Food and Recipes Party Food and Drink 100+ Best-Ever Appetizer Recipes for Any Occasion By Southern Living Editors Southern Living Editors Since 1966, the editors of Southern Living have been carrying out the mission of the brand: to bring enjoyment, fulfillment, and inspiration to our readers by celebrating life in the South. We inspire creativity in their homes, their kitchens, their gardens, and their personal style. We are a friend they can trust, a guide to the seasons, a helping hand during the holidays, and a relentless champion of the Southern way of life. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on July 21, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Ali Ramee; Prop Styling: Sarah Elizabeth Cleveland Nobody throws a party like a Southerner throws a party. There are so many details to consider, from the décor to the music selection. Our primary concern? The food, of course. We know the importance of a delicious, easy appetizer recipe. Start your party off right with these appetizer ideas and simple recipes for dips, spreads, finger foods, and lots more. Whether you're attending a tailgate, wedding shower, graduation party, or any other occasion, it all starts with finger food. From classics like deviled eggs and meatballs to new twists on iconic recipes, such as deviled potatoes and hot brown tarts, we've compiled our all-time favorite appetizer recipes into one handy guide. You'll want to bookmark this page, y'all. Flavorful, crowd-pleasing, and oh-so easy to make, you'll go back to these recipes again and again. This assortment of easy appetizer recipes will please everyone on the guest list. The mark of a truly tasty appetizer is an empty platter at the end of an event, so choose one of these top-rated party appetizers and your friends will beg you for the recipe. 01 of 102 Loaded Deviled Eggs Photographer: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn Recipe: Loaded Deviled Eggs Toppings like bacon, cheddar, sour cream, and chives aren't just for potatoes. Get the taste of two classic dishes, loaded baked potatoes and deviled eggs, in one bite. 02 of 102 Bacon Bow Tie Crackers Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Tami Hardeman Recipe: Bacon Bow Tie Crackers This two-ingredient recipe couldn't be more simple. If you want to provide a light snack without having to use another set of dishes before dinner, this bite-sized appetizer is a great option. Depending on the size of the crowd you'll be serving, you may want to consider doubling this recipe because they'll start to disappear quickly once your guests arrive. 03 of 102 Slow-Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe: Slow-Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip Secure a repeat invitation by showing up to any potluck or cookout with this slow-cooker rendition of Buffalo Chicken Dip. Frank's Red Hot is our sauce of choice, but you can use your favorite. 04 of 102 Spicy Bisquick Sausage Balls Photography: Caitlin Bensel Food Styling: Ali Ramee Prop Styling: Sarah Elizabeth Cleveland Recipe: Spicy Bisquick Sausage Balls Using hot sausage adds some heat to these sausage balls. As tempting as it may be, make sure not to reach for pre-shredded cheese for this recipe. Grating your own cheese will give you the best results. 05 of 102 Red Chipotle Pepper Jelly Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Recipe: Red Chipotle Pepper Jelly If you have a jar or two of this pepper jelly in the fridge, you're one block of cream cheese away from the perfect Southern appetizer. 06 of 102 Bacon-Cheese Gougères Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Recipe: Bacon-Cheese Gougères Bacon and cheese are always a winning duo in our book, and these Gougères are no exception to that rule. We recommend serving them warm. 07 of 102 Picnic Egg Salad Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele Recipe: Picnic Egg Salad Boiling eggs is the most time-intensive part of pulling together this classic egg salad recipe, which of course doesn't take too much time. It's also the perfect make-ahead recipe as you can make it a day in advance and keep it in the refrigerator overnight. We use toasted baguettes as the base, but you can also serve with crackers to make it more portable. 08 of 102 Bloody Mary Poached Shrimp Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Christine Keely Recipe: Bloody Mary Poached Shrimp This poached shrimp can be served at a myriad of events, from a backyard barbecue to a holiday cocktail party. 