Appetizers and Snacks
Appetizer and snack recipes (also referred to as finger food, party food, hors d'oeuvres and canapés) are almost always easy to make and can be made with almost any food imaginable. They can be mild or spicy, hot or cold,
made with meat or vegetarian style, and in many cases require little or no refrigeration. Appetizers can be prepared in endless ways, and can be served for most any occasion, whether it be a holiday, party or social event, and can cater to a small group or a large crowd. They can also simply be made as tasty snacks for your family or friends anytime. Some appetizers can even be served as a side dish to a main course or as the main course itself. Below you will find a collection of my personally tested favorite appetizer and snack recipes that have been a huge hit at parties, holidays and other events. Here you'll find recipes for cheese appetizers, egg appetizers, bread appetizers, meatball appetizers, pastry appetizers, vegetable appetizers, dips and salsa, appetizers for kids and more. New appetizer recipes will be added often, so please check back again soon!
Appetizer Recipes ▼
Artichoke Frittatas are delicious little egg squares made with egg, cheddar cheese, marinated artichoke hearts, green onions, garlic, parsley and crumbled flaky crackers. These egg snacks are similar to quiche, though have a firmer and chewier texture, making them perfect as appetizers or as a side or main dish for breakfast or brunch. Artichoke Frittatas are delicious served hot from the oven or chilled.
These Asian Meatballs are incredibly easy to make and cook in just 2-3 minutes! They're crispy on the outside and tender, hot and steamy on the inside, making them a fun and very tasty appetizer. As with most all meatball recipes, this Asian Meatball recipe can be made as a main course, simply by making the meatballs slightly larger and adding your favorite Asian style sauce and serving them over rice and perhaps with vegetables..
Baked Crostini (also sometimes referred to as Bruschetta or Canapé when topped with savory foods) are miniature slices of toasted (or baked) bread, typically made from baguettes (long, thin loaves of French bread). Served as an appetizer, they can be used as a base for an endless variety of food toppings or as a cracker-style snack for dips. Crostini are wonderful for social events, holidays, parties or anytime snacking.
This Barbecue Meatballs recipe features mini-sized ground beef meatballs are seasoned with a little minced onion, fresh parsley and Worcestershire sauce and are then tenderized with egg, milk and bread crumbs. The sauce is a simple combination of red chili sauce and grape jelly, which combined makes a unique and very flavorful sauce. This recipe makes about 5 dozen tasty meatballs!
Black Bean & Corn Salsa is a vibrant and healthy salsa recipe that tastes delicious with Tortilla Chips, Crostini or other crunchy dipping snacks. While most salsa recipes contain tomatoes and/or tomato sauce, onion and cilantro, this festive salsa recipe combines black beans, kernel corn, tomatoes, red bell pepper, diced green chiles and fresh chopped cilantro, giving it unique and delightful flavor and texture, not to mention vibrant color!
This Broccoli Puff recipe features puffy random-shaped hand-size morsels made with a quick and easy dough filled with finely chopped broccoli florets and a hint of hot pepper sauce. These broccoli appetizers are deep-fried, giving them a light and crispy outer shell and a light and fluffy interior. Broccoli Puffs are served warm with a mildly creamy, tangy dipping sauce that gets its zing from lemon juice, horseradish and hot pepper sauce.
Broccoli with Hollandaise Sauce can be served as a side dish or as an elegant appetizer for parties and events, and is a delicious way to add flavor and texture to this popular vegetable. The easy Hollandaise Sauce recipe is made with lightly seasoned egg yolks and butter briefly cooked together over low heat, and is flavored with a hint of lemon, giving the perfect complimentary flavor to crisp-tender broccoli florets.
These delicious Cheese & Garlic Breadsticks have a very light and fluffy texture and are coated with melted butter, garlic salt and grated Parmesan cheese. They are fabulous on their own, warm, right out of the oven, or served with warm Marinara Sauce for dipping. This recipe is very easy and produces a large batch of breadsticks. Cheese & Garlic Breadsticks are great served as appetizers or as a bread side to main courses.
