THESE 15 LOW-EFFORT, MAKE-AHEAD APPETIZERS ENSURE A NO-STRESS PARTY
Want to give your future self the best party gift of all? Have a few pre-prepped appetizers up your sleeve well before party time. Yup, go ahead, be an overachiever in the kitchen with these simple make-ahead appetizers! We love to see it, and we especially love it when it means having these beyond easy recipes for party-starting appetizers ready well before your guests arrive. All of our favorites are also perfect to store until it's time to party, in addition to being super-easy to make in large batches too. Because why should you have to stress when it comes to planning your bash?
One of our favorite foolproof appetizers to keep your crowd happy? Dips. We love them so much, and we're always happy to have leftovers to keep on dipping, for spreading on a sandwich or even stuffing into chicken. When you've got a lot on your plate (but wish it was less task-related and more app-related), go ahead and bust out a few of our favorite tools around party o'clock: your slow-cookers and air-fryers. They make so many of our top appetizers a breeze to put together (or reheat), often just requiring a few minutes of prep before we can sneak out of the kitchen to enjoy our company.
Best-Ever 7-Layer Dip
This truly has everything we could ever want in a dip: refried beans, homemade guacamole, salsa, sour cream, and cheese (đ) all topped with fresh veggies for an added crunch.
Get the Best-Ever 7-Layer Dip recipe.
Peanut Chicken Wonton Cups
These peanut chicken wonton cups are super simple to put together and packed with flavor. Tender shredded rotisserie chicken gets tossed in a spicy-sweet peanut sauce, stuffed in a crispy baked wonton shell, and topped with bright, colorful, and crunchy veggies to make this easy two-bite app.
Get the Peanut Chicken Wonton Cups recipe.
Sour Cream & Onion Deviled Eggs
If you love the timeless and irresistible combo of sour cream and onion, welcome to your new favorite deviled egg recipe. Creamy, tangy, and topped with a crunch, these deviled eggs are the perfect way to level up your party snack game.
Get the Sour Cream & Onion Deviled Eggs recipe.
Hummus
Hummus is a Middle Eastern dish made of chickpeas and tahini. We love adding plenty of garlic or roasted red peppers and other spices (like everything bagel seasoning) for added flavor. Carrots and cucumber spears make a crisp, refreshing snack, especially when you pair them with a dip that can withstand the heat, like hummus.
Get the Creamy Garlic Hummus recipe.
Pinwheel Sandwiches
Pinwheel sandwiches are easy to assemble, look great on a platter, and are ideal for any summer party. To make them, you'll layer flour tortillas with ranch-flavored mayonnaise, sliced cheese, deli meats, and lettuce. All that's left to do is roll them up tightly and slice.
Get the Pinwheel Sandwiches recipe.
Cowboy Caviar
If you're looking for a recipe to get your dinner party guests hyped, then cowboy caviar is a favorable option. Pour the mixture into your favorite ceramic bowl, place it in the center of the table, and let everyone go wild.
Get the Cowboy Caviar recipe.
Best-Ever Guacamole
When in doubt, serve guacamole. Whether you serve it as a simple dip, load it on top of tacos, or smear it on a bun as a burger topping, this recipe is sure to go fast.
Get the Best-Ever Guacamole recipe.
Melon Prosciutto Skewers
If you haven't experienced the flavor combo of prosciutto + melon, get on it STAT. It's the ultimate in sweet and salty.
Get the Melon Prosciutto Skewers recipe.
Taco Dip
This easy taco-inspired dip is SO delicious and SO simple to throw together, making it perfect for improvisation by switching up the seasonings and layers. If you really want to take it to another level, make our homemade taco seasoning and swap it out for the store-bought stuff.
Get the Taco Dip recipe.
BLAT Toasts
Bruschetta, be warned: BLAT toasts have arrived. Topped with avocado, romaine, sliced tomato, and crispy bacon, these mini toasts pack big BLT flavor in a few small bites. Did we mention the bread is toasted in bacon fat?
Get the BLAT Toasts recipe.
Cheese Ball Bites
These easy bites are perfect for any occasion. We love their little pretzel handles, but feel free to leave them out if you'd prefer to put them on top of crackers. If prepping them the night before, refrigerate until 1 hour before serving, then remove from the fridge and let come to room temperature.
Get the Cheese Ball Bites recipe.
Reuben Pickle Bites
Here at Delish, weâre all about a good reuben sandwich. Creamy dressing, corned beef, Swiss cheese⊠whatâs not to love? Pair all those delicious ingredients between pickle chips for the the perfect bite-size appetizer (and they come together SO fast).
Get the Reuben Pickle Bites recipe.
Greek Feta Dip
Loaded with cucumbers, tomatoes, and feta, this dip has plenty of the flavors of a Greek salad, plus a smooth, fluffy consistency thanks for yogurt, cream cheese, and feta. Full disclaimer: This recipe makes a lot of dip and can easily be halved (but we've never had a problem demolishing it).
Get the Greek Feta Dip recipe.
Antipasto Bites
Fresh tortellini makes this the hearty party appetizer of our dreams. If you're not a fan of olives, pepperoncini peppers would be a delicious substitute!
Get the Antipasto Bites recipe.
Bacon Guac Bombs
Bacon + guacamole = our ideal combo always. Put them in bite-sized form like these in these snack bombs, and we truly can't get enough. Homemade guacamole is rolled into pieces of bacon in these keto-friendly apps that are just as perfect for snacking on throughout the day as they are at a tailgate party.
Get the Bacon Guac Bombs recipe.