09 of 102 Jalapeño Popper Dip Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Dip You'll know this dip is ready to come out of the oven when the top is bubbling and golden brown. Made with cream cheese, Cheddar cheese, and Pepper Jack Cheese, we assure you there's no shortage of cheesy goodness in this recipe. 10 of 102 Warm Cheese Box Bites Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Christine Keely Recipe: Warm Cheese Box Bites Serving these cheese box bites warm is key to delivering maximum flavor. You can make them ahead of time and keep them in the freezer, just warm them right before serving. 11 of 102 Asparagus Ribbon Crostini Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Christina Daley Recipe: Asparagus Ribbon Crostini Serving ribbons of asparagus on top of baguette slices turns it from a side dish into a spring-ready finger food. Fresh mint helps make it even more colorful. 12 of 102 Smoked Vidalia Onion Dip with Grilled Crudités Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Christine Keely Recipe: Smoked Vidalia Onion Dip with Grilled Crudités While you may usually choose to pick up store-bought onion dip, special occasions are worthy of making it from scratch. 13 of 102 Butter-Baked Saltine Crackers Southern Living Recipe: Butter-Baked Saltine Crackers If dinner will be served soon after guests arrive, but you still want to offer up a small bite when they walk through the door, these dressed-up saltines will save the day. Plus, we bet you already have the two ingredients you'll need to pull these crackers together on hand in your kitchen. 14 of 102 Hot Cheesy Crab Dip Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Recipe: Hot Cheesy Crab Dip We paired this cheesy dip with sturdy Endive leaves for dipping, but you can also serve with the crackers or bread of your choice. 15 of 102 Corn and Jalapeño Dip Hector Manuel Sanchez Recipe: Corn and Jalapeño Dip This dip requires just eight ingredients and minimally no work. All you'll have to do is dump the ingredients in your slow cooker, give them a stir, and then set it to cook. Just make sure to reserve the bacon to add halfway through the cooking process. Plus, making a dip in the slow cooker will ensure it stays warm until your guests arrive. 16 of 102 Spicy Cheese Twists Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Recipe: Spicy Cheese Twists This slightly upgraded version of cheese straws comes together with frozen puff pastry sheets. 17 of 102 Creamy Avocado Dip Johnny Autry; Prop and Food Styling: Charlotte L. Autry Recipe: Creamy Avocado Dip A slightly creamier version of guacamole, this no-cook avocado dip can be enjoyed with fresh veggies, tortilla chips, or a combination of both. 18 of 102 Hot Brown Party Rolls Victor Protasio; Food Stying: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Recipe: Hot Brown Party Rolls Leave it to Test Kitchen Pro Ivy Odom to turn Kentucky's famous Hot Brown sandwiches into a big-batch, one-dish appetizer that's perfect for your Derby party. 19 of 102 Bacon-Pimiento Guacamole Hector Manuel Sanchez Recipe: Bacon-Pimiento Guacamole Just when you thought fresh guacamole couldn't get any better, we added bacon and pimientos. 20 of 102 Slow-Roasted Cherry Tomato Bruschetta Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Anna Hampton; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Recipe: Slow-Roasted Cherry Tomato Bruschetta Tangy goat cheese and crispy baguette slices are the ideal canvas for this comforting yet light take on bruschetta. 21 of 102 Crispy Baked Chicken Wings Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer Recipe: Crispy Baked Chicken Wings Sometimes firing up the grill isn't possible, so it's aways a good idea to have a baked chicken wing recipe up your sleeve. 22 of 102 Warm Spinach-Sweet Onion Dip with Country Ham Warm Spinach-Sweet Onion Dip with Country Ham Recipe: Warm Spinach-Sweet Onion Dip with Country Ham Is it really a Southern party without a tasty spinach dip on the table? We think not. 23 of 102 Basic Pimiento Cheese Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox Recipe: Basic Pimiento Cheese Coarse, freshly grated cheese works best, so get out your box grater. The key to great pimiento cheese is to freshly grate the cheese at home. Spread between bread to create little tea sandwiches, or serve as a dip for crackers and veggies. 24 of 102 Warm Cheese-and-Spicy Pecan Dip Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox Recipe: Warm Cheese-and-Spicy Pecan Dip This rich, homemade dip is made with three different cheeses and topped with spiced nuts for an unforgettable flavor. 25 of 102 Creamy Spinach-Ricotta Crostini Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Recipe: Creamy Spinach-Ricotta Crostini Sometimes when you're spending all of your time preparing the main meal, a quick and simple recipe is needed to save the day. This recipe is just that, coming together in just 15 minutes. 