Quick and Easy Appetizers That Make Entertaining a Breeze

Lennart Weibull

From classy three-ingredient canapés for a cocktail party to lightning-fast dips for game day, we're sharing a selection of super-easy appetizers guaranteed to get any party started. All have either six-ingredients or fewer, take less than 15 minutes to prep, or can be made-ahead (sometimes, it's all three!).

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Kana Okada

Here's the secret to a great party: After being greeted by the host, guests should be given a drink and a bite to eat. That's what everyone wants, after all! A fed guest tends to be a happy one, so whether you're planning a game day gathering, afternoon tea, or an elegant holiday festivus, having a few starters at the ready when the doorbell rings is a great way to kick off any party.

In a perfect world, we'd relish the time spent preparing a made-from-scratch menu, but with the reality of packed schedules and little downtime, that's rarely how it happens. The solution isn't to swear off hosting indefinitely—after all, maintaining connections with friends and family is one of the keys to good health. Instead, consider our all-star lineup of low-stress, easier-than-ever appetizers that will keep the fun going for years to come. Every recipe either requires six-ingredients or fewer (like these irresistible Loaded Potato Bites), come together with under 15 minutes of prep time, or can be made-ahead (sometimes, it's all three!).

To help us select the cream of the crop, we started with these three basic rules to host by: First, seasonal equals simpler. When produce is in peak-season, less ends up being more. If you have heirloom tomatoes on your hands, don't gild the lily with a laundry list of ingredients. Instead, a quick toss with a few aromatics like fresh basil and garlic, as well as a generous glug of quality extra-virgin olive oil, is all you need.

Next, embrace the life-changing magic of make-ahead recipes. It's savvy planning to include recipes that can be made at least partially ahead of time (if not all the way, like this smoky trout pâte). We never thought we'd be able to get away with making guacamole in advance, but once we created this version, which remains a cool avocado-green for days, we knew we had a winner. For warm foods, there's no rule against making something like these sausage-cheddar meatballs the day before; reheating them in batches so they stay hot for your guests is both smart and considerate.

Last but not least, don't be afraid to go store-bought. Just be sure to add an easy upgrade at home. A sign of a good "easy" recipe is one that taps store-bought products in a big way, but looks like a from-scratch enterprise. Jarred condiments like pesto and marinated artichokes take on new identities as a creamy dip when blitzed in a food processor with tangy yogurt or sour cream. Creating something that is greater than the sum of its parts is easy with something like this flatbread recipe that uses pre-baked naan as a base for a few simple but decadent ingredients.

Keep reading to discover more clever tips and recipes for easy entertaining!

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Quick and Easy Appetizers That Make Entertaining a Breeze

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Cucumber Feta Toasts

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Chorizo, Parsnip, and Olive Bites

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Cheaters Deviled Eggs

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Smoked Trout Pate on Toasted Baguette

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Easy Sauteéd Mushrooms

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Grilled Prosciutto-Wrapped Melon

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Mixed Olive Tapenade

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Lemony White Bean Hummus

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Roasted Tomatoes and Cheese with Thyme

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Harissa, Goat Cheese, and Herb Tart

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Taco Truck-Style Guacamole

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Pear, Walnut, and Ricotta Crostini

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Spicy Roasted Chickpeas

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Mango and Avocado Salsa

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Bacon-Wrapped Ginger Shrimp

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Ham-and-Cheese Flatbread

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Spring Pesto Dip

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Sausage-Cheddar Balls

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Creamy Artichoke Ranch Dip

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Antipasto Skewers

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Heirloom Tomato Bruschetta

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Smoky Black Bean Salsa

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Caramelized Mustard-Marmalade Wings

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Quick Shrimp Relish Tray

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Radish Canapés with Black-Olive Butter

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