Food and Recipes Quick and Easy Dinners 5-Ingredient Appetizer Recipes to Get The Party Started in No Time By Southern Living Editors Updated on July 7, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Hector Sanchez When we're hosting, we like to be prepared. We'll spend hours planning even the smallest of gatherings, deciding on every last detail of the meal and the decor. But sometimes, life happens and you've got unexpected company. Say the kids need a venue for an after-school pool party, or your husband spontaneously invited his entire recreational softball team over for a post-game barbecue. No need to worry. For occasions like these, we keep an arsenal of easy, quick recipes in our back pocket. Whether you're hosting an elegant supper club or a large and rowdy bunch of tailgaters, we have the recipes to get your party started. These appetizer recipes all have one thing in common: they're made with 5 ingredients or less. From Cast-Iron Salsa to Grilled Balsamic-Molasses Bacon, these appetizer recipes with few ingredients are simple and effective, so you can spend a little less time on prep and a little more time enjoying the company. 01 of 15 Muffuletta Deviled Eggs Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham Recipe: Muffuletta Deviled Eggs This easy appetizer melds the flavors of olives, egg, and salty salami. 02 of 15 Easy Summer Appetizer Board Photo: Hector Sanchez Recipe: Easy Summer Appetizer Board No Southern appetizer board is complete without spicy-sweet pickled okra. 03 of 15 Candied Jalapeños Hector Sanchez Recipe: Candied Jalapeños This is our new go-to summer condiment. Chill at least 48 hours ahead so the jalapeños have time to take on a fiery-sweet crunch. 04 of 15 Baked Brie with Jezebel Peaches Iain Bagwell Recipe: Baked Brie with Jezebel Peaches Indulgent, fresh, and easy as pie, this summer version of baked Brie won raves in the Southern Living Test Kitchen. Can't find Brie packed in a wooden box? Simply bake the cheese in a small pie plate or baking dish. 05 of 15 Orange-Basil Baked Brie Alison Miksch Recipe: Orange-Basil Baked Brie Serve on a pretty cutting board with a cheese knife, and let guests cut their own portions. 06 of 15 Crispy Sweet Potato-Green Onion Cakes Hector Sanchez Recipe: Crispy Sweet Potato-Green Onion Cakes This recipe blends the delicate flavor of sweet potatoes and green onions with the spicy zest of chopped red jalapeño peppers. 07 of 15 Pimiento-Stuffed Summer Squash Iain Bagwell Recipe: Pimiento-Stuffed Summer Squash Here's a cute idea: Hollow out baby pattypan squash and fill with goat pimiento cheese. Can't find pattypans? Pipe the filling on thinly sliced squash rounds, or stuff it into squash blossoms. 08 of 15 Pickled Tiny Tomatoes Iain Bagwell Recipe: Pickled Tiny Tomatoes Use a mixture of baby tomatoes such as 'Sweet 100,' 'Yellow Pear,' or 'Sun Gold'—all are available at farmers' markets in summer months. This dish uses 3 pints of tomatoes, but feel free to halve the recipe. 09 of 15 Herbed Goat Cheese-Melon Party Bites Jennifer Davick Recipe: Herbed Goat Cheese-Melon Party Bites Indulge in the warm days of summer with this refreshing watermelon and goat cheese combination. 10 of 15 Grilled Royal Reds with Lemony Garlic Butter Photo Credit: Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Lindsey Lower; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer Recipe: Grilled Royal Reds with Lemony Garlic Butter Ready in just 15 minutes, this quick appetizer is perfect for last-minute company. 11 of 15 Grilled Balsamic-Molasses Bacon Jennifer Davick; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham Recipe: Grilled Balsamic-Molasses Bacon Tie fresh rosemary sprigs to the handle of a wooden spoon with garden sisal or kitchen string, and use as an aromatic basting brush for the bacon. 12 of 15 Grilled Watermelon with Blue Cheese and Prosciutto Jennifer Davick Recipe: Grilled Watermelon with Blue Cheese and Prosciutto Blue cheese and salty prosciutto are delicious with sweet melon. Grilling the watermelon enhances that sweetness and adds a touch of smoky flavor. Brushing the wedges with oil keeps them from sticking to the grill. 13 of 15 Caramel Apple Dip Jennifer Davick Recipe: Caramel Apple Dip A sugary spin on a cream cheese classic with a crisp bruléed topping. 14 of 15 Pimiento Cheese-Stuffed Pickled Okra Hector Sanchez Recipe: Pimiento Cheese-Stuffed Pickled Okra Two Southern favorites come together to create one delicious recipe. 15 of 15 Cast-Iron Salsa Hector Sanchez Recipe: Cast-Iron Salsa If there's one appetizer that's universally loved, it's chips and salsa. The perfect introduction to a delicious meal, the Mexican-inspired starter pleases anyone and everyone who dips into the fresh, smoky sauce Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit