25 Show-Stopping Appetizers

Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Bread

We've taken garlic bread up a notch. These tasty toasts make perfect entertaining starters. For a light meal, serve them with a salad and glass of wine. Mix spreads the day before, and refrigerate overnight. You'll only need to slather them on French bread and bake for a super-quick presentation. So skip the carb counting, and crunch into something delicious.

• Recipe: Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Bread

Layered Sun-dried-Tomato-and-Basil Spread

You can save time by making this recipe up to 3 days before the party.

• Recipe: Layered Sun-dried-Tomato-and-Basil Spread

Mini Caviar Parfaits

To pull this sophisticated dish together fast, purchase peeled, boiled eggs in the deli or dairy section of your grocery store. Use leftover caviar and purchased boiled eggs to make extra-special deviled eggs.

• Recipe: Mini Caviar Parfaits

Beer Cheese Spread

This recipe makes a lot, but it can be frozen for up to a month. It fits perfectly into 4 (10-oz.) ramekins. Try it over French fries, hot dogs, and chili too.

• Recipe: Beer Cheese Spread

Boiled Peanut Hummus

While Chef Hugh Acheson of Five and Ten in Athens, GA seasons his peanuts with Old Bay seasoning and star anise, we found that simply salting the water yields a fabulous product. You can make this Southern favorite ahead; it keeps in the refrigerator up to five days. Serve the hummus alongside pitas at party time.

• Recipe: Boiled Peanut Hummus

Cheese Straws

If you like yours less spicy, use the smaller amount of red pepper.

• Recipe: Cheese Straws

Afterburners

These all-time favorite bite sized peppers are delicious served with queso.

• Recipe: Afterburners

Instant Italian Cheese Tray

Make a ho-hum cheese tray spectacular with a few unexpected additions. One large wedge of cheese looks like you splurged, but it's actually less expensive than offering several smaller choices.

• Recipe: Instant Italian Cheese Tray

Cranberry Meatballs

Making these meatballs ahead and freezing them is a great time saving tip during the holiday months.

• Recipe: Cranberry Meatballs

Easy Greek Dip

With low-fat yogurt as the main ingredient, guests won't have to worry about their waistline while they indulge. Busy hosts beware, this dip can be made ahead--it stores for up to three days.

• Recipe: Easy Greek Dip

Warm Turnip Green Dip

Transfer the dip to a 1- or 2-qt. slow cooker set on warm so guests can enjoy this creamy dip throughout your party. To make it spicier, serve your favorite brand of hot sauce on the side.

• Recipe: Warm Turnip Green Dip

Caramelized Onion-Cranberry Cream Cheese Bites

You can make the a day ahead and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes before serving.

• Recipe: Caramelized Onion-Cranberry Cream Cheese Bites

Cranberry-Cheese Box

To decorate the box, cut white part from 4 green onions. Blanch green onion tops in boiling water 1 minute or until tender, saving white part for other uses. Drain. Press 1 green onion strip into base of center of 1 side of box, pressing up sides until it meets center of top of box. Remove and discard excess green onion. Repeat with remaining green onion strips. Top center with fresh cranberries, orange curls, and additional strips of green onion, if desired.

• Recipe: Cranberry-Cheese Box

Pancetta Crisps with Goat Cheese and Pear

Top Bartlett pear slices with baked pancetta, crumbled goat cheese, and a drizzle of honey for an easy, salty-sweet appetizer recipe that tastes delicious and looks gorgeous.

• Recipe: Pancetta Crisps with Goat Cheese and Pear

Colby-Pepper Jack Cheese Dip

Prepare up to a day ahead; cover and chill in an airtight container, and bake just before serving.

• Recipe: Colby-Pepper Jack Cheese Dip

Beef and Asparagus Bundles

Tie these bundles with a fresh chive to put the perfect touch on this edible package!

• Recipe: Beef and Asparagus Bundles

Chutney-Glazed Cheese Pâtè

Shred your own Cheddar rather than buying preshredded; it's stickier and blends better with the cream cheese.

• Recipe: Chutney-Glazed Cheese Pâtè

Marinated Mozzarella

These snacks are as simple as sliced cheese. Prepare them ahead of time to allow ample chill time. Be sure to garnish with a sprig of parsley or rosemary for a bit of panache.

• Recipe: Marinated Mozzarella

Southern Shrimp Cocktails

Have the seafood market steam shrimp to save time, or follow our easy instructions in the recipe. Serve the shrimp, okra, and breadsticks on a platter around a bowl of the sauce, or make individual cocktails. Use 4-oz. votive candleholders, shot glasses, cordial glasses, or mini-martini glasses.

• Recipe: Southern Shrimp Cocktails

Hot Roast Beef Party Sandwiches

This is an updated version of a recipe that used ham, cheese, and mustard. Eyes lit up at our tasting table when these came out of the oven. These crowd pleasing sandwiches will surely delight guests.

• Recipe: Hot Roast Beef Party Sandwiches

Ham and Cheese Skewers

These starters look elegant on a serving platter--guests will be fooled by how quick and easy they really are. Assemble up to one hour ahead, cover with damp paper towels, and chill. Serve coarse-grain mustard or chutney alongside the skewers.

• Recipe: Ham and Cheese Skewers

Brie Tartlets with Grape Relish

Our editors put a modern spin on a traditional party staple. Forgo the usual line around the cheese table and broken crackers—give each guest their own brie by serving up these tartlets.

• Recipe: Brie Tartlets with Grape Relish

Assemble Your Own Barbecue Stacks

Popular with adults and children alike, serve these stacks in an easy to reach party spot. Expand toppings to include pickled okra or sliced jalapeño peppers.

• Recipe: Assemble Your Own Barbecue Stacks

Blue Cheese Biscuits

Pair these biscuits with Beef Tenderloin With Horseradish Cream for a flavorful appetizer.

Recipe: Blue Cheese Biscuits

Pinecone Cheese Ball

The outstanding presentation of this appetizer will make people think you spent more time on it than it really took.

• Recipe: Pinecone Cheese Ball