Sharing the best appetizers to serve for holiday entertaining, to bring to a party, and crowd-pleasers. These delicious appetizers include tasty sweet treats to recipes for before-dinner snacks.
Anytime you’re entertaining, guests love a great appetizer. Serving mini-finger foods and charcuterie boards is an easy way to get a party started.
Nothing brings everyone together quite like food!
In the spring and summer months, you can invite guests over to enjoy the beautiful weather. Easy backyard entertaining, meals and cooking is a huge trend these days.
And in the winter months, it is all about intimate get-togethers with friends and family inside your cozy home.
More people are opting to stay in on weekends too. There’s been a return to Friday and Saturday night get-togethers and co*cktail parties.
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Fall and winter parties call for appetizers that guests can mix and mingle as they nosh on bite-sized treats.
Think outside the traditional chips and salsa with some great, easy appetizers.
Entertaining at your next get-together will be a breeze with these 25 Best Appetizers to Serve.
These yummy appetizers and finger food ideas are the perfect starter for any meal or on their own for light grazing during any get-together or gathering.
If you have not joined the appetizer craze then all these ideas below are definitely going to get you started.
From simple ingredients and step-by-step instructions to ones that are a little more intricate, there are recipes here for everyone.
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Best Appetizers To Bring To A Party
The best appetizers for a party can vary depending on the theme of the party, dietary preferences of the guests, and your personal taste.
Some of the most popular side dishes to make are bruschetta, devilled eggs, guacamole and salsa, and a charcuterie platter.
Many of these appetizers are relatively easy to prepare in advance, allowing hosts to focus on other aspects of the party. This convenience makes them a top choice for entertaining.
These appetizers have broad appeal and are generally well-liked by a wide range of people. This makes them safe choices for parties where you may not be familiar with all of your guests’ tastes.
While these appetizers are popular and versatile, don’t hesitate to get creative and add your own unique twists to make your party memorable.
Entertaining Resource Guide
• Charcuterie Board Essentials
• How To Make A Meat And Cheese Board
• How To Stock A Bar Cart
• How To Host A Wine Tasting Party
• How To Set A Dinner Table
25 Best Appetizers to Serve
Many of these appetizers can be customized to suit different tastes. For example, you can offer a variety of dips or fillings for your guests to choose from.
Some of these appetizers have been popular for decades because they’ve stood the test of time and continue to be loved by generations.
Also, most of these appetizers are designed to be bite-sized or easy to eat with fingers, which is ideal for mingling at parties without the need for utensils.
Best Party Appetizers
Photo Credit:A Blissful Nest
A meat and cheese tray is one of the easiest, classic appetizer options to put together.
The key to a great meat and cheese tray is to include a variety of salty, savory, crunchy, and soft options.
Add olives, nuts, grapes, and dried fruit as well as herbs to round out the tray.
Photo Credit:Two Peas And Their Post
Caprese Garlic Bread
This is one of the easiest appetizer recipes!
Garlic bread is always a welcome delicacy.
This light and savory garlic bread invokes all the flavors of Caprese salad (a seasonal favorite) – with garlic, mozzarella, balsamic, basil, and tomatoes.
This simple garlic bread is great for any situation and fresh basil and balsamic take it to the next level.
Photo Credit:Flavor The Moments
Crispy Baked Zucchini Chips
Chips are a party staple, but sometimes you want something that’s a little fancier, different (and yet, easy to make).
At your next get-together, replace the regular potato chips with these low-fat, oven-baked veggie chips made from zucchini and delicious salty parmesan cheese.
Photo Credit:A Blissful Nest
Easy Restaurant Style Salsa Recipe
Talk about the easiest and tasty restaurant-style salsa ever!
With a few simple ingredients and with its fresh flavor, this salsa is a game changer.
Photo Credit:Profusion Curry
Spinach Artichoke Dip Phyllo Cups
Hot spinach artichoke dip is one of the yummiest appetizer recipes, but balancing dip and bread can be a balancing act for guests as guests try to visit and mingle.
This recipe adds all the great flavors of your favorite spinach artichoke dip and puts them in these flaky cups.
Photo Credit:A Sprinkle Of This and That
Raspberry Brie Tartlets
This is one of the greatest appetizer ideas to whip up at the last minute.
The best part is that brie and fruit is such a gourmet, classic combination that no one will believe these yummy tarts are so unbelievably simple to create.
They take only minutes to pull together and will be everyone’s favorite bite-sized treat at your next soiree.
Photo Credit:Steph A Table
Goat Cheese Bites
Do you want an appetizer that will WOW everyone?
Well then here is THE best appetizers for a party.
These cheese bites are absolutely stunning and look great on your appetizer table. Goat cheese goes perfectly with pesto, sesame seeds, green chives, roasted tomatoes, salmon, and prosciutto.
These are portable, simple, delicious mouthfuls.
Photo Credit:Inspired Taste
Chili Lime Baked Shrimp Cups
Talk about one-bite madness all in a wonton shell cup!
Wontons are the perfect appetizer hack.
The little shells can be filled with all sorts of delicious flavor combinations. These chili lime shrimp have a little kick and all kinds of flavors. They’ll be a guest favorite!
Photo Credit:Carolyn Homework
Quinoa Tomato Salad Bites
Think salad is off-limits for co*cktail parties?
Try putting the components of a yummy quinoa salad in a cute little cherry tomato!
These little salad bites are really refreshing, healthy, and one of the best appetizers to serve because they are the perfect finger food!
Photo Credit:The Cozy Cook
Parmesan Crusted Tortellini Bites
Incorporating all the flavors of everyone’s favorite – mozzarella sticks in a sophisticated bite sounds impossible. After all, cheese sticks aren’t exactly “gourmet” party food, right?
