30 Seafood Appetizers That Go Way Beyond Shrimp Cocktail

Trying to up your dinner party hosting game? Serving up one (or a few) of these favorite seafood appetizers is easily the most effortless (yet still super-fancy!) way to do it. No, we're not just talking shrimp cocktail either (although our recipe is pretty killer). Our beyond-simple recipes for cornbread-stuffed mussels, crab rangoon, and bacon-wrapped scallops will blow any humdrum pigs in a blanket out of the water and prove that these apps are the best in the sea (all puns very much intended).

Serving seafood as an hors d'oeuvre is one of our favorite pro-tips when it comes to making party fare. Shrimp, scallops, and shellfish like clams all have very quick cook times, making them perfect for when you need a last-minute appetizer ASAP. Your guests will never know you were on a time crunch when they dig into appetizers like harissa clams, shrimp toast, and our Italian-style bagna cauda dip. Even if you like to be a bit ahead of the game, seafood also works great when prepping any make-ahead appetizers, especially our recipes for slow-cooker crab dip and California sushi bites. Better yet, seafood might be the easiest protein to cook of them all, so it's ideal for beginners and pros alike!

Hungry for more? Round out your spread with more of our top recipes for bite-sized party appetizers, the perfect white wines to go with your bites, as well as all our favorite weeknight seafood recipes that'll make a top-notch main event.