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  1. Midwest Living
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  4. 30 Easy Appetizer Recipes

30 Easy Appetizer Recipes

By Midwest Living editors Updated November 23, 2022
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Gouda and Red Onion Pizza

Celebrate a special occasion or just a fun Friday night with our recipes for dips, fondues, meatballs, snack mixes and more appetizer recipes.

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Cheese Fondue

Cheese Fondue
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Classic cheese fondue is a splurge in every sense--but it's also guaranteed bliss. (And you don't even need a fondue pot!) CJ Bienert, owner of The Cheese Shop of Des Moines, shares his easy recipe.

Related: Warm and Cheesy Recipes

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Gouda and Red Onion Pizza

Gouda and Red Onion Pizza
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This easy appetizer pizza features shredded Gouda and caramelized onions. The recipe comes from Gouda maker Oakvale Farmstead Cheese in London, Ohio.

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Spicy Rosemary-Peanut Caramel Corn

Spicy Rosemary-Peanut Caramel Corn
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This is caramel corn all grown up-studded with salted peanuts, flecked with rosemary and kissed with cayenne. Set a bowl on the coffee table as a way-fun alternative to Chex Mix.

Related: Easy Nut and Snack Mixes

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Smoked Gouda Artichoke Spread

Smoked Gouda Artichoke Spread
Credit: Kelsey Hansen
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This easy cheese spread from Shelly Westerhausen Worcel, author of Platters and Boards, is highly addictive thanks to the slight tang and brightness from marinated artichoke hearts and smokiness from the smoked gouda. You can make the spread a few days ahead and store in the fridge until ready to serve.

Related: The No-Fail Relish Tray is Here

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Make-Ahead Mini Cheese Balls

Mini Cheeseballs
Credit: Andy Lyons
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The customization opportunities for these easy mini cheese balls are endless—plus, they can freeze for up to three months!

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Cranberry-Sauced Meatballs Appetizer

Cranberry-Sauced Meatballs Appetizer
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Shape and bake the chicken meatballs ahead of time, then pop them in your slow cooker with cranberry and barbecue sauces.

Related: Irresistible Slow-Cooker Appetizers

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Ricotta and Parmesan Spread

Ricotta and Parmesan Spread
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Fresh herbs season this ridiculously simple spread from BelGioioso Cheese in Wisconsin. It keeps well in the fridge and is delicious with cherry tomatoes or other vegetable dippers, as well as crackers or baguette slices.

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Swiss-Artichoke Dip

Swiss-Artichoke Dip
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Artichoke hearts, dried tomatoes and sauce combine for a rich, creamy dip. Our recipe calls for processed Swiss cheese because it melts smoothly, but regular Swiss cheese will work fine, too. The dip will have a more stretchy, less creamy texture, but it tastes just as good.

Related: Easy Dip Recipes

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Bacon-Stuffed Mushrooms

Bacon-Stuffed Mushrooms
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This five-ingredient recipe comes from the bacon pros at Nueske's meats in Wisconsin.

Related: Smoky, Sizzling Bacon Recipes

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Fresh Vegetable Chips

Fresh Vegetable Chips
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These chips are a fresh and healthy alternative to traditional potato chips. Serve with Caramelized Onion Dip, if you like.

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Zucchini-Tomato Cups with Blue Cheese

Zucchini-Tomato Cups with Blue Cheese
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These six-ingredient bite-size appetizers taste best warm, so assemble them in advance and pop them in the oven when guests arrive.

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Ripe Olive Cheese Ball

Ripe Olive Cheese Ball
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Perfect for parties and tailgating! Make these cheese balls up to three months ahead of time then freeze. Thaw frozen cheese balls overnight in fridge before serving.

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Cheesy Snack Mix

Cheesy Snack Mix
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Grated Parmesan cheese gives extra cheesy flavor to this blend of crispy corn and rice cereals, canned shoestring potatoes, crisp breadsticks and bite-size cheese crackers.

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Parmesan-Crusted Goat Cheese with Basil Oil

Parmesan-Crusted Goat Cheese with Basil Oil
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This beautiful and unusual recipe makes one small cheese ball, but easily doubles or triples to make multiple for a party. The recipe comes from Indiana-based blogger Annie Marshall.

Related: Holiday Party Recipes

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Roasted Shrimp Cocktail with Bloody Mary Cocktail Sauce and Lemon-Chive Mayo

Roasted Shrimp Cocktail with Bloody Mary Cocktail Sauce and Lemon-Chive Mayo
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Skip the supermarket tray. Our shrimp cocktail update is the ultimate make-ahead party app. Roasting brings out the shrimp's natural sweetness, and the two homemade sauces are ridiculously simple.

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Marinated Cheese Cubes

Marinated Cheese Cubes
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Pantry ingredients turn ordinary Monterey jack into a deli-style party snack that tastes even better when you make it ahead. You can prep it three days in advance.

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Turkey Pesto Sliders

Turkey Pesto Sliders
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These six-ingredient party sandwiches are simple and delicious. The recipe comes from Indianapolis-based blogger Annie Marshall.

