50+ Easy Appetizers and Snacks to Get the Party Started
Because we all know that light bites are better than entrées.
How do you make sure have a successful party? It’s not the size of the guest list or the carefully curated music that matters most. Nor is it the feast that you have planned and prepared. No — true party-goers know that a celebration lives and dies based on the quality of the snacks. Greet people at the door with a satisfying bite of food thanks to our list of easy appetizers! Happier guests mean better mingling, which makes for better parties. It’s basically science.
If you’re planning a fête — and it doesn’t matter if you’re thinking of an intimate evening or a big, family BBQ — the first thing you should do is consult this list of appetizers and go from there. We have suggestions for all types of palates, from people who like spicy bites, to health-conscious veggie-lovers, to vegans who still what to chow down on some nachos. It’s all about making a good first impression, after all. Then, once you’ve got your app game plan, you can move on to dinner entrées, side dishes, and desserts. Oh, and don’t forget the cocktails! (Seriously, have you tried the Berry-Basil-Lemon Sangria?)
Chorizo Queso Potato Skins
Fondue is always a good idea, especially when you add homemade potato skins into the mix.
Peach Caprese Salad
This summer salad is a delicious way to switch up the classic tomato, basil and mozzarella appetizer.
Totchos
Liven up store-bought tots with dried spices and a generous sprinkling of cheese, and serve with an epic homemade dip, for the easiest (tastiest!) appetizer ever.
Spaghetti and Meatball Nests
Your go-to weekend dinner becomes a talked-about amuse bouche with the help of a muffin tin.
Best Ever Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Using protein-packed cannellini beans instead of cream cheese in this dip makes for a healthy twist on the classic.
Gingery Shrimp Toasts
Asian flavors provide a contemporary twist on a cocktail-party staple.
BBQ Italian Sausage and Pepper Pie
Whip up these slices quick and easy with frozen pizza dough. Eat the leftovers for lunch — if there are any.
Frico Cups
It's almost dangerous to know how easy it is to make an edible cup out of baked Parmesan cheese — you're going to want to fill them with everything.
Warm Cheddar Dip
This warm, comforting cheese dip is the perfect thing to pair with a big game.
Parmesan-Chive Chips
Appetizers don't get easier (or more delicious) than tossing warm potato chips with two flavor-packed ingredients.
Cheesy Monkey Bread
Move over, garlic knots. Here comes your new fave.
Peach and Proscuitto Flatbreads
Pizza is the perfect easy appetizer. Grill dough and top with fresh summer ingredients for the tastiest party starter.
Herbed Ricotta and Fresh Tomato Tart
Small slices of this easy, cheesy tart make for the perfect summer appetizer.
Cherry Tomato Confit
It only takes four ingredients to make this confit — you might even have all you need hanging around the kitchen already.
Zesty Beet Dip
Serve this spicy, earthy dip with bread, crackers, even raw veggies to dip before dinner.
Old Bay Shrimp
All you need to gussy up some grilled jumbo shrimp is a good dose of Old Bay seasoning.
Charred Salsa
Grilling nearly all of the ingredients before blending gives this easy appetizer its uniquely smoky flavor.
Shrimp Curry Potstickers
The perfect way to start any meal, these flavor-packed dumplings are full of shrimp and zucchini.
Baguette Pizzas
These are so easy to make, you can throw on a variety of toppings to please a wide variety of tastes with little extra effort.
Cheesy Hasselbacks
These are the best way to do loaded potatoes, because there are lots of nooks and crannies for the toppings to hide in.
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