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31 Hearty Apps That Will Replace Dinner Altogether

With apps this good, who needs a main course?

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sausage rolls

In our heart of hearts, we know this to be true of many members of Team Delish: If we could make a dinner out of our favorite appetizers every night, we absolutely would. Cheesy, dippable, bite-sized appetizers might as well be a food group for us, and we think it's time these filling appetizers deserved the dinnertime spotlight. Thankfully all of these hearty party appetizers are the epitome of a two-for-one special, being both delicious and hearty enough to replace your dinner plans. And yes, this is us giving you the formal permission to eat air fryer pizza rolls for dinner!

One of the easiest ways to make some beyond-filling dinner apps involves using two of our trusty kitchen sidekicks: pre-made crescent dough and puff pastry. Case in point: our recipes for antipasto roll-ups, French dip pinwheels, and sausage rolls. And if you're lucky to have some leftover ham and cheese pinwheels, they make an excellent lunch too.

More of a dip aficionado? We totally relate. Just be warned, once you set down a platter of our cheesy mini meatball skillet dip, you might find it hard to get a scoop in edgewise! The same is true for our cheesy mini meatball skillet dip recipe and the king of all party dips, Buffalo chicken dip too. And the fun doesn't stop there. Most of these appetizer recipes come with their own dips, like our recipes for tempeh Buffalo "wings", air fryer coconut shrimp, and baked falafel bites with spicy mint tahini dip.

Finish off your truly appetizing meal with our favorite cocktails and mocktails. If you can help it, be sure to save some room for a bite-sized dessert or two!

1

Mac & Cheese Pizza Bites

mac and cheese with pepperonis in a muffin tin shape
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Held together by pepperoni, these mac & cheese bites are a pizza lover's dream, with creamy mac, pepperoni, and plenty of Parm. We bake this party pleaser in muffin tins to create a bite-sized app that is perfect for game day snacking too.

Get the Mac & Cheese Pizza Bites recipe.

2

Sausage Rolls

sausage rolls

If you like pigs in a blanket, you’ll fall hard for sausage rolls. Featuring juicy pork filling wrapped in flaky golden brown pastry, these savory snacks are sure to become your new favorite party food.

Get the Sausage Rolls recipe.

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3

Bacon Guac Bombs

bacon guac bombs
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Bacon + guacamole = our ideal combo always. Put them in bite-sized form like these in these snack bombs, and we truly can't get enough. Homemade guacamole is rolled into pieces of bacon in these keto-friendly apps that are just as perfect for snacking on throughout the day as they are at your next party.

Get the Bacon Guac Bombs recipe.

4

Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

buffalo chicken meatballs
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: SPENCER RICHARDS

We all love classic Buffalo wings on game day, but sometimes we crave something a little bit more creative than the staple app. Enter: Buffalo chicken meatballs.

Get the Buffalo Chicken Meatballs recipe.

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5

Maple Cranberry Baked Brie

wrapped baked brie topped with cranberry and maple and served with crackers
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Get your holiday parties started right with this seasonal spin on classic baked brie. An easy-to-make homemade maple and cranberry jam gets layered into buttery puff pastry-wrapped brie, then drizzled with maple syrup for an app no one will be able to stop eating.

Get the Maple Cranberry Baked Brie recipe.

6

Crab Cake Egg Rolls

jumbo lump crab, tossed with mayo, chili garlic sauce, and old bay seasoning, folded in a wonton wrapper, then deep fried until deep golden brown and crisp
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: LENA ABRAHAM

These two-bite beauties combine the decadence of a crab cake, and the crisp-chewy texture of your favorite take-out side all into one platter-friendly package. Fresh jumbo lump crab gets tossed with scallions, panko, a little bit of mayo, and Old Bay seasoning, then snuggly wrapped in a wonton wrapper before taking a dunk in hot oil until golden brown.

Get the Crab Cake Egg Rolls recipe.

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7

Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

close up of ham and cheese pinwheels garnished with poppy seeds
Joel Goldberg

These ham and cheese pinwheels are made easy using store-bought crescent roll dough. They're 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 and Cheese Pinwheels recipe.

8

Baked Feta Bites

puff pastry with feta rosemary and peppers
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

If you love the TikTok-famous baked feta pasta and the delightful sophistication of our cranberry brie bites, then brace yourself: These little appetizers are the culinary revelation that combines the best of both worlds.

Get the Baked Feta Bites recipe.

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9

Air Fryer Crab Cakes

air fryer crab cakes
Andrew bui

Crab cakes are the best because you get all the deliciousness of crab without all of the tedious, messy work of pulling meat from the shells. Since you're already skipping that mess, go even further and skip the pan-fry too. These are the ideal dish to cook in the air fryer, because you can get that perfect crispy texture without oil-logged cakes.

