These Appetizers Make it Easy to Feed a Whole Crowd
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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.
Get the Upside-Down Puff Pastry Radish Tarts recipe.
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.
Garlic-Ranch Party Mix
Your guests are practically guaranteed to grab handful after handful of this salty, tangy snack mix throughout the night. The addictive party mix contains ranch-flavored cereal squares, popcorn, pretzels, and nuts.
Get Ree's Garlic-Ranch Party Mix recipe.
Cranberry Brie Bites
These cranberry brie bites may be a holiday party staple, but they pack a salty, tart, and fruity punch that’s enjoyable year round. They’re practically foolproof, as they get their adorable shape from a mini muffin pan and use only four main ingredients: flaky puff pastry, cranberry sauce, brie, and pistachios.
Get the Cranberry Brie Bites recipe.
Ham and Cheese Sliders
These big-batch ham and cheese sliders are a tailgate classic, but they make a scrumptious starter for any occasion. Plus, they’re so easy to make as they use rolls that come attached, so you can assemble and bake all 12 sliders at once. They also have a spicy twist that elevates the typical ham and cheese flavor profile, courtesy of pickled jalapeños!
Get the Ham and Cheese Sliders recipe.
Queso Dip
Dips are one of our favorite easy appetizers because many require just one pot—and only a few ingredients—to yield the perfect accompaniment to chips! For the most foolproof queso dip, we recommend adding your ingredients to a slow cooker. Then, top it with garnish and watch your crowd devour the lusciously silky queso in a flash!
Get the Queso Dip recipe.
Crispy Brie-Stuffed Mushrooms
Stuffed mushrooms don’t have to be complicated to be delicious! This recipe omits the tedious task of scooping out the mushrooms’ insides and delivers the perfect earthy, cheesy bite that your guests will love! Simply stuff a small piece of brie into the mushrooms, top with a panko bread crumb mixture, and bake until the cheese melts and the tops are golden!
Get Ree's Crispy Brie-Stuffed Mushrooms recipe.
Air Fryer Fried Pickles
This list would not be complete without its fair share of air fryer recipes, as the clever device makes cooking so much easier. In the case of these fried pickles, the air fryer also makes the dish healthier! This recipe omits the Southern comfort food’s typical, deep-fried cooking method—but not the crisp and crunch!
Get Ree's Air Fryer Fried Pickles recipe.
Grilled Shrimp Skewers
This easy shrimp starter is great for seafood novices and experts alike, as it calls for a simple, six-ingredient lemon-garlic marinade. These skewers of juicy, shrimpy goodness can also be made inside on a grill pan or cast-iron skillet during the colder months.
Get the Grilled Shrimp Skewers recipe.
Air Fryer Egg Rolls
There's nothing like that first bite of crispy, fried egg roll. Give your guests the gift of that first bite feeling—without the excess oil—when you serve these air fryer egg rolls at your next party. The juicy pork filling is made even easier with store-bought coleslaw mix and pre-cut matchstick carrots.
Get the Air Fryer Egg Rolls recipe.
Sausage Dip
This sausage dip recipe couldn’t get easier, as it calls for just three ingredients: sausage, cream cheese, and salsa. On second thought, it could, and does, get easier as the sausage dip cooks in just 10 minutes in a cast iron skillet that you can serve right out of!
Get the Sausage Dip recipe.
Spiced-Up Potato Chips
Transform regular potato chips into a zesty and spicy culinary delight. This simple hack involves baking store-bought chips and tossing the hot chips in a mixture of garlic salt, paprika, black pepper and cayenne. These elevated chips are the perfect vehicle for the delicious and easy dips on this list!
Get Ree's Spiced-Up Potato Chips recipe.
Herb Focaccia
Unlike most homemade bread recipes, there's no need to knead the dough for this crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside herb focaccia. Chopped fresh rosemary, sage, thyme, and parsley are mixed right into the dough that's left to rise in the refrigerator for 12 hours. Serve with oil and vinegar for utmost carb-loaded enjoyment.
Get the Herb Focaccia recipe.
Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
This creamy butternut squash soup makes an ideal starter for a more intimate dinner party. Oh, and did we mention you only need five ingredients to whip it up? It's made even easier with pre-cut butternut squash, so the hardest part of the recipe (cutting the squash open and cleaning it out) is taken care of for you!
Get the Roasted Butternut Squash Soup recipe.
Spinach Artichoke Cups
The crowd-favorite dip takes a new, enticing form in this recipe. Crispy wonton cups are filled with a spinach artichoke mixture to make bite-size morsels that are as easy to serve as they are to make.
Get Ree's Spinach Artichoke Cups recipe.
Cocktail Meatballs
This traditional party appetizer gets a sweet and spicy upgrade with Ree's chili-sriracha-apricot sauce. Everything is cooked together directly in the slow cooker so all you have to do is set it and forget it.
Get Ree's Cocktail Meatballs recipe.
Crudités with Herby Dip
If turning on your kitchen appliances isn't in the cards, serve your guests this fresh crudité platter with a creamy, herby dip that requires absolutely no cooking. The sour cream and mayo-based dip gets its fresh flavor from herbs like parsley, tarragon, and chives that complement the crunchy veggies perfectly.
Get Ree's Crudités with Herby Dip recipe.
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