![party cheese ball](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.southernliving.com/thmb/tTm-b8Ca9dAIdePDCYKkdP-M5CE=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/southern-living-Cheese_Ball_001-e0899ded398f41c791e2770de35c3f08.jpg)
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
No matter what your reason was for visiting Grandma's house was, or how long you'd be there, she probably always started offering food in the form of a snack or appetizer as soon as you walked through the door. From homemade snack mixes to warm dips to cheese in a variety of forms and more, it's easy to see why Southern grandmothers have long served these classic appetizers. They're easy to make while still delivering plenty of flavor, and many of them have a short ingredient list so she probably always had the ingredients on hand so she could whip up an appetizer at any time.
These classic appetizer recipes just like Grandma used to make are easy to pull together and are sure to be passed down for generations to come.
Sausage Balls
![Sausage Balls](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/UZ4F2HD9ez3S9NqZEb_wGhNO8RE=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/sausage-balls-9-2000-9af541dadbeb4ad7abdafd31fe38e514.jpg)
This classic, no-fuss appetizer comes together using just three ingredients.
Cheese Dreams
![Cheese Dreams](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/Yj5P1Aw6z9w-DV_1S3AuYPZc8qc=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/southern-living_6600_Cheese_Dreams_3X4_093_preview-b95df52f93014b24b7d8958ff0ea82d5.jpg)
Antonis Achilleos; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn
These cheesy treats can be stored in the freezer, so they're great to keep on hand for drop-in guests so you'll never be without a appetizer to serve, which we're sure would make Grandma proud.
Pimiento Cheese
![Basic Pimiento Cheese](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/i7Nn93N1L4-tOJCzONmUvSExkME=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2548801_south0494_brighter_0_0_1_1_0_0_1_0_0_0_0_2_0_0-a4c27382546040caa0d153173568c3e0-0db1fb13c53b4721aabd768ba07c300b.jpg)
Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox
When making homemade Pimiento Cheese, make sure to hand shred the cheese for this classic dip just like Grandma always did.
Classic Deviled Eggs
![Classic Deviled Eggs](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/6QBARUEFzmWV4EjKFbmCAnRzT2Y=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Deviled_Eggs_013-2000-d192aac326fc43a3817d1ecbf261da03.jpg)
Grandma could probably whip up a batch of deviled eggs without even looking at the recipe.
Nuts and Bolts
![Nuts And Bolts](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/Gn49OLXQWCBJZK30_2isxPUPrbw=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Southern-Living-Nuts_and_Bolts_012-734867399a3d4397adbbe95fbc019e8d.jpg)
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Homemade snack mix can be easily customized to be made with the ingredients of your choice. You can skip the nuts, use cayenne pepper for a little spice, or add a few more Cheez-Its. Just make sure the mixture is well-coated before baking.
Stuffed Mushrooms
![Stuffed Mushrooms](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/gnoyrrNCSF_LO27UNndBmem2ENQ=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/southern-living-Stuffed-Mushrooms-3x2-819-b48c1ebd089643ec8c64e02201ef5d38.jpg)
Alison Miksch; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Stuffed mushrooms are a classic, easy appetizer but are slightly more elevated and will look great on the spread of any dinner party.
Slow-Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs
![Grape Jelly Meatballs](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/ZJ62G0qfnufzvo30hMbJwnYqqTg=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/sl_seo_121119_5603-2000-68309888c6a24f97bc242874312c1a95.jpg)
The not-so-secret ingredient Southerners use to make the best slow-cooker meatballs is grape jelly.
Cream Cheese and Pepper Jelly
![pepper jelly on a block of cream cheese](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/pMFuUv8M5PZQHBNXc9hqg0ZZb1o=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cream-cheese-and-pepper-jelly-7_4x3-2000-78bd86c2d4014ba2bd5b80b8f3fd07c8.jpg)
No cooking or prep is involved to pull together this two-ingredient appetizer that has long been a favorite of Southern grandmothers.
Ham-and-Cheese Sliders
![Ham-And-Cheese Sliders](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/R4VtfBkSCB2H9h0dZCSbzyHY8e4=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/seo_slbatch14_hamandcheesesliders_0014-s-2000-c5eb5acf98524c8081ee82b0a8cb9f9c.jpg)
Southerners will always love Hawaiian rolls, and this classic slider recipe is just one of the reasons.
