These Easy Appetizer recipes are perfect for any occasion! Whether you’re looking for the perfect starter to an elegant dinner or the best dips to serve on game day, these easy appetizer recipes have you covered!
We love doing a meal of appetizers for different holidays, game days or just for a gathering with friends.
These are some of our favorites, and there’s something for every occasion!
How Many Different Appetizers Should I Serve?
This is a question I am constantly trying to answer myself. You definitely don’t want anyone to leave hungry but neither do you want there to be a ton of food leftover.
It also depends on the occasion. An elegant dinner party where the appetizers are just the starters to a nicer meal is a lot different than a holiday cocktail party or game day tailgating where little bites are the main event.
A rule of thumb is to make 2 or 3 appetizers for a dinner party and 5 or 6 for a cocktail party. I like to vary the dishes- maybe one savory, one slightly spicy, a lighter, healthier option, and a dip or two. And don’t forget the meat and cheese board!
Crockpot Little Smokies
A classic holiday appetizer, these throw-and-go little smokies are cooked in a tangy but sweet brown sugar BBQ sauce.
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Pigs in a Blanket
Featuring little smokies wrapped in homemade crescent dough, these pigs in a blanket are ready in 40 minutes. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
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Boneless Chicken Wings
Made with lean meat that's baked instead of fried, then tossed in your favorite sauce, these boneless wings are a healthier, less messy alternative to your favorite chicken wing recipe.
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Easy Stromboli
Ready in less than 30 minutes, slices of this homemade stromboli loaded with meat and cheese are always a hit. Serve with a side of marinara for dipping.
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Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe
Is a party actually a party without buffalo chicken dip?! This cheesy, addictive dip is a must for game-day and can be prepared in the crockpot for ease.
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Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
These Mozzarella Sticks are made in the air fryer for an extra crispy coating!
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Nacho Fries
Load these fries up with as many nacho toppings as desired (including lots and lots of cheese!), pop them in the oven, and then watch them disappear.
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Air Fryer Chicken Wings
These air fryer wings are extra CRISPY but still juicy on the inside. Made in under 30 minutes with just a tiny amount of oil. Toss with buffalo sauce, BBQ sauce, or no sauce at all.
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Ham and Cheese Sliders
These Ham and Cheese Sliders make the perfect 25-minute appetizer or light dinner! Sweet Hawaiian rolls are layered with salty ham and Swiss cheese then topped with honey mustard and butter herb sauce.
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Pizza Rolls
Keep it simple with pepperoni and cheese or add your other favorite toppings – either way, these pizza rolls will be a party hit!
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BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Nachos + VIDEO
These nachos are topped with burger, BBQ sauce, and BACON! Plus lots of cheese, green onions, and any other topping you desire.
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Pepperoni Pizza Cupcakes
All the flavors of pepperoni pizza in grab-and-go wonton cupcake form! Ready in just 20 minutes.
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BBQ Chicken Jalapeno Popper Cupcakes
These wonton cupcakes are filled with all the traditional jalapeno popper ingredients plus BBQ sauce and shredded chicken
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Mini Mexican Wonton Quiche
Filled with ground beef, Mexican spices, and eggs these mini wonton quiches make a great brunch appetizer!
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Rotel Dip
This Rotel Dip is made with fresh ingredients for the best flavor. This classic creamy dip is made with ground beef, Rotel tomatoes, Mexican seasonings, half and half, and cheese.
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Slow Cooker Pineapple Brown Sugar Meatballs
These sweet and savory meatballs are coated with a homemade brown sugar sauce, then heated in the slow cooker. A hit on game day as well as at holiday parties!
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Cranberry Bacon Jam Crostini
This bite-sized appetizer is sweet, salty, smoky, and cheesy! With cranberry jam, these are perfect for the holidays.
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BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Cupcakes
The best bacon cheeseburger ingredients stuffed into wontons for a bite-sized, grab-and-go appetizer!
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Cheesy Chicken Alfredo Dip
Creamy and extra cheesy, this chicken alfredo dip is a must-make for any party. Serve with slices of crusty bread or veggies for dipping.
Get the recipe here
Avocado Cucumber Shrimp Appetizers
With spicy cajun shrimp over a dollop of creamy avocado, these cucumber shrimp bites are the perfect combination of flavors and textures.
Get the recipe here
Creamy Parmesan Mushroom Cup Appetizers
This easy, savory appetizer features puff pastry dough cups filled with fresh mushrooms, cream cheese, parmesan, and lots of garlic.
