Easy Appetizers

Air Fryer Appetizers

If you don't already own an air fryer, it is one of the few times I will truly recommend you buy something here at BIWL. This extremely convenient appliance can make your life so much easier.

1. Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers

I enjoy these bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers for lunch because they're just so easy and delicious, but there's no denying they're a great party appetizer.

2. Air Fryer Pretzel Bites

Everything there is to love about fluffy jumbo pretzels in bite-sized pieces, ready to eat in just 15 minutes.

3. Air Fryer Potato Skins

If you bake the potatoes the night before, these crispy potato skins couldn't be easier to whip up on game day or whenever.

4. Air Fryer Mushrooms

If you are a mushroom lover, this super simple and quick dish will become your new favorite snack.

5. Air Fryer Pork Belly

This incredibly delectable dish will be a crowd-pleaser at any gathering with bite-size crispy pieces of pork belly.

6. Air Fryer Pigs in a Blanket

This popular appetizer is fast, crispy, and savory when made in the air fryer. These are great for any occasion.

7. Air Fryer BBQ Little Smokies

These crave-worthy, bite-size sausages are a sweet and savory appetizer that is loved by both kids and adults.

8. Air Fryer Frozen Jalapeno Poppers

Using frozen jalapeno poppers makes this appetizer about as easy as it could be without losing any of the zesty flavors.

9. Air Fryer Frozen Potstickers

These irresistible Chinese dumplings come out of the air fryer nice and crispy in less than 15 minutes.

10. Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs

The possibilities are endless with these incredibly easy meatballs. Appetizers, snacks, lunch, or dinner are all options here.

11. Air Fryer Frozen Potato Wedges

Any French fry lover won’t be able to resist these crispy, salty potato wedges.

12. Air Fryer Garlic Bread

This garlic bread is crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and ready to eat in minutes.

13. Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp

If you’ve never considered using your air fryer for shrimp, now is the time to try it out.

14. Air Fryer Potato Chips

When the potato chip craving hits you, now you can make your own from scratch.

15. Air Fryer Quesadillas

This quesadilla recipe is so delicious and flavorful that your guests won’t believe that you made it in your air fryer.

16. Waffle Fries in Air Fryer

Lose the messy work of a deep fryer and use your air fryer for waffle fries that taste even better.

17. Frozen Egg Rolls in Air Fryer

Frozen egg rolls crisp up beautifully in the air fryer, and you can't even tell they weren't made from scratch.

18. Air Fryer Tortilla Chips

You will never buy tortilla chips from the store again after tasting how delicious these air fryer tortilla chips are.

19. Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings

Air-frying wings make them healthier than the traditional deep-fried ones, so you can have all of the flavor and none of the guilt.

20. Frozen Spring Rolls in Air Fryer

Forget takeout. These frozen air-fried spring rolls are so addictive and incredibly easy to make at home.

21. Air Fryer Frozen Onion Rings

Use these onion rings for a great burger topping, or just eat them all by themselves.

22. Air Fryer Frozen French Fries

These classic French fries are so quick and easy, not to mention better than the drive-thru.

23. Air Fryer Tater Tots

These golden and crispy tater tots are going to become an easy, kid-favorite appetizer at every event.

24. Air Fryer Pickles

These restaurant-quality air-fried pickles are so delicious that your family will ask for them over and over again.

25. Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp

Golden and crunchy coconut shrimp with Panko breading is even better in the air fryer than deep-fried.

26. Air Fryer Biscuits

Yes, you can make biscuits in the air fryer. Once you’ve tasted these, you’ll never go back to baking them in the oven.

27. Air Fryer Texas Toast

These thick, golden, and buttery pieces of Texas Toast will become your new go-to side dish.

Cold Appetizers

These cold appetizers are delicious and easy without any of the hassles of having to heat them. Plus, many of these recipes can be made in advance and kept in the fridge for convenience.

28. Anti-Pasto Skewers

Cured meats, briny olives, and fresh cheeses, all conveniently threaded on a skewer for easy snacking, and that's the hardest part.

29. Hummus

Making your own hummus only takes about 5 minutes and gives you the ability to season and flavor it however you like.

30. Olive Dip

The briny flavor of green olives makes this dip irresistible - I recommend pairing it with buttery Ritz crackers.

