Yummy Last-Minute Appetizers You Can Make in 25 Minutes or Less

Recipe: Cranberry Brie Bites

This takes everyone's favorite appetizer—baked brie—and turns it into the perfect bite of creamy cheese, sweet cranberry, crispy phyllo, and roasted salty pistachios. Those four ingredients are all it takes. 

Recipe: Cheesy Garlic-Herb-and-Ham Bites

These hit the trifecta of flavor: super creamy from garlic-herb spreadable cheese, salty from thin prosciutto, and crunchy from buttery puff pastry. They'll disappear in minutes.

Recipe: Romaine with Creamy Olive Dressing

We like to call this a procrastinator's dream. Lay out romaine in a row and cover in a quick olive dressing that does all the heavy lifting in terms of flavor. 

Recipe: Crispy Cheese Wafers

You'll love the snappy crunch on these cheese straws that get a flavorful punch from hand-grated extra sharp Cheddar cheese. Serve alongside pepper jelly for spreadable flair.

Recipe: Blue Cheese-and-Pecan Stuffed Cherry Peppers

Imagine a perfect hot-and-sweet, crunchy-and-creamy appetizer wrapped up into a single bite. That's exactly what these stuffed cherry peppers offer. It's a well-spent 20 minutes before any gathering, to say the least.

Recipe: Butternut Squash Triangles

Store-bought ingredients are the key to quickening up the prep time in order to have this recipe in the oven in minutes. Shave thin slices of butternut squash to bake on puff pastry, before finishing with drizzles of store-bought balsamic glaze and soft ricotta cheese.

Recipe: Prosciutto-Asiago Pimiento Cheese

We'll allow a little experimentation on the classic pimiento cheese front as long as it's as tasty a version as this. With crispy prosciutto and Asiago cheese, it's definitely worthy of stepping up your game.

Recipe: Garlic Butter-Roasted Shrimp Cocktail

Skip the expected chilled shrimp ring for warm roasted shrimp cooked in a lemon-garlic butter. We're not kidding when we say it's the sleeper hit at every single holiday party and disappears crazy-fast. Serve with toothpicks and cocktail sauce.

Recipe: Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad

It doesn't get easier than this throw-together salad that does not call for too much of the green stuff. In fact, maybe that's why it is always the most popular salad on the spread...

Recipe: Baked Brie with Jezebel Peaches

Melty cheese? At a party? It's a no-brainer. This peach-topped Brie bakes for only 15 minutes, making it the express route to party success.

Recipe: Creamy Feta and Herb Dip

There's always room for a creamy, tangy dip on the appetizer spread. This dip is packed with feta cheese, fresh lemon juice, and plenty of herbs; and it goes perfectly with a tray of colorful veggies.

Recipe: Chicken Salad-Stuffed Tomatoes

While this 15-minute recipe calls for quick homemade chicken salad made with a rotisserie chicken, you can also pick up a pint from your favorite deli or lunch spot to fill the tomatoes.

Recipe: Buttery Garlic Shrimp

The fastest way to make a show-stopping seafood appetizer? Coat shrimp with melted butter, garlic, and white wine; and serve with crusty garlic bread. That's the best 15 minutes you've ever spent.

Recipe: Baked Brie Bites

Five ingredients and 18 minutes later, these melty baked Brie bites will start showing up every other appetizer around. Red pepper jelly, pecans, and flaky sea salt add major texture and flavor.

Recipe: Bacon-Pimiento Guacamole

Any party deserves three standout ingredients: bacon, pimiento, and avocados. This fresh guacamole recipe combines all of them and turns a classic dip into something special.

Recipe: Smoky Snack Mix

Good thing it's easy to double or even triple this smoky mix recipe. Because it's a snack that people just can't stop snacking on. From game days to birthdays, it fits in anywhere.

Recipe: Smoky Black-Eyed Pea Hummus

We can justify adding black-eyed peas to just about anything, and this hummus is no exception. It blends a country-cooking staple with a traditional Middle Eastern dip and turns it into a real crowd-pleaser.

Recipe: Ham-Wrapped Figs

Get ready for something sweet, salty, and oh-so-nice. This trio of figs, ham, and cheese is practically a revelation for the taste buds. For a decadent finishing touch, drizzle the baked figs with a little bit of honey.

Recipe: Ham-And-Cheese Sliders

These might seem more time-intensive at first glance, but we've been known to throw these together in seconds when all the ingredients are store-bought and prepped—and the oven is on and ready. They take only about 13 to 15 minutes to bake. 

Recipe: Prosciutto-Wrapped Mango Bites

This incredibly easy appetizer is simple in conception, but perfectly balanced. Peppery arugula, sweet mango, salty prosciutto, and aromatic basil make a tasty team. 

Recipe: Creamy Crab Dip

We're revisiting an old classic with this creamy crab dip. Fresh lump crabmeat, Old Bay seasoning, lemon juice, and scallions combine for a cool, no-cook dip for any Southern soiree.

Recipe: Mini Caprese Bites

On a table of dips and spreads, these fresh skewers will stand out with the combo of fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and balsamic. They're almost too easy to pop into your mouth without missing a beat at the party.

Recipe: Stuffed Endive with Herbed Goat Cheese

Trade in the carby crackers for crisp endive lettuce. It plays the vessel for creamy herbed goat cheese in this cool appetizer that'll save room for more snacking.

Recipe: Succotash Salsa

This fresh succotash salsa was practically made for late summer and early fall tailgates. Like Texas Caviar, it gives a Southern spin to a Tex-Mex dip.

Recipe: Grilled Watermelon with Blue Cheese and Prosciutto

This isn't your typical party snack—but man, will it impress your guests. The savory-meets-sweet appetizer pairs grilled watermelon with blue cheese, salty prosciutto, and tangy balsamic.

Recipe: Beef-and-Asparagus Bundles

Make a quick appetizer that feels a little fancy with these fresh bundles with beef and asparagus. Garlic-and-herb cheese gives the cool, creamy touch that pulls it all together.

Recipe: Basic Pimiento Cheese​​​​​​​

Is it really a party without pimiento? We think not. The two game-changing steps to perfect pimiento cheese: hand-shredding the cheese and using diced jarred pimientos (not sliced).

Recipe: Melon, Mozzarella, and Prosciutto Skewers

A skewer-sized snack with juicy melon, salty prosciutto, and creamy mozzarella hits all the right flavor notes in a single bite. They're easy to make (and even easier to take) for last-minute get-togethers.

Recipe: Olive Oil Popcorn with Garlic and Rosemary

Flavored with olive oil, fresh rosemary, Parmesan cheese, and minced garlic, this popcorn is a sophisticated take on a classic snack. Set out a fresh batch of these herby popped kernels, and it'll be an easy favorite at casual affairs.

Recipe: Texas Caviar

This classic party-perfect dip gives a little twist with green tomatoes. They bring a bright, almost citrusy note to the mix. This 20-minute appetizer is always an easy option when in a pinch.