26 of 102 Mini Potato Skins Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop styling: Claire Spollen; Food styling: Chelsea Zimmer Recipe: Mini Potato Skins If you're looking for a fun, crowd-pleasing appetizer that needs to travel well? This just might be the recipe for you. To take them to a party, prepare the recipe through Step 3 and place potato skins in a container. Complete Step 4 before serving. 27 of 102 Easy Buffalo Chicken Dip Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen Recipe: Easy Buffalo Chicken Dip Rich, creamy, and chicken-filled, this Buffalo Chicken Dip recipe is packed with irresistible flavor. 28 of 102 Ham-and-Cheese Sliders Photography and Styling: Karen Rankin Recipe: Ham-and-Cheese Sliders This ham-and-cheese slider recipe is a beloved Southern classic. 29 of 102 Pizza Pepper Poppers Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Christina Daley Recipe: Pizza Pepper Poppers After-school snacking has never looked so fun. Get all the flavor of your favorite pizza in these stuffed peppers that are ready with just 10 minutes of hands-on time. 30 of 102 Beer-Cheese Fondue Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Recipe: Beer-Cheese Fondue No one at your holiday gathering will be able to resist the retro charm of a pot of fondue. We switched up the dipping options with sliced bratwurst, steamed broccoli, roasted Brussels sprouts, and fingerling potatoes. 31 of 102 Smoky Black-Eyed Pea Hummus Hector Manuel Sanchez Recipe: Smoky Black-Eyed Pea Hummus This unique hummus recipe is made with black-eyed peas instead of chickpeas and topped with flavorful paprika. 32 of 102 Smoked-Fish Dip Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke Recipe: Smoked-Fish Dip Chef Adam Evans of award-winning Automatic Seafood & Oysters in Birmingham, Alabama, shared this incredible dip recipe with us. A good dip almost always disappears before the end of the night, but if you're lucky enough to have any leftovers, this Smoked Fish Dip will be amazing spread on a baguette for a sandwich the next day. 33 of 102 Mushroom-Stuffed Phyllo Cups Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Recipe: Mushroom-Stuffed Phyllo Cups Prep these mini mushroom bites ahead of time and pop them in the oven for five minutes just before guests arrive. 34 of 102 Baked BLT Dip Skyler Burt Recipe: Baked BLT Dip This creamy dip recipe takes the best qualities of a BLT sandwich and transforms it into an easy and delicious appetizer. 35 of 102 Stuffed Okra Poppers Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Recipe: Stuffed Okra Poppers If you thought jalapeno poppers were the ultimate appetizer, we made them even more Southern with okra and pimiento cheese. 36 of 102 Georgia-Style Boiled Peanuts Alison Miksch Recipe: Georgia-Style Boiled Peanuts This easy, slow-cooker snack is always a Southern favorite. 37 of 102 Stuffed Endive with Herbed Goat Cheese Laurey W. Glenn Recipe: Stuffed Endive with Herbed Goat Cheese Bite sized and based on vegetables, this easy appetizer is big on flavor and gorgeous on a tabletop (we love the star-shaped presentation for the holidays). Creamy goat cheese stuffing is made from a combination of creamy goat cheese, softened cream cheese, lemon zest, chives, parsley, and tarragon; sub in whichever herbs you desire, like red pepper for a Southern twist. 38 of 102 Quick Pickled Brussels Sprouts Greg DuPree Recipe: Quick Pickled Brussels Sprouts Here's an easy and impressive way to amp up your meat and cheese platter. We teamed up with chef and cookbook author Virginia Willis to create this easy pickled Brussels sprouts recipe flavored with black peppercorns, mustard seeds, garlic, bay leaf, and a pinch of spicy red pepper. 39 of 102 Sweet Potato and Chorizo Sausage Bites Hector Manuel Sanchez Recipe: Sweet Potato and Chorizo Sausage Bites Extra-sharp cheddar cheese, a dash of cinnamon, and a few scoops of plum jelly give this chorizo sausage ball recipe multiple layers of savory flavor. Take these sweet-potato-and-chorizo-sausage balls as the rest of the South's answer to Louisiana's savory boudin balls–each delicious bite is loaded with meat with a little kick from spicy chorizo. 40 of 102 Baby Hasselback Potatoes with Blue Cheese and Bacon Laurey W. Glenn; Food Styling: William Smith; Prop Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham Recipe: Baby Hasselback Potatoes with Blue Cheese and Bacon The defining characteristic of perfectly-baked Hasselback-style potatoes? The thin, crispy, accordion-like slices that bake into golden perfection in the oven. This cutting technique allows the outside of the potato to bake into a crispy skin, while the inside remains soft and creamy. 