77 Easy Appetizers for Your Next Party

Vegetarian Stuffed Mushrooms

Mixed with a blend of parsley, basil, oregano and bread crumbs, soy crumbles make a delightful addition to these savory vegetarian stuffed mushrooms. —Arline Aaron of Brooklyn, New York

Want to serve guests something impressive yet easy to make? Check out these interesting party food ideas.

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Baked Brie in Puff Pastry

This rich, stylish baked brie in puff pastry adds an elegant touch to any get-together.

Bacon Cheddar Dip

Give this bacon dip a try if you’re looking for an easy party appetizer to serve with crackers, potato chips or vegetables. Ranch salad dressing adds a little zest. —Kathy Westendorf, Westgate, Iowa

Creamy Crab Wontons

How about a fast, easy appetizer just for two? These hot, crispy crab wontons boast a rich and creamy filling. They simply melt in your mouth. —Robin Boynton, Harbor Beach, Michigan

Mustard Pretzel Dip

This flavorful pretzel dip recipe is addictive, so be careful! It's also delicious served with pita chips, crackers and fresh veggies.—Iola Egle, Bella Vista, Arkansas

Simmered Smoked Links

No one can resist the sweet and spicy glaze on these bite-sized sausages. They’re effortless to prepare, and they make a perfect party appetizer. Serve them on frilled toothpicks to make them extra fancy.

Artichoke Caprese Platter

I dressed up the classic Italian trio of mozzarella, tomatoes and basil with marinated artichokes. It looks so yummy on a pretty platter set out on a buffet. Using fresh mozzarella is the key to its great taste. —Margaret Wilson, San Bernardino, California

Hot Seafood Spread

Bake this hot seafood spread in a hollowed-out pumpernickel or white round bread loaf. Serve it with bread cubes, pita bread or assorted raw veggies. —Linda Doll, St. Albert, Alberta

Fried Cheese Ravioli

Be sure to make enough of these crispy coated ravioli. They're bound to be a hit at your party. The golden brown pillows are easy to pick up and dip in a red sauce. —Kate Dampier, Quail Valley, California

Dill Pickle Dip

My love for pickles led me to create this dill pickle dip. It's so easy to whip together. But be warned...it's addicting! —April Anderson, Forest Lake, Minnesota

Chicken Salad in Baskets

When I first made this easy appetizer, it was a big hit. Now my husband often asks me to fix them for meetings and parties. —Gwendolyn Fae Trapp, Strongsville, Ohio

Ham Pickle Pinwheels

My mom introduced me to this ham pickle pinwheels appetizer a number of years ago, and I’ve been making them as a party appetizer ever since. They are easy to make and are always well received by guests. —Gloria Jarrett, Loveland, Ohio

Hot Corn Dip

A flavorful mixture of vegetables and cheese, this hot corn dip is great to share at a party. I assemble it in the morning and serve it later. —Pam Gauld, Watkinsville, Georgia

Barbecued Meatballs

Grape jelly and chili sauce are the secrets that make this easy appetizer so fantastic. If I’m serving them at a party, I prepare the meatballs and sauce in advance and reheat them right before guests arrive. —Irma Schnuelle, Manitowoc, Wisconsin

Terrific Tomato Tart

Signature Mediterranean ingredients—including basil, tomatoes, feta and phyllo—meld beautifully in this fresh and airy flatbread-like dish. —Diane Halferty, Corpus Christi, Texas

Zippy Curry Dip

Everyone eats their vegetables when this creamy dip is served alongside them. The curry flavor gets stronger the longer the dip stands, so I like to make it in advance. —Priscilla Steffke, Wausau, Wisconsin

Check out these Crockpot dips, too!

Grilled Chicken, Mango & Blue Cheese Tortillas

Here's a fantastic outdoor appetizer to kick-start your summer get-togethers. We double or triple the ingredients when we host parties. —Josee Lanzi, New Port Richey, Florida

Cranberry Cream Cheese Spread

This easy party appetizer is a snap to make, taking only 10 minutes from start to finish. Thanks to its hint of sweetness, both kids and adults will gobble it up. —Frankie Robinson, Lockhart, Texas

Miniature Corn Dogs

Fun-sized corn dogs add a little "wow" factor to any cookout or get-together. Kids and adults equally love them, so expect them to disappear fast. —Deb Perry, Bluffton, Indiana

Pimiento Cheddar Spread

I was a theater major in college, and our director's mother always made sure we were well fed. I was particularly fond of her pimiento cheese sandwiches and tried making a similar spread for crackers. It tastes just as good as I remember! —Katrina Jameson, Brandon, Mississippi

Celebrating a milestone? Check out our best retirement party food ideas.

