30 Easy & Cheesy Appetizers That Your Next Party 100% Needs
We'll take our apps with extra cheese, please.
You know that moment at an Italian restaurant where the waiter asks you to "say when" when they're grating cheese over your food? Well, we basically never want to say when to stop, because that's just how much we love all things cheese. So why not bring that same energy to your appetizer spread? Thankfully, it couldn't be easier to be cheesier with all 30 of these cheesy appetizer recipes you're going to want to keep in your back pocket. With all these cheesy dips, bites, and skewers, any day can be a party, as far as we're concerned.
Cheesy appetizers are not just about whipping out a bag of shredded cheddar and adding it on top as an afterthought. Far from it! It's time to give the spotlight to cheeses on the other side of the cheese case, like goat, feta, and brie. By picking up a log, brick, or wheel of any of these cheeses, you'll instantly elevate any app recipe and fast. Case in point: we've saved many a last-minute party with a batch of baked feta bites, caramelized onion and goat cheese bites, and fried goat cheese bites, so be sure to bookmark all three of those if you tend to be tardy to the party.
Is a party really a party without a cheesy dip? We think not, so we've got plenty of cheesy dip recipes to keep the good times rolling. First things first, you're going to want to master the classics like a queso-style dip (like queso fundido or rotel dip), which always make for a happy crowd, or a beer cheese, like our pub beer cheese or skillet beer cheese recipes From there, pretty much any kind of cheese can be turned into dip form, like we did for our whipped ricotta with olives and peppers, whipped mozzarella dip with burst cherry tomatoes, and cranberry whipped feta dip recipes, so be sure to look beyond that bag of shredded cheese!
Caprese Bites
This is the easiest party appetizer that always wins. The only cooking required is turning your balsamic vinegar into balsamic glaze, but if you'd rather a completely hands-off version, feel free to use a store-bought glaze.
Get the Caprese Bites recipe.
Apple Cheddar Bundles
Think this sounds like a strange combo? You've gotta trust us on this one. If the aroma of toasted puff pastry, roasted apples, and nutty cheddar cheese doesn’t wake up your spirit… we're not sure what will.
Get the Apple Cheddar Bundles recipe.
Skillet Beer Cheese
No matter the occasion, this dip is sure to get the party started. All you need are cheese, beer, a few staple spices and a skillet, and you’ve got a crowd-pleasing appetizer on your hands that will be the star of any campfire feast or game day spread.
Get the Skillet Beer Cheese recipe.
Fondue Bites
If you thought fondue belonged in the 1970s, think again! We’ve hauled this retro party classic into the 21st century by turning it into cheesy bite-sized party snacks, perfect for any festive occasion.
Get the Fondue Bites recipe.
Chicken Parm Pinwheels
These chicken Parm pinwheels take all the cheesy, saucy umami-liciousness of classic chicken Parmesan and put it in the palm of your hand. With rotisserie chicken, store-bought marinara sauce, and crescent roll dough, these come together with minimal prep and cleanup.
Get the Chicken Parm Pinwheels recipe.
Boursin-Stuffed Mushrooms
Stuffed mushrooms are THE appetizer we make for every party, and while our classic recipe is great, sometimes we like to switch it up a bit. Enter boursin cheese. It adds a little something to these that’ll have your guests coming back for more.
Get the Boursin-Stuffed Mushrooms recipe.
Crispy Feta Pockets
Baked brie fans, you’ve got to try our newest baked cheese recipe: crispy baked feta. Saltier and more tangy than brie, feta is irresistible wrapped in a crunchy, Greek-inspired phyllo dough shell with a nice drizzle of honey for sweetness.
Get the Crispy Feta Pockets recipe.
Pimento Cheese
Affectionately known as the “caviar of the South,” pimento cheese has been a Southern party staple since the early 1900s. This soft, creamy spread loaded with shredded cheddar cheese and spiked with diced pimento peppers and hot sauce can be served hot or cold (so make it ahead of time!).
Get the Pimento Cheese recipe.
French Onion Soup Bites
French onion soup is already a bowl of perfection: fortifying broth, sweetly soft onions, a few chunks of bread, and a molten layer of cheese. These little bites prove that perfection can come in many forms.
Get the French Onion Soup Bites recipe.
Pub Beer Cheese
This recipe couldn't be more party-friendly. It whips up in minutes, and you only have to dirty one bowl. This is wonderful with big hard or soft store-bought or homemade pretzels, but truly anything goes.
Get the Pub Beer Cheese recipe.
Cranberry Whipped Feta Dip
If you're looking for a gluten-free holiday appetizer, look no further than this dip: Fresh feta cheese is combined with herbs, garlic, and cream cheese, whipped until super-smooth, then topped with tart homemade cranberry sauce, toasted pistachios, and honey. The result is a salty, creamy, sweet, tart, and absolutely irresistible dip.
Get the Cranberry Whipped Feta Dip recipe.
Buffalo Chicken Dip
We're always looking for more ways to enjoy Buffalo sauce, but when serving a party, this Buffalo chicken dip just might be our favorite version of the classic party appetizer. The best part? It only requires 10 minutes of prep time!
Get the Buffalo Chicken Dip recipe.
Caramelized Onion & Goat Cheese Bites
Little puff pastry squares get topped with caramelized onions and a little crumbled goat cheese for an easy appetizer that always wows. The final step is a light drizzle of honey for that salty sweet combination everyone will love.
Get the Caramelized Onion & Goat Cheese Bites recipe.
Whipped Ricotta With Olives & Roasted Red Peppers
Whipped ricotta is beyond easy to make, even though it sounds so delicate and fancy. Topping with marinated olives and roasted red peppers gives the dip a briny flavor, and the red and green makes it extra festive.
Get the Whipped Ricotta With Olives & Roasted Red Peppers recipe.
Parmesan Bread Bites
If you're a fan of garlic knots, this recipe is basically the bite-sized app version, covered in gooey cheese, garlic butter, and fresh herbs. Sage and thyme are used here to add seasonal flavor, but feel free to add any herbs you prefer.
Get the Parmesan Bread Bites recipe.
Chicken Enchilada Dip
This chicken enchilada-inspired party dip has it all: shredded chicken, tangy cream cheese, two types of melty cheese, saucy enchilada sauce, and savory taco seasoning. Ready in around 30 minutes, this is the perfect last-minute app anytime you need to please a crowd.
Get the Chicken Enchilada Dip recipe.
Bacon Brie Crescent Wreath
Looking for an appetizer that doubles at a centerpiece? This cheesy, savory crescent ring is perfect for your holiday gathering. And if it's a vegetarian app you're after, we'd suggest subbing in sautéed mushrooms for the bacon.
Get the Bacon Brie Crescent Wreath recipe.
Fried Goat Cheese Bites
Attention cheese boards everywhere: Fried goat cheese bites are coming to steal your thunder. Coated in crispy herby bread crumbs and drizzled with honey, these creamy, melt-in-your-mouth morsels will capture the hearts of all your party guests.
Get the Fried Goat Cheese Bites recipe.
Queso Fundido
Queso fundido is a true party trick. It’s likely the lowest-effort, highest-reward party dip, and it’s endlessly adaptable. Do a mix of Monterey, cheddar, Manchego, or mozzarella!
Get the Queso Fundido recipe.
Tomato Feta Pinwheels
These little puff pastry pinwheels are the perfect last minute appetizer—they bake in just 20 minutes and you might already have the ingredients at home. Feel free to get creative with the fillings—we bet crumbly goat cheese or ricotta and roasted red peppers would be great too.
Get the Tomato Feta Pinwheels recipe.
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