Make the Mini Quiche; Buy the Pigs in a Blanket: The Holiday Apps Worth Making (and Which Ones to Buy Instead) (2024)

• Recipes

published Dec 9, 2021

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The best thing about a holiday party? (You know, aside from celebrating with family and friends?) All the apps! Whether you’re going to an afternoon party in the neighborhood, organizing a potluck with your coworkers, or planning a co*cktail party at home, everyone on the guest list knows there’s going to be plenty of one-bite snacks. Mini hot dogs, meatballs on fancy toothpicks, cheesy dip, tiny quiches … you know the deal.

If you’ve been missing these festive, munchy meals (we sure have been!), you might have the urge to go all out this year. And that’s where this post comes in. Our editors started with a list of the most popular holiday appetizers. And then we tasted, tested, and debated. The goal? To definitively identify which apps are worth making from scratch and when you’re better off buying it at the store. We considered the level of effort (how much work it will take to go the DIY route), the payoff (how likely people are to rave about whatever you’ve taken the time to make), and, of course, taste.

MAKE: Meatballs

BUY: Onion Dip

“I’ve written about how I have this stuff on hand for every single party I throw. And I meant it: My friends know to expect this dip, no matter the time of year,” says Executive Lifestyle Director, Lisa Freedman. The key, she says, is to mix a pouch up with Daisy Sour Cream. The result is a perfectly onion-y dip that’s rich and flavorful and takes less than a minute to make. No need to waste time chopping up or caramelizing onions. Just don’t forget the Ruffles.

MAKE: Spinach and Artichoke Dip

“Hot spinach and artichoke dip is always my first stop on a holiday party spread,” says Senior Food Editor, Megan Steintrager. “And while there’s no shame in buying it pre-made, making it at home is quick and easy —and allows you to make a few tweaks to really boost the flavor. Take Christine Gallary’sversion, which includes Parmesan, mozzarella, sour cream, and cream cheese for lots of creamy, cheesy goodness, plus lemon zest for zing, and shallots, which make just about anything taste better. Plus, it uses shortcut ingredients like frozen spinach —no washing bags and bags of fresh spinach! —and takes just about 15 minutes to assemble.”

BUY: Pigs in a Blanket

MAKE: Scallops Wrapped in Bacon

“Store-bought bacon-wrapped scallops usually wrap uncooked bacon around the scallops, and I found that the bacon never crisped up fully by the time the scallops were cooked,” says Food Editor-at-Large, Christine Gallary. “Our recipe pre-cooks the bacon slightly (but in the microwave so it’s easy!) so it starts to render out the fat. By the time the scallops are cooked, the bacon is nice and crisp!”

MAKE: Mini Quiche

“If you start with a package of refrigerated pie dough, these mini quiches are practically as easy as store-bought —and so much more customizable,” say Deputy Food Director, Grace Elkus. “Pack them with your guests’ favorite fillings, from extra cheese to veggies galore. Plus, you can make them in advance, then reheat in the oven when everyone arrives.”

MAKE: Baked Brie

“We’ve probably all had baked Brie — ooey and gooey and deliciously old-school — but this is by far my favorite way to do it,” says Editor-in-Chief, Faith Durand. “The Brie’s woodsy richness is complemented by the tart, slightly astringent cranberries, and it’s baked until it’s bubbling and oozey then scooped up with crackers. It’s rich, sweet, and festive — practically a dessert — although I’ve found that people will attack it at any time of day.” And with that testimonial, this one is firmly in the “make it” camp.

MAKE: Stuffed Mushrooms

“You aren’t fooling anyone if frozen stuffed mushrooms are on your holiday spread,” says Contributing Food Editor, Patty Catalano. “The styled images on the package are enticing, but you are sure to be disappointed by a water-logged shroom and a messy cheese filling. The better choice:Turn fresh, bite-sized mushroom cups into a crispy, savory appetizer that everyone will enjoy. Infuse the crispy panko filling with shallots, parsley, white wine, mushroom stems, and a pair of cheeses. The best part —this impressive appetizer can be assembled a day in advance.”

BUY: Spanakopita

MAKE: Mini Crab Cakes

“Crab cakes should, well, be all about the crab,” says Senior Contributing Food Editor, Sheela Prakash. “All too often, though, the store-bought versions are more filler (looking at you, breadcrumbs) than actual sweet crab meat. That’s why it’s 100% worth it to make your own. Yes, lump crab meat is a bit of splurge, but you’ll be rewarded with an appetizer that really shows it off.”

MAKE: Shrimp co*cktail

“Shrimp co*cktail may have reached peak popularity during the Mad Men-era martini lunches, but it is still a classic appetizer I make every holiday season,” says Contributing Food Editor, Patty Catalano. “Steamed shell-on shrimp have more flavor and none of the rubbery texture the pre-made platters do. Update the presentation by arranging the shrimp on an ice-filled tray with a dish of horseradish-spiked sauce in the center. And because shrimp co*cktail is served chilled, it is the perfect make-ahead appetizer.”

MAKE: Cheese Straws

These two-ingredient wonders — just store-bought puff pastry and cheese — are the ultimate low-effort, high-reward appetizer. Just cut the pastry into strips, sprinkle with cheese, twist, and bake. They’re so easy even the kiddos can help. Pro tip: This is the time to splurge on the all-butter puff pastry.

BUY: Hummus

BUY: Spiced Nuts

BUY: Deep-Fried Olives

MAKE: Gougères

“Gougeres are one of the most impressive appetizers you can make, and store-bought ones simply can’t compare to crisp, still-warm homemade ones,” says Deputy Food Director, Grace Elkus. “Plus, I bet you already have the ingredients on hand: butter, flour, eggs, and cheese.”

MAKE: Queso

Melted cheese is a must for any holiday spread, and this fun, easy queso hits all the right notes. It’s only three ingredients (or four, if you count the chips) and it can hang out in the slow cooker, where it will stay warm and melty for hours, thanks to the magic that is Velveeta.

BUY: Mini Tacos

BUY: Potstickers

BUY: Samosas

MAKE: Cheese Balls

This vintage snack is worth bringing back because it’s delicious and cheesy and oh-so easy. Sure, you could buy one at the grocery store, but making one at home is simple and gives you more opportunity to customize. It’s so easy that we can tell you how to make it right here.

MAKE: Jalapeno Poppers

Store-bought frozen jalapeño poppers are hit-or-miss, but our version of this classic snack delivers every time. In this recipe, the peppers are stuffed with a cheesy filling, wrapped in bacon, and baked in the oven for a fuss-free appetizer that’s loaded with smoky bacon flavor and — dare we say — even better than the original.

BUY: Toasted Ravioli

BUY: Pizza Bites

“Pizza bites are a classic party snack that make me feel like a little kid again,” says Danielle St. Pierre, Senior Commerce Editor. “In my opinion, it makes sense to buy them from the frozen food section versus making them from scratch because really solid, time-saving store-bought options exist. One brand in particular —Snow Days— makes grain-free, organic frozen pizza bites insausage,veggie white, andcheeseflavors, and they are all crowd-pleasers.” Danielle has tried all three varieties, and she voted for the sausage bites when pressed to pick one.

Are there any appetizers you always make or always buy for parties? Tell us in the comments below!

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