It’s not a party without appetizers, and we like to think ours are the best. From dips to bites, we’ve got apps for every holiday shindig, game night, cocktail parties, and more. The ones that always win, no matter what kind of party you’re having? BREAD. Everyone loves a restaurant bread basket, right? Why not give the people what they want and ply them with some beloved carbs before the big meal at home too?
When we say bread, we don’t just mean crostini or crudité either. No, instead we’re utilizing some of our favorite store-bought ingredients and easy hacks to create bread-y apps that you and your guests will flip over. Crescent rolls, pizza dough, and puff pastry mean these come together FAST, but be warned—they’ll also disappear fast, so you might want to make extra!
Looking for something for a more casual party? Check out our 4-way dip (something for everyone!), our sloppy Joe cups, our pretzel ring beer cheese dip, or our pizza rolls. Need apps for a fancier soirée? Our fondue bites, our cheese puffs (or gougeres), or our Parmesan bread bites all have a little extra touch of class. Having a holiday party, and want an appetizer that’s as much centerpiece as it is a snack? Our cheesy green bean & mushroom tart, our baked brie wreath, or our cranberry brie pull-apart bread are just the thing.
Want even more easy party ideas? Check out our favorite holiday punch recipes, our best last-minute appetizers, and our top potluck recipes too.
Garlic Knots
Garlicky, herby and slathered in butter, it's difficult to have just one of these babies. Plus, these knots are ready in under an hour, making them an ideal last-minute appetizer if you're looking for a shareable dish to please a hungry crowd.
Get the Garlic Knots recipe.
Baked Brie In Puff Pastry
We filled ours with raspberry jam, but use your favorite spread or jelly. Drizzle it with some honey and you'll have a warm, cheesy app that feels extra fancy in no time at all.
Get the Baked Brie In Puff Pastry recipe.
French Dip Pinwheels
These easy pinwheels play tribute to our favorite French dip sandwich. Be sure to roll these tight to get those super-tight spirals (and definitely don't skip on the au jus!)
Get the French Dip Pinwheels 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.
Baked Brie Wreath
Honey-glazed melted brie plus herby crispy pizza dough is an equation for true happiness this holiday season. Make your own pizza dough, buy it from the market, or grab some from your favorite pizza shop (all you have to do is ask).
Get the Baked Brie Wreath 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.
Cranberry Brie Pull-Apart Bread
Pull-apart bread reaches a whole new level, thanks to brie and cranberry sauce. Use your favorite homemade sauce recipes, but store-bought works too if you're short for time.
Italian Sub Squares
Like our sheet-pan Italian subs, these are full of your favorite sandwich fillings, this time layered between sweet, golden sheets of crescent roll dough. These savory squares are the perfect app to feed a hungry crowd.
Get the Italian Sub Squares recipe.
4-Way Dip
If the hardest decision is which dip to make for your party, this is the recipe for you. Combining our four favorite dips of Buffalo chicken, spinach artichoke, jalapeño popper, and pizza dip, this dip has something for everyone.
Get the 4-Way Dip recipe.
Pigs In A Blanket
Tiny hot dogs are perfect for literally any celebration. There's something very classic about the crescent roll dough flavor, so we tend to gravitate toward it, but puff pastry or even biscuit dough should work here too.
Get the Pigs In A Blanket recipe.
Brie & Green Bean Bundles
Who needs green bean casserole when you've got these bundles of joy? Perfect for last-minute potlucks, these are sure to please the brie-lovers in your life.
Get the Brie & Green Bean Bundles recipe.
Bacon Brie Crescent Wreath
Looking for an appetizer that doubles at a centerpiece? This cheesy, savory crescent roll ring is perfect for your holiday gathering. We're all about the bacon, but if it's a vegetarian app you're after, we'd suggest subbing in sautéed mushrooms for the meat.
Get the Bacon Brie Crescent Wreath recipe.
Ham & Cheese Pinwheels
These ham and cheese pinwheels are made easy using store-bought crescent roll dough. They are chock-full of melty cheese and savory-sweet ham, topped with fresh parsley and toasty poppy seeds for texture and flavor you and your guests will love.
Get the Ham & Cheese Pinwheels recipe.
Baked Feta Bites
If you’re a fan of our cranberry brie bites, we’ve got news for you: There’s a new app in town, and it’s inspired by another fan fave, baked feta pasta. These features the flavors you know and love, all nestled into bite-sized cups of golden crescent roll dough.
Get the Baked Feta Bites recipe.
Spinach-Artichoke Buns
What’s the key to a savory snack that people can’t get enough of? Start with a classic, then give it a spin—here we took iconic spinach and artichoke dip and turned it into a bun. Doesn’t get much better (or more indulgent!) than that.
Get the Spinach-Artichoke Buns recipe.
Cheesy Garlic Pull-Apart Bread
Garlic bread is always a dinnertime hit, but this fun, shareable take makes it into a party crowd-pleaser too.Plus, it's so fast and easy to whip up: Ready in 30 minutes with very minimal dishes, this pull-apart bread is the perfect last-minute appetizer to please.
Pretzel Ring Beer Cheese Dip
Looking for an amazing dip sure to start your party off right? Look no further. This beer cheese dip is calling your name. Simply put, it’s one of those dishes where two awesome recipes come together... and make something even MORE incredible.
Get the Pretzel Ring Beer Cheese Dip recipe.
Meatball Sub Bites
The meatball sub is a hearty comfort food classic that's been long overdue for a bite-sized upgrade. Enter the meatball sub bite—a juicy herb and garlic meatball stuffed with mozzarella cheese, wrapped in crisp and chewy pizza dough, and served with spicy marinara. 😍
Get the Meatball Sub Bites recipe.
Garlic Bread Pizza Dip
Biscuits > pizza dough, and this recipe is proof. It also comes together in less than an hour, thanks to store-bought canned biscuits.
Get the Garlic Bread Pizza Dip recipe.
Sloppy Joe Cups
Store-bought crescent dough is stuffed with our sloppy Joe recipe before being covered in gooey cheese—what more could you want? They only take a little over half an hour to come together, meaning they're the perfect comfort food for sharing at a casual celebration.
Get the Sloppy Joe Cups recipe.
