Amazing Appetizers
From delicious deviled eggs to cheesy sausage balls and crispy potato skins, these once almost gone – but in some cases successfully revived - appetizers have a way of making any gathering feel special. Best of all, most of them are easy to whip up with just a few ingredients. Here are 21 classics of the food genre that everyone still secretly loves, and how to make them today.
Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs made food history in the ‘70s. And they’re so easy to make! Just hard-boil some eggs, scoop out the yolks, and mash them with mayo, mustard, and a pinch of paprika. Spoon or pipe the filling back into the whites and sprinkle with more paprika. Delicious!
Swedish Meatballs
They were a thing even before IKEA came along! To make your own, mix ground beef and pork with breadcrumbs, onion, and spices, roll into small balls, and brown them. Simmer in a sauce made with beef broth, cream, and a splash of Worcestershire sauce. Serve with toothpicks and watch them disappear.
Spinach Dip in a Bread Bowl
The bread bowl made this appetizer iconic, and it’s very sadly missed these days. To create your own mix frozen spinach, sour cream, mayo, and soup mix for the dip, then hollow out a round loaf of bread to serve it in. Tear up the inside for dipping, and refill as needed.
French Onion Dip
This one’s as easy as stirring a packet of onion soup mix into sour cream - but you can go one step further by caramelizing real onions for that deep, sweet flavor. Serve it with ridged potato chips and you have an instant hit on your hands. Everyone at the party will be talking about what a great chef you are!
Pinwheels
These are party favorites because they’re customizable. Spread cream cheese on tortillas, layer in deli meats, cheese, or veggies, then roll them up tight and slice into little spirals. They look fun on a platter and are easy to grab and eat without making a mess.
Sausage Balls
To make these tasty treats, mix ground sausage with shredded cheddar and Bisquick, roll into balls, and bake until golden. They’re hearty, pleasingly salty, and perfect for snacking. Bonus: they reheat well, so you can make a batch ahead of time and look like a genius host when more guests show up.
Bacon-Wrapped Dates
These are salty, sweet, and savory all in one bite, exactly what you need as an appetizer. Just stuff pitted dates with almonds or a little cheese, wrap in bacon, and bake until crisp. People loved them in the ‘70s, and they love them now as well.
Chex Mix
Homemade Chex Mix is addictive. Toss cereal, pretzels, nuts, and bagel chips with butter, Worcestershire, and spices, then bake until toasty. You can buy it in bags as well, but don’t you want to put a little extra effort into your party? You know you do.
Cheeseballs
Cheeseballs were once the centerpiece of every retro holiday spread - and they really deserve a comeback. Mix cream cheese with shredded cheddar, garlic, and herbs, then roll it into a ball and coat with nuts or parsley. Serve with crackers, and watch your guests slice off piece after piece.
Fondue
If you’re looking for a fun party theme that deserves to be brought back into style, why not break out a fondue pot? Melt Swiss and Gruyère with a splash of white wine and garlic, then serve with cubes of bread, veggies, or apples for dipping.
Chicken Liver Pâté
An appetizer that harks back to a more elegant world. And all you need to do to make your own is sauté chicken livers with onions, garlic, and brandy, then blend with butter until smooth. Chill until firm and serve with crackers or toasted pieces of bread. Your guests are guaranteed to be impressed.
Watermelon Salad
This might sound too simple to count as a “recipe”, but cubes of watermelon tossed with feta, mint, and a drizzle of olive oil are fresh, sweet, and salty all at once. It’s the perfect thing to serve if you’re having a pool party in the middle of summer.
Shrimp Cocktail
Nothing says old-school luxury quite like a shrimp cocktail. Chill cooked shrimp and serve with a zesty cocktail sauce made of ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, and Worcestershire. Sometimes the classics stick around because they really can’t be improved upon.
Clams Casino
Here’s another seafood throwback that deserves a comeback. Top fresh clams with breadcrumbs, bacon, butter, and peppers, then bake until golden and bubbly. One bite, and you’ll understand why partygoers used to love them so much.
Pimento Cheese
This Southern favorite is so easy to create – it’s just shredded cheddar, mayo, and diced pimentos with a little hot sauce or cayenne. Serve it as a spread for crackers, celery, or sandwiches and your party will have a little extra kick to it.
Cheese Straws
These buttery, crispy twists (another Southern favorite!) are basically grown-up cheese crackers. Made with flour, butter, sharp cheddar, and a hint of cayenne, they’re baked until golden and flaky. They look fancy in a glass or basket but taste like comfort food.
Potato Skins
Aren’t potatoes wonderful? Potato skins were a restaurant staple in the ’80s and still have an army of fans today. To make them, just bake potato halves until crisp, scoop out a little potato, then load with cheese, bacon, and scallions. Pop them back in the oven until gooey.
Stuffed Celery
Celery sticks stuffed with cream cheese or pimento cheese are crunchy, creamy, and oddly addictive. Sprinkle with paprika or top with olives to dress them up. They make a refreshing break from heavier appetizers and you’re bound to get compliments for serving them.
Pigs in Blankets
These things are ridiculously easy: wrap, bake, and serve with mustard or ketchup. You can dress them up with fancy dips, but honestly, the charm is in their simplicity. Kids especially love them, but they’re a hit with everybody.
Oysters Rockefeller
This feels fancy but is surprisingly doable. Top fresh oysters with a mix of spinach, herbs, butter, breadcrumbs, and a splash of Pernod if you’re feeling authentic. Broil until bubbling and golden, and then show off to all your friends.
Seven Layer Dip
This old party fave layers refried beans, guacamole, sour cream, salsa, cheese, olives, and scallions. Serve it in a glass dish so everyone can admire the layers before diving in with tortilla chips. It’s colorful, delicious, and is certain to be a talking point for all your party guests.