When it comes to appetizers, sometimes we need a crowd-pleasing appetizer recipe that's quick and easy, requiring very little preparation with only a few ingredients. Cheese & Sausage Croissant Bites fit that bill! All you need to make these sausage appetizers is a package of crescent roll dough, some brown and serve sausage links, Parmesan cheese, melted butter and dried oregano. That's it! Pop in your mouth goodness!
This Cheese and Sausage Stuffed Mushroom recipe is very easy to prepare, and produces bite-size mushroom appetizers with colorful eye appeal and full festive flavor! These tasty stuffed mushrooms are filled with a sautéed mixture of crumbled hot Italian sausage (sweet Italian sausage can be used instead, if preferred), minced garlic, diced green onions and diced mushroom stems, and some dried Italian herbs and other seasonings.
Cheese and Sausage Wonton Flowers are not only pretty, they are very tasty! The wonton filling is made with browned and crumbled sausage, Monterey jack and cheddar cheeses, diced red bell peppers and sliced ripe olives, then combined with your choice of Chipotle Ranch Salad Dressing or Buttermilk Ranch Salad Dressing and baked in the oven for just 5 minutes. The kids will really enjoy helping you make these appetizers.
These light and flaky Chicken Cheese Turnovers are filled with a delicious mixture of diced chicken (turkey may also be used), cream cheese, chopped green onions and diced pimiento. Before popping into the oven, the turnovers are brused with melted butter and topped with crumbled croutons. The flaky pastry dough can be made from scratch or purchased from the store in pre-packaged form for quicker preparation.
Chicken Koftas are meatballs made with a mixture of minced chicken, spices and herbs. This kofta recipe is an Indian version consisting of chicken breasts that are quickly and easily minced together in a food processor with some Indian and other common spices and seasonings. The minced mixture is then formed into meatballs and fried in a modest amount of oil, then served with lime pickle.
Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce is an easy and fun appetizer recipe to make that only takes a few minutes to cook on the grill. Tender thin strips of chicken breast are marinated in a sauce made with soy sauce, lime juice, fresh garlic, fresh ginger root and red pepper flakes. The marinated chicken strips are then pierced with wooden skewers and placed on the grill until they turn a nice golden brown, then served with a tasty peanut sauce.
Chicken Strips with Honey Mustard Sauce is a quick and easy dish loved by all ages. Little strips of chicken breast are coated with a seasoned flour mixture, then fried to a golden brown. A honey mustard dipping sauce made with a simple combination of honey and Dijon mustard is served with the chicken, making this finger food not only tasty, but fun! This dish is great for parties, gatherings and potlucks as a main dish or hot appetizer.
Chile Cheese & Olive Squares can be served as finger food appetizers, as a colorful side dish with breakfast or brunch, or as an anytime snack. They are tasty served warm or cold, and are easier than ever to make! Chile Cheese & Olive Squares are made with eggs, cheddar cheese, ripe olives, sautéed onion and garlic, diced green chiles, Tabasco or other hot pepper sauce, bread crumbs and parsley.
Chile Cheese Bites are great served as an appetizer, a side dish for breakfast or brunch, or a quick breakfast on the run. They taste great hot from the oven or cold right out of the frige! These little egg and cheese appetizers have a similar texture to quiche (without the pastry crust). Like many egg dishes, Chile Cheese Bites, can also be served with a side of red or green salsa, sour cream and/or guacamole.
Chili Cheese Balls are perfect served as appetizers or snacks, and are delicious on their own or served with assorted crackers. Chili Cheese Balls consist of Monterey jack cheese, Mozzarella cheese and cream cheese, and are seasoned with chili powder, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce and garlic powder. Photo shows cheese balls coated with minced parsley, though they can also be coated with nuts or other ingredients.