Spinach-Artichoke Dip
![Spinach-Artichoke Dips](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/JSoO3a1AIzfpKaBBq5s6-vzusGk=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/spinach-artichoke-dip-0419seo_007_1_0-09a811d283e1411dbf1449f71e517e64.jpg)
A good dip is a welcome appetizer for any occasion. Offer chips, vegetables, or a combination of both for dipping.
Party Cheese Ball
![party cheese ball](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/tTm-b8Ca9dAIdePDCYKkdP-M5CE=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/southern-living-Cheese_Ball_001-e0899ded398f41c791e2770de35c3f08.jpg)
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
This basic cheese ball recipe comes together in just 10 minutes.
Baked Brie In Puff Pastry
![Baked Brie In Puff Pastry](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/Q9eHafV-Ype9zhtdPEZAJZFy_VI=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/southern-living-Baked-Brie-In-Puff-Pastry-3x4-148-8ed59ad3d8764aec8fa50ce9a2c0e7f9.jpg)
Alison Miksch; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Easily upgrade Brie into a warm appetizer by baking it in a prepared puff pastry from the grocery store.
Cheddar Cheese Straws
![Cheese Straws](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/bBQZHWWWw1lWBQ-Mapb2Fyvh15Y=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/southern-living-27087_CHEESE_STRAWS_169_preview-f87ab175b97342b68fea4366a78d6161.jpg)
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford
Pantry staples come together to create one of the South's favorite appetizers.
Buttered Saltines
![Butter-Baked Saltine Crackers](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/kuxNPVhMQZ_WCgaRBMbsMTB6Zqc=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/southern-living-Butter-BakedSaltine_TK-0090_preview-bb4ba3e805ec4054b6ca258b3c506b99.jpg)
Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
You can keep both ingredients for this simple, two-ingredient appetizer on hand so you can easily pull an appetizer together even with short notice.
Texas Caviar
![Texas Caviar Recipe](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/tJfEdn-WTBA9XA7dlLr3M4ko7ug=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Texas_Caviar_003_1x1-7d2e24ca49f94796bc7af2b0438a4d0a.jpg)
This no-cook dip just requires some chopping and a little stirring to pull together.
Picnic Egg Salad
![Picnic Egg Salad](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/HCQg7T_Fu7DWUf61GpIi2mjbYug=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/picnic_egg_salad_2499901_38_0-2000-c822b427f55549a39452872a9519c8ee.jpg)
Whether served on top of a baguette, as a sandwich, or with crackers, you can't go wrong with egg salad as an appetizer for lunch.
Toasted Pecans
![Buttery Toasted Pecans](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/3ZRXR6PbxR5hfADoybbftzne1Dg=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/buttery-toasted-pecans-2000-8b791814b5a34157aec07534c1ef87ed.jpg)
A bowl of toasted nuts is the perfect pre-meal snack that won't fill guests up before the main meal. Grandma even probably had a special bowl reserved for setting them out.
Rotel Sausage Dip
![Rotel Dip](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/Mkp6wBK-Fz9dMr5Fa2qFL9yVia4=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/rotel_dip_0419seo_002_0_1_0_0-d139afd0511847a184f8a2ba2702b9f4.jpg)
Rotel and Velveeta are a dynamic duo that Southerners will always love, For a lighter version, you can skip the sausage.
Ham Salad
![Ham salad with saltine crackers - Southern Living](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/9RpVWSqoT7XPTHwAlIaIP6-gntY=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Ham_Salad_007-877a66767904447191014a971574c913.jpg)
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
There's no way this creamy, meaty salad would not top Grandma's lists of must-serve recipes. Whip this up in just 10 minutes, and scoop on crackers and toasted baguettes.
Ritz Cracker Party Sandwiches
![Ritz Cracker Party Sandwiches - Southern Living](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/nxqh-aV-O84T2PaWxYOH9HX2JkE=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Ritz-Cracker-Party-Sandwiches_beauty_SEO63_58-7cd3bb86f5464b3aa0304a953dfb65b4.jpg)
Morgan Hunt Glaze; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling
Ritz are always in the pantry at Grandma's house. And this recipe makes them the star of the sandwich, which is layered with meat, cheese, and pepper jelly.