Best Appetizers: Finding the Perfect Appetizers for You
Whether it’s for a meal, a party, or a snack, everyone loves a tasty appetizer. And this list of the best appetizers will help you find the perfect appetizers for you.
In this list of the best appetizers, we have compiled 25 delicious appetizers for you to choose from and enjoy at your next get-together. From dips to finger foods, you are sure to find inspiration from this list for your next appetizer creation.
And thankfully, most of the appetizers on this list are a breeze to make.
This will ensure that you spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying. For even more cooking inspiration, check out our lists of the best soup recipes and best snack ideas. You may never want to eat out again!
Top 25 Appetizers:
1. Stuffed Artichokes Appetizer
Prep Time: 20 Minutes
Cook Time: 45 Minutes
Primary Ingredients: Artichokes, Ricotta Cheese, Garlic, Breadcrumbs, Parmesan
About Appetizer: Stuffed with ricotta, garlic, and all sorts of other deliciousness, these Stuffed Artichokes are a fun and tasty appetizer. Serve these at your next dinner party, and you are sure to receive rave reviews. As a bonus, the artichokes are full of nutrients.
2. Jalapeno Popper Wontons Appetizer
Prep Time: 20 Minutes
Cook Time: 5 Minutes
Primary Ingredients: Wonton Wraps, Cream Cheese, Mexican Blend Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese, Jalapenos, Ranch Seasoning
About Appetizer: With a filling that can be made ahead of time and a quick fry time, these jalapeno popper wontons are a quick and easy appetizer. A great finger food as well, these poppers are perfect for parties and game days. Also, if you enjoy a little spice, these wontons are an ideal fit.
3. Hot Ham and Cheese Party Rolls Appetizer
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 25 Minutes
Primary Ingredients: Pillsbury Pizza Crust Dough, Deli Ham, Swiss Cheese
About Appetizer: Perfect for sharing (or hoarding for yourself!), these hot ham and cheese party rolls are one of the best appetizers and are delicious perfection. The ham, cheese, and pizza dough combine in the oven for a melty, yet crispy ensemble. Best of all, this sandwich recipe, complete with the glaze, can be assembled ahead of time and then baked later.
4. Neiman Marcus Dip Appetizer
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: N/A
Primary Ingredients: Shredded Mixed or Cheddar Cheese, Green Onions, Slivered Almonds, Bacon, Mayonaise
About Appetizer: This Neiman Marcus dip is a delicious alternative to traditional cheese dips. In this dip, the shredded cheese base is complemented with green onions, almonds, mayo, and bacon. After quick refrigeration, this dip is ready to go. Ritz crackers or tortilla chips work well with this dip, but really any type of cracker/chip tastes delicious with the Neiman Marcus dip.
5. Meatball Stuffed Buns Appetizer
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 10-12 Minutes
Primary Ingredients: Fully Cooked Italian Meatballs, Pillsbury Biscuits, String Cheese, Parmesan Cheese, Marinara Sauce
About Appetizer: A spin on the traditional meatball, these meatball stuffed buns are warm and filling. For down-home comfort, these stuffed buns are a great choice. Trust us – your entire family will be thanking you for making this appetizer.
6. Cannoli Dip Appetizer
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: N/A
Primary Ingredients: Cream Cheese, Ricotta, Mini Chocolate Chips, Waffle Cones, Powdered Sugar, Vanilla Extract
About Appetizer: Who says you can’t eat dessert first? This easy cannoli dip is excellent party food. The dip has mini chocolate chips mixed in, and broken waffle cones make the perfect dipping tool. This cannoli dip is a quick and easy dip that will please partygoers of all ages. Also, try pairing this appetizer with your favorite cup of coffee for maximum enjoyment!
7. Sweet Potato Bites Appetizer
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 30 Minutes
Primary Ingredients: Sweet Potatoes, Bacon, Avocados, Cilantro
About Appetizer: Comprised of just a few simple ingredients, these sweet potato bites with avocado and bacon are a healthier appetizer. The sweet potatoes are thinly sliced and baked into chips and then topped with guacamole and crisp bacon. For a more refined approach to finger foods, this may be one of the best appetizers for you.
8. Honey Garlic Chicken Skewers Appetizer
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 14 Minutes
Primary Ingredients: Chicken Breasts, Honey, Soya Sauce, Skewers
About Appetizer: Coated in a tasty marinade of honey, soy sauce, vinegar, ginger, and garlic, these skewers are full of flavor. You also have the option of either baking or grilling them as well. If you are looking for a more substantial appetizer, this is the perfect option.