Chili Con Queso is a tasty cheese and chili-flavored dip that is served warm, traditionally served with tortilla chips (especially great with homemade tortilla chips as shown in photo). This festive dip recipe combines cheese, chili powder, a small amount of jalapenos and other spices, resulting in a very lively dip with just the right amount of spice. Chili Con Queso also goes great with with French fries, fresh raw vegetables or over baked potatoes!
You can easily turn corn dogs into a fun and tasty appetizer with this Corn Dog Bites recipe. Corn Dog Bites have that same delicious crispy crust and tender hot and steamy inside that Corn Dogs are famous for, and are even easier to make! This photo shows Corn Dog Bites made with all beef weenies, but you can also use turkey, chicken, beef or pork weenies. For a surprising twist, cheese-filled weenies can also be used.
These petite crab appetizers are delicious and elegant, but also have an element of fun, due to their size and crispy coating and the fact that you can dip them into a tasty tangy sauce. Crab Croquettes are made with cooked crab, diced green onions, seasonings and some egg and panko bread crumbs. This mixture is formed into balls, coated with egg and rolled in more panko crumbs, then fried to a beautiful crispy, golden brown.
Crab Crostini is a tasty and colorful appetizer that will add a touch of elegance to any party, holiday or social event. This crab appetizer recipe features mini slices of bread topped with a light and delicious flaky crab mixture made with red bell pepper, chives, parsley, Dijon, Parmesan cheese, mayonnaise, hot pepper sauce and some freshly squeezed lime juice. This recipe couldn't be easier - just slice, top and broil!
This Crab Puffs appetizer recipe produces light and puffy balls that give a touch of elegance and subtle sophisticated flavor to any event. This seafood appetizer is very easy to make and makes plenty! Flour, butter, cheddar cheese, green onions and the right flavorings perfectly compliment the crabmeat. Crab Puffs can be made in advance and baked later. These crab puffs plump up into soft, light and fluffy balls with subtle flavor.
Cream Cheese Wontons are crispy on the outside with a delightful whipped cream cheese filling inside made with finely minced green onions and water chestnuts. They are served with a mild and tangy soy-based dipping sauce (included with recipe) that truly compliments these appetizers and is unbelievably easy to prepare. This wonton recipe makes 40-45 appetizers, and is a great recipe with which the kids can lend a helping hand!
Crispy Crab Wontons with Avocado Creme feature crispy fried wontons topped with a light and tangy crab salad topped with melted cheddar cheese. This crab wonton recipe also features an Avocado Creme that is served on the side as garnish, made with avocado, lemon juice and a small amount heavy cream. These Crispy Crab Wontons can be served for lunch, brunch or dinner as a light main course, or as appetizers when made small.
These crescent-shaped Croissants are light, flaky and buttery, and are wonderful fresh from the oven, toasted or served at room temperature. These French pastries (also known as crescents or crescent rolls) can be made in any size and can be served in a variety of ways. Small croissants make wonderful appetizers, medium-sized croissants are great as a side dish for any meal, while large sizes can be used for sandwiches.
Curry Chicken Cheese Puffs are tasty hearty puffs made made with diced chunks of chicken breast (diced turkey may also be used), shredded cheddar cheese and diced roasted red peppers (or diced fresh green bell pepper, if desired). These puffs are seasoned with curry powder for a unique flavor boost, though if desired, this seasoning can be omitted. These chicken cheese puffs are a great snack for all ages!
Deviled Eggs are an all-time favorite appetizer or snack that can be served any time of day, all year-round. It's also one of the easiest and most economical appetizers you will ever make. The only ingredients needed are eggs, mayonnaise, mustard, a little salt and pepper and some paprika or cayenne pepper to add a little sprinkle of color and flavor. These delicious protein-filled cold appetizers are soft, creamy and delicious!
