17 Appetizers That Get the Party Going

Appetizers are the perfect way to kick off any fun gathering with some great small bites. These recipes are super tasty and will definitely be a big hit with everyone who tries them. Even if you are short on time, there are lots of quick options to choose from. Every dish here is simple to put together and packed with flavor, so you can spend less time prepping and more time hanging out with your guests.

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Table of Contents

1 Charcuterie Skewers
2 Elote en Vaso
3 Filet of Beef Carpaccio with Capers
4 Mexican Charcuterie Board
5 Palomitas Seasoning Mix
6 Brochetas de Camaron (Shrimp Skewers)
7 Cheesy Crab Stuffed Mushrooms
8 Mango Pico de Gallo
9 Chorizo Cheese Dip
10 Goat Cheese Appetizer
11 Baked Potato Flautas
12 Cream Cheese Salsa Dip
13 Crispy Smoked Chicken Wings
14 Chicken Fajita Nachos
15 Hot Crab Rangoon Dip
16 Whipped Ricotta
17 Creamy Bacon Dip

Charcuterie Skewers

Close-up of skewered appetizers featuring folded salami, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, green olives, basil leaves, and cubes of cheese on a white plate. The ingredients are arranged in an alternating pattern for a colorful presentation. — Charcuterie Skewers. Photo credit: The Oregon Dietitian.

Charcuterie Skewers are an easy way to serve meats and cheeses on sticks. They make a simple, protein-packed snack that is ready in minutes.
Get the Recipe: Charcuterie Skewers

Elote en Vaso

Two glasses of esquites, a Mexican street corn dish, on a wooden board. The glasses are filled with corn kernels, lime, crumbled cheese, and topped with chili powder and sauce. A spoon is placed beside one glass. — Elote en Vaso. Photo By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Elote en Vaso is classic Mexican street food served in a cup. Grilled corn gets mixed with mayo, cheese, and chili powder for a messy but delicious treat.
et Recipe: Elote en Vaso

Filet of Beef Carpaccio with Capers

Close-up of a dish featuring thin slices of rare beef topped with capers and fresh parsley, drizzled with a creamy sauce, all arranged on a patterned black and white plate. — Filet of Beef Carpaccio with Capers. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

Filet of Beef Carpaccio with Capers is a fancy dish of very thin raw beef slices. Salty capers and a light dressing finish it off for an elegant starter.
Get the recipe: Filet of Beef Carpaccio with Capers

Mexican Charcuterie Board

A Mexican Charcuterie Board loads up a platter with different cheeses, meats, and dips. It is a fun, shareable option that everyone can pick at during a party.
Get Recipe: Mexican Charcuterie Board

Palomitas Seasoning Mix

Spicy palomitas sitting in a white bowl and topped with the seasoning mix. — Photo Credit: Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Palomitas Seasoning Mix is a special blend of spices you shake onto popcorn. It gives plain popcorn a sweet and spicy flavor boost in seconds.
Get recipe: Palomitas Seasoning Mix

Brochetas de Camaron (Shrimp Skewers)

Brochetas de Camarón served on a white plate next to fresh cilantro leaves and lime wedges. — Brochetas de Camaron. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

Brochetas de Camaron are grilled shrimp skewers seasoned with Mexican spices. Served with lime and salsa, they bring a fresh, smoky taste to the table.
Get the Recipe: Brochetas de Camaron

Cheesy Crab Stuffed Mushrooms

Stuffed mushroom with a golden, crispy cheese and herb topping sitting on a rustic wooden surface. — Cheesy Crab Stuffed Mushrooms. Photo credit: Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch.

