50 Super-Simple Last-Minute Appetizers
Procrastination happens to the best of us—but these easy apps got your back.
We get it—sometimes life gets so hectic, we put off cooking until the last minute. If you find yourself needing to entertain in a pinch, these easy appetizers are here for you. Whether you've procrastinated putting together your Thanksgiving menu or decided to throw a last-minute party on a whim, no stress! These simple apps come together in no time at all and will leave your guests satisfied (and distracted) while you get to your main course. Tip: Set out some festive cocktails to really get the party started!
Whether you've got 10 minutes or up to an hour to get some food on the table, we've included simple recipes no matter how big of a rush you're in. Caprese bites and melon prosciutto skewers come together in no time, no cooking required! And if you're really under the wire, you can't go wrong with delicious dips. They come together in minutes with a handful of ingredients—simply set out some cut veggies or crackers, and you've got yourself a satisfying app in no time. Looking for some festive dishes for a holiday gathering? Whip up our cranberry brie bites or stuffed mushrooms to add a bit of fancy fare to your spread in under an hour. If you're looking to go more casual, our ham & cheese pinwheels and pigs in a blanket are classic crowd-pleasers.
If you've got vegan or gluten-free guests, no worries! We've got dishes for a variety of diets and palates. Looking for some more entertaining inspo? Check out our make-ahead Thanksgiving recipes for some life-saving holiday prep or our favorite no-bake desserts for something sweet, STAT.
Brie, Asparagus & Prosciutto Bundles
Flaky, buttery puff pastry is stuffed with prosciutto, asparagus, and brie before being brushed all over with a salted honey butter in this simple but satisfying recipe. Ready in under an hour, these bundles will bring the fancy to your party.
Cranberry Brie Bites
Our love for crescent roll recipes is no secret. Why make dough from scratch when everyone loves the canned stuff?! These are a fan favorite every fall. They always disappear within minutes, probably because the combo of salty, creamy brie, sweet-tart cranberry sauce, and crunchy pecans is PERFECT.
Get the Cranberry Brie Bites recipe.
Cheese Ball Bites
These easy bites are perfect for any occasion. We love their little pretzel handles, but feel free to leave them out if you'd prefer to put them on top of crackers. If prepping them the night before, refrigerate until 1 hour before serving, then remove from the fridge and let come to room temperature.
Get the Cheese Ball Bites recipe.
Baked Brie In Puff Pastry
Baked brie is a classic app that pleases all around: It's versatile, delicious, easy to make, and requires a pretty short cook time. We filled ours with raspberry jam, but whatever your favorite is will work (you could even go with some pumpkin butter 😍). Drizzle it with some honey and you have a warm, cheesy app that feels extra fancy in no time at all.
Get the Baked Brie In Puff Pastry recipe.
Black-Eyed Pea Bruschetta
Simply toss canned black-eyed peas with raw chopped collard greens, bell pepper, scallions, and garlic, and toss with an apple cider vinaigrette. Pile the mix onto toasted baguette slices and top with crispy, smoky pork to complete this shareable appetizer.
Get the Black-Eyed Pea Bruschetta recipe.
Ham & Cheese Pinwheels
These ham and cheese pinwheels are made easy using store-bought crescent roll dough. They are chock-full of melty cheese and savory-sweet ham, topped with fresh parsley and toasty poppy seeds for texture and flavor you and your guests will love.
Get the Ham & Cheese Pinwheels recipe.
Baked Feta Bites
If you’re a fan of our cranberry brie bites, we’ve got news for you: There’s a new holiday app in town, and it’s inspired by another fan fave, baked feta pasta. This cheesy finger food features the flavors you know and love, all nestled into bite-sized cups of golden crescent dough.
Get the Baked Feta Bites recipe.
Sausage Balls
In many households, sausage balls are a classic holiday appetizer. But many of you might be thinking: "Wait, what even is a sausage ball?!" The answer: savory, cheesy bites of cooked pork sausage, cheddar, and Bisquick that will be the most popular appetizer at your party.