Sweet & Spicy Jalapeno Poppers

There’s no faster way to get a party started than with these bacon jalapeno poppers. Make them ahead and bake just before serving. Even the those who are intolerant of hot peppers will love them. —Dawn Onuffer, Crestview, Florida

Fried Chicken and Pulled Pork Cornbread Poppers

These fun little apps are an instant conversation starter wherever they're served. We love them on game day, but they'd be a hit at brunch, too. —Crystal Schlueter, Babbitt, Minnesota

Cucumber Canapes

I always get requests for the recipe for these canapes whenever I serve them. They're delicate finger sandwiches with a creamy herb spread and festive red and green garnishes. —Nadine Whittaker, South Plymouth, Massachusetts

Garlic Knots

These novel garlic knots are handy because they can be made ahead of time and reheated when needed. —Jane Paschke, University Park, Florida

Loaded Baked Potato Dip

I never thought of using waffle-cut fries as a scoop for dip until a friend of mine did at a baby shower. This easy party appetizer tastes just like a baked potato topper. —Betsy King, Duluth, Minnesota

Buffalo Chicken Pockets

Here’s my idea of party food made easy: biscuits flavored with Buffalo wing sauce and blue cheese. They’re my Friday night favorite. —Maria Regakis, Saugus, Massachusetts

Quick Focaccia Bread

Green olives complement this quick focaccia recipe for an easy pizza-like bread. With very few ingredients, it’s still packed with flavor. Serve the focaccia as an appetizer or alongside pasta, soup or salad for a mouthwatering meal.—Ivy J Laffoon, Ceres, California

Party Pesto Pinwheels

I took a couple of my favorite recipes and combined them into these delicious hors d’oeuvres. The colorful and impressive party appetizer comes together easily with refrigerated crescent roll dough, prepared pesto sauce and a jar of roasted red peppers. —Kathleen Farrell, Rochester, New York

Peachy Jalapeno Guacamole

Fresh jalapenos and summer-ripe peaches give this creamy guacamole so much flavor. It's got a little kick, but I love that it's not so spicy it burns off my taste buds! —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia

Mini Phyllo Tacos

For an easy party appetizer, serve crispy phyllo cups filled with taco-seasoned ground beef and shredded cheese. These handheld bites will be a surefire hit with a hungry crowd. —Roseann Weston, Philipsburg, Pennsylvania

Honey Horseradish Dip

We love having appetizers on Friday night instead of a meal, and during the summer we enjoy cooler foods. This surprising dip adds just the right amount of zing. —Ann Marie Eberhart, Gig Harbor, Washington

Hot Dog Sliders with Mango-Pineapple Salsa

For parties, we shrink down lots of foods, including these quick hot dogs, to slider size. Pile on the easy but irresistible fruit salsa for a burst of fresh flavor. —Carole Resnick, Cleveland, Ohio

Garlic-Herb Mini Quiches

Looking for an easy appetizer to impress guests? You’ve got it—and you need only five ingredients to make these tasty apps! —Josephine Piro, Easton, Pennsylvania

Lemon-Herb Salmon Toasts

Quick, easy and tasty, my salmon toasts make irresistible pary appetizers. —Christie Wells, Lake Villa, Illinois

Walnut & Fig Goat Cheese Log

Here’s an easy party appetizer that calls for only a handful of ingredients. The tablespoon of honey is optional, but I think that touch of sweetness nicely complements the tang of the goat cheese. —Ana-Marie Correll, Hollister, California

Cucumber-Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes

Besides being tasty, these little tomato poppers are extra awesome because you can make them ahead of time. At parties, I often triple the recipe because they disappear fast. —Christi Martin, Elko, Nevada

Chicken Chili Wonton Bites

Everyone needs a surefire, easy party appetizer or picnic recipe. Wonton wrappers filled with chicken and spices make flavorful bites for fun on the run. —Heidi Jobe, Carrollton, Georgia

Chicken Skewers with Cool Avocado Sauce

I’m always looking for lighter recipes to take on tailgate outings—and this one works fabulously for grilling. Just whip up the marinade, add the chicken and take it along to the pregame festivities. —Veronica Callaghan, Glastonbury, Connecticut