41 of 102 Yeast Rolls Iain Bagwell Recipe: Yeast Rolls After months of testing, we can accurately say that these buttery, fluffy yeast rolls will steal the show. Making the dough the night before baking cuts down on day-of prep and hands-on kneading time. 42 of 102 Mini Black Bean and Cheese Enchiladas Stephen Devries Recipe: Mini Black Bean and Cheese Enchiladas You'll never guess you can whip up these easy appetizers in only three steps. Simply bake flour tortillas in muffin pans, fill with all the fixin's (like black beans, refried beans, enchilada sauce, green chilies, and shredded Monterey Jack cheese) and bake. Top with sour cream, lettuce, pico de gallo, and scallions. You can have these appetizers out in 30 minutes or less. 43 of 102 Cornmeal Popovers Laurey W. Glenn; Food Styling: William Smith; Prop Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham Recipe: Cornmeal Popovers Classic airy bread popover bites get a comfort-filled Southern makeover with the addition of our favorite grain: cornmeal. With basic pantry staples, like flour, milk, eggs, and butter, you can make these crowd-pleasing popovers in less than 30 minutes. The secret to party-ready popovers lies in getting them just fluffy and airy enough to "pop." 44 of 102 Baked Brie Bites Laurey W. Glenn Recipe: Baked Brie Bites Made from only five ingredients but packed with flavor, these bites come together in under 10 minutes. Each ingredient is store-bought; simply assemble the flaky phyllo dough shells, creamy Brie cheese, tasted pecans, sweet and spicy pepper jelly, fresh parsley, and serve. 45 of 102 Party Poppers Photo: Hector Sanchez Recipe: Party Poppers This quick and easy appetizer, with just a few ingredients and even fewer steps, will make entertaining easy without the hassle of fussing over the oven all day and night. For those who like it hot, swap mini sweet peppers for spicy jalapeños. 46 of 102 Chicken Liver Mousse Crostini with Pepper Jelly Hector Manuel Sanchez Recipe: Chicken Liver Mousse Crostini with Pepper Jelly Pepper jelly lifts the flavor in this chicken liver mousse appetizer served with toasted baguettes. Onion, garlic, and heavy cream also bring out the delicious flavors in this appetizer staple. This recipe takes time, but will be well worth the wait once finished. 47 of 102 Spinach-and-Vidalia Dip Photo: Greg Dupree Recipe: Spinach-and-Vidalia Dip Take a moment to meet your new favorite appetizer. This twist on the classic spinach dip is sure to please even the most particular guests. Just like classic spinach dip, the recipe mixes together spinach, sour cream, and chives to achieve that cool, onion flavor with a kick. 48 of 102 Deviled Potatoes Hector Manuel Sanchez Recipe: Deviled Potatoes Two Southern classics, deviled eggs and potato salad, join forces to create these two-bite wonders. Scooping out the middle of the potato, filling it with flavor, and it stuffing it back in make it reminiscent of a deviled egg, but it taste just a like a scoop of bite-sized potato salad goodness. The pulp is mixed with sour cream, capers, mustard and a few other key ingredients that will not leave guests missing a traditional potato salad. 49 of 102 Crawfish Dip Greg DuPree Recipe: Crawfish Dip Filled with flavor from a variety of spices, guests will be wowed by the flavor of this simple dish that lets the slow cooker do most of the work. After making this dip, serve it in a slow cooker to keep it warm (and to avoid doing any extra dishes). Set this appetizer out with crackers or toasted baguette slices and watch it disappear at your next party. 50 of 102 Tex-Mex Deviled Eggs Hector Manuel Sanchez Recipe: Tex-Mex Deviled Eggs One of the South's most iconic appetizers fuses with the nineties' obsession with Tex-Mex to create a twist on this beloved party appetizer. Traditional ingredients such as mayonnaise and mustard still garnish the dish, but ingredients reminiscent of Tex-Mex such as cilantro, jalapeño, and chili powder infuse the dish with plenty of the Tex-Mex flavor that guests will immediately recognize. 51 of 102 Cheese Snappy Wafers Hector M. Sanchez Recipe: Cheese Snappy Wafers Southern hostesses have long relied on cheese wafers to keep their party guests satiated, and with just six ingredients, this recipe is any hostesses dream appetizer to prepare. Held together by sharp cheddar cheese, rice cereal, butter, and flour, this recipe will be a crowd pleaser simply because of its simplicity and deliciously crunchy texture 52 of 102 Turnip Green Pesto Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham Recipe: Turnip Green Pesto A bright blend of turnip greens, grated Parmesan cheese, and honey turn this essential leafy green into a delicious appetizer even the kiddos will enjoy. The smooth blend of the greens, olive oil, and garlic make this creamy pesto spread a delight at the appetizer table. 