Last-Minute Appetizers

Photo: Caitlin Bensel; Prop Styling: Christina Daley; Food Styling: Karen Rankin

Choose one of these super-easy appetizer recipes when you've got unexpected guests or if you forgot to make a dish to take to the party.

Start Slideshow

1 of 50

Pimento Cheese Puffs

Photo: Aaron Kirk; Prop Styling: Christina Daley; Food Styling: Sarah Epperson

Pimento Cheese Puffs Recipe

Classic French gougères with a Southern remix. These airy pimiento cheese puffs make an impressive addition to virtually any party spread. While the choux pastry dough may seem intimidating to make, trust us—success is just a matter of not walking away from the pan. As long as you can stay put and keep stirring (so that your dough doesn’t burn), you can make gougères.

2 of 50

French Onion Soup Bites

Photo: Caitlin Bensel; Prop Styling: Christina Daley; Food Styling: Karen Rankin

French Onion Soup Bites Recipe

Easy to assemble and perfectly portable, these French Onion Soup bites are the perfect addition to any holiday party spread. They’re like your favorite Trader Joe’s freezer aisle find, but tastier.

3 of 50

Lemony Herbed Ricotta and Roasted Tomato Bruschetta

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Lindsey Lower

Lemony Herbed Ricotta and Roasted Tomato Bruschetta Recipe

This bite-size bruschetta recipe is dressed in flavorful herbs and makes a perfect appetizer to pair with a classic Italian entrée.

4 of 50

Pear, Brie, and Balsamic Bruschetta

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Lindsey Lower

Pear, Brie, and Balsamic Bruschetta Recipe

This bruschetta is both sweet, with pear slices and honey, and savory because of the Brie cheese and balsamic drizzle.

5 of 50

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.

6 of 50

Greek Crab Dip

Time Inc., Video Studio

Greek Crab Dip Recipe

With the salty richness of feta cheese and brightness from fresh lemon juice and herbs, this is an incredible twist on a classic creamy crab dip. Lump crab meat gives the dip an added touch of decadence, but it could also be made with less-expensive claw meat. Served with warm, crusty baguette slices this savory crab dip is the perfect “something different” to bring to your next potluck or party.

7 of 50

Pizza Rolls

Photo: Kelsey Hansen; Prop Styling: Sarah Elizabeth Cleveland; Food Styling: Deb Wise

Pizza Rolls Recipe

These tender, buttery snack rolls are akin to cinnamon buns in structure… but they’re full-on pizza perfection in flavor. Using canned crescent roll dough and prepared marinara sauce keeps both the prep time and ingredient list short, making these cheesy, kid-friendly bites easy to whip up at a moment’s notice. Of course, you can also prep them ahead to enjoy as after-school snacks or on-the-go breakfasts throughout the week. Feel free to customize you homemade pizza rolls with your own favorite toppings.

8 of 50

Black-Eyed Pea, Bacon, and Pickled Okra Bruschetta

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Lindsey Lower

Black-Eyed Pea, Bacon, and Pickled Okra Bruschetta Recipe

This innovative bruschetta recipe makes a garlic, olive oil and black-eyed pea paste and is topped with crumbled bacon and pickled okra rounds.

9 of 50

Smoked Trout and Dill Cream Bruschetta

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Lindsey Lower

Smoked Trout and Dill Cream Bruschetta Recipe

Add a sophisticated twist to a classic appetizer. Your guests will be begging for the recipe!

10 of 50

Chickpea Crackers with Chunky Tapenade

Photo: Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Margaret Dickey and Elise Mayfield; Prop Styling: Kay Clarke and Laura Evans

Chickpea Crackers with Chunky Tapenade Recipe

These rustic crackers are addictively salty and crunchy, like a snack should be. The creamy hummus and briny tapenade are the perfect complements to create an impressive appetizer spread.

11 of 50

Mini Crab Melts

Photo: Brian Woodcock; Styling: Rachael Burrow

Mini Crab Melts Recipe
These little morsels are perfect for snacking on before dinner is served. As soon as the cheese is melted, they're ready to serve.

12 of 50

Harissa-Spiked Hummus

Greg DuPree

Harissa-Spiked Hummus Recipe

Round out your holiday hors d'oeuvre plate with a variety of veggies and a couple dips—including this delicious smoky dip, and some tangy romesco. The harissa can be made and refrigerated up to 3 days in advance, and will elevate any store-bought hummus.