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Buffalo Sweet Pepper Poppers

Buffalo Sweet Pepper Poppers
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These easy appetizers combine two party favorites—jalapeno poppers and buffalo chicken wings.

Related: Try Our Buffalo Chicken Wings with Blue Cheese Dressing

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Tangy Sour Cream and Onion Dip

Tangy Sour Cream and Onion Dip
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Onion dip is a classic for a reason—and this 100 percent homemade version is one of the best we've tasted. It's fab with potato chips, of course, but we also love it with crisp Romaine or Little Gem lettuce leaves for a lighter twist.

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Mediterranean Eight-Layer Dip

Mediterranean Eight-Layered Dip
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We've seen a lot of dips through the years, but we've never forgotten this one—juicy veggies, tangy olive tapenade and feta piled on a thick layer of hummus. We like to make it ahead and serve it with warm toasted pita wedges. 

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Mini Burger Party Platter

Mini Burger Party Platter
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To keep in step with the small-meal trend in restaurants, we created this Mini Burger Party Platter with fun sauces to choose from, including Balsamic Mayo, Herbed Goat Cheese and Citrus Ketchup.

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Hot Artichoke and Asiago Cheese Dip

Hot Artichoke and Roasted Pepper Asiago Cheese Dip
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Roasted red sweet peppers fleck this dip with a festive crimson touch. Serve the warm, cheese-filled appetizer with bread or pita wedges, or some water crackers.

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Jack Cheese and Smoky Chipotle Fondue

Jack Cheese and Smoky Chipotle Fondue
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Lots of Monterey Jack cheese goes into this creamy fondue, along with sour cream, chipotle peppers and bacon. Scoop up with bread or tortilla chips.

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Feta, Honey and Date Spread

Feta, Honey and Date Spread
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This spread can be made ahead and stored in the fridge up to 3 days. For a flavorful dipper, brush pita wedges with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and thyme before toasting in oven.

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Mini Italian Beef Sandwiches with Pepperoncini Slaw

Mini Italian Beef Sandwiches with Pepperoncini Slaw
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These little beef sandwiches make a great appetizer for a party. And you can put them together in just 20 minutes.

Related: Super Sandwich Recipes

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Wasabi Almonds and Popcorn

Wasabi Almonds and Popcorn
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If you'd like to cut additional fat from this zesty snack mix, use five sprays of butter-flavor nonstick spray instead of butter. Be sure to add the spray right before eating to prevent the popcorn from getting soggy.

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Tortilla-Black Bean Casserole

Tortilla-Black Bean Casserole
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Layer a tomato-bean mixture, cheese and tortillas for a casserole with south-of-the-border flavor. Let each guest top their portion with chopped tomato, shredded lettuce, green onions, olives and/or sour cream.

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Chocolate-Caramel Fondue

Chocolate-Caramel Fondue
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Just three ingredients go into this quick dessert: sweetened condensed milk, caramel ice cream topping and chocolate. Vary your dippers to match the mood of your party.

Related: Decadent Chocolate Desserts

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Zucchini Appetizer Bites

Zucchini Appetizer Bites

So simple! Slice raw zucchini and spread with semisoft cheese that comes flavored with garlic and herb. Sprinkle with chopped olives and snipped chives.

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Not Your Ordinary Brie

Not Your Ordinary Brie
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Apple-cranberry chutney adds a spicy kick to this warm, baked brie appetizer.

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    1 of 30 Cheese Fondue
    2 of 30 Gouda and Red Onion Pizza
    3 of 30 Spicy Rosemary-Peanut Caramel Corn
    4 of 30 Smoked Gouda Artichoke Spread
    5 of 30 Make-Ahead Mini Cheese Balls
    6 of 30 Cranberry-Sauced Meatballs Appetizer
    7 of 30 Ricotta and Parmesan Spread
    8 of 30 Swiss-Artichoke Dip
    9 of 30 Bacon-Stuffed Mushrooms
    10 of 30 Fresh Vegetable Chips
    11 of 30 Zucchini-Tomato Cups with Blue Cheese
    12 of 30 Ripe Olive Cheese Ball
    13 of 30 Cheesy Snack Mix
    14 of 30 Parmesan-Crusted Goat Cheese with Basil Oil
    15 of 30 Roasted Shrimp Cocktail with Bloody Mary Cocktail Sauce and Lemon-Chive Mayo
    16 of 30 Marinated Cheese Cubes
    17 of 30 Turkey Pesto Sliders
    18 of 30 Buffalo Sweet Pepper Poppers
    19 of 30 Tangy Sour Cream and Onion Dip
    20 of 30 Mediterranean Eight-Layer Dip
    21 of 30 Mini Burger Party Platter
    22 of 30 Hot Artichoke and Asiago Cheese Dip
    23 of 30 Jack Cheese and Smoky Chipotle Fondue
    24 of 30 Feta, Honey and Date Spread
    25 of 30 Mini Italian Beef Sandwiches with Pepperoncini Slaw
    26 of 30 Wasabi Almonds and Popcorn
    27 of 30 Tortilla-Black Bean Casserole
    28 of 30 Chocolate-Caramel Fondue
    29 of 30 Zucchini Appetizer Bites
    30 of 30 Not Your Ordinary Brie

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