53 of 102 Lump Crab Mornay Photo: Iain Bagwell Recipe: Lump Crab Mornay Recipe developer Julia Reed adapted this creamy dip from a recipe in Bayou Cuisine by St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Indianola, Mississippi. Located in the Mississippi Delta, this recipe pays homage to the rich culture in the region, using lump crabmeat and red pepper to add spice. This dip can be kept in a chafing dish or a slow cooker set on a very low temperature to keep the dip perfect throughout the night for guests to enjoy. 54 of 102 Cocktail Meatballs Hector Manuel Sanchez Recipe: Cocktail Meatballs Cocktail meatballs hold a special place in the canon of Southern party appetizers, in part because they are a study in ground-beef perfection and simplicity. While we love the ones our mamas made with chili sauce and grape jelly, this recipe is the one we still pull out for company. 55 of 102 Feta-Olive-Fresh Herb Cheese Ball Hector Manuel Sanchez Recipe: Feta-Olive-Fresh Herb Cheese Ball The bright green appearance will also draw guests to this aesthetically appeasing appetizer that is best served with cucumber slices. Other ingredients including green olives, hot sauce, lemon zest, and Worcestershire sauce add another layer of flavor to balance out the others. 56 of 102 Inside-Out Hot Brown Bites Photo: Hector Sanchez Recipe: Inside-Out Hot Brown Bites We've reimagined this signature Kentucky sandwich of bacon, turkey, and cheese sauce into beautiful bite-size cups. These cheesy bites are made from a crispy Parmesan crust and drizzled with a decadent cheese sauce with the turkey and the bacon to balance the creamy flavors from the cheese. Top with diced tomatoes and flat-leaf parsley for fresh flavors and watch them disappear. 57 of 102 Sweet-and-Salty Snack Mix Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Katie Jacobs Recipe: Sweet-and-Salty Snack Mix This grab-and-go snack is a delightful combination of cereal, pretzels, peanut butter, marshmallows, brown sugar, and honey. 58 of 102 Creamy Shrimp Dip with Crispy Wonton Chips Hector Manuel Sanchez Recipe: Creamy Shrimp Dip with Crispy Wonton Chips Win over guests with this creamy shrimp dip, perfect for any party occasion. The best part about this recipe is its simplicity; all it takes is to stir all the ingredients and chill for a half hour or up to one day. Ingredient such as green onions, tarragon leaves, and fresh chives for garnish pack this appetizer with plenty of flavor. 59 of 102 Petite Sweet Potato Biscuits with Pulled Pork and Slaw Hector Manuel Sanchez Recipe: Petite Sweet Potato Biscuits with Pulled Pork and Slaw Dress up barbecue pork in this small appetizer with just a hint of barbecue sauce, mayonnaise, and sliced green onion. Serve pork on a sweet potato biscuit with red cabbage, shredded carrots, red wine vinegar and chopped fresh chives for a stunning presentation. Also if looking to make this dish ahead of time, the sweet potato biscuits freeze beautifully--thaw, bake, and top them just before serving. 60 of 102 Slow-Cooker Beef Nachos Laurey W. Glenn Recipe: Slow-Cooker Beef Nachos What's better than nachos as an appetizer at the next game day party or a small casual gathering? Take all the manual labor out of preparing this dish and let the slow cooker cook do the work so you don't have to. Receiving a five-star rating from online reviewers, this slow-cooked meat with banana peppers, beef broth, and garlic will produce juicy and flavorful meat. 61 of 102 Cheese Dreams Recipe Iain Bagwell Recipe: Cheese Dreams These little gems will be one of the first appetizers to disappear. Sharp cheddar cheese is the star of this dish, but Worcestershire sauce, heavy cream, and dry mustard also make this dish a hit among guests. 62 of 102 Muffuletta Deviled Eggs Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham Recipe: Muffuletta Deviled Eggs A spin on the classic New Orleans sandwich, this easy appetizer melds the flavors of olive salad and salty salami that would go on a traditional mufletta with a creamy mayonnaise for a deviled egg spin. 63 of 102 Pickled Tiny Tomatoes Iain Bagwell Recipe: Pickled Tiny Tomatoes -Paired with rice vinegar, garlic cloves, and pickling spice, these tangy tomatoes can be enjoyed between just a few people or a large crowd. Ginger is optional in this recipe, but we suggest adding it for added flavor. This dish uses 3 pints of tomatoes, but feel free to halve the recipe. 