Appetizers are the perfect way to mingle. Whether you're hosting a casual Zoom party, heading to a socially distanced park meet-up, hanging out with family, or just making dinner for your roommates, we have an appetizer to match it. From healthy(ish) hors d'oeuvres like fried zucchini and marinated olives to classics like grilled jalapeño poppers and three-cheese mini mac and cheese bites, there's a snack for everyone. Some apps can even be prepared ahead of time! Keep reading for our favorite pre-dinner bites and trust us, there's something in here that's bound to catch your eye.
— Additional reporting by Haley Lyndes
The cheesy filling inside these stuffed peppers is irresistibly good.
Get the recipe: feta-stuffed peppers
Watch out, you might just polish off this tangy, garlic-heavy appetizer in one sitting!
Get the recipe: Mediterranean layered dip
How could you say no to easy-to-prepare finger fare? These caprese skewers are made with tomato, mozzarella, and basil, and their simplicity is genius.
Get the recipe: caprese skewers
Smooth, creamy, and bright green, this dip is great for dunking veggies or (with a little extra olive oil) as a salad dressing.
Get the recipe: green goddess dip
Zucchini dipped in flour, egg, and panko bread crumbs is what makes up this crunchy treat.
Get the recipe: zucchini fries with buttermilk ranch dip
This fig appetizer only takes 20 minutes to make, and the goat cheese and balsamic vinegar are the secret ingredients.
Get the recipe: roasted figs with goat cheese
The jarred stuff has nothing on this homemade recipe.
Get the recipe: roasted chipotle-tomatillo salsa
Believe it or not, this Mediterranean eggplant dip has a smoky flavor, and tastes great paired with pita chips.
Get the recipe: baba ghanoush
Add a dose of color to your appetizer station with these bold cups.
Get the recipe: individual hummus and crudités cups
Ditch the deep-fried squash blossom and go for these lightly salted alternatives instead.
Get the recipe: burrata-stuffed squash blossoms
This dip is made with ingredients you most likely have in the fridge: greek yogurt, cream cheese, extra sharp cheddar, corn, and chipotle peppers.
Get the recipe: cheddar, corn, and chipotle dip
You'll snack on these refreshing Greek salad bites all summer.
Get the recipe: Greek salad bites
You can't go wrong with an Instagrammable cheese plate.
Get the recipe: cheese plate
Oozy brie cheese paired with cherries, thyme, and grilled bread? Sounds good to us.
Get the recipe: grilled brie with cherries
Olive-lover or not, the chili flakes on these olives makes them irresistible.
Get the recipe: spicy marinated olives
Even if you're stuffed full, you'll want a few bites of this refreshing salsa.
Get the recipe: mango, watermelon, and cucumber salsa
These crispy baked pickles served with green goddess ranch dressing are mouthwatering.
Get the recipe: oven-fried pickles
If ripe red tomatoes, basil, and garlic on golden toasted French bread doesn't sound good to you, then this isn't your treat.
Get the recipe: tomato basil bruschetta with balsamic drizzle
There are endless combinations of stuffed jalapeño poppers out there, but this one is a classic. Packed with crispy bacon, whipped cream cheese, and pepper jack cheese, and then grilled to perfection, these poppers are perfect for summer.
Get the recipe: grilled jalapeño poppers
You don't have to worry about overindulging in these watermelon salad cups in one sitting, they're good for you!
Get the recipe: watermelon, cucumber, and feta salad cups
This marinated goat cheese with olives app may be the easiest hors d'oeuvre in the world, but we promise, everyone will love it.
Get the recipe: marinated goat cheese with olives
Who said pumpkin has to be reserved for fall? This crave-worthy dip is tasty enough to consume year-round.
Get the recipe: pumpkin goat cheese dip
This might just be the richest, creamiest, artichoke dip you've ever tried.
Get the recipe: three-cheese spinach artichoke dip
If you're guilty of loving Velveeta cheese (and who isn't), this dip will be your go-to.
Get the recipe: nacho cheese dip
We're not sure who could resist these delicious mac and cheese bites, just look at them!
Get the recipe: three-cheese mini macaroni and cheese bites
Baked brie may often be served with jams, but have you ever tried it with candied bacon? The combination makes for an ooey-gooey and delicious snack.
Get the recipe: baked brie with candied bacon
Literally everything tastes better with bacon, so it's no surprise these bacon-wrapped dates are so good.
Get the recipe: bacon-wrapped dates
There's no better combination than this monkey bread paired with a delicious spicy tomato sauce.
Get the recipe: garlic and thyme monkey bread with spicy tomato sauce
This classic finger food can be prepared easily in advance.
Get the recipe: vegetarian stuffed mushrooms
There's no such thing as too much of these prosciutto-wrapped feta-stuffed dates.