31. Green Garden Salad

It may seem obvious, but a green garden salad is a light and refreshing starter that never goes out of style. Pair it with my homemade Dijon vinaigrette as written or your favorite salad dressing.

32. Oyster Shooters

Seafood lovers will appreciate this easy-to-eat take on oysters on the half shell featuring fresh oysters and zesty cocktail sauce in a shot glass. Add your favorite vodka to make them a traditional shooter.

33. Tuna Dip

This quick and easy tuna dip tastes great with crackers or veggie sticks and is the best way to use up those cans of tuna sitting in the pantry.

34. Dill Pickle Dip

This is truly the ultimate appetizer for pickle lovers, and it's ready to eat in just 10 minutes. It tastes even better after it sits in the fridge.

35. Cheese Platter

Everyone loves a fancy array of sliced nuts, fruits, and cheeses, and I love that you can prep everything in advance and keep it in the fridge.

36. Caprese Salad

It's light, refreshing, summery, and so easy to whip up with fresh mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, and a little basil if you've got it.

37. Ranch Cheese Ball

This cheese ball seasoned with dry ranch mix will need to be prepared the night before and kept in the fridge to set, but the process is super simple.

38. French Onion Dip

This easy French onion dip tastes so much better than the store-bought version. It's a must-have for all of my parties.

39. Deviled Eggs

Is it even possible to have any type of gathering without making deviled eggs? These classic mayo and mustard deviled eggs are sure to satisfy everyone.

40. The Best 7-Layer Dip

7 layers of Tex-Mex goodness in one easy chip dip that can be served cold or warm.

41. Pinwheel Sandwiches

These bite-sized sandwiches are so versatile that you can customize the fillings in countless different ways.

42. Deviled Ham

This delicious deviled ham is the perfect spread for a sandwich or dip for chips and crackers.

43. Charcuterie Board

This sophisticated charcuterie board is much easier than you think, and the selection of meats, cheeses, and veggies is totally customizable.

44. Ham Salad

If you have any leftover ham, use it to make this quick and delicious ham salad that is great for potlucks.

5 Ingredients or Less

Is there anything easier than a recipe that uses only 5 ingredients or less? I don’t think so. There’s no need to make an extra grocery run with these easy appetizers.

45. Pickle Roll-Ups

Cream cheese spread on ham or turkey deli meat, wrapped around a pickle, and sliced into bite-sized pieces. Simple yet effective and tasty.

46. Sausage Cream Cheese Dip

Ground pork sausage, a can of Rotel tomatoes with green chiles, and cream cheese combine to create this ultra-rich and savory chip dip. I recommend tortilla chips for sturdy scooping.

47. Sour Cream Chip Dip

All you need for this easy party dip is a big tub of sour cream, a handful of seasonings, and a bag of potato chips.

48. Sausage Cream Cheese Biscuit Bites

These 4-ingredient biscuit bites are stuffed with cheddar, sausage, and cream cheese for a satisfying snack you can make in under 20 minutes.

49. Cream Cheese Salsa Dip

The name literally says it all: it has two ingredients. Cream cheese salsa dip is a dip for chips, a topping for tacos, a tasty condiment, and so much more.

50. Crockpot Grape Jelly Meatballs

These sweet and savory meatballs might take three hours, but you just toss them in the crockpot with some grape jelly, ketchup, and cornstarch and forget about them.

51. Cheese and Bacon Turnovers

These cheese and bacon-stuffed puff pastries are super simple with only 4 ingredients and are always a hit with kids and adults alike.

52. Slow Cooker Buffalo Ranch Chicken Dip

Grab some canned chicken, a bottle of ranch dressing, a bottle of buffalo sauce, a block of cream cheese, and some shredded cheddar, and toss it in the crockpot.

53. Roasted Bone Marrow

Roasted bone marrow is a real treat in and of itself - those who get it get it. All it needs is a little salt and pepper, and it is phenomenal.

Those who don't get it, check out my page, 'What is bone marrow?' to learn more.

54. Cream Cheese Wontons

These wonton wrappers are filled with seasoned cream cheese, folded, and fried until golden and crispy for a takeout-inspired appetizer.

