40 Best Make-Ahead Appetizer Recipes

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. Make a cheeseboard featuring one for the easiest, low-key healthy weeknight meal that’ll still feel a little festive this holiday season.

Get the Pumpkin Cheese Ball recipe.

Letting the onions caramelize properly is key to the flavor of this dip. Going low and slow allows them to develop color while breaking down and becoming sweet and jammy. Stir them into this easy dip with some chives, and you have a simple appetizer that’s crazy addicting. It will stay good in the fridge for a few days, so it’s great to make ahead of time.

Get the Sour Cream & Onion Dip recipe.

Crunchy, flaky, and cheesy. What’s not to love? These cheese straws are studded with cheddar, green onions, and sesame seeds for the most flavor-packed cheese straws we’ve ever had. Using store-bought puff pastry makes them extremely easy to pull together for a party!

Get the Cheese Straws recipe.

Grape jelly meatballs might not sound like an ideal combo, but trust us, it is! The sweet jelly mixed with smoky BBQ sauce is a match made in heaven. We added some sriracha to give it a bit of a kick.

Get the Slow-Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs recipe.

Your air fryer is the perfect device for making perfectly crispy chickpeas, since it both removes moisture from the legumes without adding in fat. Here, they’re seasoned with chili powder for a deeply savory, slightly spicy snack. The spices are super-easy to mix up in future batches. Swap in za’atar and sprinkle the chickpeas over creamy hummus or try curry powder instead and serve the chickpeas over Greek yogurt with cilantro and pickled red onions.

Get the Air Fryer Crunchy Chili-Spiced Chickpeas recipe.

We think crunchy, peppery red radishes are underrated, so we decided to give them the spotlight in this fresh crostini. How to balance that strong peppery flavor? Queue sweet, caramelized brown butter, whipped into an unctuous cloud: the perfect foil for paper-thin radish rounds. While it may sound fancy, it all comes together in under 30 minutes for an app to impress.

Get the Brown Butter Radish Crostini recipe.

A cheese board is one of the best appetizers to serve at a holiday gathering because it’s easy to execute, shareable, and totally customizable. What’s better than a gorgeous wooden board piled high with a variety of high-quality cheeses, cured meats, silky spreads (like fig jam!), nuts, fruit, and more?

Get the Ultimate Holiday Cheese Board recipe.

Give your classic deviled eggs a spicy kick with store-bought harissa (Tunisian chili pepper paste) and crispy fried shallots. Tip: Because spice level can vary brand to brand with harissa, start small and build up to control the heat!

Get the Harissa Deviled Eggs recipe.

Nothing screams summer quite like bruschetta. Start by rubbing the toasted bread with garlic for an extra kick of flavor, then top them with simple marinated tomatoes for the ultimate summer snack.

Get the Bruschetta recipe.

Shrimp cocktail is a classic, and it couldn’t be easier. We’ve updated this party standby with a zesty homemade sauce that packs a flavorful punch thanks to ketchup, chili sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. The secret ingredient? A small amount of celery salt ties it all together.

Get the Shrimp Cocktail recipe.

Loaded with cucumbers, tomatoes, and feta, this dip has plenty of the flavors of a Greek salad, plus a smooth, fluffy consistency thanks for yogurt, cream cheese, and feta. Full disclaimer: This recipe makes a lot of dip and can easily be halved (but we’ve never had a problem demolishing it).

Get the Greek Feta Dip recipe.

What’s better than a cripsy, cheesy, bacon-y bite with a bit of heat? Ready in 25 minutes (with only four ingredients!), this simple app begs to be doubled—it’ll go fast, trust us.

Get the Jalapeño Cheese Crisps recipe.

Hummus is a Middle Eastern dish made of chickpeas and tahini. We love adding plenty of garlic or roasted red peppers and other spices (like everything bagel seasoning) for added flavor. Carrots and cucumber spears make a crisp, refreshing snack, especially when you pair them with a dip that can withstand the heat, like hummus.

Get the Creamy Garlic Hummus recipe.

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.

It’s hard not to crack a smile when we see a plate of these adorably bite-sized apps. We kept these simple, but you could definitely jazz them up if you want. Try swapping out romaine for mixed greens or arugula, or adding different vegetables (we think a perfect little round of sautéed zucchini would be nice). Want to keep this completely vegetarian? Try one of our bacon dupes, like our sweet potato bacon or eggplant bacon.

Get the BLT Egglets recipe.

Many of you might be thinking: “Wait, what even is a sausage ball?!” The answer: addictive bites of cooked pork sausage, cheddar, and Bisquick that will be the most popular appetizer at your next get-together.

Get the Sausage Balls recipe.