12 Easy Party Appetizers for Procrastinators

Impress your guests with these easy to make crowd pleasers.

By
Robin Shreeves
Robin Shreeves
Robin Shreeves
Robin Shreeves is a food and beverage writer.
Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
Published December 31, 2023
Robin Shreeves
Savory pinwheels on a white platter.

Simply Recipes / Jessica Gavin

The last few weeks of the year always seem to fly by. Between the holidays and all celebrations before and after the big days, before you know it, New Year's Eve is here. Whether you're hosting the end-of-year bash or you're a guest at a party you're bringing an appetizer to, you're probably going to need something quick and easy.

These 12 appetizers are simple to make. They don't require a lot of fancy ingredients, but they're real crowd-pleasers. Pick a few of them and see just how easy it is to entertain your friends and family.

  • Deviled Eggs

    Overhead view of a platter of Classic Deviled Eggs.

    Simply Recipes / Kelly Hamilton

    Deviled eggs aren't just for spring and summer picnics and potlucks. They're a hit at any gathering. This recipe for turning hard boiled eggs into finger food is classic but adds a little kick from paprika and either cayenne or Tabasco.

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  • Muhammara (Red Pepper and Walnut Dip)

    Muhammara dip with bread and vegetables
    Alison Bickel

    Dips are a must on an appetizer table. Treat your guests to this one made with roasted red peppers, walnuts, pomegranate molasses, and seasonings. Serve it with raw or roasted vegetables, warm pita bread, or pita chips. Leftovers make a tasty sandwich spread.

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  • Classic Cheese Ball

    cheese ball surrounded by crackers

    Simply Recipes / Nick Evans

    Go retro with this customizable cheese ball. Start with softened cream cheese and add shredded cheddar or any semi-hard cheese such as Gouda (smoked or not) or pepper Jack. You can add bacon for a savory treat or leave it out. Roll it all into a big ball and dip in crushed pecans for a nice presentation.

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  • Chipotle-Lime Mixed Nuts

    chipotle lime mixed nuts

    Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

    Simple seasoned mixed nuts coated with chipotle seasoning and lime go great with festive drinks. Switch it up and use chili powder, cayenne, Chinese five spice, or garam masala.

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    Continue to 5 of 12 below.

  • Easy Stuffed Stromboli

    slices of stromboli

    Simply Recipes / Sheryl Julian

    Use store-bought pizza dough to make quick work of assembling stromboli, or you can use homemade if you have a bit more time. Roll out the dough and fill it with whatever deli meats and cheeses you have on hand, add roasted red peppers and capers, then roll it up and bake.

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  • Crab Fondue

    crab fondue

    Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

    This cheesy, full-of-crab fondue comes together in under 30 minutes. It's simple to make but guests will think it's something super special. Have plenty of day-old cubed French or Italian bread for dipping. If you don't want to keep a flame going on a fondue pot, serve the dip in a slow cooker on warm.

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  • Prosciutto and Cheese Puff Pastry Pinwheels

    Savory pinwheels on a white platter.

    Simply Recipes / Jessica Gavin

    An adorable and simple way to use puff pastry, these pinwheels are filled with creamy Italian herb spread made with fresh herbs, Dijon, and mayonnaise plus prosciutto and Parmesan cheese. Roll the filling in the puff pastry, chill, then slice into rounds before baking.

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  • Slow Cooker Spinach Feta Dip

    feta dip in a slow cooker

    Simply Recipes / Nick Evans

    You can use fresh or frozen spinach for the dip, but if you use frozen you'll need to take the time to squeeze all the water out. Sauté the spinach in olive oil before adding it to the slower cooker with cream cheese, sour cream, and feta. Serve with pita chips and raw veggies.

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    Continue to 9 of 12 below.

  • Smoked Salmon and Goat Cheese Toasts

    smoked salmon and goat cheese on toast

    Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

    If you purchase the salmon already smoked, this is a simple yet elegant appetizer. Mix goat cheese, fresh herbs, lemon zest, and black pepper. Spread it on toasted baguette then top with thinly sliced salmon. This recipe makes 30 toasts, ideal for a party.

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  • Cucumber Sandwiches

    Triangle cut cucumber tea sandwiches are stacked on a cake stand and encircled with fresh herbs. Sliced cucucumbers are visible inside each one.

    Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas

    Nothing but assembly going on here, and the quaintness of cucumber sandwiches helps temper the richer fare often on an appetizer spread.

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  • Mini Salmon Quiches

    Mini Salmon Quiches

    Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas

    Frozen puffed pastry crust is the base of many quick and delicious appetizers. In this recipe, the pastry is cut and added to a mini muffin pan before being topped with filling. If you want to make them ahead, freeze the unbaked mini-quiches in tins, then pop them out and bag them. Put them back in the tins still frozen before baking.

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  • Chutney Cheese Spread

    Platter of cheese chutney appetizer with crackers on the counter next to it

    Simply Recipes / Coco Morante

    Perfect for spreading over crackers or toasted thin baguette slices, this easy cream cheese spread packs retro pizzazz. Start with cream cheese, then top with Major Grey's or Trader Joe's mango chutney plus grated cheese.

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