55. Sausage Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls

Similar to my biscuit bites above, these crescent rolls are filled with savory ground sausage, rich cream cheese, and sharp cheddar. They're ready to eat in under 20 minutes and are always a crowd favorite.

56. 2 Ingredient BBQ Little Smokies

This classic game-day appetizer only calls for 2 ingredients, one being your favorite BBQ sauce.

57. Little Smokies Pigs in a Blanket

This easy finger food is mess-free and completely delicious. All you need to get started is some Lil Smokies and a can of crescent rolls.

58. RoTel Dip

If you’re looking for a great meaty cheese dip but aren’t satisfied with any store-bought options, this cheesy dip is the answer you’ve been looking for.

59. Cajun Fries

These fries have just the right amount of spice to make them extra flavorful and delicious. especially with my homemade Cajun seasoning.

60. Sausage Cream Cheese Balls

Bisquick baking mix is the secret to these super simple and savory sausage and biscuit balls.

61. Baked Parmesan Zucchini Rounds

These zucchini rounds are the perfect healthy appetizer that won't fill you up before dinner.

62. Baked Parmesan Yellow Squash

These cheesy, crispy rounds are so tasty that you could just eat them like chips.

63. Stuffed Pizza Bombs

This kid-loved recipe using Pillsbury Grands biscuits is so fun to make and will tackle any pizza craving.

64. Hatch Chili Guacamole

Take your guacamole up a notch by adding in some smoky hatch chili peppers.

65.  Sea Salt Vinegar Kale Chips

Feel free to eat as many of these as you want with zero guilt. You won’t be missing potato chips with this healthy kale alternative.

66. Fried String Cheese Mozzarella Sticks

These crispy, easy mozzarella sticks can be made with store-bought cheese sticks, so they are tasty and convenient.

15 Minutes or Less

If you’re short on time or need to whip something up in a pinch, these appetizers all take only 15 minutes or less.

67. Buffalo Shrimp

Shrimp cook in minutes, and you can make my zesty buffalo sauce from scratch with just hot pepper sauce and a few ingredients.

68. Oven Garlic Bread

You can add some Parmesan cheese to this crisp, buttery garlic bread to make it even more delicious.

69. Stovetop Popcorn

No microwave is necessary with this easy, quick stovetop popcorn recipe.

70. Cajun Shrimp

Whenever you’re craving some seafood, try out this flavorful, buttery Cajun shrimp recipe that's ready in just 10 minutes.

71. Garlic Butter Mushrooms

In just 10 minutes, you can enjoy these garlic mushrooms' savory, buttery goodness.

72. Garlic Butter Shrimp

These juicy, tender shrimp are ready in a flash and taste great over rice or on their own.

73. Corn Tortilla Quesadillas

These corn tortilla quesadillas are so cheesy and delicious that no one will believe you made them in only 15 minutes.

74. Pan-Seared Sirloin Steak Tips

These succulent, flavorful steak tips will taste as if you spent forever in the kitchen.

75. Sautéed Balsamic Mushrooms

Choose your favorite mushrooms and enjoy this sophisticated and tasty appetizer with a tangy balsamic glaze.

💭 Tips For Making Last-Minute Appetizers

All of these appetizers are easy, but it really comes down to what you like and the occasion. If you need a quick last-minute appetizer, here are a few tips to narrow down your options.

1. Most cold apps are easy: Cold recipes are great because, more often than not, you don't have to cook them. Sometimes, they taste even better after spending time in the fridge. If you have enough notice, make your appetizer the night before.
2. Utilize convenient appliances: Your crockpot, air fryer, and Instant Pot are your best friends when it comes to getting things done hands-free or in a hurry. You can use them to make the full dish or to prepare ingredients, like crisping bacon in the air fryer.
3. Quality over quantity: Choose recipes with fewer ingredients for easier prep and less cleanup. There's no shame in ready-to-use ingredients like canned biscuit dough. We don't always have time to make things from scratch, and that's okay.
4. Transport: Cold appetizers are easy to carry and can go straight into the fridge when you get there. If bringing warm appetizers, make sure you will be able to reheat them.

Bookmark this page for the next time you need a last-minute appetizer. If you have a go-to quick-fix meal for guests, drop it in the comments so I can add it to the list.

📖 Recipe Card