50+ Dunkable Foods For Your Next Party

January 23, 2020
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Photo: Kelsey Hansen; Prop Styling: Sarah Elizabeth Cleveland; Food Styling: Deb Wise
What's better than finger food? Finger food dunked in cheese, buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, hummus, you get the idea. And no matter what the occasion behind your party, dunkable apps are the way to go. Whether you do it by hand or with a toothpick, these dunkable foods will be, well, a slam dunk. Just make sure to have some A-plus dip nearby.
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Cheesy Stuffed Pizza Crust Ring

Photo: Aaron Kirk; Prop Styling: Sarah Elizabeth Cleveland; Food Styling: Robin Bashinsky
Cheesy Stuffed Pizza Crust Ring Recipe

 

You know how as soon as you grow into a fully formed adult human, you realize that the best part of a delivery pizza is the part you’ve been foolishly tossing aside (for your parents to eventually graze on)? Well we decided to make up for lost years by making this cheesy stuffed crust ring, no pizza necessary. Of course, we all know the only thing better than a standard hand-tossed pizza crust is a stuffed crust. We flavored this cheesy ring of bready glory with a seasoning blend inspired by the masters—Domino’s—and served it up with a delicious blend of the two most perfect crust dipping sauces: ranch and marinara. Warm from the oven, this cheesy appetizer perfect for a Super Bowl party, or any other game day gathering. 

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Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Celery

Photo: Caitlin Bensel; Prop Styling: Christina Daley; Food Styling: Karen Rankin  
Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Celery Recipe

We can’t decide what we love more about these Buffalo celery bites—the fact that they require zero cooking, come together in about 15 minutes, and are roughly the easiest appetizer ever OR the sheer magnitude of how delicious they are. But then, that’s the beauty of these seriously upgraded stuffed celery sticks, you don’t have to choose between convenience and full-on flavor. Crisp celery sticks are loaded with a creamy Buffalo chicken mixture—made entirely from store-bought staples—and topped off with crumbled blue cheese, making every bite the perfect Buffalo bite. Perfect for game day, these got-it-all snacks are sure to score more than a few devoted fans. 

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Air-Fried Dill Pickle Fries With Ranch Breadcrumbs

Meredith Food Studios 
Air-Fried Dill Pickle Fries With Ranch Breadcrumbs Recipe

Pickle spears are one of those foods that’s meant to be fried, and sticking them in the air fryer makes for a fun finger food. The combination of juiciness and crunch remains fantastic, while the ranch breadcrumbs bring in so much flavor you won’t need a dipping sauce. 

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Red Pepper Miso Wings

Photo: Daniel Agee; Food Styling: Blakesee Giles; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis
Red Pepper Miso Wings Recipe

Skip the cream cheese and pepper jelly appetizer and use the red pepper jelly for something new. These sticky, yet crispy chicken wings take full advantage of the red pepper jelly flavor. The result is a hot, sweet, savory sauce with a vibrant color. Add scallions and fresh basil for an impressive festive-looking dish that is just asking to be taken to a holiday potluck. 

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Frudité Platter with Mint-Lime Dip

Time Inc. Video Studio
Frudité Platter with Mint-Lime Dip Recipe

For a show-stopping party appetizer or dessert that will appeal to both kids and adults, you can't go wrong with a fruit platter. Accompanied by an easy, ultra-creamy, homemade dipping sauce that's bursting with fresh lime and mint, this starter offers plenty of fruit combinations that are refreshing and sweet. 

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Cheese Dreams

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller    
Cheese Dreams Recipe

These savory little gems will be the first party appetizer to disappear. Make ahead the day before and refrigerate, or you can freeze them up to 3 weeks in advance. If frozen, pop in the oven straight from the freezer and increase the bake time by 10 minutes. We find that sharp cheddar works best for creating a super cheesy flavor, but feel free to experiment with your favorite flavor of cheddar--an aged white cheddar would be amazing here. These are guaranteed to be one of the best easy appetizer recipes you've ever made.

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Air-Fried Onion Rings

Karen Rankin
Air-Fried Onion Rings Recipe

Ah, onion rings—the ultimate deep-fried indulgence. Thanks to your air fryer, you can rescue this crunchy favorite from the realm of diet banishment and invite it back to your plate. These rings of allium awesomeness come out of the air fryer boasting a superbly crispy coating without any heavy greasiness. And if you’ve ever had comeback sauce, you know its tangy and sweet flavor is the perfect pairing with the crunchy, savory onion.

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Pigskins in a Blanket

Photo: Quentin Bacon
Pigskins in a Blanket Recipe

Using puff pastry instead of crescent roll dough to wrap up the sausages adds a great deal of richness and flavor. And replacing the pig in this version of pigs in a blanket is fully-cooked chicken sausage.