Cheesy Crab Stuffed Mushrooms are bite-sized caps filled with crab, Parmesan, and herbs. They bake until golden and make a rich, savory appetizer.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Crab Stuffed Mushrooms

Mango Pico de Gallo

Mango Pico de Gallo is a fresh salsa made with sweet mango chunks, tomatoes, and onions. It gives a tropical twist to your regular chips and salsa routine.
Get the Recipe: Mango Pico de Gallo

Chorizo Cheese Dip

Queso Fundido with Chorizo topped with jalapeno slices and surrounded by cilantro and tortilla chips. by Mama Maggie's Kitchen — Chorizo Cheese Dip. Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

Chorizo Cheese Dip comes out hot and bubbly with spicy Mexican sausage and melted cheese. It is great for scooping up with tortilla chips at any gathering.
Get the Recipe: Chorizo Cheese Dip

Goat Cheese Appetizer

A wooden platter with five savory puff pastry bites topped with goat cheese, caramelized onions, and herbs. Accompanied by a sprig of rosemary and small round crackers. Two jars of jam with spoons in the background. — Goat Cheese Appetizer. Photo by Hildas Kitchen Blog

This Goat Cheese Appetizer is a simple but fancy-looking starter. Soft cheese gets mixed with herbs and good olive oil, perfect for dipping bread or crackers.
Get Recipe: Goat Cheese Appetizer

Baked Potato Flautas

Potato flautas on a white plate topped with lettuce and tomatoes. — Potato Flautas. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Baked Potato Flautas make a quick snack by rolling mashed potatoes and cheese in tortillas. They fry up golden and crispy, ready for dipping in your favorite sauce.
Get Recipe: Baked Potato Flautas

Cream Cheese Salsa Dip

Cream cheese and salsa dip served in a blue bowl surrounded by veggie dippers and chips. — Cream Cheese Salsa Dip. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

The Cream Cheese Salsa Dip is a super easy mix of soft cream cheese and chunky salsa. It comes together fast for a smooth and spicy chip dip.
Get Recipe: Cream Cheese Salsa Dip

Crispy Smoked Chicken Wings

A plate filled with crispy, seasoned chicken wings is accompanied by a red and white bowl of creamy dipping sauce garnished with herbs. A spoon rests in the bowl, and a napkin with a patterned design is nearby. — Crispy Smoked Chicken Wings. Photo credit: Quiche My Grits.

These Crispy Smoked Chicken Wings cook on the grill until the skin gets super crunchy. The meat inside stays juicy and full of smoky flavor.
Get Recipe: Crispy Smoked Chicken Wings

Chicken Fajita Nachos

Chicken Fajita Nachos pile tortilla chips high with seasoned chicken, peppers, and onions. Lots of melted cheese on top makes them hard to resist.
Get the recipe: Chicken Fajita Nachos

Hot Crab Rangoon Dip

A baked dish of creamy buffalo chicken dip garnished with green onions and drizzled with hot sauce. The dip is in a white round baking dish, placed on a striped cloth, surrounded by round tortilla chips. — Hot Crab Rangoon Dip. Photo credit: Family Spice.

This Hot Crab Rangoon Dip is a warm, creamy blend of crab meat and cheese. It tastes just like the inside of your favorite takeout appetizer without the frying.
Get the recipe: Hot Crab Rangoon Dip

Whipped Ricotta

Toasted bread slices topped with creamy cheese, fresh basil, and walnuts, arranged on a marble surface. — Whipped Ricotta Toasts. Photo credit: Jawns I Cooked.

Whipped Ricotta turns into a light and fluffy cheese spread. It is great for topping with honey and nuts and serving with slices of crusty bread.
Get the Recipe: Whipped Ricotta

Creamy Bacon Dip

A green oval dish filled with a creamy, cheesy dip topped with crispy bacon bits and chopped green onions. In the background, a wooden board with round crackers is visible. — Creamy Bacon Dip. Photo credit: Finding Zest.

Creamy Bacon Dip is a warm and savory mix of soft cream cheese and crispy bacon bits. Green onions add a fresh pop, and it is perfect for dipping crackers.
Get the recipe: Creamy Bacon Dip