From smooth and creamy hummus to crisp, cool salads, here are 20 appetizer recipes that we can’t stop making. They are easy to make, great for parties, and many are ideal for warmer-weather cookouts and BBQs.
Most people think of appetizers as the start of the meal, but after years of cooking and entertaining ourselves, they are also perfect for combining to make a main meal.
Some of my favorites right off the bat are the smoked salmon dip (we did live in the PNW, so this one had to make it, right?), and our regular readers would be mad if I didn’t highlight our original hummus recipe! On a similar note, Joanne wouldn’t let me off the hook if I didn’t mention her guacamole.
Our Favorite Appetizer Recipes
I can’t get enough of this creamy, delicious salmon dip! We love smoked salmon and are always looking for more ways to use it. This smoked salmon dip has quickly turned into one of my favorite recipes!
Easy Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
After falling in love with how easy it is to make hummus at home, we’ve been playing around with more of our favorite store-bought hummus flavors. I love roasted peppers, and am excited to share this roasted red pepper hummus recipe with you! It’s creamy, smooth, and so delicious.
I’m not kidding when I say this homemade guacamole does not last long in my house. The whole family loves it so much my teenage niece has even made it her special dish for years (and that’s how you know it’s good!).
What makes this dip so delicious is the black bean puree, which we make from scratch. By cooking our own beans, we pack in so much flavor from fresh garlic, onion, and spices. It’s an easy step that makes all the difference in the world. Once you try seven layer dip made with this puree, I know you’ll never go back.
Easy Hummus (Better than Store-Bought)
Hummus is a delicious spread (or dip) made from chickpeas, tahini, lemon, and spices. It is a popular dish in the Middle East and the Mediterranean. You can find it in most grocery stores, but trust me, you’ll want to skip those and make your own. Homemade hummus is just so much better!
Our bacon wrapped shrimp recipe is incredibly easy to make! The shrimp are so juicy and flavorful. They are high on my list of favorite appetizer recipes! We coat them in an irresistible spicy maple glaze that will have everyone coming back for more.
Easy Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers
These bacon wrapped jalapeño poppers are shockingly good. I’ll take a few of these over the store-bought fried poppers sold in grocery stores any day! Thin bacon is the secret to these incredible cream cheese stuffed poppers. Its fat renders down into the filling and over the peppers. So good!
These easy wonton cups are like mini shrimp tacos. The shrimp are spiced with chili powder, the lime brightens everything up, and the arugula keeps the whole thing fresh. So many of our readers have made these for parties with great success!
Hummus with Spiced Ground Beef, Feta and Mint
A spiced up and easy ground beef recipe with cumin, coriander and spicy cayenne pepper that’s added to a big bowl of creamy hummus.
We shared this roasted tomatillo salsa recipe years ago, and so many of our readers have kept coming back to it over the years. This one is a keeper! To make this easy green salsa, we roast tomatillos alongside other ingredients like chiles and garlic, guaranteeing so much flavor!
I’ve always loved ranch dressing, and this homemade version is truly the best I’ve had. My homemade ranch dressing is incredibly simple to make and tastes so much better than what you can buy at the store (promise). Serve it with lots of colorful veggies for a super easy appetizer.
We absolutely love tzatziki sauce around here! It’s so versatile, and we’ll happily spoon it onto just about anything. This recipe takes classic tzatziki to the next level by adding tangy feta cheese for extra flavor and creaminess.
Thanks to the dill and lemon vinaigrette, this chickpea salad has the most delicious Mediterranean vibe. It’s super fresh, incredibly flavorful, and perfectly filling as a healthy, speedy lunch or dinner (thanks to those hearty chickpeas!).
Easy Sweet Chili Chicken Wings
Our sweet chili wings are sticky, sweet, and spicy, with a bit of crunch, thanks to a handful of chopped peanuts and sliced green onion sprinkled on top. They are easy, too. The sweet chili glaze only needs three ingredients!
As they roast in the oven, the tomatoes release their juices, which taste incredible with creamy ricotta cheese. You have to serve this one family style right out of the baking dish – no fuss.
Imagine you’re at a party with a table filled with tempting treats. At one end, you see chocolate cupcakes. At the other end, there’s a bowl of this irresistible creamy fruit dip. Where will you find me? I’ll be practically attached to that fruit dip bowl, happily devouring it. Honestly, I hardly even need the fruit – this dip is so good that I could eat it with a spoon!
These puff pastry pinwheels are high on my list of best hors d’oeuvres. They are simple, pretty on the plate, taste incredible, and are perfect for making in advance! In our recipe below, we spread puff pastry with Boursin cheese, add lots of parmesan, and top with roasted red pepper for sweetness and color.
This buffalo chicken pizza is so incredibly easy. You can use homemade pizza dough or buy pre-made dough from the store.
We love this warm, gooey spinach and artichoke dip with not one but three cheeses, lots of artichoke, fresh spinach, and garlic. Serve this with pita bread, tortilla chips, crusty bread, or vegetables. It’s incredibly delicious and so creamy!
Every time we make this cheese dip, we’re asked for the recipe. And now, it is yours to share, too! It’s almost too easy to put together, requiring only stirring the ingredients in a bowl and baking in the oven until bubbly.
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I spotted a recipe for Bruchetta and searched for it but couldn’t find it. Would you please send it to me. I’ve saved a few recipes already and am eager to continue. I find your recipes to be accurate and very well written. My hobby is collecting recipes so I know professionally written when I see it. Bett R Barrett. Thank you.
Hi Betty, Here is the bruschetta recipe link.
Delightful ideas Thankyou.