Procrastination happens to the best of us—but these easy apps got your back.
Life can get pretty hectic around the holidays, and it's easy to find yourself needing to entertain in a pinch. If you've put off cooking 'til the very last minute, these easy appetizers are here for you. Whether you've procrastinated putting together your Thanksgiving menu or decided to throw a last-minute party on a whim, no stress! These simple apps come together in no time at all and will leave your guests satisfied (and distracted) while you get to your main course. Tip: Set out some festive co*cktails to really get the party started!
Whether you've got 10 minutes or up to an hour to get some food on the table, we've included simple recipes no matter how big of a rush you're in. Our antipasto skewers, our cheese ball bites, and our caprese bites come together in no time, little to no cooking required! If you're really under the wire, you can't go wrong with our delicious dips. Recipes like our pub beer cheese, our muhammara dip, or our Crockpot Buffalo chicken dip (the slow cooker does all the work for you!) come together in minutes with a handful of ingredients—simply set out some cut veggies or crackers, and you've got yourself a satisfying app in no time. Looking for some festive dishes for a holiday gathering? Whip up our cranberry brie bites, our fancy Christmas anytime cheese ball, or our crispy feta pockets to add a bit of fancy fare to your spread in under an hour. Looking to go more casual? Our , our loaded fries, or our pigs in a blanket are always classic crowd-pleasers too.
Looking for some more entertaining inspo? Check out our make-ahead Thanksgiving recipes for some life-saving holiday prep or our favorite no-bake desserts for something sweet, STAT.
1
Boursin-Stuffed Mushrooms
Stuffed mushrooms are THE appetizer we make for every party, and while our classic recipe is great, sometimes we like to switch it up a bit. Enter boursin cheese. It adds a little something to these that’ll have your guests coming back for more.
Get the Boursin-Stuffed Mushrooms recipe.
2
Muhammara Dip
Muhammara comes together in 30 minutes using jarred roasted red peppers, bread crumbs, walnuts, a few special ingredients, and a food processor. Trust us—once you've tried it, it'll become a staple on your appetizer roster.
Get the Muhammara Dip recipe.
3
Crispy Feta Pockets
Baked brie fans, you’ve got to try our newest baked cheese recipe: crispy baked feta. Saltier and more tangy than brie, feta is irresistible wrapped in a crunchy, Greek-inspired phyllo dough shell with a nice drizzle of honey for sweetness.
Get the Crispy Feta Pockets recipe.
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4
Bacon Spinach Dip
Bacon makes everything better, spinach dip included! The smoky bacon bits make it feel a little fancier, which is great for the holidays. That said, you can totally skip it. This dip has a lot going on with three different cheeses—no one will miss the meat.
Get the Bacon Spinach Dip recipe.
5
Cheese Ball Bites
These easy mini cheese balls 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 (or turn them into one BIG cheese ball).
Get the Cheese Ball Bites recipe.
6
Caramelized Onion & Goat Cheese Bites
Little puff pastry squares get topped with caramelized onions and a little crumbled goat cheese for an easy appetizer that always wows. The final step is a light drizzle of honey for that salty sweet combination everyone will love.
Get the .
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7
Cranberry Whipped Feta Dip
This cranberry-topped whipped feta dip is here to save your holiday appetizer planning. Fresh feta cheese is combined with herbs, garlic, and cream cheese, whipped until super-smooth, then topped with tart homemade cranberry sauce, toasted pistachios, and honey. The result is a salty, creamy, sweet, tart, and absolutely irresistible dip.
Get the Cranberry Whipped Feta Dip recipe.
8
Parmesan Bread Bites
If you're a fan of garlic knots, this recipe is basically the bite-sized app version, covered in gooey cheese, garlic butter, and fresh herbs. Sage and thyme are used here to add seasonal flavor, but feel free to add any herbs you prefer.
Get the Parmesan Bread Bites recipe.
9
Cheesy Sausage Dip
Sausage dip is a simple and humble dish that's unbelievably good. It's kind of like a pub beer cheese, but with SAUSAGE. It will satisfy every craving, whether you're watching the game or sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner.
Get the Cheesy Sausage Dip recipe.
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10
Sausage Balls
In many households, sausage balls are a classic holiday appetizer. But many of you might be thinking: "Wait, what even is a sausage ball?!" The answer: savory, cheesy bites of cooked pork sausage, cheddar, and Bisquick that will be the most popular appetizer at your party.
Get the Sausage Balls recipe.
11
Fondue Bites
If you thought fondue belonged in the 1970s, think again! We’ve hauled this retro party classic into the 21st century by turning it into cheesy bite-sized party snacks, perfect for any festive occasion.
Get the Fondue Bites recipe.
12
Upside-Down Cream Of Mushroom Tartlets
This beginner-friendly TikTok-inspired pastry hack transforms store-bought puff pastry and the sweet or savory filling of your choice into a beautiful bite-sized snack. Our version leans heavily into savory territory with a cream of mushroom soup-inspired filling.
Get the Upside-Down Cream Of Mushroom Tartlets recipe.
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13
Mediterranean Pinwheels
Inspired by spanakopita, we stuff our pinwheels with an unbeatable combination of cheeses, chopped spinach, dill, and lemon zest. Then we added chopped artichoke hearts and roasted peppers to give the filling a tangy, slightly briny zing that'll brighten up your holiday plates.
Get the Mediterranean Pinwheels recipe.
14
Whipped Ricotta With Olives & Roasted Red Peppers
Whipped ricotta is beyond easy to make, even though it sounds so delicate and fancy. That’s what makes this a perfect last-minute appetizer to serve for an intimate dinner party or the holidays.
Get the .
15
Caprese Bites
If you’re in need of a quick and easy appetizer or a last-minute addition to your holiday party, then these Caprese-inspired bites are the simple solution your guests will thank you for. Focusing on three ingredients and requiring no cooking, these bites require very little effort and time.
Get the Caprese Bites recipe.
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16
Apple Cheddar Bundles
If the aroma of toasted puff pastry, roasted apples, and nutty cheddar cheese doesn’t wake up your spirit… we're not sure what will. These are the perfect fall appetizer.
Get the Apple Cheddar Bundles recipe.
17
Cheesy Green Bean Mushroom Tart
Green beans and mushrooms are a combo we never get tired of, and that goes double for this tart. Blanched green beans are layered onto a creamy blend of ricotta and goat cheese, topped with garlicky mushrooms and cheddar cheese, then baked on a puff pastry crust until perfectly melty.
Get the Cheesy Green Bean Mushroom Tart recipe.
18
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.
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19
Pumpkin Cheese Ball
Part retro, part cult classic, it’s hard to go wrong with a cheese ball. This festive pumpkin rendition may not contain any actual pumpkin, but it’s full of fresh herbs, minced jalapeño, and of course, plenty of cheese (and is SO cute on a holiday cheese board!).
Get the Pumpkin Cheese Ball recipe.
20
Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip
Is it even really a party without Buffalo chicken dip? We think not. If you're looking for the most hands-off version of this classic recipe, turn to your trusty slow cooker.
Get the Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip recipe.
