meat dish.

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Old Bay Rémoulade With Crudités And Shrimp

This is Test Kitchen Pro Ivy Odom's go-to appetizer to enjoy after a day at the beach. Refreshing and packed with Southern flavor thanks to the Old Bay seasoning, you will wish this was the entree. Grab some fresh shrimp while you're on the coast for the best results.

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Spicy Sweet Potato Crostini

These mini crostini bites are the perfect fall happy hour snack. Look for sweet potatoes that are uniform width so that when you cut them, you will have uniform round slices. This will help ensure they all cook in the same amount of time.

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Cream Cheese Sausage Balls

Our newest twist on party classic sausage balls, Cream Cheese Sausage Balls might just become your new go-to. Savory with just a hint of spice, sausage balls are a versatile and reliable favorite because they can be served for gatherings any time of day, from a brunch bash to a dinner party.

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Hot Crab And Artichoke Dip

You know that when jumbo lump crabmeat and Old Bay seasoning meet in a recipe, it's going to be good. Throw in cream cheese, two types of cheeses, a hit of lemon, and artichokes, and you've got a crowd-pleasing dip that will be enjoyed and remembered.

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Black Bean And Corn Salsa

Back Bean Corn Salsa — Antonis Achilleos

This fresh mixture of corn, bell pepper, black beans, tomatoes, onion, cilantro, lime juice, and jalapeños is our new favorite way to serve a bowl of salsa alongside a Tex-Mex supper. This take on salsa is practically addictive. You may not want any other kind after you try this.

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Cranberry Brie Bites

Cranberry is already a holiday favorite, and green pistachios add an even more festive touch on top of these reader-favorite bites. The flavors sing in perfect accompaniment, and you might be surprised at how often you are asked to make this once your friends taste the magic.

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Maple Bacon Smokies

There's a time and a place for beautiful appetizer feats like Oysters Rockefeller or escargot, but sometimes, you just need something that you know is going to taste amazing and be a hit with the family. These little bites are just that. Keep your eyes peeled for that one party guest who will hover over your platter just to be sure all of these get eaten.

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Pear And Brie Puff Pastry Tarts

How beautiful is this for a fall starter? Even though it looks impressive, this tart comes together with frozen puff pastry, brie, a few seasonings, and fresh rosemary. No need to reveal your secret, though. Let everyone imagine that you labored away at this presentation.

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Crudités Platter

Curdités Platter — Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Katie Jacobs

Crudité is an appetizer staple for a reason. Bring your best with this gorgeous spread. Wow a crowd by putting this together when the vegetables are in season. The fresh tastes and beautiful colors will lure your guests into veggie bliss.

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Shrimp On Seasoned Crackers With Pepper Jelly & Cream Cheese

Shrimp on Seasoned Crackers with Pepper Jelly and Cream Cheese — Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

This elevated take on the classic pepper jelly and cream cheese combination is a beautiful addition to a dinner party spread. The spice sweet combo along with the creamy texture make a perfect accompaniment to the shrimp.

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Smoked Tomato Salsa

Once you try this smoky, homemade version of salsa, you'll be convinced to leave store-bought behind. The secret here is to smoke plum tomatoes over applewood chips. The resulting flavors are out of this world.

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Spicy Strawberry Goat Cheese Crostini

This spring appetizer is pretty enough to be part of your Easter spread but easy enough to accompany any seasonal lunch or dinner. A few tips from the Test Kitchen: While your baguette slices are toasting, set out your goat cheese to soften on the countertop, which will make it easier to spread. The riper the strawberries, the more vibrant and flavorful your crostini will be—but overripe berries will turn to mush when you try to slice them.

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Austin Diner Style Queso

Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Your at-home game day spread and Taco Tuesdays just got a whole lot more delicious. This will be your go-to cheese dip recipe once you try it. And just to be sure you are eating the same delightful queso when visiting others, feel free to share the recipe with friends and family.

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Crab Cake Bites With Old Bay Mayo, Chives, And Lemon

Crab Cake Bites with Old Bay Seasoning — Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Form the crab cakes one day in advance, and store them, covered, in the refrigerator. This not only saves prep time but also ensures they are properly chilled, which helps them hold their shape. All your effort will be worth it when you see your guests react to this plated delight.

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Bacon Bites

With just three ingredients, you can serve up an appetizer that everyone will go crazy for. Brown sugar and bacon are a match made in heaven. When wrapped around a thin breadstick, the flavors are delivered with a satisfying crunch. You need to consider making two batches of these bacon treats to avoid the mutiny that will occur in the kitchen when you run out.

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Buttery Toasted Pecans

Buttery toasted pecans can be served in different ways at a dinner party. They can be whipped up quickly and used as a garnish for a favorite appetizer or alone as a small snack before dinner begins if guests are saving their appetite. Butter makes everything better, and the same is true for these toasted pecans.

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Caesar Salad Bites

Fresh, chilled Caesar Salad Bites are tasty, super-easy to make, and perfectly suitable for eating out of hand. Creamy Caesar dressing, cucumber, tomatoes, croutons, and parsley make this simple salad recipe one guests will easily recognize and enjoy.

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Baked Oysters With Bacon, Greens, And Parmesan

Oysters don't need much to make them more flavorful. Most of us roll with hot sauce and lemon juice. But the bacon, greens, and parmesan in this recipe will make you reconsider your oyster game.

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Baked Brie with Jezebel Peaches

Bring this recipe to your next elegant dinner party, a holiday get-together, or the next time you have a friends and family over. The peaches are a mesmerizing sweet-and-spicy mixture that makes this Brie recipe absolutely irresistible. Hot jalapeño pepper jelly and spicy brown mustard kick these peaches up a notch, pairing perfectly with creaminess of the baked Brie.

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Slow Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs

Mama will recognize this charmingly retro appetizer, and she'll thank you for it! If you're having a casual cookout or football watch party, you don't even need to get out the serving dishes for this one. Simply leave the meatballs in the slow cooker to stay warm and pop some toothpicks and plates next to it. Voila!

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Hot Bacon And Swiss Dip

When Swiss cheese and bacon come together, magic just happens. In under 30 minutes you can whip together a creamy, cheesy dip that everyone will love.

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66 Of Our Best And Easiest Appetizer Recipes For Any Occasion

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