Get the Sausage Balls recipe.
Stuffed Mushrooms
Baby bella mushrooms are stuffed with garlicky, herby bread crumbs and plenty of cheese. Honestly, what could be better? Stuff them ahead of time and bake them off when you're ready to serve!
Get the Stuffed Mushrooms recipe.
Spiced Candied Pecans
These particular pecans are our #1: SUPER spiced, crunchy, sweet, and salty. They're great eaten by the handful, as an accompaniment to a cheese board, or even sprinkled over baked brie.
Get the Spiced Candied Pecans recipe.
Melon Prosciutto Skewers
If you haven't experienced the flavor combo of prosciutto + melon, get on it STAT. It's the ultimate in sweet and salty.
Get the Melon Prosciutto Skewers recipe.
Bacon Brie Crescent Wreath
Looking for an easy appetizer that doubles as a centerpiece? This cheesy, savory crescent ring is perfect for your holiday gathering. If it's a vegetarian app you're after, we'd suggest subbing in sautéed mushrooms.
Get the Bacon Brie Crescent Wreath recipe.
Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp
Air fryers are slowly winning us over. First with these amazing air fryer pickles (obvs), and now with this amazing coconut shrimp. They get totally crispy, and the spicy mayo goes perfectly with the sweet coconut. Match made in heaven!
Get the Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp recipe.
Garlic Knots
Slathered in buttery, garlicky goodness, these garlic knots are seriously irresistible. These savory bites come together in 30 minutes, but just make sure to let your refrigerated pizza dough sit on the counter for around an hour before assembling.
Get the Garlic Knots recipe.
Spinach Artichoke Brie
Your favorite spinach and artichoke dip made in a wheel of brie? You better believe it! Hollow out your wheel of brie and mix the cheese with all the goods and then stuff it back into the wheel. Pack it all back in tight and pile it on top—it may ooze a little but will all stay in the pan for dipping perfection.
Get the Spinach Artichoke Brie recipe.
Easy Dill Dip
Your veggie platter deserves more than a sad store-bought dip. This easy dill dip comes together in mere minutes and makes every veggie sing with its freshness. Serve it alongside this ultimate chips and dip platter for the best party spread ever.
Get the Easy Dill Dip recipe.
Brown Butter Radish Crostini
We think crunchy, peppery red radishes are underrated, so we decided to give them the spotlight in this fresh crostini. How to balance that strong peppery flavor? Queue sweet, caramelized brown butter, whipped into an unctuous cloud: the perfect foil for paper-thin radish rounds. While it may sound fancy, it all comes together in under 30 minutes for an app to impress.
Get the Brown Butter Radish Crostini recipe.
Cranberry Brie Pull-Apart Bread
Pull-apart bread reaches a whole new level, thanks to brie and cranberry sauce. Use your favorite homemade sauce recipes, but store-bought works too if you're short for time.
Brussels Sprout Chips
We can't get enough of Brussels sprouts. They not only make a great veggie side, but are also a perfect salty, crunchy! This garlic-Parm version begs to be dipped in creamy caesar dressing, but ranch wouldn't be a bad idea either. 😏
Get the Brussels Sprout Chips recipe.
Harissa Deviled Eggs
Give your classic deviled eggs a spicy kick with store-bought harissa (Tunisian chili pepper paste) and crispy fried shallots. Tip: Because spice level can vary brand to brand with harissa, start small and build up to control the heat!
Get the Harissa Deviled Eggs recipe.
Taylor Worden is Delish's Assistant Digital Food Producer, where she creates recipe galleries, recipe updates and more. She was previously a freelance editor on the food team for Good Housekeeping, where she also contributed entertainment and culture pieces as a freelance writer. She graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in journalism and a lifelong love of writing. When she’s not writing, she can be found reading, testing out a new pasta recipe, or rewatching one of her favorite shows.
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