Go ahead, be an overachiever in the kitchen with these simple make-ahead appetizers! We love to see it, and we especially love it when it means having these beyond easy recipes for party-starting appetizers ready well before your guests arrive. Because why should you have to stress when it comes to party time? With these low-effort, make-ahead recipes for killer apps, you'll be able to enjoy your company (and plenty of pub beer cheese and shrimp cocktail).
One of our favorite foolproof appetizers to keep your crowd happy? Dips. We love them so much, and we're always happy to have leftovers to keep on dipping, for spreading on a sandwich or even stuffing into chicken. Our favorites (like hummus, sour cream and onion dip, and Crockpot spinach and artichoke dip) are also perfect to store until it's party time, in addition to being super-easy to make in large batches too. And if you have a sweet-tooth, you'll really love digging into our recipes for cannoli chips and dip and pumpkin pie dip.
In our kitchens, we have a few secret tools we like to bust out around party o'clock: our slow-cookers and air-fryers. They make so many of our top appetizers a breeze to put together, often just requiring a few minutes of prep before we can sneak out of the kitchen to enjoy our company. Those powerhouses will certainly earn their spot on the counter once you make our recipes for Crockpot grape jelly meatballs, air-fryer crunchy chili-spiced chickpeas, and slow-cooker Buffalo ranch wings. We pinky promise.
Pumpkin Cheese Ball
Part retro, part cult classic, it’s hard to go wrong with a cheese ball. This festive pumpkin rendition may not contain any actual pumpkin, but it’s full of fresh herbs, minced jalapeño, and of course, plenty of cheese. Make a cheeseboard featuring one for the easiest, low-key healthy weeknight meal that'll still feel a little festive this holiday season.
Get the Pumpkin Cheese Ball recipe.
Reuben Pickle Bites
Here at Delish, we’re all about a good reuben sandwich. Creamy dressing, corned beef, Swiss cheese… what’s not to love? Pair all those delicious ingredients between pickle chips for the the perfect bite-size appetizer (and they come together SO fast).
Get the Reuben Pickle Bites recipe.
Pub Beer Cheese
When we’re looking for a real crowd-pleasing recipe, we always trust in beer cheese. We've done it in a skillet with pretzel dog beer cheese dip, over cheesy beer brats, on beer cheese sliders, and even folded it into beer cheese macaroni for the most genius comfort food ever. There's one way we had never done it: COLD. 😲
Get the Pub Beer Cheese recipe.
Sour Cream & Onion Dip
Letting the onions caramelize properly is key to the flavor of this dip. Going low and slow allows them to develop color while breaking down and becoming sweet and jammy. Stir them into this easy dip with some chives, and you have a simple appetizer that's crazy addicting. It will stay good in the fridge for a few days, so it's great to make ahead of time.
Get the Sour Cream & Onion Dip recipe.
Cheese Straws
Crunchy, flaky, and cheesy. What's not to love? These cheese straws are studded with cheddar, green onions, and sesame seeds for the most flavor-packed cheese straws we've ever had. Using store-bought puff pastry makes them extremely easy to pull together for a party!
Get the Cheese Straws recipe.
Slow-Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs
Grape jelly meatballs might not sound like an ideal combo, but trust us, it is! The sweet jelly mixed with smoky BBQ sauce is a match made in heaven. We added some sriracha to give it a bit of a kick.
Air Fryer Crunchy Chili-Spiced Chickpeas
Your air fryer is the perfect device for making perfectly crispy chickpeas, since it both removes moisture from the legumes without adding in fat. Here, they're seasoned with chili powder for a deeply savory, slightly spicy snack. The spices are super-easy to mix up in future batches. Swap in za'atar and sprinkle the chickpeas over creamy hummus or try curry powder instead and serve the chickpeas over Greek yogurt with cilantro and pickled red onions.