Tomato-Goat Cheese Spread

A good friend shared this recipe with me. It is super easy and so delicious. Guests will love it! It's best served with crackers that aren't strongly seasoned. —Linda Alexander, Madison, Wisconsin

Spicy Edamame

Edamame (pronounced eh-duh-MAH-may) are young soybeans in their pods. While I love to get them with my sushi when I go out, they are also so easy to make at home. —Mark Neufang, Bayshore, Wisconsin

Garlic-Cheese Flatbread

Unless you plan to make two, don’t count on leftovers. As an easy party appetizer or side, this cheesy flatbread will be devoured in less time than it takes to bake. And that’s not long! —Suzanne Zick, Maiden, North Carolina

Make this cheesy flatbread more cheesy with Queso Dip. Learn how to spice up queso dip to make it even more interesting!

Layered Mediterranean Dip with Pita Chips

Not your ordinary layer dip, the bold combination of hummus and Greek yogurt will be a new most-requested recipe at your next baby shower or gathering. —Elizabeth Dumont, Boulder, Colorado

Mini Zucchini Pizzas

This simple snack is the perfect, low-carb way to satisfy your pizza cravings. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

You’ll also love these rye bread pizzas, too!

Marshmallow Fruit Dip

You can whip up this sweet and creamy dip in just 10 minutes. I like to serve it in a bowl surrounded by fresh-picked strawberries at spring brunches or luncheons. —Cindy Steffen, Cedarburg, Wisconsin

Crab Phyllo Cups

I always like a dot of chili sauce on top of these easy party apps. If you’re out of crab, try them with water-packed tuna. —Johnna Johnson, Scottsdale, Arizona

Pastrami Roll-Ups

For a book club event, I created pastrami roll-ups with cream cheese and a pickle. Those tasty bites quickly pulled a disappearing act. —Merritt Heinrich, Oswego, Illinois

Brownie Batter Dip

I’m all about the sweeter side of dips, and this brownie-batter variety fits in with my life’s philosophy: Chocolate makes anything better. Grab some fruit, cookies or salty snacks and start dunking. —Mel Gunnell, Boise, Idaho

Cucumber Party Sandwiches

This is one of my favorite easy party appetizers. We have lots of pig roasts here in Kentucky, and these small sandwiches are perfect to serve while the pig is roasting. —Rebecca Rose, Mount Washington, Kentucky

Apricot Turkey Pinwheels

I created these unique pinwheels for a football game snack using ingredients I had on hand. They were a huge hit! I appreciate how quick and easy they are to prepare. —Melanie Foster, Blaine, Minnesota

Party Franks

These tiny, tangy party appetizers have broad appeal. I prepare them often for holiday gatherings, weddings and family reunions. They’re convenient to serve at parties since the sauce can be made ahead and then reheated with the franks before serving. —Lucille Howell, Portland, Oregon

Pressure-Cooker Garlic-Dill Deviled Eggs

Easter isn't complete without deviled eggs. I like to experiment with my recipes, and was pleasantly surprised with how the fresh dill really perked up the flavor of these irresistible appetizers. —Kami Horch, Frankfort, Maine

Garlic Garbanzo Bean Spread

My friends and family always ask me to make this easy party appetizer. I guarantee you’ll be asked for the recipe. —Lisa Moore, North Syracuse, New York

Nutty Stuffed Mushrooms

Basil, Parmesan cheese and mushroom blend together well, while buttery pecans give these treats a surprising crunch. Our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren always ask for them! —Mildred Eldred, Union City, Michigan

Caprese Salad Kabobs

Trade in the usual veggie platter for these fun kabobs. In addition to preparing these for get-togethers, I often make these as snacks for my family. And because assembly is so easy, the kids often ask to help. —Christine Mitchell, Glendora, California

Bacon Cream Cheese Pinwheels

It’s hard to resist a crescent roll, bacon and cream cheese in one bite! Kids, friends, everyone will scarf these cream cheese pinwheels down. Now I bake a double batch whenever we need an easy party appetizer. —Krista Munson, Sharpsburg, Kentucky

Pomegranate Pistachio Crostini

Pomegranate seeds intrigued me, so I sliced French bread, smeared it with cream cheese and added seeds, pistachios and chocolate. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

Mini Hot Browns

Here's my take on the famous Hot Brown sandwich. Guests quickly saddle up for juicy turkey slices and crispy bacon piled on toasted rye bread and then topped with a rich cheese sauce. —Annette Grahl, Midway, Kentucky