13 of 50

Mini Black Bean and Cheese Enchiladas

Photo: Steven DeVries; Food Styling: Catherine Crowell Steele; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Mini Black Bean and Cheese Enchiladas Recipe

Mini Black Bean and Cheese Enchiladas image

14 of 50

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.

15 of 50

Crispy Cauliflower Bites with Herbed Yogurt Dip

Photo: Kelsey Hansen; Prop Styling: Sarah-Elizabeth Cleveland; Food Styling: Deb Wise

Crispy Cauliflower Bites with Herbed Yogurt Dip Recipe

Even your most carnivorous meat-eating guests won’t be able to resist these crispy, spiced cauliflower bites. Offering the perfect balance of hearty crunch and bright, tangy sauciness, our cauli-bites are a grade-A vegetarian appetizer for entertaining, tailgating, and beyond. You can find berbere at supermarkets like Whole Foods or online; and if this Ethiopian spice blend is new to you, be prepared, you’re gonna wanna add it to everything.

16 of 50

Everything Smoked-Salmon Summer Rolls

Jen Causey

Everything Smoked-Salmon Summer Rolls Recipe

17 of 50

Simply the Best Guacamole

Time Inc. Video Studio

Simply the Best Guacamole Recipe

Always remember: The best guacamole is the simplest guacamole.

18 of 50

Baked Crab Rangoon

Photo: Alison Miksch; Food Styling: Cat Steele; Prop Styling: Lindsey Lower

Baked Crab Rangoon Recipe

Photo: Alison Miksch; Food Styling: Cat Steele; Prop Styling: Lindsey Lower

19 of 50

Mini Tomato Sandwiches With Bacon Mayonnaise

Photo: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

Mini Tomato Sandwiches With Bacon Mayonnaise Recipe

One of the season’s simplest and most iconic pleasures, the beloved BLT, can also double as an effortless appetizer. The quality of your tomatoes will make or break this simple sandwich. We like the color contrast of red and yellow heirloom tomatoes, but choose whichever large tomato is ripest. These little sandwiches are perfect for outdoor picnics or brunch with the ladies.

20 of 50

Sheet Pan Carnitas Bao Buns

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Food Styling: Karen Rankin; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Sheet Pan Carnitas Bao Buns Recipe

This genius recipe is the perfect solution for anyone who craves delightful, soft and fluffy steamed buns, but doesn’t own a steamer (i.e. most of us).

21 of 50

Flamin' Hot Cheetos Stuffed Jalapeños

Time Inc. Video Studio

Flamin' Hot Cheetos Stuffed Jalapeños Recipe

What do you get when you cross the most virally popular snack on the chip aisle with one of the most beloved appetizers of all time? Obviously, the hottest snacketizer around.

22 of 50

Best Sausage Balls

Photo: Antonis Achilles; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos and Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Sarah Elizabeth Cleveland

Best Sausage Balls Recipe

There’s a universal attachment to these and the holidays. Everyone starts by rolling their eyes at the idea of them and then proceeds to eat at least 5.

23 of 50

Roasted Kale and Chickpea Snack Mix

Jennifer Causey

Roasted Kale and Chickpea Snack Mix Recipe

This fiber-filled, gluten-free snack mix is great sprinkled over salads to give them a little spicy crunch.

24 of 50

Cheesy Crab Artichoke Toasts

Jennifer Causey

Cheesy Crab Artichoke Toasts Recipe

Save time the day of the party by preparing the crab mixture one day ahead. Cut and store the sliced bread in an airtight container until ready to assemble, and then broil as the recipe instructs shortly before party time.

25 of 50

Super Simple Pimiento Cheese

Time Inc. Video Studio

Super Simple Pimiento Cheese Recipe

This foolproof recipe for classic pimiento cheese comes from Damaris Phillip's cookbook Southern Girl Meets Vegetarian Boy: Down Home Classics for Vegetarians (and the Meat Eaters Who Love Them). The mainstay Southern cheese spread makes for an excellent appetizer served with crackers, and is equally delicious in recipes like this Pimiento Cheese Roasted Chicken.