This Festive Nachos recipe combines tender lean ground beef, salsa, black beans, avocado and tomato chunks, ripe olives and a hint of chili powder. You can serve this dish with homemade tortilla chips and/or warm corn or flour tortillas for filling. Photo shows Festive Nachos with served with sides of sour cream, pickled jalapenos and Creamy Guacamole. You can kick this nachos recipe up a notch with a few added ingredients.
In a very short time and with just a few ingredients, you can create these fun and flavor-packed cheese pastry appetizers! These shiny golden petite triangles are made with a combination of flour, a dash of salt and cayenne pepper (giving these snacks the perfect added kick), shredded cheddar cheese and chilled butter. You can cut these little pastry puffs into any shape you like, and can subsitute other cheeses for the cheddar.
Fresh Herb Yogurt Dip is a light and healthy dip that tastes fabulous with assorted fresh vegetables. It is made with yogurt, fresh dill, fresh parsley, lemon juice and lemon zest (optional), along with some honey and Dijon mustard, giving it a sweet and tangy flavor boost. Photo shows Fresh Herb Yogurt Dip served with baby carrots, broccoli, sugar snap peas and cherry tomatoes, but you can add almost any fresh vegetable to the mix.
Garbanzo Ball appetizers are made with a mixture of garbanzo beans (also known as "chickpeas"), lemon juice, minced garlic a little cayenne pepper and an assortment of herbs and spices. They are perfectly accompanied by a Tahini dipping sauce made with Tahini (also sometimes called "Tehina"), a paste made from ground sesame seeds, freshly squeezed lemon juice and a little water.
These Garlic Parmesan Potato Wedges are as easy to make as they are delicious! Simply cut some Russet potatoes lengthwise to create wedges, toss them in some olive oil, then toss them again with a super easy mixture of parmesan cheese, garlic powder, thyme, salt and pepper and pop them in the oven for 35-40 minutes, and you've got a fantastic tasting side dish, snack or appetizer!
Green Chile Canapés are mini slices of bread made from long and slender loaves of French, sourdough, ciabatta or other similar crusty bread. These small bread bites (also referred to as "crostini") are coated with a spread made with butter and mayonnaise, Monterey jack or cheddar cheese (or both), diced green chiles. They are then sprinkled with paprika for color and added flavor and broiled to a light golden color.
Whether served as a dip, garnish or spread, Guacamole is always a big hit and a delicious way to get a healthy dose of vitamins, minerals and omega 3's. Making guacamole is a great way to use up those avocados that have been sitting on the counter or in the refrigerator a few too many days and have become a little too soft. This guacamole recipe uses ripened avocados, seasonings, sour cream and some fresh lemon juice.
This easy Ham and Cheese Potato Cakes appetizer recipe features mashed potatoes combined with ground (or shredded) ham, shredded cheddar cheese, a little prepared mustard and some salt and pepper to taste. For an added kick, a dash of cayenne pepper and/or some minced or finely diced green onions can also be added for more flavor and texture, if desired. These little potato appetizers are also great served with dips!
Hummus Chicken Salad is wonderful on crispy Baked Crostini or soft mini slices of bread, and a wonderful twist to the traditional chicken salad. This chicken salad recipe is made with hummus rather than mayonnaise, giving it light and refreshing taste as well as healthful benefits. Diced celery, green onions and red bell pepper are also added into the mix, providing a fresh and tasty crunch!
Making your own hummus is as easy as pushing the button on your food processor! This Hummus recipe also comes with an easy homemade baked Pita Chip recipe made from pita bread, giving the pita chips a healthy quality as well. This hummus recipe is made with garbanzo beans (chick peas), tahini, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil and a small amount of cayenne pepper, and tastes fabulous with the pita chips.
This Jalapeno Artichoke Dip recipe is made with pickled jalapenos, marinated artichoke hearts, cream cheese, Parmesan cheese and Tabasco Green Jalapeno Sauce, creating a wonderful combination of spice and flavor. This festive dip is a huge hit at parties and other events and tastes perfect accompanied by assorted crackers, tortilla chips, corn chips, a variety of fresh raw vegetables and more. This dip is loved by all ages!