Olive-Stuffed Celery

My grandmother taught both me and my mom this easy appetizer recipe for stuffed celery. We always serve it at Christmas and Thanksgiving. The stuffing is so yummy that even if you don’t normally care for the ingredients on their own, you’ll love the end result. —Stacy Powell, Santa Fe, Texas

Grilled Red Pepper Dip

We grill peppers with rosemary and garlic, then blend them with sun-dried tomatoes for a creamy spread to pass with pita chips. —Donna Alwine, Bloomington, Indiana

Chili-Lime Roasted Chickpeas

Looking for a lighter snack that's still a crowd pleaser? You've found it! These zesty, crunchy chickpeas will have everyone happily munching. —Julie Ruble, Charlotte, North Carolina

Sweet Pea Pesto Crostini

I made a healthier spin on my favorite celebrity chef’s recipe by subbing in vegetable broth for some of the oil and going easy on the cheese. To top crostini, use this recipe for a paste-like pesto. For use on pasta, add more broth for a saucelike consistency. —Amber Massey, Argyle, Texas

Garlic-Parmesan Cheese Ball

This is one of our easy party appetizer mainstays. It complements most meals and is so easy to prepare and dress up with a variety of garnishes. —Susan Seymour, Valatie, New York

Shrimp & Cucumber Rounds

I always make these easy appetizers for our get-togethers. They’re easy to prepare and a snappy addition to any party. —Kelly Alaniz, Eureka, California

Fresh Corn & Avocado Dip

I alter my sister's recipe by adding a finely chopped jalapeno pepper for a little heat. This tasty dip can be made ahead of time and refrigerated until serving. —Pat Roberts, Thornton, Ontario

Tuscan Truffles

For holiday potlucks, I make an appetizer truffle out of prosciutto, figs and toasted pine nuts. Mascarpone and goat cheese make them melt-in-your-mouth creamy. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California

Spinach Dip in a Bread Bowl

When we get together with friends, I like to prepare this creamy spinach dip. It's a real crowd pleaser. —Janelle Lee, Appleton, Wisconsin

Brie Puff Pastry

My husband was in the Air Force, so we’ve entertained guests all over the United States. I acquired this easy party appertizer while in California. It’s one of my favorite special appetizers. —Sandra Twait, Tampa, Florida

Fried Jalapenos

Here’s an easy party appetizer that will heat up any gathering. Family and friends often request that I make these jalapenos. —DeLea Lonadier, Montgomery, Louisiana

Blue Cheese Potato Chips

Game day calls for something bold. I top potato chips with tomatoes, bacon and tangy blue cheese. I make two big pans, and they always disappear. —Bonnie Hawkins, Elkhorn, Wisconsin

Marinated Cheese

This easy party appetizer always makes it to our neighborhood parties and is the first to disappear at the buffet table. It’s attractive, delicious—and easy! —Laurie Casper, Coraopolis, Pennsylvania

Cheesy Quesadillas

We serve these quesadillas as chili dippers or load them up with salsa and sour cream for a super starter. —Terri Keeney, Greeley, Colorado

Broccoli & Chive Stuffed Mini Peppers

There’s plenty of both crunch and cream in these easy party appetizers. Fresh chives help them really stand out. —Jean McKenzie, Vancouver, Washington

Chunky Blue Cheese Dip

Every time I make this quick blue cheese dip, someone asks for the recipe. It only requires a few items, so its a snap to put together. I often prepare the thick spread with Gorgonzola cheese and serve it with toasted pecans. —Sandy Schneider Naperville, Illinois

Fontina Asparagus Tart

This lemony tart is loaded with fontina cheese and fresh asparagus. It's a snap to make but looks really impressive. Be advised…your guests will be vying for the last tasty slice. —Heidi Meek, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Toasted Ravioli Puffs

I call toasted ravioli a fan favorite because it disappears faster than I can make it. With just five ingredients, this is how you start the party. —Kathy Morgan, Temecula, California

Tex-Mex Dip

Sit back and relax with your family while enjoying this creamy dip. Colorful and festive, it's easy to put together ahead of time, which makes it perfect for game day. — Mary Anne McWhirter, Pearland, Texas

Spicy Shrimp Salsa

Radishes add a wonderful crunch to this colorful salsa that is also superb over grilled fish. There's just enough jalapeno to give flavor without much of the heat. —Mary Beth Relyea, Canastota, New York

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