Get the Air Fryer Crab Cakes recipe.

10

Smoked Trout Spread

smoked trout spread with chives and dill
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: LENA ABRAHAM

This easy-to-make appetizer is a guaranteed hit at any holiday party. Creamy, smoky, and bright, it's delicious piled onto toasted bread, crackers, or crisp endive leaves.

Get the Smoked Trout Spread recipe.

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11

Roasted Shrimp Cocktail With Lemon-Horseradish Aioli

roasted shrimp cocktail with lemon horseradish aioli
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: LENA ABRAHAM

Typically, shrimp cocktail brings to mind a large platter of chilled shrimp and a sweet, tangy sauce. This twist on the dinner party classic embraces and enhances the signature flavors by roasting the shrimp instead. Bonus: it comes together in less than 30 minutes!

Get the Roasted Shrimp Cocktail With Lemon-Horseradish Aioli recipe.

12

Cheesy Mini Meatball Skillet Dip

mini meatball skillet dip garnished scallion and red onion
PHOTO & FOOD STYLING: ANDREW BUI

Part cheese dip, part meatballs, this skillet dip is not only delicious, but a fun activity for the whole family. To keep it cute and easy-to-eat, mini-meatballs are the way to go. Gather up your little helpers, wash those hands clean, and get to shaping: You should yield at least 60 meatballs.

Get the Cheesy Mini Meatball Skillet Dip recipe.

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13

Cranberry-Glazed Turkey Meatballs

turkey meatballs covered in a red cranberry glaze
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

With a sweet and tangy glaze made with cranberry sauce and thyme- and sage-speckled turkey meatballs, these are great for serving with toothpicks as an app or over fluffy mashed potatoes for a low-key weeknight dinner.

Get the Cranberry-Glazed Turkey Meatballs recipe.

14

Air Fryer Potstickers

air fryer potstickers with bacon
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

We here at Delish love dumplings of all kinds, but making them completely from scratch can be a lot. If you want something that’s a little less work intensive (and you love using your air fryer), this recipe is all yours.

Get the Air Fryer Potstickers recipe.

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15

Bacon-Wrapped Scallops

bacon wrapped scallops
Photographer: Lucy Schaeffer. Food Styling: Brooke Caison.

Bacon-wrapped scallops are one of those dishes that wow guests but secretly are so easy to make (only 5 ingredients!). For best results, use big sea scallops and thin-cut, conventional bacon, but feel free to swap out the herbs for whatever you like.

Get the Bacon-Wrapped Scallops recipe.

16

Air Fryer Pizza Rolls

air fryer pizza rolls
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Good news for pizza roll lovers everywhere. The fastest way to make them is also the best way! Your air fryer cooks them up in just 8 minutes while making them the crispiest they've ever been. They will still be piping hot, so be careful on that first bite, just like always! It leaves us wondering how Bagel Bites and Hot Pockets will do.

Get the Air Fryer Pizza Rolls recipe.

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17

Upside-Down Cream Of Mushroom Tartlets

individual puff pastry squares topped with a cheesy mushroom duxelles, slices of roasted mushrooms, and fresh thyme
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

This beginner-friendly TikTok-inspired pastry hack transforms store-bought puff pastry and the sweet or savory filling of your choice into a beautiful bite-sized snack. Our version leans heavily into savory territory with a cream of mushroom soup-inspired filling.

Get the Upside-Down Cream Of Mushroom Tartlets recipe.

18

Herby Baked Falafel Bites With Spicy Mint Tahini Dip

green baked falafel with mint tahini sauce and pita on a pink plate
EMILY HLAVAC GREEN

Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, these falafel are baked, not fried, for less mess. Chickpea flour is your new best friend in this gluten-free treat.

Get the Herby Baked Falafel Bites With Spicy Mint Tahini Dip recipe.

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19

Buffalo Chicken Dip

buffalo chicken dip in a skillet beside carrots, celery, and tortilla chips
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

This instant classic remains a favorite of dip lovers everywhere. It's so quick and easy to make. (This recipe only takes 10 minutes to throw together, though if you want to make it even EASIER, you can choose to make it in your slow cooker.)

Get the Buffalo Chicken Dip recipe.

20

Antipasto Bundles

antipasto bundles
PHOTO; ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLIST; BARETT WASHBURNE

Your favorite antipasto just got even better—it’s now wrapped in buttery puff pastry. A couple bites in, and we know you’ll be going back for another (and another!).

Get the Antipasto Bundles recipe.

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