This healthy and delicious Lettuce Wraps recipe features Satay-marinated grilled chicken breast topped with chopped peanuts, served with sweet and sour cucumbers, bean carrots and Coconut Curry Noodles. Nutter lettuce leaves are served on the side and used for wrapping around these wonderful ingredients. Served with 3 dipping sauces: Sweet Red Chili with Garlic Sauce, Red Chili with Cilantro Sauce and Spicy Peanut Sauce.
Meatballs with Cherry Sauce features cocktail-sized meatballs made with lean ground beef and bulk pork sausage combined with fresh parsley, fine bread crumbs, milk, egg and diced onion. Once browned, the meatballs are stirred into a divine dark cherry sauce made from pureed canned pitted dark cherries, ground ginger, cloves, cinnamon, freshly squeezed lemon juice and vinegar. Mildly sweet and tangy!
Mini Calzones are petite appetizers made with your choice of homemade bread dough or pre-packaged dough. These little crescent shapes are stuffed with a mixture of crumbled Italian sausage and a combination of ricotta, mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. They are then rolled in melted butter, then rolled again in grated Parmesan cheese, and baked in just 15 minutes until golden. Delicious served with marinara.
These tasty little quiches are perfect for parties, brunch, breakfast and anytime snacking! Mini Quiches feature a mixture of egg, shredded Monterey jack cheese, Parmesan cheese, diced sandwich ham (optional), chopped green onions and a little milk baked in an easy homemade flaky pie crust flavored with Parmesan cheese. Sliced cherry tomatoes and fresh herbs can be placed on top for added color and flavor.
Norwegian Meatballs (also referred to as Kjøttboller in Norwegian cuisine) feature browned meatballs that slow-cook in a beef broth. When the meatballs are ready to serve, heavy cream is combined with the broth, creating a creamy, savory sauce. This sauce is briefly heated until thickened, then poured over the meatballs, which are then topped with chopped fresh parsley. This dish is great served as appetizers or a main course.
Olive Cheese Balls is a fun appetizer recipe that is easy to prepare and cooks in just 15 minutes. The dough is made with a simple mixture of cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, butter and flour, and offers a wonderful complimentary flavor and crunch to green olives. These appetizers are tasty when served warm, at room temperature, or cold right from the fridge! Delicious served with Ranch Dressing or Zesty Ranch for dipping!
Onion Bhajis are an Indian version of traditional onion rings, and are served with an easy yogurt dipping sauce seasoned with some Indian spices. These crispy-fried onion bhajis are made with thinly sliced onions that are coated with a batter made with gram flour (also called besan or chickpea flour), an egg and some Indian spices and herbs. The sliced onions are tossed with the batter and quickly fried until golden and crispy.
This Panko Chicken Nuggets recipe offers a pleasant change from traditional chicken nuggets. Rather than using solid pieces of chicken, this recipe combines small shredded pieces of chicken with other ingredients, giving them added flavor and a wonderful texture. The ingredients are formed (much like meatballs) into bite-size oblong shapes, dipped in egg, then coated with panko bread crumbs, giving them a crispy outer crust.
Parmesan Broccoli Balls are fun vegetable appetizers with fantastic taste, and are loved by all ages. They have a slightly crispy outer shell, and are chewy and cheesy on the inside, with the added subtle flavor of broccoli and a wonderful blend of other ingredients. Parmesan Broccoli Balls are are made with a simple combination of chopped broccoli flowerets, prepared stuffing mix, Parmesan cheese, onions and egg.
These fluffy Pepperoni Cheese Twists (also often referred to as pizza breadsticks or Italian breadsticks) are seasoned with garlic and stuffed with diced pepperoni, mozzarella and Parmesan cheese The dough is made from scratch (very easy!), and each piece is twisted and coated with melted butter and more Parmesan cheese. This tasty breadstick recipe is easy to make and cooks in only about 10 minutes.
