Entertaining (or just really, really love tiny, bite-sized snacks)? These apps got you covered.
We're no food scientists, but we know one thing to be fact: When it comes to appetizers, we say the smaller the food, the tastier it is. Could this be why we love pigs in a blanket so much? Probably! When you can eat these appetizers in two bites, it means you and your guests can eat lots of fried goat cheese bites, bang bang shrimp, meatball sub bites, and chicken empanadas. Whether you want fancy little puff pastry bites or the classics like stuffed mushrooms and bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers, we have tons of bite-sized finger food recipes that are going to be perfect for your next dinner party, game day tailgate, or summer potluck.
Want to really impress your guests? Try our easy (yet impressive) apps that are sure to stun. Crispy fried calamari (or even mushroom "calamari"!) couldn't be simpler to whip up. The same is true for our recipes for TK, our arancini, and our Taiwanese popcorn chicken. In a rush? Check out all our best quick, last-minute appetizers. Our make-ahead appetizer recipes are like a tasty gift to your future self too.
With all these appetizers working their way around the room, you're going to need some co*cktails and mocktails to go with them. Shake things up with our recipes for our best classic co*cktails and our best after-dinner co*cktails. If you need to stock up your bar cart, check out our favorite gin, tequila, vodka, and non-alcoholic spirit recommendations. Serving a crowd? Try one of our many big-batch co*cktails so you can focus on your guests (and those apps!). Whatever you do. don't forget dessert either! These potluck-friendly dessert ideas will keep your spread looking like you hired a pro to do it.
1
Parmesan Tortellini Bites
As far as stuffed pasta goes, tortellini is highly versatile, convenient, and—the best part—filled with cheese. You may have heard of toasted ravioli, but these crispy Parmesan tortellini bites will soon become your new favorite appetizer.
Get the Parmesan Tortellini Bites recipe.
2
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.
3
Crab Cake Egg Rolls
These two-bite beauties combine the decadence of a crab cake, and the crisp-chewy texture of your favorite take-out egg rolls all into one platter-friendly package.
Get the Crab Cake Egg Roll recipe.
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4
Lemon-Blueberry Brie Bites
Bite-sized, blueberry, and brie: Were four words ever better or more delicious together? Enter this easy, perfect-for-spring appetizer. With golden brown pastry (thank you, crescent dough!), gooey cheese, jammy blueberries, and crunchy almonds, these bites are perfect for an impromptu gathering or to kick off a bridal shower.
Get the Lemon-Blueberry Brie Bites recipe.
5
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.
6
Potato Gratin Stacks
Potatoes au gratin are one of the most satisfying sides, so we decided to turn it into a crowd-pleasing bite-sized app too. No casserole dish needed here—a muffin tin, Russet potatoes, two types of cheese, heavy cream, and staple seasonings are all you need to create these cheesy stacks.
Get the Potato Gratin Stacks recipe.
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7
Mini Phyllo Feta Bites
These mini phyllo feta bites are the perfect easy bite-sized appetizer for a party. Salty, gooey feta cheese is wrapped in the flakiest golden-brown layers of phyllo dough. Everything gets drizzled in sticky-sweet honey and topped with flaky salt for extra crunch, and voilá: You have an elegant hors d’oeuvre with just six ingredients.
Get the Mini Phyllo Feta Bites recipe.
8
Peach Bruschetta
Summer is that beautiful time of year when both peaches and tomatoes are in season and peak quality, and this easy appetizer celebrates that. We combine peaches and tomatoes in this sweet-salty snack that goes perfectly on top of golden brown baguette slices. Tossing the fruit with just a little salt and olive oil makes the fruit shine and keeps things tasting fresh and sweet.
Get the Peach Bruschetta recipe.
9
Ham & Swiss Hasselback Biscuit Bites
Step aside, hasselback potatoes: Hasselback biscuit bites are coming to steal your thunder. Featuring convenient canned biscuits stuffed with ham and cheese, these flaky, buttery bites will delight party guests wherever they appear.
Get the .
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10
Pigs In A Blanket
There's something very classic about the crescent roll dough flavor, so we tend to gravitate toward it, but puff pastry or even biscuit dough should work here too.
Get the Pigs In A Blanket recipe.
11
Smoked Salmon Crostini
Smoked salmon has been endlessly married with cream cheese, and we're not tired of it. In fact, we encourage it full-on. Whether it’s smoked salmon dip or in a pasta, there is no denying the perfection of this combo. So, for a quick hors d'oeuvre, like this salmon crostini, we couldn’t shy away from it.
Get the Smoked Salmon Crostini recipe.
12
Caramelized Onion & Goat Cheese Bites
Caramelizing onions takes a bit of time and a watchful eye, but the deep onion-y flavor is well worth it for these puff pastry bites. A little crumbled goat cheese for creaminess and tang and a drizzle of honey for sweetness make them irresistible.
Get the .
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13
Stuffed Mushrooms
To make these, we stuff baby bella mushrooms with garlicky, herby breadcrumbs and plenty of cheese. Stuff them ahead of time and bake them off when you're ready for the most party-friendly appetizer ever.
Get the Stuffed Mushrooms recipe.
14
French Onion Soup Bites
French onion soup is already a bowl of perfection: fortifying broth, sweetly soft onions, a few chunks of bread, and a molten layer of cheese. These little bites prove that perfection can come in many forms.
Get the French Onion Soup Bites recipe.
15
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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16
Peanut Chicken Wonton Cups
If you’re tired of appetizers that are harder to assemble than the entrée, you’ve come to the right place. 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.
17
Meatball Sub Egg Rolls
These fun little hybrids are exactly what they sound like—all of the fillings you'd find in a meatball sub loaded into an egg roll wrapper and deep-fried until golden brown, delicious, and perfect for folks who don't want their hands covered in hot marinara sauce.
Get the Meatball Sub Egg Rolls recipe.
18
Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers
When it comes to iconic party apps, jalapeño poppers deserve a major spot in the appetizer hall of fame. In this recipe, cream cheese and shredded pepper jack are stuffed in the jalapeños before being wrapped in smoky bacon (because everything is better with bacon). When cooked, the cheese gets hot and melty while the peppers mellow slightly, making every bite a perfect combo of flavors.
Get the Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers recipe.
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19
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.
20
Reuben Pinwheels
If you love meaty, savory, tangy Reuben sandwiches, then these crispy Reuben pinwheels are the easy, crowd-pleasing appetizer you’ve been searching for. Made with store-bought buttery puff pastry and layered with corned beef, gooey Swiss cheese, creamy thousand island dressing, and crunchy sauerkraut, these bites have everything you love about the classic sandwich in a party-ready shape.
Get the Reuben Pinwheels recipe.
