When you throw open the door to friends and family for holiday gatherings, you’ll want your food to dazzle—but you’ll also want to enjoy your guests. Take advantage of recipes that are easy to prep or can be made ahead of time and popped in the oven or put in your slow cooker. Sliders, dips, relish trays, skewers, and cheeseballs—we’ve got holiday party ideas for them all. Serve your apps with a choice of festive drinks!
Cheddar Horseradish Dip
Cheddar Horseradish Dip.
Kelsey Hansen
This kicky, pub-style spread comes from Kaleb Wyse, an Iowa-based recipe creator and founder of Wyse Guide. Pair it with crackers and crisp veggies like celery sticks and mini bell peppers. It’s a great addition to a supper club-style Midwest relish tray.
Spicy Glazed Pecans with Orange and Rosemary
Spicy Glazed Pecans with Orange and Rosemary.
Kelsey Hansen
Most candied nut recipes call for a low-and-slow bake in the oven, but this recipe uses a different method, cooking quickly on the stove. They keep well in an airtight container as a make-ahead party snack or holiday food gift.
Pickle Wrap Puffs
Pickle Wrap Puffs.
Kelsey Hansen
Take a classic tortilla roll up, but make it fancy—that’s the idea behind this easy party snack featuring ham, dill pickle, and cream cheese inside puff pastry.
Artichoke and Smoked Gouda Spread
Artichoke and Smoked Gouda Spread.
Kelsey Hansen
This easy, make-ahead cheese spread is a great addition to a relish tray. The smoky-tangy flavor combination is a real crowd-pleaser, inspired by the old-fashioned cheese spreads found at supper clubs across the Upper Midwest.
Bread-and-Butter Pickled Carrots
Bread-and-Butter Pickled Carrots.
Kelsey Hansen
Inspired by farmhouse cucumber pickles, these sweet and slightly spicy pickled carrots should be made at least 24 hours ahead of time so they have time for their flavors to develop. After that, they’ll keep for more than a week in the fridge.
Mediterranean Eight-Layered Dip
Mediterranean Eight-Layered Dip.
Blaine Moats
The day before you serve this layered dip, prepare the tomato mixture, hummus and tapenade. Cover and refrigerate separately until you’re ready to layer and serve the dip. For an even easier dip, use purchased hummus.
Dirty Martini Cheese Ball
Dirty Martini Cheese Ball.
Kelsey Hansen
Cobbled in green olives and toasted walnuts, this gin- and vermouth-spiked cheese ball is quite literally drinks and nibbles rolled into one. A retro party classic that we made even better.
Iron Range Pasties
Iron Range Pasties.
EE Berger
These mini meat- and vegetable-filled turnovers are equally good warm from the oven or at room temperature. The recipe comes from the Chowgirls Killer Party Food cookbook.
Brown Butter Poached Shrimp
Brown Butter Poached Shrimp.
Kelsey Hansen
Love shrimp cocktail? Try this party shrimp, glossed in melted butter seasoned with nutmeg, black pepper, and lemon zest.
Parmesan Gougères
Parmesan Gougères.
Carson Downing
Gougères, or hollow, cheesy puffs, are a traditional French snack taste eaten warm from the oven. They’re best when fresh, though they can be made ahead and reheated for entertaining ease. Serve them as an appetizer with predinner cocktails.
Smoked Whitefish Spread
Smoked Whitefish Dip.
Horseradish adds zing, celery adds crunch, and pickles add tang to this addictive dip with cream cheese and fish. Serve it with unsalted crackers or flatbread. “I loved this! I made it for my Hanukkah party,” says one of our website reviewers.
Butternut Squash and Sausage Skewers
Butternut Squash and Sausage Skewers.
EE Berger
This crowd-pleasing sweet-and-salty appetizer comes from the Chowgirls Killer Party Food cookbook. For ease or just a different flavor, you can skip roasting fresh Italian sausage and swap in a smoky precooked sausage.
French Onion Sliders
French Onion Sliders.
These totally indulgent sliders pack all the flavor of French onion soup into a tidy little hot sandwich. The recipe comes from Indianapolis blogger Annie Marshall.
Butternut-Tahini Dip
Butternut Tahini Dip.
Blaine Moats
This creamy dip is packed with healthy ingredients, so it’s great for keeping in the fridge for weekday snacks—but it’s also tasty enough to serve at a party.
Wild Mushroom Hotdish
Wild Mushroom Hotdish.
EE Berger
Spoon these indulgently saucy mushrooms (inspired by classic Midwest casseroles) over baguette slices or crostini. The recipe comes from the Chowgirls Killer Party Food cookbook.
Tangy Sour Cream and Onion Dip
Tangy Sour Cream and Onion Dip.
Onion dip is a classic for a reason—and this 100 percent homemade version is one of the best we’ve tasted. It’s fab with potato chips, of course, but we also love it with crisp Romaine or Little Gem lettuce leaves for a lighter twist.
Roasted Shrimp Cocktail with Bloody Mary Cocktail Sauce and Lemon-Chive Mayo
Roasted Shrimp Cocktail with Bloody Mary Cocktail Sauce and Lemon-Chive Mayo.
Blaine Moats
Skip the supermarket tray. Our shrimp cocktail update is the ultimate make-ahead party app. Roasting brings out the shrimp’s natural sweetness, and the two homemade sauces are ridiculously simple.
Ricotta and Parmesan Spread
Ricotta and Parmesan Spread.
Fresh herbs season this ridiculously simple spread from BelGioioso Cheese in Wisconsin. It keeps well in the fridge and is delicious with cherry tomatoes or other vegetable dippers, as well as crackers or baguette slices.
Cucumber Bites with Herbed Cheese and Salmon Mousse
Cucumber Bites with Herbed Cheese and Salmon Mousse.
Blaine Moats
The recipe makes half the bites with pink salmon mousse filling and half with white herbed cheese. If you like, streamline by choosing just one filling and doubling its ingredients. This recipe comes from Annie Marshall of Indianapolis.
Turkey Pesto Sliders
Turkey Pesto Sliders.
Blaine Moats
These six-ingredient sandwiches are simple and delicious. What else do you need in an party app?
Creamy Crab Rangoon Dip with Wonton Chips
Creamy Crab Rangoon.
Blaine Moats
The chips are easy and definitely add to the dip’s appeal, but rice crackers, sugar snap peas, celery sticks, and baby bok choy leaves all make good Asian-inspired dippers in this easy party dip.
Bacon-Stuffed Mushrooms
Bacon-Stuffed Mushrooms.
This five-ingredient recipe comes from the bacon pros at Nueske’s meats in Wisconsin.
Cranberry-Sauced Meatballs Appetizer
Cranberry-Sauced Meatballs Appetizer.
Kritsada Panichgul
Slow-cooker appetizers always make party prep easier. Shape and bake the chicken meatballs ahead of time, then pop them in your slow cooker with cranberry and barbecue sauces.
Ham Sliders
Ham Sliders.
This crowd-pleasing party recipe is sweet, salty, and highly addictive! Plus, you can assemble the sandwiches a day early for easy party prep.
Caramelized Onion Deviled Eggs with Potato Chip Dust
Caramelized Onion Deviled Eggs with Potato Chip Dust.
Kelsey Hansen
Every holiday party deserves deviled eggs. This recipe takes two of the all-time best party snacks—deviled eggs and chips and onion dip—and puts them together.
Brie with Cranberry Chutney
Brie with Cranberry Chutney.
Kritsada
Homemade cranberry chutney makes a perfect complement to a baked Brie appetizer. Serve with crackers or bread slices and pears.
Dining and Cooking