9. Garlic Herb Roasted Shrimp Appetizer
Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Cook Time: 10 Minutes
Primary Ingredients: Shrimp, Garlic, Basil, Pepper Flakes, Ketchup, Horseradish
About Appetizer: Paired with a homemade cocktail sauce, this garlic-herb roasted shrimp is a step up from the usual cocktail shrimp appetizer. And, with just a 10 minute start to finish prep and cook time, this is an appetizer that is ready in no time flat. Try this recipe next time you have some fresh shrimp on hand.
10. Parmesan Crusted Tortellini Bites Appetizer
Prep Time: 30 Minutes
Cook Time: 15 Minutes
Primary Ingredients: Three Cheese Tortellini, Panko Breadcrumbs, Parmesan Cheese, Marinara Sauce
About Appetizer: Fried food is almost always delicious and a crowd favorite. These fried parmesan-crusted tortellini bites take it to the next level, though. They consist of delicious bite-sized tortellini that is filled with cheese, fried, and then dipped in marinara.
Making this a great appetizer for a cold night or anytime you want something warm and gooey. While a bit time-consuming to make, the result is well worth it! Once you taste these bites, it will be easy for you to see why this recipe made our best appetizers list.
11. Blackened Shrimp Avocado Cucumber Bites Appetizer
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 10 Minutes
Primary Ingredients: Shrimp, Cucumber, Avocado
About Appetizer: These blackened shrimp avocado cucumber bites are a bit more refined than your traditional finger food appetizer. The shrimp are seasoned and seared in a cast-iron pan, and then placed on cucumber slices covered in creamy avocado. A link to a tasty remoulade sauce is also included with this recipe, in case you want to serve a sauce with the bites.
12. Crescent Sausage Bites Appetizer
Prep Time: 20 Minutes
Cook Time: 20 Minutes
Primary Ingredients: Pork or Turkey Hot Sausage, Cream Cheese, Crescent Rolls
About Appetizer: With just three ingredients, these semi-homemade crescent sausage bites are simple and always popular at parties (and breakfast!). Just fry up some ground sausage, fold in some cream cheese, and then sandwich between two layers of crescent rolls.
13. Bacon Crackers Appetizer
Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Cook Time: 15-20 Minutes
Primary Ingredients: Butter Crackers, Bacon, Brown Sugar, Cayenne Pepper, Ground Black Pepper
About Appetizer: This salty-sweet-savory combo is truly addicting. With butter crackers as the base and then a thick layer of candied bacon, this is the perfect finger food appetizer for bacon lovers everywhere. Plus, since it’s easy to make large trays of this, this is the perfect appetizer for when you need to serve a big crowd.
14. Buffalo Chicken Tortilla Roll-up Appetizer
Prep Time: 20 Minutes
Cook Time: 10 Minutes (Chicken)
Fridge Time: 2 Hours
Primary Ingredients: Shredded Cooked Chicken, Cream Cheese, Wing Sauce, Blue Cheese, Cheddar Cheese, Flour Tortillas, Sour Cream, Green Onions
About Appetizer: Who doesn’t like Buffalo Chicken? This buffalo chicken tortilla roll-up features buffalo chicken front and center. Along with the chicken, this recipe has blue cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, and cheddar spread out on a tortilla. From here, all you have to do is roll it and then slice it. For an extra pop of color, top with sliced green onion.
15. Firecracker Chicken Meatballs Appetizer
Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Cook Time: 25 Minutes
Primary Ingredients: Ground Chicken, Panko Breadcrumbs, Hot Sauce, Brown Sugar
About Appetizer: Sweet, savory, and spicy, these firecracker chicken meatballs are one of the best appetizers and sure to impress. As a baked meatball, they are healthier than many other appetizers, but still pack a ton of flavor. If you are getting bored with the traditional meatball, give this one a try!
16. Chicken and Waffles on a Stick Appetizer
Prep Time: 10-15 Minutes
Cook Time: 20-22 Minutes
Primary Ingredients: Chicken Breast, Panko Bread Crumbs, Mini Frozen Waffles, Maple Syrup
About Appetizer: You might not naturally think of pairing chicken with waffles, but once you have tried it, you will think to yourself, “why have I never done this before?” This appetizer is going to combine the great taste of chicken and waffles with the simplicity of eating it right off of a stick.