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Steak Bites with Garlic Butter
If you're looking for an appetizer to impress, you can't go wrong with these tender, juicy steak bites topped with an easy garlic butter.
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Crab Dip
Made with fresh lump crab meat, this easy party dip can be served hot or cold. Serve with bread, crackers, or veggie slices.
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Hot Corn Dip
With just the right amount of heat and a hint of sweetness from the corn, this hot corn dip will disappear quickly.
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Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip – Holiday Appetizer
This savory and sweet holiday dip is a little tart, a little sweet, and absolutely perfect served with apple slices and crackers.
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Smoked Salmon Roll Ups
For a healthier and more elegant appetizer, try these simple smoked salmon roll-ups! Made with salmon, cucumbers, and cream cheese, these can be assembled in seconds.
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Cheesy Bacon Stuffed Mini Peppers
Made with sweet peppers instead of jalapenos, these stuffed peppers are filled with cream cheese and bacon. Serve them roasted in the oven or grilled!
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3 Ingredient Sausage Balls
This traditional holiday appetizer is made with just 3 ingredients! Quick, easy, and addictive!
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Crispy Baked Potato Skins Recipe
After making these potato skins at home, you'll never need to order them in a restaurant again. Enjoy topped with cheddar cheese, bacon, and sour cream.
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Individual Charcuterie Cups
All of your favorite charcuterie board ingredients in easy-to-assemble, portable cups. Customize with your favorite dried meats, cheese, fruits, veggies, and more.
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Cheese, Ham and Olive Bites โ Easy Appetizer
Keep it simple with these appetizer bites made of manchego cheese, ham, and green olives. Easy to assemble and quick to disappear!
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Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
Baked and wrapped with bacon and topped with a sweet and spicy sriracha sauce, these shrimp are a guaranteed crowd pleaser!
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Everything Bagel Cucumber Bites
For a lighter appetizer, try these cucumber bites topped with cream cheese and a sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning.
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Easy Antipasto Skewers
Another fun charcuterie board alternative, these antipasto skewers can be customized with your favorite meat and cheese. Drizzle with balsamic just before serving for an extra special touch.
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BLT Dip
With all the flavors of the classic sandwich, this creamy, cheesy bacon dip can be served with tortilla chips or crackers.
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BLT Bruschetta
Classic bruschetta ingredients combined with bacon, lettuce and tomato, this appetizer is light, fresh and extra garlicky!
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Jalape๏ฟฝo Pimento Cheese
With just the right amount of spice, this spreadable cheese is perfect for serving with bread, crackers, sliced veggies and more.
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Baked Brie Bites
Theseย Baked Brie Bitesย can be made with cranberry and brie, tomato and pesto, redย pepper jellyย with red pepper flakes, or bacon and caramelized onion for a realย crowd pleaserย that everyone will love!
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Easy Cheese Ball Recipe
This Cheese Ball recipe is such a fun, easy appetizer! It's packed full of flavor and perfect with your favorite crackers.
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Jalapeno Poppers
These Jalapeรฑo Poppers are one of my favorite appetizers! They're perfectly spicy and layered with a creamy filling, salty bacon, and crispy Panko.
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Bacon Wrapped Smokies
These Bacon Wrapped Smokies are the perfect appetizer! They're made with 3 ingredients and take 10 minutes to prep. A total crowd-pleaser!
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The Best Appetizer Ideas
Appetizers are almost always my favorite part of a party because it’s a chance to try a handful of different foods and flavors.
I have to admit – there are some nights when dinner in my home consists of appetizers. Those nights are my kids’ favorite dinner nights and I think I love them just as much!
My favorite appetizer recipes are those that are quick and easy to pull together, often requiring only a few minutes of prep and/or a handful of ingredients.
After trying out many different appetizers, I’ve rounded up the best ones here.
These range from classics like buffalo chicken dip and little smokies to charcuterie cups and bacon-wrapped shrimp. So whether you’re going for creamy and cheesy or something a little lighter, you’re sure to find a great recipe here!
Harriet Deeds says
On Wow!!! They all look so good! And most seem easy to make. I will have to decide which ones to save to try! Wish you had them all together in a little pamphlet to keep. I just tried something quick and easy….1pkg of muffin mix(from the dollar tree…Martha White muffin mix) which calls for 1/2 Cup milk…mix….any flavor…makes easy, quick, and good pancakes!!๐. Love your recipes…easy and not time consuming. Thank you!!!
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Harriet! Hope you enjoy them!