Best Store-Bought Apps (2024)

Spinach pies, also called spanakopita, are a Greek classic. They're also easy to find in almost any grocer's freezer section. Simply heating in the oven will take up far less time than wrapping and rolling up all those delicate layers of phyllo dough, and your guests will (no doubt) be impressed.

If You Want to Make It: Spinach Pies

Whether you're hosting a classy wine and cheese night or just having some friends over to watch the game, a fruit-and-nut mix is always a hit, and pairs well with whatever kinds of drinks you might have on hand. If you're opening up your home for a more casual bash, serve a spicy, savory mix with some cold, crisp beers, or look for a sweeter blend with lots of dried fruit (like the mix pictured) to pair with bold red wines and a soft cheese. Any supermarket will have a variety of mixes, so you can find an option for every kind of party.

If You Want to Make It: Fruit-and-Nut Trail Mix

Tangy vegetable relishes and pickles are ideal snacks to have handy at any time of year. If properly canned and preserved, these foods keep for long periods of time in the pantry and usually up to a year or two in the fridge after opening. Buying relishes and pickles premade from a trusted source ensures that you're purchasing a product that's safe, and it saves you the time and trouble of preserving your own fruits and vegetables.

If You Want to Make It: Classic American Relish Tray

Olives are another go-to snack and co*cktail garnish for parties of all sorts. If you're looking to serve multiple varieties to your guests — or prefer olives that have been stored in a flavorful marinade or stuffed with cheese, pimientos, or other goodies — store-bought is the way to go. Pitting and stuffing your own olives can take hours, and marinating also takes some advance planning, but picking up a jar (or several) from your local market takes only minutes and won't cost much more than buying a bunch from your deli and doing the work yourself.

If You Want to Make It: Spiced Citrus Olives

Much like pickles and other forms of preserved produce, marinated vegetables must be prepared in advance, but buying them at your local market is an easy shortcut that won't cost you much more than making them at home would. And like pickles, relishes, jams, and chutneys, marinated vegetables are packed with flavor and pair well with everything from fragrant cheeses to your favorite breads and crackers. Serve them straight out of the jar on a platter piled high with a variety of veggies, or chop them up and use them as a topper for crostini, pasta, or pizza.

If You Want to Make It: Marinated Baby Artichokes with Dill and Fresh Ginger

Cheese straws are a classic snack found at nearly every Southern party and at gatherings across the rest of the country, too. It's no wonder — these little sticks look simple, but they're loaded with savory flavor. Making any baked good from scratch can be labor-intensive, and cheese straws are no exception, but they're another choice that's relatively inexpensive to pick up at most markets. Their crunchy, cheesy flavor will be appreciated by every guest.

If You Want to Make It: Homemade Cheese Straws

Everything is more adorable when it comes in miniature, and that's certainly true of food. Making tons of tiny appetizers can be a time-consuming process, but many markets carry elegant appetizers, like mini quiche, in their freezer sections. Savory ingredients like ham and cheese will satisfy any guest, but serving those comforting flavors in an individually-sized package will make enjoying them all the easier.

If You Want to Make It: Mini Quiches

Dumplings are another appetizer that always look elegant and taste great, but take a lot of time and effort to put together. If you're not up for pinching together tons of tiny dumplings, purchasing premade dumplings in your market's refrigerated or freezer section is an easy alternative. Crab filling is a delicious and luxurious treat, and by quickly whipping together your own dipping sauce and topping them with a pretty garnish, you can make these purchased party starters feel extra special.

If You Want to Make It: Shumai with Crab and Pork

You can never go wrong with pigs in a blanket. These ubiquitous party bites never go out of style, and party-goers of all ages never fail to get excited when seeing them on a buffet table. Pastry can be tricky, but purchasing a batch (or several) premade and simply heating before a gathering ensures you'll have plenty of these comforting nibbles at the ready and leave every guest feeling satisfied.

If You Want to Make It: Pigs in a Blanket

Cheesy bites of tender-on-the-inside, crispy-on-the-outside pastry (like gougères, pictured) have everything you want in a party snack. The time you'll save by buying them frozen is unbelievable, and you'll stay stress-free knowing that you have something nearly everyone (including your friends' kids and your vegetarian buddy) will eat happily. Try picking up some of these — or similar bites, like a bit of pastry with a soft cheese filling or topping — before your next party, then watch them disappear in no time flat.

If You Want to Make It: Gougères