Get the recipe: prosciutto-wrapped feta-stuffed dates
Forget using crackers as your base! Grilled polenta tastes delicious, especially paired with avocado.
Get the recipe: grilled polenta avocado rounds
This spicy hummus recipe adds a little Mexican flair with cumin, coriander, and red pepper flakes.
Get the recipe: spicy hummus
This recipe calls for just a few ingredients, allowing for its natural flavors to stand out.
Get the recipe: sautéed kale and burrata bruschetta
Believe it or not, bone marrow is not too hard to cook at home. In fact, it's pretty easy!
Get the recipe: roasted bone marrow
Take ordinary chicken wings to the next level with this hoisin-based sauce.
Get the recipe: hoisin-glazed chicken wings
These pretzel bites are ideal to snack on during happy hour.
Get the recipe: chili-cheese pretzel bites
Shh . . . these pinwheels may look like they take a lot of time and effort, but really, they're only four ingredients.
Get the recipe: ham and cheese puff pastry pinwheels
Who wouldn't like this butter-filled puffed pastry with cheese and herbs sprinkled over it?
Get the recipe: herbed cheese straws
These mini banh mi wonton tacos are so good, you may even skip dinner.
Get the recipe: mini banh mi wonton tacos
Skip the wings, try this buffalo chicken and cheese dip instead.
Get the recipe: spicy buffalo chicken dip
Make a loaf of this red lentil terrine and spread it over crackers. The earthy spread is much better for you than cheese, and it has a nice texture to it.
Get the recipe: Japanese-influenced red lentil terrine (vegan paté)
You'll want to nibble on this refreshing Mediterranean spread far beyond dinner.
Get the recipe: warm honey-drizzled feta with pine nuts
Yes, this snack mix is over the top, but in the best way. Cashews, smoky bacon, sweet-tart dried pineapple, and umami-rich soy sauce make for a mean combination.
Get the recipe: tiki snack mix
This dip is outrageously cheesy, and we're not complaining.
Get the recipe: pimento cheese fondue
If you love a Reuben sandwich, just wait until you try this Rueben dip. It's so easy to make, just throw the ingredients in a crockpot until it's done!
Get the recipe: Reuben dip
If you're feeling fancy, these decadent toasts are mighty sophisticated.
Get the recipe: gravlax and crème fraiche toasts
Not only are these rosemary-sesame pecans freaking delicious, but they're filling, too.
Get the recipe: rosemary-sesame pecans
Elevate a classic shrimp cocktail by providing three sauces to choose from. Whether it's the classic cocktail sauce, a Thai peanut sauce, or a pineapple BBQ sauce, there's one in here that everyone can enjoy.
Get the recipe: shrimp cocktail with a trio of sauces
You might as well serve this for dinner, because no one will want just one bite.
Get the recipe: ciabatta pizza bread
You'll hear a lot of "mms" and "yums" with this hearty appetizer.
Get the recipe: pimento-cheese- and prosciutto- topped biscuits
Come on, potato anything is just plain delicious. This potato recipe is topped with tomato-avocado salsa for a flavorful punch.
Get the recipe: red potatoes stuffed with tomato-avocado salsa
This hummus contains two secret ingredients — white miso and almonds — for a too-good-to-be-true taste.
Get the recipe: miso hummus
We all know cream cheese and crackers is irresistible, but with pepper jelly on top? It's even better than you'd think.
Get the recipe: pepper jelly
These festive little bites make eating baked brie cheese a breeze.
Get the recipe: brie, cranberry, and pancetta phyllo bites
This spicy, garlicky cream cheese ball makes the perfect spread.
Get the recipe: pepper-ranch cheese ball
This may be a flatbread, but you'll be surprised by how light and nutritious it is.
Get the recipe: Spanish flatbreads with Swiss chard and walnuts
Who could ever complain about this creamy melted dip? The sautéed mushrooms and tangy goat cheese mix perfectly together!
Get the recipe: mushroom and goat cheese queso
If you don't like shellfish, these flavorful mussels will change your mind.
Get the recipe: Julia Child's mussels steamed in white wine
You'll forget you even made these bite-sized treats, they'll be gone so fast!
Get the recipe: apricot, goat cheese, and almond bites
Football game or not, everyone likes sports snacks, and these rolls are only four ingredients!
Get the recipe: baked buffalo chicken egg rolls with blue cheese sauce
These deviled eggs have an unexpected spicy kick. However, if you want a more mild version, you can use paprika instead of cayenne pepper.
Get the recipe: spicy deviled eggs
Have you ever heard someone say they don't like seven-layer dip? Me neither.
Get the recipe: seven-layer dip
For a light and crispy cracker, these cheddar snacks are packed with flavor.
Get the recipe: cheesy phyllo crackers
These crackers are sure to please a crowd, even if that crowd is your picky family.