26 of 50

Brie-and-Fig Puffed Pastry Bites

TIFS

Brie-and-Fig Puffed Pastry Bites Recipe

You don’t need a culinary degree and ample free time to create impressive appetizers for your next party. In fact, all you need is three simple ingredients and about ten minutes of hands-on work to whip up these easy and delectably cheesy bites. They’re yet another reason that puff pastry is the true MVP when it comes to entertaining.

27 of 50

Poke Balls

Time Inc. Video Studios

Poke Balls Recipe

A fun and easy way to eat sushi that'll impress anyone.

28 of 50

Quick and Easy Nachos

Photo: Daniel Agee; Food Styling: Julia Levy; Prop Styling: Kashara Johnson

Quick and Easy Nachos Recipe

This platter of goodness represents the lowest-effort end of the homemade nachos spectrum. That said, “low-effort”—by no stretch of the imagination—means a low YUM-factor here. Although this game day-perfect platter of beefy, cheesy nachos comes together quickly and relies largely on store-bought shortcuts, it delivers the classic meld of flavors and textures that you want from everyone’s favorite appetizer. For this nachos recipe, we combine the meat and nacho cheese elements to create a Ro*Tel Dip-inspired, beefy cheese sauce. This guarantees an even distribution of the hearty toppings and keeps you from having to crank up the oven. However, if you prefer melted, shredded cheese over a nacho cheese sauce, simply cook your ground beef in a skillet on the stovetop, drain, and distribute over the nachos on a sheet pan. Then, top the platter with shredded cheese and pop it under the broiler until melty and glorious (no Ro*Tel required).

29 of 50

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.

30 of 50

Mini Shrimp Rolls

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Mini Shrimp Rolls Recipe

Porch parties and backyard cookouts call for shrimp-salad sliders with a little kick. Everyone will devour these cute little sandwiches made with shrimp, celery, and pickled jalapenos. If you are bringing these rolls to a party, transport the prepared shrimp-salad mixture, toasted rolls, and fresh toppings separately. Then assemble the Mini Shrimp Rolls just before serving.

31 of 50

Lasagna Dip With Pasta Chips

Photo: Aaron Kirk; Prop Styling: Sarah Elizabeth Cleveland; Food Styling: Robby Melvin

Lasagna Dip With Pasta Chips Recipe

Olive Garden got this one right, folks—lasagna in dip form is all kinds of wonderful, especially served with freshly fried, crisp pasta chips. Trust us, this meaty, cheesy appetizer will be a welcome addition to any party.

Account

50 Last-Minute Appetizers For Your Next Unexpected Gathering

1 of 50

Pimento Cheese Puffs

1 of 50

2 of 50

French Onion Soup Bites

2 of 50

3 of 50

Lemony Herbed Ricotta and Roasted Tomato Bruschetta

3 of 50

4 of 50

Pear, Brie, and Balsamic Bruschetta

4 of 50

5 of 50

Saucy Mini Meatballs

5 of 50

6 of 50

Greek Crab Dip

6 of 50

7 of 50

Pizza Rolls

7 of 50

8 of 50

Black-Eyed Pea, Bacon, and Pickled Okra Bruschetta

8 of 50

9 of 50

Smoked Trout and Dill Cream Bruschetta

9 of 50

10 of 50

Chickpea Crackers with Chunky Tapenade

10 of 50

11 of 50

Mini Crab Melts

11 of 50

12 of 50

Harissa-Spiked Hummus

12 of 50

13 of 50

Mini Black Bean and Cheese Enchiladas

13 of 50

14 of 50

Niçoise Gnocchi Salad

14 of 50

15 of 50

Crispy Cauliflower Bites with Herbed Yogurt Dip

15 of 50

16 of 50

Everything Smoked-Salmon Summer Rolls

16 of 50

17 of 50

Simply the Best Guacamole

17 of 50

18 of 50

Baked Crab Rangoon

18 of 50

19 of 50

Mini Tomato Sandwiches With Bacon Mayonnaise

19 of 50

20 of 50

Sheet Pan Carnitas Bao Buns

20 of 50

21 of 50

Flamin' Hot Cheetos Stuffed Jalapeños

21 of 50

22 of 50

Best Sausage Balls

22 of 50

23 of 50

Roasted Kale and Chickpea Snack Mix

23 of 50

24 of 50

Cheesy Crab Artichoke Toasts

24 of 50

25 of 50

Super Simple Pimiento Cheese

25 of 50

26 of 50

Brie-and-Fig Puffed Pastry Bites

26 of 50