40+ Easy Appetizers to Make When You Don’t Have a Ton of Time
Make these your go-to recipes for when you waited until the last minute (we've been there!).
Breakfast is said to be the most important meal, but dinner is arguably the most anticipated after a long day. Depending on the amount of people at your dinner table, you’ll need enough food for everyone to get a full plate, and even seconds if they so choose. But before everyone digs into the main course, the appetizers are served first, and they truly set the tone of the evening. While these pre-meal bites make appearances at holidays like Christmas, Thanksgiving, and even Halloween and Super Bowl parties, they are really solid options if you’re in need of some easy appetizer options for dinner tonight that aren’t super complicated.
From finger foods like crispy ranch pickles and sweet potato skins to one-pan chicken nachos and spicy crab cakes, there’s bound to be an appetizer that everyone will enjoy. And if you’ve been dying to use your slow cooker, there are also a ton of appetizer dips and sauces you can make in it. The best part about these appetizer recipes is that you don’t need to be a cooking pro or have a ton of free time to make them. So throw on your apron and begin crafting your menu with these easy appetizers.
Bell Pepper Nachos
Finally, a nachos recipe where you don’t actually need nachos. If you’re looking for a low-carb nacho alternative, try out these bell pepper nachos filled with ingredients like ground turkey, corn, and black beans.
Tangy Cranberry Sauce Meatballs
With a bag of pre-cooked frozen meatballs on hand, this appetizer couldn't be easier to whip up.
Spicy Deviled Eggs
You’ve had classic deviled eggs, but have you ever had them with a spicy kick? The secret ingredient in this recipe is hot sauce.
Sausage and Sage-Stuffed Acorn Squash
If you have some cranberries laying around or herbs you’ve been meaning to put to use, these stuffed squash halves may be exactly what you need.
Crispy Ranch Pickles
These baked, panko-crusted pickles have just the right amount of ranch flavor, especially when you dip them in a creamy sauce.
Sweet and Sour Brussels Sprouts
For a vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free diet, these easy-to-make stovetop Brussels sprouts are perfect for a snack or an appetizer for dinner.
Zesty Shrimp Salad with Couscous
Brighten up your dinner table with this refreshing salad, packed with orange slices, shrimp, and fresh basil leaves.
White Wine Mussels
It’s okay if you waited until the last minute to prepare an array of delicious appetizers. That’s what this 20-minute mussels recipe is for.
Sheet Pan Chicken Nachos
Earlier, we discussed nacho-less nachos, but in this easy recipe, you will in fact need (and want) nachos, along with chicken, cheese, and fresh jalapeños.
Peanut Butter Barbecue Pork Kebabs
Peanut butter isn't just for sandwiches. Use it in your sauce for a burst of sweet and savory flavors.
Tomatillo Salsa
A three-ingredient salsa? It couldn't get any easier than this recipe.
Zesty Mini Crab Cakes
You could eat regular, non-zesty crab cakes, or you could spice it up and cook them using Tabasco sauce and lemon zest.
Lentil Hummus
Every appetizer menu needs hummus, and the options are endless with the amount of foods you can dip in it, including carrots, celery, crackers, and pretzels.
Ginger Dumpling Soup
Twenty minutes is all it takes to make this gingery soup. Top it with chopped scallions to bring all the flavors together.
Cheesy Artichoke Toast
Who says you can only eat toast during breakfast? Grab some sourdough bread — or make your own — and bring a morning classic to the dinner table as an appetizer.
Cumin-Spiced Pita Chips
Skip the store-bought chips and make your own with this simple pita chips recipe.
Sweet Potato Skins and Pico de Gallo
Speaking of chip alternatives, these sweet potato skins are just as good, and the made-from-scratch pico de gallo makes a great companion.
Tomato & Watermelon Salad
Tomatoes are actually classified as fruits, so you can think of this as an entirely fruit salad (that only takes 10 minutes to make).
Feta and Spinach Tartlets
Get your daily dose of greens with these bite-sized tartlets.
Crispy Roasted Broccolini
Release broccoli from the constraints of being a side dish in this vegetarian-friendly 30-minute recipe.
As the Associate Digital Editor for Woman’s Day, Kristen covers almost everything under the lifestyle umbrella, including holidays, food, and home. In her kitchen, you’ll probably find absurd amounts of rice, Twizzlers and oat milk. She also has over 50 playlists on Spotify, including a specific one for Drake’s best hits (read: all of them).
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