Get the recipe: parmesan, black pepper, and thyme crackers
These unique snacks will impress anyone who sits down to eat them.
Get the recipe: mini potato gratins
Raise your hand if you like chicken parmesan! These chicken parm bites are addicting.
Get the recipe: baked chicken parmesan poppers
Even a picky eater will swoon over this low-fat, Greek-yogurt-based dip.
Get the recipe: lightened-up French onion dip
Tiny bite-sized pieces of sirloin filet with kale and roasted tomatoes on top? Talk about delicious.
Get the recipe: balsamic steak bites with kale and roasted tomatoes
Truffle oil is what makes this popcorn go from average to phenomenal.
Get the recipe: truffle popcorn
If salty cabbage, crispy carrots, and shiitake mushrooms sound good to you, imagine them packed into a pan-fried wonton.
Get the recipe: dumplings with sesame-hoisin sauce
Fried buffalo wings are overrated. Give these baked ones a try, they're just as good.
Get the recipe: baked buffalo wings
Latkes, otherwise known as potato pancakes, are fried to a mouthwatering crisp in this recipe.
Get the recipe: latkes fried in duck fat
Imagine nachos, but with a tender golden-crusted tater-tot base. Sounds good, doesn't it?
Get the recipe: cheesy bacon tater tots
A platter full of toasted bread topped with prosciutto and goat cheese is a dangerously delicious combination.
Get the recipe: goat cheese and prosciutto crostini
If you're not feeling the carbs, these lettuce wraps are a great alternative.
Get the recipe: banh mi lettuce wraps
These pastry bites are made with pie crust instead of puff pastry, and they taste like elevated Pop-Tarts.
Get the recipe: brie and fig puff pastry bites
Just be forewarned: this queso fresco, white cheddar, mozzarella, and goat cheese-filled dip is addicting.
Get the recipe: chorizo queso
One bite of these nuts and you'll feel like a smoky flavor bomb went off in your mouth.
Get the recipe: smoky and spicy almonds
This lightened-up dip swaps out mayo for nonfat Greek yogurt and uses reduced-fat cream cheese.
Get the recipe: lightened-up pimento cheese dip
These appetizers are airy and light, making them perfect for summer.
Get the recipe: gruyère gougères
These are basically a gourmet version of ballpark nachos, so you know they're good.
Get the recipe: chili con queso nachos
I don't know about you, but my mouth's watering just looking at this caramel brie.
Get the recipe: brie with caramel and sliced almonds
Inspired by traditional tartine with whole-wheat toast, creamy hummus, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh pea shoots, this looks even better on a baguette and is more appetizer-friendly.
Get the recipe: hummus and sun-dried tomato crostini
Chicks in a blanket, not pigs — there's chicken apple sausage in here!
Get the recipe: chicks in a blanket
We all love pizza, so why not make it into a creamy dip that everyone can enjoy?
Get the recipe: supreme pizza dip
This salty and creamy milk-based dip tastes good served on a crunchy crostini, but also on top of pasta or even as a salad dressing.
Get the recipe: green olive dip
Roll 'em up, cut them into bite-sized pieces, and these pinwheels will be gobbled up in no time!
Get the recipe: Buffalo chicken pinwheels
This appetizer requires some specific items, like quail eggs and foie gras, but the result is worth it.
Get the recipe: deviled quail eggs
Can we all just agree that seasoned popcorn is the best? This particular recipe contains peppercorns, cloves, cinnamon, cumin, and cardamom spices for a taste that adds a kick.
Get the recipe: garam masala popcorn
It doesn't get any better than bruschetta topped with mushroom and melted brie.
Get the recipe: mushroom and brie bruschetta
This appetizer doubles as both a condiment and a dip, and it makes a great snack before a main course.
Get the recipe: beet mint yogurt dip
This breaded and fried appetizer couldn't taste any better.
Get the recipe: bacon and cheese croquettes
These tiny apps are so easy to pop in your mouth and are ridiculously easy to put together.
Get the recipe: peppadew peppers stuffed with whipped feta
Because what's an appetizer roundup without pigs in a blanket?
Get the recipe: pigs in a blanket
Sweet potatoes, bacon, crème fraîche, and a sprinkling of chives sounds like something we want to eat, like, right now.
Get the recipe: endive spears topped with sweet potato and bacon
You don't even need a bagel with this goat cheese spread, just slather it on bread and it'll satisfy your taste buds.
Get the recipe: everything bagel goat cheese
There's no such thing as too much hummus, and this homemade one is so much better than store-bought.
Get the recipe: sun-dried tomato basil hummus
Trust us, antipasto tastes even better as a finger food.
Get the recipe: antipasto sausage skewers
You literally just bake this cheese. That's it. No fuss about it.
Get the recipe: baked goat cheese