Brown Butter Radish Crostini
We think crunchy, peppery red radishes are underrated, so we decided to give them the spotlight in this fresh crostini. How to balance that strong peppery flavor? Queue sweet, caramelized brown butter, whipped into an unctuous cloud: the perfect foil for paper-thin radish rounds. While it may sound fancy, it all comes together in under 30 minutes for an app to impress.
Get the Brown Butter Radish Crostini recipe.
Ultimate Holiday Cheese Board
A cheese board is one of the best appetizers to serve at a holiday gathering because it's easy to execute, shareable, and totally customizable. What's better than a gorgeous wooden board piled high with a variety of high-quality cheeses, cured meats, silky spreads (like fig jam!), nuts, fruit, and more?
Get the Ultimate Holiday Cheese Board recipe.
Harissa Deviled Eggs
Give your classic deviled eggs a spicy kick with store-bought harissa (Tunisian chili pepper paste) and crispy fried shallots. Tip: Because spice level can vary brand to brand with harissa, start small and build up to control the heat!
Get the Harissa Deviled Eggs recipe.
Bruschetta
Nothing screams summer quite like bruschetta. Start by rubbing the toasted bread with garlic for an extra kick of flavor, then top them with simple marinated tomatoes for the ultimate summer snack.
Get the Bruschetta recipe.
Shrimp Cocktail
Shrimp cocktail is a classic, and it couldn't be easier. We've updated this party standby with a zesty homemade sauce that packs a flavorful punch thanks to ketchup, chili sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. The secret ingredient? A small amount of celery salt ties it all together.
Get the Shrimp Cocktail recipe.
Greek Feta Dip
Loaded with cucumbers, tomatoes, and feta, this dip has plenty of the flavors of a Greek salad, plus a smooth, fluffy consistency thanks for yogurt, cream cheese, and feta. Full disclaimer: This recipe makes a lot of dip and can easily be halved (but we've never had a problem demolishing it).
Get the Greek Feta Dip recipe.
Jalapeño Cheese Crisps
What's better than a cripsy, cheesy, bacon-y bite with a bit of heat? Ready in 25 minutes (with only four ingredients!), this simple app begs to be doubled—it'll go fast, trust us.
Get the Jalapeño Cheese Crisps recipe.
Creamy Hummus
Hummus is a Middle Eastern dish made of chickpeas and tahini. We love adding plenty of garlic or roasted red peppers and other spices (like everything bagel seasoning) for added flavor. Carrots and cucumber spears make a crisp, refreshing snack, especially when you pair them with a dip that can withstand the heat, like hummus.
Get the Creamy Garlic Hummus recipe.
Antipasto Bites
Fresh tortellini makes this the hearty party appetizer of our dreams. If you're not a fan of olives, pepperoncini peppers would be a delicious substitute!
Get the Antipasto Bites recipe.
BLT Egglets
It's hard not to crack a smile when we see a plate of these adorably bite-sized apps. We kept these simple, but you could definitely jazz them up if you want. Try swapping out romaine for mixed greens or arugula, or adding different vegetables (we think a perfect little round of sautéed zucchini would be nice). Want to keep this completely vegetarian? Try one of our bacon dupes, like our sweet potato bacon or eggplant bacon.
Get the BLT Egglets recipe.
Sausage Balls
Many of you might be thinking: "Wait, what even is a sausage ball?!" The answer: addictive bites of cooked pork sausage, cheddar, and Bisquick that will be the most popular appetizer at your next get-together.
Get the Sausage Balls recipe.
Slow Cooker Spinach and Artichoke Dip
If spinach artichoke dip is one of those things you get really excited about a party but you often feel like it takes too much effort to make at home, this slow-cooker version is for you!
Get the Slow Cooker Spinach and Artichoke Dip recipe.
Slow-Cooker Buffalo Ranch Wings
Any true sports fan knows that Game Day isn't complete without Buffalo ranch something. These are doused in ranch seasoning and sprinkled with fresh chives for extra flavor.
Get the Slow-Cooker Buffalo Ranch Chicken Wings recipe.
