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So, you’re hosting a party and there’s plenty of things on your entertaining to-do list. You need to clean the house, come up with the perfect playlist, and plan a menu that’s fit for a crowd. To get you started this list of easy appetizers will make hosting a breeze. A few nibbles and light bites are just what you need to keep guests from going hungry. But don’t worry, they won’t take up too much of your time! Here, we’ve found fun ways to use puff pastry, quick salsas, and recipes that only require a handful of ingredients.
In fact, all of the finger foods, cheesy dips, and starters on this list are anything but complicated. If you're looking for something that looks fancy but is easy to make, try the whipped feta dip, spinach artichoke cups, or cranberry brie bites. Even The Pioneer Woman admits, "I've always had a bunch of easy appetizer recipes in my arsenal," and so should you! One of Ree’s favorites is a simple platter of deviled eggs. But there are also plenty of air fryer recipes, like crispy egg rolls, and one-pot recipes, like Ree's cocktail meatballs, that minimize cleanup and maximize flavor. Whatever you choose to serve at your next cocktail hour, dinner party, or themed event, you're sure to impress your guests without the added stress.
Avocado Salsa
You can think of this recipe like a mash-up between a guacamole and a salsa. It's got both avocado and tomato, along with red onion, poblano pepper, and diced jicama for crunch.
Get the Avocado Salsa recipe.
Deviled Eggs
For Ree Drummond, it wouldn't be a party without deviled eggs! And this foolproof recipe makes them perfect every time.
Get the Deviled Eggs recipe.
Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Thingies
You only need three ingredients to make this crowd-pleasing dish. The easier take on poppers is a fun addition to just about any menu.
Get Ree's Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Thingies recipe.
Ham and Cheese Pinwheels
Grab a package of crescent roll dough from the supermarket and you're halfway to making this tasty appetizer! The filling of ranch-flavored cream cheese and salty ham will have everyone coming back for more.
Get the Ham and Cheese Pinwheels recipe.
Air Fryer Taquitos
These crispy taquitos are a great way to use up leftover shredded beef. The best part? You don't need to waste any oven or stovetop space to make them! Just let the air fryer do the work.
Get the Air Fryer Taquitos recipe.
Caprese Salad
There's something so simple about a platter of fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil, but that's what makes it so good! Finish it off with a drizzle of good olive oil and balsamic glaze for extra flavor.
Get Ree's Caprese Salad recipe.
Pot Stickers
This recipe uses store-bought dumpling wrappers and a quick stir-together filling to keep things easy. But you can also get your family to help form the pot stickers as a fun activity. The more hands helping, the better!
Get the Pot Stickers recipe.
Whipped Feta Dip
This dip comes together in just 5 minutes so it's a no-brainer for easy entertaining. Just blitz up the feta, cream cheese, garlic, olive oil, and lemon using a food processor, then serve it up with pita chips for dipping.
Get the Whipped Feta Dip recipe.
Pull-Apart Buffalo Chicken Sliders
These sliders make buffalo chicken even easier by using ground chicken for the tasty, cheesy filling. It's a dish you'll want to serve on game day and beyond!
Get Ree's Pull-Apart Buffalo Chicken Sliders recipe.
Guacamole
If you're hosting a party, there's no need to complicate things. Just make a bowl of guacamole! The simple avocado dip is always a crowd-pleaser.
Get the Guacamole recipe.
Pull-Apart Cheese Bread
Any appetizer that includes cheese and bread is an instant hit in our books! This easy recipe is perfect for crowd-sharing as, before baking, it’s sliced in a pretty (and functional) diagonal pattern that yields perfect, bite-size portions of cheese and pesto-filled goodness.
Get the Pull-Apart Cheese Bread recipe.
Jalapeño Popper Dip
Ree’s jalapeño poppers are one of her favorite easy appetizers to bring the heat to a party. Why not make things even easier—and tastier—with this dip version of the cheesy, spicy classic? Serve it with chips or toasted bread like you would any other dip!
Get the Jalapeño Popper Dip recipe.
Air Fryer Chicken Wings
In the age of convenience, easy recipes and air fryer recipes are synonymous for many of us. Thanks to the air fryer, you can get crispy chicken wings without the mess and time-commitment that oven-roasted and fried counterparts require.
Get the Air Fryer Chicken Wings recipe.
Charcuterie Board
For guests who graze, the charcuterie board is a great appetizer option. Plus, it doesn’t require the use of any appliances! Fill it with sumptuous cured meats, a mixture of hard and soft cheeses, olives, nuts, crackers, dried fruits, and other condiments.
Get the Charcuterie Board recipe.
Pigs in a Blanket
Pigs in a blanket prove that good things (mini hot dogs) come in small packages (buttery triangles of crescent dough). A tray full of this classic finger food will be cleared by guests in no time. But that’s ok because with just four ingredients you can make another batch in a flash!
Get the Pigs in a Blanket recipe.
Easy Baked Brie
Baked brie is one of those foods that proves you don’t need loads of time or ingredients to make an elegant, delicious dish. All you do is cut the top of the cheese wheel in a criss cross pattern, top it with herbs and seasonings of your choice, and bake. And there you have it: a warm, molten wheel of baked brie that you can add to a charcuterie board or eat with bread, apples, or crackers.
Get the Easy Baked Brie recipe.
Caramelized Onion Dip
Saying no to the pre-packaged onion dip in the chip aisle will be easy once you discover how simple it is to make yourself! While traditional French onion dip is made with dried onion soup mix, this creamy dip gets its rich flavor from caramelized onions.
Get the Caramelized Onion Dip recipe.
Upside-Down Puff Pastry Radish Tarts
These colorful radish tarts are so easy to make thanks to this TikTok hack. The hand pie shortcut involves adding a portion of your choice of filling—in this case, radishes and cheese—directly to your sheet pan, covering it with a small rectangle of puff pastry, crimping the edges, and baking it till golden brown. Placing the puff pastry on top prevents the filling from causing sogginess, ensuring a perfectly golden and caramelized pastry.
Corn and Black Bean Salsa
Crispy, golden corn, black beans, tomato, red onion, jalapeño, and garlic make up this easy salsa that pairs perfectly with crunchy tortilla chips. While the recipe calls for some seasonal ingredients, it can be enjoyed year round with frozen or canned corn and canned, chopped tomatoes—which also omits the need for cooking all together!
Get the Corn and Black Bean Salsa recipe.
Pepperoni Pizza Rolls
Pepperoni pizza as an appetizer? It’s a yes from us! Marinara sauce, cheese, and pepperoni are spread across a large, flattened rectangle of pizza dough. Then, the entire piece of dough is rolled up to create one long, stuffed cylinder, which is sliced up into tasty, bite-sized pizza pinwheels!
Get Ree's Pepperoni Pizza Rolls recipe.
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