Quick & Easy Appetizers

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Bookmark These Easy Recipes for Your Next Party

Our deliciously simple recipes—which include everything from appetizers to entrées to desserts—take the stress out of entertaining. Add these dishes to your menu and you'll spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying time with family and friends.

By Rebecca Morris

How to Make Perfect Hard-Boiled Eggs

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Get a perfect hard-boiled egg every time with these simple tips. With hard-boiled eggs in the refrigerator, you always have the components of a satisfying meal.

Greek Layer Dip

Serve this zesty Mediterranean spin on traditional seven-layer dip with pita chips for a delightful party starter.

Creamy Deviled Eggs

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Deviled eggs are a classic and one of Martha Stewart's favorite hors d'oeuvres. Deviled eggs are crowd-pleasing party snack that are the perfect way to start a casual evening. Make this creamy deviled egg recipe and get your party started in 30 minutes or less!

Classic Roasted Salsa

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Having salsa on hand is a must in summer. This homemade version is so easy, why even bother with store-bought? We love the deep, slightly smoky flavors in this version.

Smoked Salmon Dip with Bagel Chips

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This dip is what bagels dream about. With a kick of horseradish, this smoked salmon dip packs all the flavors of your favorite New York deli in to one bite.

Mussels in White Wine and Garlic

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Be sure to buy live mussels. Any open mussels that do not close when you press their shells a few times are dead, and you should discard them.

Peel-and-Eat Shrimp

This shrimp appetizer couldn't be easier to make. Simply poach the shrimp in water, then tossed them with butter and Old Bay Seasoning, which provides the spark.

Baked Scallops

The pan juices that are released from baking the scallops mix with creme fraiche and white wine to create a delicious garlicky sauce. Serve this gratin with crusty bread for dipping, or for a heartier dish, serve over thin spaghetti tossed in olive oil.

Taco Truck-Style Guacamole

The acid in the tomatillos will keep your guacamole bright green even if not serving right away.

Baked Feta-Marinara Dip

Doctor homemade or store-bought marinara with smoky piquillo peppers and tangy feta cheese for an irresistible dip that comes together in a flash. Serve with plenty of crostini to sop up every last bit of sauce.

Guacamole Without Tomatoes

No tomatoes here! Just creamy avocados amped up with lime juice, onion, jalapeno, and cilantro.

Inspiration and Ideas

22 Amazing Last-Minute Appetizers

Sometimes the best parties aren't planned at all. When friends descend unexpectedly, you'll just need a few pantry ingredients to create these deceptively sophisticated snacks.

Chickpea and Tuna Dip

Set the scene for a fun get-together with finger foods you can set out and forget about -- like this delicious, no-fuss dip.

Salsa Fresca

Stuffed Jalapenos

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Silver Dollar Pancakes

These mini pancakes are so much more than a delicious breakfast. Use these silver dollar pancakes as the base for a variety of sweet or savory appetizers or desserts.

All Quick & Easy Appetizers

Cheater's Deviled Eggs

Everything you love about deviled eggs but deconstructed into an easier-to-make bite! Spread rice crackers with mayo and mustard, then top with a slice of hard-boiled egg, smoked sweet paprika, and fresh dill.

Martha's Classic Guacamole

Hard-boiled eggs make a surprisingly delicious addition to Martha's go-to guacamole.

Spiced Walnuts

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Cayenne pepper gives these slightly sweet walnuts a piquant kick.

Guacamole Hummus

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Can't decide between hummus and guacamole? This recipe, courtesy of Catherine Teniente from San Antonio, Texas, allows you to have it both ways in this bright, creamy dip.

Sweet & Savory Cottage Cheese Tartines

Using sturdy crackers instead of bread makes for a lighter tartine. Top with cottage cheese and a smattering of fruits or vegetables for a satisfying, good-for-you snack.

Citrus and Green Olives with Goat Cheese

For the appetizer equivalent of a trip to Sicily, drizzle this platter of briny green olives and juicy winter citrus with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Then, simply spread slices of toasted rustic bread with tangy goat cheese, and have guests pile on the bounty.

Pear, Walnut, and Ricotta Crostini

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Spoon this flavorful topping over Simple Crostini or toast from a country-style loaf. Each recipe makes enough for 16 small or 8 large crostini.

Loaded Baked-Potato Dip

Everything you love about a loaded baked potato in one addictive appetizer! The classic toppings of sour cream, scallions, bacon, and cheddar form a stellar dip for potato chips. Serve the winning combo at your next Super Bowl party.

Okra Fritters

There's no need for a dipping sauce with these crunchy little fritters. Just sprinkle them with coarse salt and they're ready to be devoured.

Roasted Spiced Chickpeas

Craving something crunchy? These spicy roasted chickpeas will give you healthy satisfaction without too much salt or saturated fat.

Grilled Prosciutto-Wrapped Melon

While you can't go wrong with the classic cantaloupe and prosciutto pairing, feel free use any melon and cured meat you like. All the skewers need is a quick turn on the grill, and appetizers are served!

Aged-Cheddar and Beer Dip

Using three kinds of cheese -- extra-sharp cheddar, Gruyere, and cream cheese -- is the key to this dip's deep flavor and perfectly gooey texture.

Spicy Roasted Chickpeas

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Chickpeas, once roasted, take on the flavor and texture of nuts, making them a fun snack with drinks. Prepare the simple appetizer in under 15 minutes for any holiday cocktail party.

Easy Eggplant Spread

This silky dip gets its flavor from garlic and thyme, stuffed into slits in the eggplant before it's grilled. For a rustic look and feel, serve it on crispy grilled crostini.

Lavash Crisps

Use the crisps to absorb the broth from our Poached Halibut in Lemon-Thyme Broth.

Luke's Lobster Roll

"The best ingredients don't need much to shine" says Luke Holden, President, Luke's Lobster, New York City about his minimalist lobster roll recipe. We adapted this recipe from his restaurant's cookbook, Real Maine Food.

Basil Pesto

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This simple Italian sauce brings summery flavor to all sorts of dishes, including our Pesto Pizzas and Chicken Fettuccine with Pesto Cream Sauce. Pesto is traditionally made with cheese, but it's just as good without (it freezes better, too).

Baked Kale Chips

Dense in vitamins A, C, and K, fiber, and calcium, kale is one of the healthiest foods you can eat -- and it makes irresistible chips.

Strawberry, Mango, and Yogurt Smoothie

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This healthy and refreshing smoothie is made with only four ingredients—apple juice, low-fat yogurt, strawberries, and mango chunks. You can use fresh or frozen fruit in this smoothie and substitute orange juice for the apple.

Thai Cucumber Salad

The vegetables in this crunchy, satisfying Thai Cucumber Salad can be tossed together with the tangy rice vinegar dressing a week in advance, leaving nothing more to do before serving than to scatter roasted peanuts and fresh herbs over the top.

Crunchy Ramen Snack Mix

This spicy snack mix features toasted ramen noodles, nuts, cornflakes and freeze-dried peas.

Chicken Liver Pate

Reader Maya Parada in Brooklyn, New York, shares her secret for adding sweetness to this pate: grated carrot. Serve as an appetizer, or spread on crackers or sandwiches for rich flavor.

Minty Pea Dip

This is a tasty dip you can pair with a few crudites and take it with you for a snack on the go.

Melba Toast

You can use any type of bread for this recipe. We used anadama bread, which is made with molasses and cornmeal. Serve this with our Potted Crab.

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