29 Easy Appetizers for Parties

Whether you’re hosting a backyard cookout, cocktail party, holiday gathering, or casual dinner with friends, an easy appetizer buys you a little more time while everyone settles in. These crowd-pleasing recipes range from creamy dips and cheesy favorites to no-cook bites, finger foods, and make-ahead snacks—many of which rely on smart shortcuts like frozen artichokes, canned chickpeas, puff pastry, and prepared giardiniera. Whether you need an easy appetizer for a crowd or just something to nibble on while dinner finishes cooking, you’ll find a party-worthy favorite here.

• Instant crowd-pleasers
• Dips
• Meaty and cheesy things
• Finger foods
• Fresh and light
• Crunchy, savory snacks

More appetizer ideas →

Vibrant tomato salad, crisp zucchini flatbreads, and more warm-weather appetizers to get your summer shindig going.

Give yourself the gift of time (and coconut shrimp).

Like baked chicken wings two ways, hot pickle dip, kimchi and hot dog pizza, and more.

Chicago-Style Pigs in a Blanket

Buy cocktail sausages, cornichons, Chicago-style relish, and canned crescent rolls, and this easy appetizer is halfway to done. The poppy seed topping seals the deal.

Spinach Artichoke Dip

Frozen artichokes keep this creamy classic squarely in easy-weeknight territory—and make it just as welcome at parties year-round.

Extra-Creamy Deviled Eggs

Blending one whole egg into the yolks makes these deviled eggs smoother, richer, and generously filled. Boil and peel the eggs ahead of time, then fill and garnish them before guests arrive.

Always-Great Homemade Salsa

Broiling the tomatoes and onions to concentrate their natural sweetness means this salsa is delicious with even out-of-season produce.

Herbed Baked Brie

A wheel of baked Brie never fails. Skip the homemade cranberry mostarda and spoon your favorite store-bought jam over the top instead.

Classic Hummus

Canned chickpeas, tahini, garlic, lemon, and olive oil become silky homemade hummus in minutes. Serve with pita chips or crisp vegetables.

Creamy Giardiniera Dip

Oil-packed Chicago-style giardiniera turns cream cheese, sour cream, and Parmesan into an irresistibly tangy no-cook dip.

Charred Guacamole

Fresh guacamole is always a good idea. But lightly char the avocado, chile, and onion (in the oven or on the grill) for a version that’s a little smoky, a little richer tasting, and far more interesting.

Spinach-Yogurt Dip With Sizzled Mint

Inspired by Persian borani esfanaaj, this herbaceous yogurt dip doubles as an appetizer and an excellent sauce for grilled meats.

Muhammara

Smoky roasted peppers and walnuts make this Syrian dip a standout addition to any appetizer spread. Serve with fresh warm pita or crudités.

French Onion Dip

Properly caramelized onions take a little patience, but the payoff is a deeply savory dip worth every minute.

Dairy-Free Trout Dip

It doesn’t look dairy-free, nor does its creamy texture taste dairy-free, but this dip is, in fact, completely devoid of dairy. The secret? Almonds, water, and a high-powered blender.

Feta and Sun-Dried Tomato Dip

Creamy feta, tangy sun-dried tomatoes, and Calabrian chile paste come together in a five-ingredient dip that’s ready in minutes. This way for more of our favorite dips →

Pistachio-Sesame Cheese Ball

A classic cheese ball is always welcome, but this one requires just six ingredients (including salt and pepper), and makes a big impact with bright green pistachios and creamy white cheese. Make it a cheese ball party with a pimento cheese version and a port wine version too.

Marinated Mozzarella and Peppadew Peppers

Warm, briny marinade plus bite-size mozzarella equals one of the easiest appetizers you’ll ever make.

Marinated Goat Cheese With Herbs and Spices

Warm olive oil infused with garlic, citrus, and spices transforms a simple log of goat cheese into an effortless centerpiece.

Spam and Brie Bites

This high-low, salty-creamy one-biter pairs a crisped cube of Spam, a square of Brie, a dollop of grainy mustard, and a cornichon.

Lemon-Pepper Salami Bites

Salami, Marcona almonds, olive oil, and lemon zest prove that a great appetizer doesn’t need a recipe so much as good ingredients.

Marinated Olives With Citrus

A fragrant mix of citrus, coriander, and peppercorns turns good store-bought olives into cocktail hour gold.

Boquerones With Green Olives and Orange

Good anchovies need little more than warm olive oil, garlic, citrus, and crusty bread.

Spicy Shrimp Endive Spears

Cooked shrimp and spicy mayo tucked into crisp endive leaves make a no-cook appetizer that looks far fancier than the effort required.

Radishes With Sesame Yogurt

Crunchy radishes and creamy sesame yogurt are a reminder that simple combinations often make the best appetizers.

Spicy Lightly Pickled Cucumbers

A quick pickle and plenty of fresh dill make these cucumber spears especially refreshing on a warm day.

Grilled Mushroom Antipasto Salad

Part antipasto platter, part grilled vegetable salad, this make-ahead recipe only gets better after a little time in the fridge.

Hand Salad With Yogurt-Lemon Dressing

Treat crisp romaine leaves like edible scoops for a creamy, lemony dressing.

Za’atar Fire Crackers

Saltines tossed with olive oil and plenty of za’atar become a crunchy, savory snack that’s difficult to stop eating.

Cheesy Green Curry Palmiers

Frozen puff pastry and store-bought curry paste do the heavy lifting in these flaky, savory bites.

Crispy Cheese Twists

Store-bought puff pastry makes these buttery cheese straws far easier than they look.

Tangy Tomato-Chile Popcorn

Tomato powder gives this easy appetizer an intensely savory, umami-packed finish that’s perfect for casual parties.