Whether you’re hosting a party or going to one, you don’t have to spend hours on an appetizer to make it perfect! Use these suggestions to please the crowd. We didn’t include nutritional info because these recipes are flexible, but if you’d like to calculate for your particular ingredients and crowd, try the recipe calculator here.
Baguette. This versatile loaf can be the cornerstone to a number of different appetizers. Pick one up from your grocer’s bakery department or make your own.
- Baguette bar: This works well if you’re hosting your own party! Lay out a tray of sliced baguette and a few small bowls (ramekins work well for this) for a variety of dipping options. Those options could include olive oil, balsamic vinegar, grated Parmesan, goat cheese, fresh-ground pepper, and more. Include a small spoon in each bowl and guests can choose what they like. That’s hardly any prep work!
- Bruschetta: These customizable nibbles are easy to prep en masse. Slice, put on a baking sheet, and lightly broil each side (2 minutes tops!), then cover with whatever you like. Try a bit of cream cheese, a pear slice, a candied nut and a drizzle of honey for something sweet. For something savory, try a drizzle of olive oil, roasted garlic (directions for roasted garlic in the last recipe here), some feta, and a kalamata olive.
Dips. These low-maintenance party-pleasers are a snap to make. Use with crackers, veggies, pretzels, or even the baguette above.
- Sweet-savory mango dip: Take an 8 ounce block of cream cheese, 4 oz of mango chutney (check the Indian selection in your grocer’s world foods section), 1 tbsp curry powder, and ½ tsp dry mustard powder, and mix by hand or in a food processor. Unload into a pretty bowl, place the bowl on the tray, and surround with crackers.
- Yogurt dip: Whisk together one single-serving container of vanilla yogurt, 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract (or scraped vanilla beans from 1 pod), and a generous drizzle of honey. Use as a fruit dip for pears, grapes, pieces of pineapple, or whatever you like. For a savory yogurt dip, combine a single-serving plain yogurt with a few tablespoons of chopped fresh dill, a squeezes of lemon juice, ½ a finely-diced cucumber, a minced clove of garlic, and a splash of olive oil. Serve with veggies like cucumbers, tomatoes, and olives. Don’t forget the toothpicks for easy dipping!
Skewers. Skewers are easy to put together, and usually involve very little prep time. You can serve them with a dip or on their own! Just use toothpicks for the skewers—save the kebabs for the main course.
- Greek skewers: Half a cherry tomato, a piece of feta (in the store, look for it in a whole block rather than crumbled), a kalamata olive, and a bite-size cucumber piece are all you need. For a dip, try the savory yogurt dip above (Tzatziki sauce) or a mix of olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
- Fruit skewers: Use a toothpick to skewer a piece of pear, cheese (any kind, but try bleu, goat, or brie cheese), and a candied pecan or walnut. Drizzle a tray of them with honey, and if desired, set next to the sweet yogurt dip above.
- Grilled veggies: You don’t have to fire up the grill for this one—instead, turn to the griddle or quickly sauté the veggies in oil over a medium-high heat, then spear them. Use pieces of onion, red and green bell pepper, zucchini, and tomato. Serve alone or with the Tzatziki sauce above.
Puff pastry. To thaw puff pastries from their typically frozen state, leave in the refrigerator overnight.
- Cheese straws: Toss a cup of your favorite grated cheese with a dash of garlic powder and black pepper, and set aside. Unfold just one side of the pastry, and place half of the cheese on that side, spread evenly, then close it. Flip the whole thing, lift the other flap, and spread the rest of the cheese on it. Close the flap and use a rolling pin to roll the pastry into a square shape, skooshing the cheese between the layers. Use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to cut half-inch-side strips from the pastry. Twist these strips into spirals, and place on a baking sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 5 minutes or until golden.
- Variations: You could also try jam and cream cheese with the method above, or a marinara sauce and Parmesan, or cinnamon, sugar, and butter, or whatever you like!
Do you have any super-simple, no-fail appetizer recipes you make? Share them below!
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