Quick and Easy Appetizers

By Southern Living
Photo: Iain Bagwell

Throwing a party doesn’t have to be stressful. This selection of quick and easy appetizers will have you out of the kitchen in no time, enjoying the fun with your friends and family. Hosting a tailgate event? Country Ham & Biscuits are a delicious way to start the party, and guests can munch throughout the game on easy appetizers such as Easy Party Snack Mix and Peel-and-Eat Shrimp. An outdoor picnic calls for fresh appetizers using garden produce. Whip up a batch of Green Pea Hummus and serve with fresh veggies, or choose Fresh Herb-Tomato Crostini as a tasty way to use what is in your garden. If you need a recipe that you can make ahead or just assemble minutes before your guests arrive, check out this medley of quick and easy appetizers. 

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Easy Party Snack Mix

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: 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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Prosciutto-Wrapped Mango Bites

Southern Living

Recipe: Prosciutto-Wrapped Mango Bites

For a simple, fresh appetizer, wrap mango slices and arugula in paper-thin slices of prosciutto. For a slightly different flavor, substitute another fruit, such as pear or cantaloupe, for mango.

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Bacon-and-Greens Salsa

Southern Living

Recipe:  Bacon-and-Greens Salsa

This classic salsa gets a decidedly Southern spin by adding bacon and greens. We loved it over cream cheese (a great idea for leftovers). You can prepare the recipe up to a day ahead―just reheat before serving.

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Pizza Sticks

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Pizza Sticks

For a crowd, assemble several pizzas; cover and chill up to two hours. Bake a few at a time, to keep the Pizza Sticks coming out hot and fresh.

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Mini Caprese Bites

Southern Living

Recipe: Mini Caprese Bites

This appetizer version of a caprese salad sandwiches mozzarella slices between grape tomato halves in an elegant skewer presentation. A drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar and a sprinkle of fresh chopped basil finishes off the tasty bites.

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Peel-and-Eat Shrimp

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Peel-and-Eat Shrimp

Set up a serving area for the shrimp and sauces on your kitchen island or breakfast table, and let everyone help themselves. To shortcut prep, ask your seafood monger to steam shrimp for you. Try them with Tangy Garlic Tartar Sauce, Rémoulade Sauce, or Spicy Cocktail Sauce.

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Melon, Mozzarella, and Prosciutto Skewers

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: 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.

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Mini Crab Cakes

Jennifer Davick / Styling: Lisa Powell Bailey / Food Styling: Norman King

Recipe: Mini Crab Cakes With Garlic-Chive Sauce

Garlic-Chive Sauce and a squeeze of lemon juice add zesty flavor to Mini Crab Cakes.

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Fresh-Herb Tomato Crostini

Jennifer Davick / Styling: Lisa Powell Bailey / Food Styling: Norman King

Recipe: Fresh Herb-Tomato Crostini

Fresh Herb-Tomato Crostini is a versatile recipe. The tomato topping also serves as an ingredient for tangy tabbouleh salad.

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Country Ham and Biscuits

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Country Ham and Biscuits 
Recipe: Blackberry Mustard
Recipe: Lemon-Herb Butter

This Derby Day classic is a hearty, simple crowd-pleaser for any Southern party. Bake frozen tea biscuits and fill with thin slices of country ham. Have guests dress biscuits with flavored butter and mustard blends.

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Roasted Garlic-Edamame Spread

Southern Living

Recipe: Roasted Garlic-Edamame Spread

We like to eat this cool, creamy spread on toasted crostini or fresh veggies. It’s packed with the goodness of soybeans and tons of flavor from garlic and basil.

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Warm Fennel-Olive Sauté

Beth Dreiling Hontzas / Styling Lisa Powell Bailey

Recipe: Warm Fennel-Olive Sauté

Take olives purchased from the deli department to the next level with lemon zest and a few seasonings in Warm Fennel-Olive Sauté.

Party Tip: If your olives have pits, be sure to set out a small bowl for your guests to dispose of them.

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Bacon-Cheese Dip

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Scott Martin

Recipe: Bacon-Cheese Dip

Crumbled bacon is the crowning glory of this creamy cheese dip that features cream cheese, blue cheese, and sour cream. You're guaranteed not to have any leftovers when you bring this dip to a party.

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Creamy Herb Dip

Southern Living

Recipe: Creamy Herb Dip

To cut herbs in a snap, try a pair of specialty scissors, such as Norpro Triple Herb Scissors.

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Spinach-and-Parmesan Crostini

Southern Living

Recipe: Spinach-and-Parmesan Crostini 

For super-quick preparation, measure out all of your ingredients, drain the spinach, and cut the bread while the cream cheese softens.

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Black-Eyed Pea-and-Ham Dip

Southern Living

Recipe: Black-Eyed Pea-and-Ham Dip  

Serve Black-eyed Pea-and-Ham Dip atop cornbread crackers for a unique regional pairing.

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Green Pea Hummus

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: Green Pea Hummus

This easy appetizer dip is delicious in a grilled lamb pita. You can also use it as a spread for burgers or a crudité platter.

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Ham Salad

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Ham Salad

Classic Ham Salad gets a new look atop toasted crostini, but it's just as delicious sandwiched between two slices of bread.

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