64 of 102 Meatball Sliders with Tomato Sauce Photo: Hector Sanchez Recipe: Meatball Sliders with Tomato Sauce This fun dish is two recipes in one: delicious, easy meatballs and a slow-simmered tangy tomato sauce. The sauce is slow cooked for 8 hours on low, and that rich, tangy flavor can only be achieved when the sauce is made with plenty of time in advance. After sauce has cooked, submerge meatballs and cook on high for 1 hour to ensure that the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce penetrates every crevice of the hearty meat dish. 65 of 102 Roasted Fennel-and-Prosciutto Flatbread Photo: Hector Sanchez Recipe: Roasted Fennel-and-Prosciutto Flatbread Topped with traditional Italian flavors such as fresh thyme and oregano and gooey fontina cheese, this flatbread will surely be a crowd pleaser. Crushed red pepper adds an extra kick while a balsamic glaze takes the flavor palette to the next level. The natural paring of fennel and prosciutto marry this appetizer in a harmonious way that will leave guests searching for seconds. 66 of 102 Old Bay Rémoulade with Crudités and Shrimp Johnny Autry; Prop and Food Styling: Charlotte L. Autry Recipe: Old Bay Rémoulade with Crudités and Shrimp This is Test Kitchen Pro Ivy Odom's go-to appetizer to enjoy after a day at the beach. Grab some fresh shrimp while you're on the coast for the best results. 67 of 102 Spicy Sweet Potato Crostini Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Recipe: Spicy Sweet Potato Crostini These mini crostinis are the perfect fall happy hour snack. Look for sweet potatoes that are uniform width so that when you cut them, you will have uniform round slices. This will help ensure they all cook in the same amount of time. 68 of 102 Baked Goat Cheese Spread with Pepper Jelly Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Recipe: Baked Goat Cheese Spread with Pepper Jelly To save you time the day of your party, you can prepare the goat cheese mixture one day in advance; place it in a baking dish and store in the refrigerator. When you're ready to serve, let the dish sit at room temperature for 20 minutes, then proceed with the recipe as directed. 69 of 102 Cheesy Potato Croquettes Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Christina Daley Recipe: Cheesy Potato Croquettes Serving eight, this recipe was designed for Hannukah celebrations. 70 of 102 Goat Cheese-Herb Spread Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Christine Keely Recipe: Goat Cheese-Herb Spread Four ingredients and five minutes will get you an elegant appetizer that's delicious with whatever you have on hand, whether crudités, bread, or crackers. 71 of 102 Hot Crab-and-Artichoke Dip Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Margaret Monroe Dickey Recipe: Hot Crab-and-Artichoke Dip You know that when jumbo lump crabmeat and Old Bay seasoning meet in a recipe, it's going to be good. Throw in cream cheese, two types of cheeses, a hit of lemon, and artichokes, and you've got a crowd-pleasing dip for the holidays. 72 of 102 Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp Skewers with Chipotle Comeback Sauce Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp Skewers with Chipotle Comeback Sauce Perfect for tailgates or even a cocktail party, these skewers and the sauce can be prepared a day ahead, so all you have to do before your party is fire up the grill. 73 of 102 Black Bean and Corn Salsa Antonis Achilleos Recipe: Black Bean and Corn Salsa This fresh mixture of corn, bell pepper, black beans, tomatoes, onion, cilantro, lime juice, and jalapenos is our new favorite way to serve a bowl of salsa alongside a Tex-Mex supper. 74 of 102 Cranberry Brie Bites Southern Living Recipe: Cranberry Brie Bites Cranberry is already a holiday favorite, and green pistachios add an even more festive touch on top of these reader-favorite bites. 75 of 102 Maple-Bacon Smokies Southern Living Recipe: Maple-Bacon Smokies There's a time and a place for beautiful appetizer feats like Oysters Rockefeller or escargot, but sometimes, you just need something that you know is going to taste amazing and be a hit with the family. These little bites are just that. 76 of 102 Pear-and-Brie Puff Pastry Tarts Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Recipe: Pear-and-Brie Puff Pastry Tarts How beautiful is this for a fall starter? Even though it looks impressive, this tart comes together with frozen puff pastry, brie, a few seasonings, and fresh rosemary. 