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Pineapple Pizza Bites

Meredith Food Studios 
Pineapple Pizza Bites Recipe

This easy, 4-ingredient appetizer is a fun and inexpensive way to feed a crowd. They’ve got the greatest balance of sweet and salty thanks to the meat and cheese’s richness, the tomato’s acidity, and the pineapple’s juice. 

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Olive-Blue Moons

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck
Olive-Blue Moons Recipe
Spanish olives and blue cheese bring distinct flavor to each bite of savory Olive-Blue Moons.

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Candied Bacon Sticks with Garlic Butter Drizzle

Photo: Caitlin Bensel Styling: Mindi Shapiro
Candied Bacon Sticks with Garlic Butter Drizzle Recipe

Sweet and salty bacon wrapped around crunchy breadsticks makes for heaven on a stick. Crunchy, salty, and with just the right amount of garlic to give bacon the upper hand (not that it needs it) these crispy appetizers are the perfect way to get the party started. Thin breadsticks can be found in the cracker aisle at the grocery store, and be sure to use thin-sliced bacon to easily wrap around these breadsticks. Feeling even more daring? Uses these flavorful sticks to stir up a savory-sweet cocktail. 

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Crispy, Sweet Air-Fried Beet Chips

Anna Theoktisto
Crispy, Sweet Air-Fried Beet Chips Recipe

Specialty root chips can cost $5 to $6 per bag at the grocery store; save big bucks by whipping up a couple batches in your air fryer. The secret to crispy beet chips is to slice the beets super thin; if your knife skills aren’t Top Chef level, use a mandolin to get wafer-thin slices. Don’t overcrowd the basket; air flow is crucial to getting the chips nice and crispy.

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Saucy Mini Meatballs

Jennifer Causey
Saucy Mini Meatballs Recipe

Adding cinnamon gives these meatballs a slight Moroccan feel. You can make this a day ahead and reheat on the stovetop before the party. Using different types of beef adds moisture to the meatballs while keeping sat fat in check.

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Crab Cake Hush Puppies

Oxmoor House
Crab Cake Hush Puppies Recipe

Serve these Crab Cake Hush Puppies with your favorite rémoulade or cocktail sauce for tasty appetizers. Hush puppies, a Southern classic made by deep-frying a cornmeal batter gets a seafood makeover. Served with a creamy, thick dipping sauce, these salty critters are a great option for a potluck meal or an appetizer that serves to impress. Freeze any leftovers and defrost up to 3 months later.

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Cheese-and-Potato Purses

tifs
Cheese-and-Potato Purses Recipe

Things we love: Impressive appetizers that require minimal time and minimal ingredients. Things we really love: Impressive appetizers that require minimal time and minimal ingredients, and make use of the leftovers in your fridge—i.e. these easy, cheesy potato purses. Supposing you’re not looking to use up leftover spuds, you can also substitute prepared, store-bought mashed potatoes, such as Bob Evans brand, in this recipe.   

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Contemporary Shrimp Cocktail

Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas    
Contemporary Shrimp Cocktail Recipe
Revive this party staple by setting out a bountiful platter of shrimp with three bowls of zingy new sauces. For an appetizer, plan on 1 pound of large shrimp for every 4 to 5 guests. Perk up precooked shrimp in boiling water for 30 seconds. Then plunge them in ice water. Drain shrimp well, pat dry, and serve.

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Easy Party Pizza Sticks

Time Inc. Video Studio
Easy Party Pizza Sticks Recipe

If you’re searching for an easy and inexpensive appetizer for a crowd, the hunt stops here. These crispy, cheesy pizza sticks are the perfect snack to whip up for a Super Bowl spread, birthday party, or a casual family get-together. Besides being inherently kid-friendly, these tasty pizza sticks are endlessly customizable—just pile on your favorite toppings!

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Roasted Carrot Platter

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Karen Shinto
Roasted Carrot Platter Recipe

Scoop up these spiced carrots and seasoned yogurt with freshly toasted pita chips.

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Air-Fried Corn Dog Bites

Gina DeSimone
Air-Fried Corn Dog Bites Recipe

Who doesn’t love a corn dog? These whimsical, perfect little bites of smoky hot dog goodness come with a crunchy cornflake coating that will make party guests smile. Look for high-quality uncured hot dogs at upscale grocery stores such as Whole Foods, Fresh Market, or Sprouts. Mustard is best friends with corn dogs, so pick out your favorite to serve with these fun and festive snacks.

