Even though the main dish is the star of the show at Easter dinner, every Southern host knows you’ve got to have a few appetizers to welcome your guests. That doesn’t mean that you should spend even more time and effort in the kitchen than you already are, though. These easy Easter appetizers will look beautiful and taste incredible, but no one will know how easy they were to put together.
With classic Easter appetizers like our Basic Deviled Eggs or Ham Biscuits, the whole crowd will be pleased. For the easiest Easter appetizer, go with recipes with short and sweet ingredient lists, like our Bacon Bow Ties, Pimiento Cheese Sausage Balls, or Okra In A Blanket.
While you’re planning out your Easter menu, consider these Easter appetizer recipes that are easy to get on the table and use some of your favorite in-season ingredients. Your guests will love you even more for it.
Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Christina Daley
Assemble these spring crostini easily with ribbons of in-season asparagus and a lemon-infused ricotta mixture. The only cooking required is toasting the bread. Garnish with lemon zest and fresh mint.
Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Mary Clayton Carl Jones
Fresh artichokes are easier to cook than you might think! Pair it with a delicious roasted garlic, mayo, and Dijon sauce, and your guests will be coming back for seconds.
Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely
What better way to ring in crawfish season than with these fast-fix, over-stuffed crawfish rolls? Mixed together with a little mayo, celery, and spices, this quick crawfish salad will transport your taste buds right to the Big Easy.
Pickled Shrimp
Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox
These herby, garlicky pickled shrimp will brighten up any holiday brunch spread. Place them in a cute Weck jar and have a little pickle fork handy. Serve with crostini and Boursin for a crisp and creamy accompaniment.
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Christine Keely
This easy appetizer relies on a handful of store-bought goods to create an impressive looking bite. Assemble them just before guests arrive to keep the chips crispy.
Cheesy Artichoke Dip With Spring Crudités
Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely
This creamy, cheesy appetizer recipe focuses on everyone’s favorite ingredient in the classic dip: artichoke hearts. Using canned or thawed frozen artichoke hearts isn’t just acceptable in this recipe—it’s encouraged!
Antonis Achilleos; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn
Similar to cheese straws, these snacks whip up in a flash. Your guests will actually have dreams about these cheesy bites of goodness. This recipe will be your new party go-to.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
It’s almost hard to believe this bright and colorful recipe only calls for three ingredients. All you need are radishes, butter, and salt. As an added bonus, the stems make the perfect little handle for snacking.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Not all spinach dips need to be warm. This cold, creamy version comes together in just 10 minutes.
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer
Give spring vegetables their time to shine with this show-stopping rainbow beet galette. Red, gold, and candy cane beets are cradled in a store-bought piecrust to create this beautiful and delicious vegetarian appetizer.
Alison Miksch; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
We love an appetizer that’s both easy and impressive, and this recipe fits the bill. Of course we couldn’t resist adding a little bit of pepper jelly to the top of the brie before wrapping it in the puff pastry.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Fresh and colorful, you can’t go wrong starting the meal out with a pretty tray of vegetables. Blanching tougher vegetables before adding them to the tray will make them more tender.
Greg Dupree; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray
Think of this dip as a scoop-able version of cucumber salad that won’t spoil Easter dinner. You can make it up to three days in advance.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
A favorite recipe of Rosalynn Carter, this cheese ring deserves a spot on your Easter table. While the strawberry preserves are optional, we like the sweetness it adds to balance out the salty cheese ring.
Stacy K. Allen, Food Stylist: Torie Cox, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
With five store-bought ingredients, this is the easiest appetizer to make. Crunchy phyllo dough and pecans, creamy brie, and red pepper jelly for a little kick make this a well-balanced bite.
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Christine Keely
This spring appetizer has it all—sweet strawberries, tangy goat cheese, and spicy jalapenos. A touch of honey and lime round out the flavors. Substitute ricotta if you don’t have goat cheese on hand.
Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Instead of a charcuterie board, opt for a fresh crudités platter. This inexpensive seasonal spread is full of color and uses a variety of in-season vegetables to create a delicious and stunning platter that will shine on your table.
Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele
Serve this Southern favorite on crunchy crostini for easy individual pickup. No need for pepper in this recipe—the radishes add a peppery bite and crunch.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
If you’ve never made this Southern classic before, don’t let their fancy façade scare you. They are actually super simple to make. Watch as we demonstrate how easy it is to perfect this heavenly finger food, and you’ll be prepared for any potluck party invitation that comes your way.
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis
While these crostinis might look fancy, they’re a cinch to make and are ready to serve in just 15 minutes. Let your food processor do all the hard work of mincing the herbs and garlic—just throw all the ingredients in and voila!
Southern Living
We made your classic sausage balls recipe even better with the addition of another Southern go-to, pimiento cheese. These can be made ahead and frozen so you can pull out as many as you need for your Easter gathering.
Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele
This classic tomato sandwich only requires a few ingredients, but they’ll disappear right before your eyes. These dainty sandwiches get a boost of flavor from an herby Summer Sauce that’s combined with cream cheese.
Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Christine Keely
Add this versatile spread to your Easter charcuterie board. Pepper and honey accentuate the flavors of the fresh herbs and tangy goat cheese. Spread on crackers or toasted baguette slices, or use as a dip for fresh spring veggies.
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke
Instead of having everyone dip out of the same bowl, prepare these individual crackers ahead of time, so each guest gets all the flavor in each little bite. The pepper jelly and cream cheese combo is elevated with the addition of shrimp and seasoned crackers.
PHOTO: JAMES RANSOM, PROP STYLIST: CHRISTINE KEELY, FOOD STYLIST: RUTH BLACKBURN
We’ve yet to meet anything that isn’t delicious wrapped in bacon, prosciutto, or country ham. In this classic appetizer, two Southern foods meet—tangy pickled okra and salty ham.
Johnny Autry; Prop and Food Styling: Charlotte L. Autry
Once you try this tasty dip with your Easter appetizer spread, you’ll want to put this avocado dip on every sandwich or wrap you make, too. You can substitute Greek yogurt for the mayonnaise or sour cream for a lighter version.
Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
No one ever said no to a buttery cracker…and these are no exception. Good luck only eating a few. They’re as delicious as they are nostalgic and are great for serving with a variety of dips.
Robbie Caponetto; Prop Styling: Mary Beth Wetzel; Food Styling: Pam Lolley
Our Editor-in-Chief Sid Evans shared his grandmother’s recipe for cheese straws, which will surely become a favorite tradition for your family’s holidays, too. Thanks to cheese spread, there’s no shredding required. Just mix, pipe, and bake.
Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop styling: Claire Spollen; Food styling: Chelsea Zimmer
Guests will love this party favorite in mini form. Picky kids and choosy adults alike will adore this bite-sized appetizer that you can make with six ingredients you probably already have on hand. Top with sour cream and chives.
Caitlin Bensel
Has there ever been any spinach and artichoke dip left at the end of the gathering? No, the answer is no.
Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Tami Hardeman
This two-ingredient recipe couldn’t be easier or more delicious. It’d be wise to make multiple batches.
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas
There’s nothing quite like a flaky buttermilk biscuit with ham. These biscuits are made even more delicious with our Pecan Cheese Spread.
Hector Manuel Sanchez
Rethink the classic spinach dip and try this variation. Classic collards get an appetizer makeover with this warm, cheesy dip.
Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Smoked ham gets a kick from Creole mustard and cayenne pepper in this ham salad. This Southern classic is a recipe to keep on hand for any spring luncheon or get-together.
Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham
We’re just as happy with these delicious deviled eggs as we are with candy-filled plastic eggs. Don’t want to be subject to just one deviled egg recipe? Make our DIY Deviled Egg Bar for an interactive appetizer experience.