77 of 102 Crudités Platter Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Katie Jacobs Recipe: Crudités Platter If you really want to wow a spring crowd, put together a healthy, colorful crudités platter like Nashville entertaining expert Katie Jacobs. 78 of 102 Shrimp on Seasoned Crackers with Pepper Jelly and Cream Cheese Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke Recipe: Shrimp on Seasoned Crackers with Pepper Jelly and Cream Cheese This elevated take on the classic pepper jelly and cream cheese combination is a beautiful addition to a dinner party spread. 79 of 102 Smoked-Tomato Salsa Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Anna Hampton; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Recipe: Smoked-Tomato Salsa Once you try this smoky, homemade version of salsa, you'll be convinced to leave store-bought behind. 80 of 102 Focaccia with Ricotta and Crispy Herbs Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Christine Keely Recipe: Focaccia with Ricotta and Crispy Herbs Thanks to a store-bought hack, you don't have to go through the process of learning to home make your own bread—but your guests don't have to know that. 81 of 102 Mini Crab Cakes with Cajun Sauce Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Recipe: Mini Crab Cakes with Cajun Sauce Serving these classic crab cakes in lettuce leaves not only makes them look pretty but they're also easy for guests to grab and go. Instead of risking a mess with people drizzling Cajun Sauce everywhere, simply pipe a dollop onto each crab cake in advance. 82 of 102 Spicy Strawberry-Goat Cheese Crostini Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Christine Keely Recipe: Spicy Strawberry-Goat Cheese Crostini This spring appetizer is pretty enough to be part of your Easter spread but easy enough to accompany any seasonal lunch or dinner. A few tips from the Test Kitchen: While your baguette slices are toasting, set out your goat cheese to soften on the countertop, which will make it easier to spread. The riper the strawberries, the more vibrant and flavorful your crostini will be—but overripe berries will turn to mush when you try to slice them. 83 of 102 Marinated Feta with Cherry Tomatoes Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Recipe: Marinated Feta with Cherry Tomatoes This is the ultimate make-ahead appetizer for summertime. Simple yet elegant, this starter can stand alone or be part of a colorful charcuterie and cheese setup. 84 of 102 Austin Diner-Style Queso Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox Recipe: Austin Diner-Style Queso Your at-home game day spread and Taco Tuesdays just got a whole lot more delicious. This will officially be your go-to cheese dip recipe once you try it. 85 of 102 Baked Brie with Pecans Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Recipe: Baked Brie with Pecans Baked brie alone is a favorite party trick, but we added a flavorful blend of toasted pecans, honey, dried cherries, and five-spice powder for the most gorgeous topping your party guests have seen. 86 of 102 Crab Cake Bites with Old Bay Mayo, Chives, and Lemon Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke Recipe: Crab Cake Bites with Old Bay Mayo, Chives, and Lemon Form the crab cakes one day in advance, and store them, covered, in the refrigerator. This not only saves prep time but also ensures they are properly chilled, which helps them hold their shape. 87 of 102 Bacon Bites Oxmoor House Recipe: Bacon Bites With just three ingredients, you can serve up an appetizer that everyone will go crazy for. Seriously, y'all: Make two batches. 88 of 102 Buttery Toasted Pecans Photo: Iain Bagwell Recipe: Buttery Toasted Pecans Buttery toasted pecans can be served in different ways at a dinner party. They can be whipped up quickly and used as a garnish for a favorite appetizer or alone as a small snack before dinner begins if guests are saving their appetite. Butter makes everything better, and the same is true for these toasted pecans. 89 of 102 Pimiento-Stuffed Summer Squash Iain Bagwell Recipe: Pimiento-Stuffed Summer Squash Beaming with bright ingredients, guests will enjoy the familiar Southern flavors of pimiento cheese and squash along with fresh basil and bacon. Can't find pattypans? Pipe the filling on thinly sliced squash rounds, or stuff it into squash blossoms. 90 of 102 Spinach-and-Artichoke Bites Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Karin Olsen; Food Styling: William Smith Recipe: Spinach-and-Artichoke Bites Ensure Mama won't drip Spinach-Artichoke dip on her Sunday best with these poppable, mess-free bites that have all the flavor of the beloved dip. 91 of 102 Caesar Salad Bites Photo: Jennifer Davick/Prop Styling: Lydia DeGaris Pursell/Food Styling: Marian Cooper Cairns Recipe: Caesar Salad Bites Fresh, chilled Caesar Salad Bites are tasty, super-easy to make, and perfectly suitable for eating out of hand. Creamy Caesar dressing, cucumber, tomatoes, croutons, and parsley make this simple salad recipe one guests will easily recognize and enjoy. 