17. Loaded Queso Fundido Appetizer
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 20 Minutes
Primary Ingredients: Chicken Breasts, Shredded American Cheese, Chorizo, Button Mushrooms, Tomatoes, Onion, Jalapenos, Shredded Cheddar Cheese
About Appetizer: Self-titled, “Mexican fondue,” this queso has a ton of flavor and is perfect for dipping chips, crackers, and bread. Also, with this recipe, it is easy to sub in and out different ingredients that you might find tastier. So load up your queso fundido and get your next party started on the right note.
18. Cheeseburger Egg Rolls Appetizer
Prep Time: 30 Minutes
Cook Time: 30 Minutes
Primary Ingredients: Ground Beef, Egg Roll Wrappers, American Cheese, Pickles, Onion
About Appetizer: A new American take on the egg roll. These cheeseburger egg rolls are going to take about an hour and fifteen minutes from start to finish. Once you and your guests taste them, though, it will be well worth the time invested. These egg roll cheeseburgers are sure to be a hit.
19. Fruit Salsa with Cinnamon Crisps Appetizer
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 10 Minutes
Primary Ingredients: Flour Tortillas, Granny Smith Apples, Strawberries, Raspberries, Raspberry Preserves
About Appetizer: If you are in search of a sweet appetizer, look no further than this fruit salsa with cinnamon crisps. Be sure to make plenty, though, because this appetizer is positively addicting. And hey, at least there is fruit in it!
20. Bacon Double Cheeseburger Dip Appetizer
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 50 Minutes
Primary Ingredients: Ground Beef, Bacon, Cream Cheese, Mayonaise, Cheddar Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese
About Appetizer: Bacon and cheeseburgers are already a tried and true combo. This recipe though is going to allow you to experience all the yummy goodness of a bacon cheeseburger in dip form! Perfect for chilly nights, this dip is a party favorite and one of the best appetizers.
21. Homemade Mac and Cheese Bites Appetizer
Prep Time: 20 Minutes
Cook Time: 15 Minutes
Primary Ingredients: Elbow Macaroni, Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Cream Cheese, Milk
About Appetizer: A favorite with both kids and adults, these homemade mac and cheese bites are a great finger food to serve at parties. Easy to make, these bites are sure to be a hit. If you love mac and cheese but want an easily served appetizer, you need to try this recipe.
22. Bacon-Wrapped Tater Tot Bombs Appetizer
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 25 Minutes
Primary Ingredients: Tater Tots, Bacon, Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Brown Sugar, Parsley
About Appetizer: These bacon-wrapped tater tot bombs taste just like they sound – bombs of deliciousness! Perfect for game days and other fun events, these bombs will not last long.
23. Cucumber Bites with Herb Cream Cheese Appetizer
Prep Time: 10-15 Minutes
Cook Time: N/A
Primary Ingredients: Cucumber, Ranch Dressing, Cream Cheese, Cherry Tomatoes
About Appetizer: Cost-effective, healthy, and delicious – what more could you want from these cucumber bites with herb cream cheese? If you are serving a large crowd, these bites are a sure bet, and they are relatively healthy to boot.
24. Chicken Lettuce Wraps Appetizer
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 12 Minutes
Primary Ingredients: Ground Chicken, Butter Lettuce, Mushrooms, Garlic, Sriracha, Green Onions, Soy Sauce
About Appetizer: A copycat recipe of PF Chang’s lettuce wraps, this chicken lettuce wraps recipe lets you enjoy all the tastiness of PF Chang’s at home. Sweet and spicy, these wraps will satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. They also work well as a light meal, so if you want an easy dinner option, these wraps are a great choice.
25. Pull-Apart Party Loaf Appetizer
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 35-40 Minutes
Primary Ingredients: Round Loaf of Bread, Cooked Bacon, Cheese, Ranch Seasoning, Jalapenos
About Appetizer: If you want to impress your guests or family, serve this pull-apart party loaf. Warm, gooey, and delicious, the ranch, butter, bacon, cheese, and jalapenos make this bread a standout appetizer.
Best Appetizers Conclusion
The right appetizers can really set off a great party. People love to gather around good food and enjoy life together. So whether you are preparing for a large gathering or just having a few friends over, this list of the best appetizers is sure to have what you are looking for.
If you need any of the cooking supplies to make one of these appetizers, make sure you visit our list of the best kitchen tools. And if you are looking for a few more lists to compliment this list of the best appetizers, make sure to visit our list of the best mixed drinks and best salad recipes.
With all of these lists, the pre-meal food and drinks might be more of a highlight than the actual meal. We would love to hear how your appetizers turned out in the comments below.
