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

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

Kaitlyn Yarborough, Assistant Editor and Writer for Southern Living
By Kaitlyn Yarborough Updated August 13, 2020
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Blue Cheese-and-Pecan Stuffed Cherry Peppers
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Karin Olsen; Food Styling: William Smith

Whether we realize it or not, most appetizer spreads are like an impromptu pageant of bite-sized snacks, particularly if we're talking around the holidays. Everyone can tell which appetizers are scoring high by how quickly they're disappearing and how frequently they're being raved about by partygoers—and some of the best appetizers are the ones that don't come off like you're trying too hard. That's where it'll get you. We'd pick homemade pimiento cheese topped with Wickles over crème fraiche drizzled with caviar any day.

We like quick and easy-to-make, especially during busy times—and those are the real winners of the party-snack pageant anyway. Because the best appetizers are those we can make in under an hour, and the hardest-working are those that save us when we only have a spare 25 minutes.

Next time you're in panic mode, try these last-minute appetizers that steal the show every time and can be ready to serve in less than 25 minutes. 

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Whip Up These Appetizers and Impress Last-Minute Company

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Cranberry Brie Bites

Cranberry Brie Bites
Credit: Southern Living

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. 

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Cheesy Garlic-Herb-and-Ham Bites

Cheesy Garlic-Herb-and-Ham Bites
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners

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.

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Romaine with Creamy Olive Dressing

Romaine with Creamy Olive Dressing
Credit: Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Karin Olsen; Food Styling: William Smith

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. 

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Crispy Cheese Wafers

Crispy Cheese Wafers

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.

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Blue Cheese-and-Pecan Stuffed Cherry Peppers

Blue Cheese-and-Pecan Stuffed Cherry Peppers
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Karin Olsen; Food Styling: William Smith

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.

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Butternut Squash Triangles

Butternut Squash Triangles
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners

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.

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Prosciutto-Asiago Pimiento Cheese

Prosciutto-Asiago Pimiento Cheese
Credit: Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox

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.

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Garlic Butter-Roasted Shrimp Cocktail

Garlic Butter-Roasted Shrimp Cocktail
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Karin Olsen; Food Styling: William Smith

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.

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Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad

Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Toni Brogan

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...

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Baked Brie with Jezebel Peaches

Baked Brie with Jezebel Peaches
Credit: Iain Bagwell

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.

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Creamy Feta-and-Herb Dip

Creamy Feta-and-Herb Dip
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food styling: Torie Cox

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.

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Chicken Salad-Stuffed Tomatoes

Chicken Salad-Stuffed Tomatoes
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Torie Cox

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.

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Buttery Garlic Shrimp

Buttery Garlic Shrimp
Credit: Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

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.

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Baked Brie Bites

Baked Brie Bites
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

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.

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Bacon-Pimiento Guacamole

Collard Dip
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

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.

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Smoky Snack Mix

Smoky Snack Mix
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

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.

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Smoky Black-Eyed Pea Hummus

Collard Dip
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

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.

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Ham-Wrapped Figs

SL Sept 16 Virginia Willisphotographer: Jennifer Causey; food stylist: Kellie Gerber Kelley; prop stylist: Claire Spollen
Credit: Jennifer Causey

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.

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Ham-And-Cheese Sliders

Ham-And-Cheese Sliders
Credit: Photography and Styling: Karen Rankin

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. 

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Prosciutto-Wrapped Mango Bites

Prosciutto-Wrapped Mango Bites
Credit: Southern Living

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. 

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Creamy Crab Dip

Collard Dip
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

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.

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Mini Caprese Bites

Mini Caprese Bites
Credit: William Dickey

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.

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Stuffed Endive with Herbed Goat Cheese

Stuffed Endive with Herbed Goat Cheese
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

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.

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Succotash Salsa

Collard Dip
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

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.

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Grilled Watermelon with Blue Cheese and Prosciutto

Grilled Watermelon with Blue Cheese and Prosciutto
Credit: Jennifer Davick

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.

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Beef-and-Asparagus Bundles

Beef-and-Asparagus Bundles
Credit: Ralph Lee Anderson

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.

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Basic Pimiento Cheese

Basic Pimiento Cheese
Credit: Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox

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).

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Melon, Mozzarella, and Prosciutto Skewers

Melon, Mozzarella, and Prosciutto Skewers
Credit: Jennifer Davick

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.

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Olive Oil Popcorn with Garlic and Rosemary

Olive Oil Popcorn with Garlic and Rosemary
Credit: Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

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.

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Texas Caviar

Texas Caviar
Credit: Southern Living

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.

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    View All

    1 of 31 Whip Up These Appetizers and Impress Last-Minute Company
    2 of 31 Cranberry Brie Bites
    3 of 31 Cheesy Garlic-Herb-and-Ham Bites
    4 of 31 Romaine with Creamy Olive Dressing
    5 of 31 Crispy Cheese Wafers
    6 of 31 Blue Cheese-and-Pecan Stuffed Cherry Peppers
    7 of 31 Butternut Squash Triangles
    8 of 31 Prosciutto-Asiago Pimiento Cheese
    9 of 31 Garlic Butter-Roasted Shrimp Cocktail
    10 of 31 Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad
    11 of 31 Baked Brie with Jezebel Peaches
    12 of 31 Creamy Feta-and-Herb Dip
    13 of 31 Chicken Salad-Stuffed Tomatoes
    14 of 31 Buttery Garlic Shrimp
    15 of 31 Baked Brie Bites
    16 of 31 Bacon-Pimiento Guacamole
    17 of 31 Smoky Snack Mix
    18 of 31 Smoky Black-Eyed Pea Hummus
    19 of 31 Ham-Wrapped Figs
    20 of 31 Ham-And-Cheese Sliders
    21 of 31 Prosciutto-Wrapped Mango Bites
    22 of 31 Creamy Crab Dip
    23 of 31 Mini Caprese Bites
    24 of 31 Stuffed Endive with Herbed Goat Cheese
    25 of 31 Succotash Salsa
    26 of 31 Grilled Watermelon with Blue Cheese and Prosciutto
    27 of 31 Beef-and-Asparagus Bundles
    28 of 31 Basic Pimiento Cheese
    29 of 31 Melon, Mozzarella, and Prosciutto Skewers
    30 of 31 Olive Oil Popcorn with Garlic and Rosemary
    31 of 31 Texas Caviar

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