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, with a few extra from friends that I’m excited to try!
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!
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.
(And, being honest – I don’t want to spend more time in the kitchen preparing the food than necessary either!)
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!
35+ Easy Appetizer Recipes
Let's dig into the recipes, shall we? Here are my favorite easy appetizer recipes for everything from a casual dinner to an elegant affair or game day party.
A classic holiday appetizer, these throw-and-go little smokies are cooked in a tangy but sweet brown sugar BBQ sauce.
Featuring little smokies wrapped in homemade crescent dough, these pigs in a blanket are ready in 40 minutes. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
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.
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.
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.
These Mozzarella Sticks are made in the air fryer for an extra crispy coating!
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.
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.
Keep it simple with pepperoni and cheese or add your other favorite toppings - either way, these pizza rolls will be a party hit!
These nachos are topped with burger, BBQ sauce, and BACON! Plus lots of cheese, green onions, and any other topping you desire.
Honey ham and pineapple slices are topped with cheese to make these easy and irresistible sliders.
All the flavors of pepperoni pizza in grab-and-go wonton cupcake form! Ready in just 20 minutes.
These wonton cupcakes are filled with all the traditional jalapeno popper ingredients plus BBQ sauce and shredded chicken
Filled with ground beef, Mexican spices, and eggs these mini wonton quiches make a great brunch appetizer!
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!
This bite-sized appetizer is sweet, salty, smoky, and cheesy! With cranberry jam, these are perfect for the holidays.
The best bacon cheeseburger ingredients stuffed into wontons for a bite-sized, grab-and-go appetizer!
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.
With spicy cajun shrimp over a dollop of creamy avocado, these cucumber shrimp bites are the perfect combination of flavors and textures.
This easy, savory appetizer features puff pastry dough cups filled with fresh mushrooms, cream cheese, parmesan, and lots of garlic.
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.
With bits of bacon and ranch seasoning throughout, this cheese ball is a huge party favorite. Serve with veggies, pretzels, or your favorite crackers.
Made with fresh lump crab meat, this easy party dip can be served hot or cold. Serve with bread, crackers, or veggie slices.
With just the right amount of heat and a hint of sweetness from the corn, this hot corn dip will disappear quickly.
This savory and sweet holiday dip is a little tart, a little sweet, and absolutely perfect served with apple slices and crackers.
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.
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!
This traditional holiday appetizer is made with just 3 ingredients! Quick, easy, and addictive!
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.
All of your favorite charcuterie board ingredients in easy-to-assemble, portable cups. Customize with your favorite dried meats, cheese, fruits, veggies, and more.
Keep it simple with these appetizer bites made of manchego cheese, ham, and green olives. Easy to assemble and quick to disappear!
Baked and wrapped with bacon and topped with a sweet and spicy sriracha sauce, these shrimp are a guaranteed crowd pleaser!
For a lighter appetizer, try these cucumber bites topped with cream cheese and a sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning.
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.
With all the flavors of the classic sandwich, this creamy, cheesy bacon dip can be served with tortilla chips or crackers.
Ready in 15 minutes, these easy puff pastry bites are made with tart cranberry sauce and melty brie cheese.
Classic bruschetta ingredients combined with bacon, lettuce and tomato, this appetizer is light, fresh and extra garlicky!
With just the right amount of spice, this spreadable cheese is perfect for serving with bread, crackers, sliced veggies and more.
A classic UK appetizer, Devils on Horseback are made with just 3 ingredients - dates, almonds, and bacon.
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!!😊. Love your recipes…easy and not time consuming. Thank you!!!
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Harriet! Hope you enjoy them!