Get ready to elevate your holiday hosting game with the Barefoot Contessa’s most irresistible appetizers that are guaranteed to make your guests swoon, laugh, and maybe even try to bribe you into sharing the recipe with them. Ina Garten—the queen of effortless entertaining—has crafted a collection of bite-sized wonders that prove you don’t need to be a classically trained chef to create show-stopping party fare.
Picture this: You’re standing in your kitchen, holiday playlist humming in the background, effortlessly whipping up appetizers that look like they’ve been catered by a Parisian chef, but actually took you less time to prepare than it takes to wrap a present. From the decadent Camembert and prosciutto tartines that will make your guests think you’ve secretly been vacationing in the French countryside, to the roasted shrimp cocktail that puts those sad frozen apps to shame, Ina’s recipes are your secret weapon.
Imagine serving tomato crostini with whipped feta that’s so gorgeous, your Instagram followers will be hitting that like button before the first bite. Or surprising your guests with smoked salmon deviled eggs that are decidedly not your grandmother’s potluck standard. And let’s not forget the roasted figs with prosciutto—a combination so elegant, it’s basically the little black dress of appetizers.
Whether you’re hosting an intimate gathering or a full-blown holiday extravaganza, these appetizers are about to transform you from “I’m stressed about entertaining” to “I’ve totally got this” in no time.
Let’s dig in, shall we?
A version of this article was originally published December 2019.
Warm goat cheese in phyllo
Image Credit: Adobe Stock.
Who doesn’t love phyllo-wrapped goat cheese? Plus, this appetizer takes just 40 minutes to make.
Get the recipe from Food Network.
Tomato & goat cheese tarts
Image Credit: zoryanchik – stock.adobe.com
Top puff pastries with thinly sliced yellow onions, freshly grated parmesan, garlic and herb goat cheese, sliced tomatoes, and herbs and spices, toss in the oven, and you have yourself delicious tarts.
Get the recipe from Food Network.
Sausage-stuffed mushrooms
Image Credit: JJAVA – stock.adobe.com
The stuffing alone looks incredible; it’s comprised of a flavorful concoction of Italian sausage, scallions, garlic, panko, Italian mascarpone cheese, parmesan cheese, and more.
Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.
Camembert & prosciutto tartines
Image Credit: Mirabelle Pictures – stock.adobe.com
Published in Cooking for Jeffrey: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook, these layered tartines are broiled for about five minutes.
Get the recipe from Williams-Sonoma.
Roasted red pepper hummus
Image Credit: grinchh – stock.adobe.com
Hummus is one of the best appetizers for al fresco dining, but Ina Garten uses roasted red peppers to give her an extra kick of sweetness and smokiness.
Get the recipe from Food Network.
Tomato crostini with whipped feta
Image Credit: irina – stock.adobe.com
The most difficult part of this recipe is making the whipped feta, but don’t get too intimidated; it’s actually very easy to do if you have a food processor.
Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.
Roasted shrimp cocktail
Image Credit: Тимур Конев – stock.adobe.com
A beginner recipe, Garten’s roasted shrimp cocktail requires only four ingredients for the shrimp and six ingredients to make the cocktail sauce.
Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.
Roasted figs & prosciutto
Image Credit: clfortin – stock.adobe.com
This recipe is so easy, it takes just three ingredients — fresh ripe figs, thin slices of prosciutto, and olive oil — and takes just 10 minutes in the oven.
Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.
Smoked salmon deviled eggs
Image Credit: Adobe Stock.
For a larger party, opt for this smoked salmon deviled eggs app; it makes 16.
Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.
Herbed ricotta bruschettas
Image Credit: GCapture – stock.adobe.com
Really take this recipe to the next level by grilling the olive oil-brushed sourdough bread slices before topping them with the ricotta mixture.
Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.
Pan-fried onion dip
Image Credit: Alex Bayev – stock.adobe.com
This pan-fried onion dip makes two cups — so make two servings, just in case it’s a hit (which it will be).
Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.
Ham & cheese in puff pastry
Image Credit: Richard Semik – stock.adobe.com
Another incredibly easy appetizer with familiar flavors, Garten’s ham and cheese-stuffed puff pastry requires just five ingredients and takes less than 30 minutes to prep.
Get the recipe from Food Network.
Tzatziki
Image Credit: artemstepanov – stock.adobe.com
Last but not least, the lightest, most refreshing dip of them all: tzatziki. And Garten’s recipe makes five cups and does not disappoint.
Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.
Pin it!
Save these recipes to Pinterest for later.