92 of 102 Salt-and-Pepper Oven Fries Jennifer Davick Recipe: Salt-and-Pepper Oven Fries French Fries are an easy dish to serve to even the pickiest guests. Serve for adult friends or at a kid's party to please small taste buds. 93 of 102 Spicy-Sweet Pecans Helen Norman Recipe: Spicy-Sweet Pecans Guests are in for a treat with these spicy-sweet pecans, coated in a brown and white sugar mixture with a kick of red pepper. Other spices include cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, for flavors that can be enjoyed best during the fall and winter seasons. 94 of 102 Curried Shrimp Tarts Photo: Beau Gustafson Recipe: Curried Shrimp Tarts Step away from the oven and enjoy the party with this no-cook appetizer recipe. Ready-made pastry shells make preparation of these tarts super-fast. Simply spoon a shrimp-and-cream-cheese mixture and jarred mango chutney into the shells. Top with chopped fresh chives and toasted sweetened coconut. 95 of 102 Cheddar-Horseradish-Walnut Cheese Ball Hector Manuel Sanchez Recipe: Cheddar-Horseradish-Walnut Cheese Ball A mix of cream cheese, sharp Cheddar cheese, fresh lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, a dash of hot sauce, and horseradish make the filling of this cheese ball coated in toasted walnuts. With a prep time of under an hour and no need to keep chilled or heated, this appetizer takes the stress out of entertaining and brings the flavor back into serving a great appetizer. 96 of 102 Grilled Yellow Squash Roll-Ups Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch; Food Styling: Anna Hampton Recipe: Grilled Yellow Squash Roll-Ups We bet you've never thought to do this with your summer squash! How cute are these healthy roll-ups? There just the colorful addition your appetizer board needs. 97 of 102 Buttermilk-Ricotta Cheese Dip Hector Sanchez Recipe: Buttermilk-Ricotta Cheese Dip When a Southern staple meets a creamy cheese dip, magic happens. If you've never tried homemade ricotta, then you're in for a tasty surprise. Four simple steps make this the dip of a hostess' dreams, and online reviewers say this dip will go flying off the appetizer table. Serve with crackers or fresh veggies for dipping. It can also be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to two days (if there are any leftovers, of course!) 98 of 102 Chicks in a Blanket Hector Sanchez Recipe: Chicks in a Blanket Just a few simple and easy ingredients grace this spin on the classic pigs in a blanket. We recommend baking a ton because we know these will go fast once they hit the table! 99 of 102 Orange-Basil Yogurt Dip Iain Bagwell Recipe: Orange-Basil Yogurt Dip Savory, sweet, and tangy, this bright dip is great for dunking anything from breadsticks to crudités. The refreshing flavor from the Greek yogurt mixed with orange zest and basil with a little touch of garlic make this dip absolutely irresistible. Prepped and ready to serve in twenty minutes, will not be on the appetizer table long. 100 of 102 Baked Brie with Jezebel Peaches Iain Bagwell Recipe: Baked Brie with Jezebel Peaches Bring this recipe to your next elegant dinner party, a holiday get-together, or the next time you have a friends and family over. The peaches are a mesmerizing sweet-and-spicy mixture that makes this Brie recipe absolutely irresistible. Hot jalapeño pepper jelly and spicy brown mustard kick these peaches up a notch, pairing perfectly with creaminess of the baked Brie. 101 of 102 Slow-Cooker Beef Sliders with Pickled Peppers Photo: Hector Sanchez Recipe: Slow-Cooker Beef Sliders with Pickled Peppers This shredded meat treat will be a crowd-pleaser on game day. Slow-cooked with onion, garlic, beef broth, celery, red wine, and thyme, the level of flavor in this beefy appetizer will score you a winning touchdown as a crowd-pleaser. 102 of 102 Slow-Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Ali Ramee; Prop Styling: Sarah Elizabeth Cleveland Recipe: Slow-Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs Mama will recognize this charmingly retro appetizer, and she'll thank you for it! If you're having a casual cookout or football watch party, you don't even need to get out the serving dishes for this one. Simply leave the meatballs in the slow cooker to stay warm and pop some toothpicks and plates next to it. Voila! 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