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Niçoise Gnocchi Salad

Photo: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Karen Rankin; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis
Niçoise Gnocchi Salad Recipe

Haven’t made it to the grocery store in a minute? That doesn’t mean you can’t whip up an impressive dish. This lovely, snackable take on a salad Niçoise is composed largely from pantry items, like canned tuna and roasted red peppers, plus a couple of common refrigerator staples—frozen green beans and eggs. We use packaged gnocchi, shelf-stable gnocchi as a creative swap  for the fresh potatoes typically found in a salad Niçoise.  Dressed up with a super simple vinaigrette this “throw-together” salad could easily pass for a well-planned. In other words, keep this one in your back pocket for the next time you need a last-minute appetizer for entertaining. 

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Parmesan and Herb Cheese Puffs

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Karen Shinto
Parmesan and Herb Cheese Puffs Recipe

These rich pastry bites can be baked right from the freezer so your guests can eat them warm.

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Mini Corn Dogs with Cranberry Mustard

Photo: Aya Brackett; Styling: Emma Star Jensen
Mini Corn Dogs with Cranberry Mustard Recipe
The Chardonnay in a brut blend pairs well with the corn and the mustard, while the Pinot Noir builds bridges to the hot dog and the cranberry in the dip.

TIP: Make the Cranberry Mustard before you start the dogs.

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Chickpea Salad Boats

Jennifer Causey
Chickpea Salad Boats Recipe

This recipe captures all of the bright, fresh appeal of a salad in a pretty, portable bite. Sturdy endive leaves have a nice cup shape for filling; you also could use Little Gem or small Bibb lettuce leaves. To get a head start, make the filling (minus the pears) up to a day in advance. About an hour before guests arrive, gently stir in the pear and fill the leaves.

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Bacon-Wrapped Grilled Dates with Brie

Antonis Achilleos, Food Styling: Margaret Dickey, Prop Styling: Missie Crawford
Bacon-Wrapped Grilled Dates with Brie Recipe

These yummy little bites are not your normal appetizer. Make sure to use large dates, which are much easier to handle and fill than small ones, and center cut bacon—thick cut bacon will take too long to cook. If a date splits while you’re filling it, just press it back together. These are best warm, right off the grill, but are still good at room temperature. 

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Spicy Chipotle Barbecue Sausage Bites

Spicy Chipotle Barbecue Sausage Bites Recipe

Smoked sausage links are always a good idea for a hearty appetizer buffet and will be the first item to disappear.

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Jalapeño Cheese Straws

Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
Jalapeño Cheese Straws Recipe

We know: You've got a cheese straw recipe you can make with your eyes closed. But give this subtly spicy recipe (that impressed our Test Kitchen staff!) a try.

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Microwave Sweet Potato Chips

Photo: Romulo Yanes; Styling: Paige Hicks
Microwave Sweet Potato Chips Recipe

When the chip craving strikes, look no further than these healthy, homemade chips. Pro tip: You'll need a mandoline to slice the potato thin enough to crisp.

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Instant Pot Chicken Wings

Meredith Food Studios
Instant Pot Chicken Wings Recipe

Make homemade wings in minutes with some help from your Instant Pot. Everyone's favorite pressure cooker get your chicken wings cooked through quickly, while the broiler crisps them up. Serve with crunchy veggie sticks and the sauce of your choosing. 

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Crockpot Fondue

Photo: Caroline Arcangeli; Prop Styling: Christina Daley; Food Styling: Anna Theoktisto
Crockpot Fondue Recipe

It’s easy, it’s cheesy, and it requires no special equipment—what’s not to love? This slow cooker take on cheese fondue offers all of the nuanced flavor of traditional fondue along with all of the convenience of the crockpot; basically, it’s perfect for entertaining. Tossing the cornstarch with your grated cheese helps the cheese incorporate evenly into the liquid when melting and prevents clumping. Serve with a platter of your favorite roasted veggies, sausages, and bread cubes, using long skewers for dipping. 

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Gumbo Rice Fritters

Photo: Alison Miksch; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham
Gumbo Rice Fritters Recipe

You can make the rice balls two weeks ahead and freeze. Bread and fry straight from the freezer.

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Chicken Sausage Puffs with Creamy Mustard Dipping Sauce

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Linda Hirst
Chicken Sausage Puffs with Creamy Mustard Dipping Sauce Recipe
These delightful little puff pastries taste best when served warm. The tasty sauce is a simple combination of coarse-grained mustard mixed with sour cream. The entire recipe only calls for five ingredients, so it's a snap to whip up.

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Copycat Taco Bell Cinnamon Twists

Meredith Food Studios 
Copycat Taco Bell Cinnamon Twists Recipe

 

Our take on Taco Bell’s Cinnamon Twists taste just like the real thing, minus the drive-thru experience. They’re super light and crunchy, and the cinnamon-sugar mixture provides the perfect balance of sweetness and spice. 

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