Looking for new delicious appetizer ideas? This crostini appetizer recipe is healthy and delicious, is loaded with vibrant color and presents itself with true elegance. Pesto Cheese Crostini with Cherry Tomatoes features slices of baguette that have been brushed with olive oil and baked until lightly crispy. These baked crostini are topped with Burrata (or other cheese of your choice) and a delicious basil pesto and cherry tomato mixture.
Pesto, Pepperoni and Cheese Pinwheels are soft and puffy dough snacks filled with fresh pesto, six different types of Italian-style grated cheese and pepperoni slices. These pinwheel appetizers (also sometimes referred to as roll-ups or pepperoni rolls) have an attractive swirl design that captures all the delicious flavors, and make perfect appetizers or snacks, or are great served for lunch or dinner, much like pizza.
Polynesian Meatballs are wonderful served as an appetizer for any event, or as a main course over rice. These Hawaiian meatballs are made with a mixture of lean ground beef, rolled oats, diced water chestnuts, egg, milk and spices and are browned in the skillet in just minutes. A sweet and tart Polynesian Sauce is then poured over these flavorful meatballs, giving them the final touch of that recognizable Polynesian flavor.
Porcupine Meatballs in Chili Sauce is a tasty meatball recipe made with a mixture of lean ground beef, rice, diced celery, onions, green bell pepper and egg, along with a flavorful combination of seasonings. The richly red sauce is amazing in and of itself, made with a generous amount of tomato juice seasoned with chili powder, cumin, molasses and garlic. These meatballs can be made in 1 to 2-inch sized-meatballs.
What could be better as a tasty and fun appetizer or side dish than some crispy potato skins filled with all the right goodies?! These Potato Skins are first baked, then cut into halves. Some of the pulp is removed, then they're then deep-fried until crispy. The crispy potatoes are then seasoned and filled with crumbled bacon, diced green onion and shredded cheddar cheese, then placed under the broiler until the cheese melts. A big hit!
Red Potato Cups make a finger food great appetizer or snack or even a side dish in place of potato salad. This baby red potato recipe features boiled small red potatoes that have been hallowed out and stuffed with a tangy red potato salad made with diced red potato, fresh herbs, bacon, peas, Dijon mustard, red wine vinegar and olive oil. These adorable snacks are small enough to pop in your mouth all at once or can be eaten with a fork.
This Roasted Chickpeas with Garam Masala recipe is a great way to serve a tasty snack that has a delightful crispy crunch as well as nutritional health benefits! This fun appetizer recipe features canned chickpeas (also known as garbanzo beans), garam masala (an Indian spice), olive oil and salt. The chickpeas are baked with the oil and spice mixture until they turn brown and crispy. Great for parties or for snacking anytime!
This creamy Roasted Red Pepper Dip features equal portions of sour cream and mayonnaise, diced roasted red peppers, diced green chiles, lemon juice, garlic powder and a dash of cayenne to give this festive dip a little "zing" (the cayenne pepper is optional if you prefer less spice). This dip is tasty served with tortilla or other chips, crackers or fresh vegetables, such as carrot sticks, broccoli florets, celery, cauliflower florets, etc.
This Roasted Red Pepper Hummus recipe is a healthy and delicious dip featuring chick peas (also known as garbanzo beans), roasted red bell peppers, tahini (sesame paste), fresh lemon juice and assorted herbs and spices. This hummus dip can be enjoyed with a large variety of foods, including assorted crackers, bagel chips, tortilla and/or corn chips, pita bread, vegetables and more.
Sausages with Mustard Cream is a surprisingly delicious appetizer recipe featuring grilled smoked sausages served with a creamy mustard dipping sauce made with whipping cream, Dijon mustard, prepared horseradish, white wine vinegar, egg yolks and a hint of sugar. If you don't have time to fire up the outdoor grill, you can also broil these sausages in your oven. Any type of smoked sausage or kielbasa will work beautifully with this recipe.