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Margaret Monroe Dickey
This creamy crab dip includes a Southern favorite, Old Bay seasoning. Crackers and colorful endive make great vehicles for this decadent dip.
Hector Manuel Sanchez
Calling all coastal cooks: You’ve got a new crab recipe to try. Spread this on toast points or crostini for a throwback appetizer that will please everyone.
Hector Manuel Sanchez
Southerners can justify adding black-eyed peas to many dishes, and this hummus is proof that they’ll always taste just right. Serve with plenty of pita chips. This dip won’t last long.
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox
This crab dish from Mobile, Alabama, is a light and beautiful way to start your meal. A light vinaigrette dresses lump crab to highlight its sweet flavor. You can serve it in lettuce cups or with saltine crackers as more of a dip.
Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Torie Cox
These homemade crackers are the most thoughtful addition to a cheese and charcuterie board. Try three variations: Pimiento Cheese, Pecan-and-Thyme, and Bacon, Bourbon, and Benne Seed.
Getty Images / 7886565
The key to the most flavorful dip is cooking the onions over medium heat until they’re translucent and then reducing the heat until they’re nice and brown. From there, all you need to do is mix the rest of the ingredients and grab a bag of classic potato chips.
Victor Protasio
Transform your favorite BLT into an adorable appetizer with these mini stacked sandwiches. You can prepare the sandwiches an hour ahead of time and chill them in the refrigerator.
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox
These crostinis with melty cheese, fresh tomatoes, and lightly spiced crab are the most elegant way to kick off your holiday meal. Keep watch as they broil, pulling them out just as they start to brown.
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer
We dreamed up a fun grazing-board presentation for this new deviled egg recipe. Include cheese straws, pickled okra, hummus, or whatever dips and crudites you prefer.
Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey
You can make this egg salad up to three days before Easter to save you time that morning. We love to make tea sandwiches with different kinds of bread to add a nice visual element to your presentation.
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
You won’t believe how much flavor is stuffed into these little mushroom bites. Make these ahead of time and pop them in the oven when guests arrive. They only need five minutes to bake.
Molly Bolton / Southern Living
With just three ingredients, you can wow your holiday guests. These fancy breadsticks won’t last long thanks to an unbeatable combination of bacon and brown sugar. Assemble in advance and bake before serving.
Hector Sanchez
Fill these mini potatoes with everything you love about potato salad and deviled eggs. In just two bites, these appetizers will be gone fast. Make these in advance and let them sit before serving.
Greg Dupree Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham
Guests will hop right over to this patch of garden goodness. Baby spinach and Vidalia onions star in this creamy dip. Radishes, baby carrots, and bell peppers make the perfect dippers.
Photo: Alison Miksch; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham
These appetizers come together quickly thanks to flaky puff pastry. A tasty filling combines tomatoes with cheese and a sprinkle of fresh basil.
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis
It doesn’t get much easier than this appetizer. Similar in flavor to cheese straws, these cheese twists rely on a box of puff pastry. Cayenne adds a nice kick.
Micah A. Leal
The appetizer tray just got a little more interesting. Bring these fried deviled eggs to Easter dinner, and you just might outshine the ham. The crunchy first bite is a nice contrast to the creamy filling.
Hector Manuel Sanchez
Is it even a Southern gathering if pimiento cheese isn’t present? Serve up our favorite homemade spread with your cracker of choice.
Hector M. Sanchez Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham
It isn’t a party until the poppers have arrived! These jalapeños are stuffed with melty cheese and wrapped in bacon for a classic bite sized treat that can’t be beat.
Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser
While we love a caprese salad—these skewers with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and balsamic are an easy bite-sized alternative.
Jennifer Davick; Styling: Lisa Powell Bailey
Stack juicy melon, salty prosciutto, and creamy mozzarella on a skewer for a delicious snack. These are the ideal spring appetizer to serve that are refreshing and not too filling. Plus, they’re easy to make and take.