Well, think about this… crunchy parmesan-crusted cheese-filled tortellini dipped in warm marinara sauce!
All the yummy flavors of your favorite pizza parlor staple but in a fancy, party-worthy format!
Photo Credit:Homemade Interest
Pesto Cream Cheese Spread
Let’s admit it – everyone loves a great cheese dip and this one is one of the best appetizers to serve.
This amazing dip has an absolutely gorgeous, restaurant-worthy presentation, with very few ingredients!
Talk about super simple. Simply add some crackers for a crowd-pleasing cheese dip that will have guests raving!
Photo Credit:Five Heart Home
Mini Cheese Balls
One of the most popular party foods is the classic cheese ball, right?
Unfortunately, navigating the cheese ball is always an awkward affair. Guests balance their plates, cut into the beautiful ball, and it’s left looking like a mess.
These mini-cheese balls are perfect for guests to enjoy in a single, easy to enjoy a bite.
With pretzels as the stick, they don’t even need to look for a place to drop their toothpick.
Photo Credit:Diet Hood
Brown Sugar Glazed Turkey Meatballs
Brown sugar gives a great flavor and makes an awesome glaze for meatballs.
These are savory, sweet, and delectable little finger foods.
They will be everyone’s favorite party treat. The recipe is simple and yummy!
Photo Credit:I Heart Nap Time
EASY Caprese Kabobs
These delicious Caprese kabobs are a fun alternative to veggies and dip for your next party.
They’re perfect for holiday parties (with the red and green coloring) but the flavor is a summer favorite too.
Any time of year, you can’t beat these beautiful, simple kabob appetizers.
Photo Credit:No Biggie
Blue Cheese Mushroom Crostini
The sharp flavors of blue cheese pair perfectly with the savory mellow flavor of mushrooms.
These easy crostini have gourmet flavor without gourmet effort.
These are an easy appetizer and they’re SO good. These are a must-add to your appetizer list.
Photo Credit:Dash Of Savory
Fried Bacon Mac and Cheese Bites
These are sure to satisfy the little kid in us, yet they look 100% grown-up and perfectly appropriate for your next dinner party.
The cheese bites are a real crowd-pleaser. After all, is there a better comfort food than macaroni and cheese? It’s everyone’s favorite!
Photo Credit:The Spice Jar
Gruyere Mushroom & Caramelized Onion Bites Recipe
Flaky puff pastry topped with balsamic caramelized onions, sautéed mushrooms, a hint of garlic, and a smoked gruyere cheese bomb mixed right in.
These are so satisfying – sweet, savory, salty, and delicious.
Puff pastry is surprisingly easy to work with and it always offers a stunning presentation.
Photo Credit:Celebrations At Home
Blue Cheese & Balsamic Kettle Chip Nachos
Skip the cheese fries or nachos and make this grown-up appetizer instead.
These kettle chips are sophisticated with blue cheese and balsamic flavors.
You won’t believe how well they pair together! It’s a genius take on a classic party dish (and SO easy to make)!
Photo Credit:Reluctant Entertainer
Apricot Ricotta Honey-Basil Bites
This is a great fresh appetizer to serve up during warm weather months.
Apricots generally come into season mid-to-late summer and with honey, fresh ricotta, and basil they create a really refreshing, sweet, and different finger food.
Apricots are such an easy fruit to work with too–they’re perfectly bite-sized.
Photo Credit:www.everylastbite.com
Grilled Salmon Skewers
Seasoned with a homemade sauce and some sesame seeds and chives.
Salmon is a popular main dish, yet when we think of kabobs we often think of chicken or beef.
These are fun and different. Plus, salmon is healthy and pairs great with other light appetizers.
Photo Credit:A Foodcentric Life
Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms With Tomatoes and Goat Cheese
Portobellos are great mushrooms to stuff–they’re large, meaty in texture and filling.
These stuffed Portobello mushrooms with all the goodness of goat cheese and roasted tomatoes are unique and crowd-pleasing.
Photo Credit:Running To The Kitchen
Smashed Sweet Potato Guacamole Bites
This is one of my favorite appetizer ideas for a party!
At every party, people convene around the chips, salsa, and guacamole.
This take on the avocado dish is a little unexpected and super delicious.
Crispy edges, soft middles, spicy guac centers, and salty bacon top make them perfect for little bites.
Photo Credit:Jenny Steffens
Grilled Garlic Toasts With Prosciutto And Mozzarella
Prosciutto is rich and flavorful. It works great in small plates and bite-sized applications because it packs a great punch with a small amount.
Paired with creamy mozzarella and smoky grilled garlic toasts, these bites are delicious and simple.
Hot from the grill, they are perfect to serve with other appetizers.
Photo Credit:Love And Olive Oil
Goat Cheese Stuffed Peppadews
Sweet little peppers stuffed with garlic and herb goat cheese: a perfect party appetizer!
Peppadews are easy to work with and commonly found at most grocery stores these days.
They’re sweet with just a teeny bit of spice and tons of flavor–a great combination with creamy cheese and herbs.
Photo Credit:I Wash You Dry
Shrimp Taco Bites
While everyone loves a chip dish, there’s always the issue of “dip to chip ratio” (no double-dipping, please)!
These yummy appetizers bring it all together so guests can grab and go.
The combination of the creamy avocado, smoky sour cream, and the zippy chili-lime shrimp on top of that crunchy little chip is like a party in your mouth.
I hope you have found some great finger foods for a party out of these 25 best appetizers to serve!
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