16 Easy Outdoor Appetizers

Perfect for entertaining outside, this finger food collection features meats served straight off the grill and cool dips with no-fuss presentations.

Layered Spicy Black Bean Dip recipe

Layered Spicy Black Bean Dip

Be ready to party in just 10 minutes. This fiesta party staple uses a store-bought black bean dip to add flavor and shorten the ingredient list.

Honey-Soy Appetizer Ribs

Honey-Soy Appetizer Ribs

The ultimate finger food, spareribs can serve equally well as an appetizer as a main dish. Honey and soy sauce coat these ribs to give them upscale, Asian flavor.

Wedding Bridal Shower Ideas: Simple Antipasto Platter

Simple Antipasto Platter

For a simple yet impressive starter, arrange a colorful antipasto platter. Roll a log of goat cheese in fresh chopped parsley and set out sliced salami, pickled okra, kalamata olives, and roasted red bell peppers. Serve with assorted crackers and breadsticks. Prepare the platter in advance and pop it out of the fridge at party time.

 

Cat Cora’s Greek Easter Recipe Ideas: Feta Spread (Htipiti)

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Feta Spread (Htipiti)

Find out for yourself why this salty spread earned especially rave reviews in our Test Kitchen. Htipiti makes a great starter and pairs beautifully with the roasted lamb. Serve with crostini or pita chips, and garnish with dried crushed red pepper and olive oil. You can also process the mixture longer for a sauce-like consistency.

Carolina Grilled Shrimp

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Carolina Grilled Shrimp

These zesty marinated shrimp taste perfect with a light char off the grill. Serve on small skewers for an easy-to-eat presentation.

Mustard Dill Tortellini Salad Skewers

Jennifer Davick; Styling Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling Angela Sellers

Mustard-Dill Tortellini Salad Skewers

These festive party pick-ups get a quick start with refrigerated cheese tortellini. If you’re short on time, simply toss the ingredients together in a pretty bowl and set out some forks.

Fiesta Dip recipe

Fiesta Dip

This zesty dip proves you can stay on your diet and still enjoy the party. Blend seven ingredients in a food processor (or blender), chill for one hour, and you’ve got a cool creamy party dip. Serve with zucchini and squash slices.

Bacon-Wrapped Scallops

Bacon-Wrapped Scallops

Serve these bite-size treats straight off the grill. Salty bacon is the perfect finish to the marinated, meaty scallops. Dip in Dot’s Tartar Sauce for an extra layer of flavor.

Easy Barbecue Sliders

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Easy Barbecue Sliders

Make appetizer portions of your favorite pork sandwich and top with coleslaw Memphis-style. Like any good barbecue, they’re sure to please a crowd.

Melon, Mozzarella, and Prosciutto Skewers

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Melon, Mozzarella, and Prosciutto Skewers

Cantaloupe or honeydew adds refreshing fruity flavor to these meat-and-cheese skewers that are perfect for a hot day. They’re easy to make in advance and pull out of the fridge right before party time.

Smoky Ranch Dip

Smoky Ranch Dip

Readers rave about how easy it is to prepare this tasty three-ingredient dip. Chipotle peppers in adobe sauce add a kick to the ranch and sour cream mixture. Serve with potato chips and assorted raw veggies.

Shrimp-and-Blue Cheese Spread

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Shrimp-and-Blue Cheese Spread

This creamy dip is sure to garner recipe requests at your next party. Readers tell us they love the pairing of pungent blue cheese and shrimp. Even those who don’t like blue cheese should try dipping crackers or veggies in this dip.

Grilled Herbed Chicken Drumettes With White Barbecue Sauce

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Grilled Herbed Chicken Drumettes With White Barbecue Sauce

Full of Southern flair, these are sure to rival even the best hot wings. Thyme, oregano, cumin, and paprika coat these chicken pieces with flavor bettered only by dipping in a tangy White Barbecue Sauce.

Shrimp-in-a-Pickle

Shrimp-in-a-Pickle

A refreshing vinegar mixture pickles shrimp and onions in a zesty coating. Prepare this appetizer in advance, and simply pour in a festive dish to serve.

Baked Bean Crostinis

Photo Jennifer Davick / Styling Buffy Hargett / Food Styling Marian Cooper Cairns

Baked Bean Crostinis

Baked Bean Crostinis are a fun twist on an old stand-by. Feel free to load up on toppings; we love pickled jalapeo, bacon, and queso fresco.

Related Recipes: Our Best Barbecue Sides

Quick and Easy Party Snack Mix

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Easy Party Snack Mix

Wasabi peas add color and spice to this simple and quick five-ingredient mix. The ingredients also hold up well in the heat if you want to serve outdoors.

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