Hosting a weekend gathering means good food and easy snacks that keep everyone happy. These 23 appetizers are simple to make and packed with flavor, so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the party. From crispy bites to creamy dips, there’s something here for everyone to grab and enjoy.
Semi-Homemade Chicken Empanadas. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Puff Pastry Beef Empanadas
These flaky, golden empanadas are packed with seasoned beef that’s rich and full of flavor. The crispy pastry makes them easy to grab and enjoy, making them a great choice for any gathering. The warm, savory filling keeps people reaching for another until the tray is completely empty.
Get the Recipe: Puff Pastry Beef Empanadas
Corn Fritters
These corn fritters are golden, crispy, and packed with sweet corn in every bite. The balance of crunch and softness makes them a satisfying choice for any appetizer spread. No matter how many are made, they always seem to disappear before anyone gets their fill.
Get the Recipe: Corn Fritters
Spicy Tuna Rolls
These spicy tuna rolls bring together fresh tuna, bold seasoning, and just the right amount of heat in a simple, sushi-style bite. The mix of spice and freshness makes them a standout option that’s easy to enjoy. The moment they hit the table, they become the first thing everyone reaches for.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Tuna Rolls
Boozy Bacon Cheddar Bites
These bite-sized snacks combine crispy bacon, sharp cheddar, and a splash of booze for a bold, rich flavor. They’re easy to put together and bring the kind of savory bite that keeps guests coming back for more. No one stops at just one, and before long, they’re completely gone.
Get the Recipe: Boozy Bacon Cheddar Bites
Roasted Tomatillo Salsa
This roasted tomatillo salsa has a fresh, tangy kick that makes it perfect for dipping or drizzling over anything. The bright flavors stand out, adding just the right amount of zest to any appetizer spread. Once the first chip is dipped, there’s no going back, and the bowl won’t stay full for long.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Tomatillo Salsa
Bacon Deviled Eggs
These deviled eggs are rich and creamy with crispy bacon on top for the perfect contrast of textures. The smoky bacon adds a savory bite that takes this classic snack to the next level. Every time the plate gets passed around, more of them disappear.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Deviled Eggs
Chicken Tenders
These crispy chicken tenders are golden on the outside, juicy on the inside, and packed with flavor in every bite. They’re easy to eat and work with any dipping sauce, making them a favorite at any gathering. By the time people realize how good they are, there won’t be any left.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tenders
Crockpot Mexican Beef in Masa Cups
These masa cups are filled with slow-cooked Mexican beef that’s tender, flavorful, and perfect for a hearty appetizer. The crispy masa shell holds everything together, making them easy to enjoy without any mess. The moment one is picked up, the rest won’t last much longer.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Mexican Beef in Masa Cups
Semi-Homemade Chicken Empanadas
These crispy chicken empanadas come together fast with pre-cooked chicken, making them an easy but satisfying option. The flaky crust holds a rich, savory filling that keeps every bite packed with flavor. Once people get a taste, they’ll be gone in no time.
Get the Recipe: Semi-Homemade Chicken Empanadas
Pretzel Bites
These soft, chewy pretzel bites have just the right amount of salt and pair perfectly with any dip. They’re easy to make and bring a warm, comforting bite to any appetizer table. No matter how many are served, they never last as long as expected.
Get the Recipe: Pretzel Bites
Lasagna Pizzas
These mini lasagna pizzas turn classic lasagna flavors into a fun, handheld snack. Using leftover lasagna filling makes them simple to prepare without losing any of that cheesy, hearty goodness. Anyone who grabs one will be back for more before they even finish the first.
Get the Recipe: Lasagna Pizzas
Buffalo Chicken Rolls
These buffalo chicken rolls have the perfect mix of spice, crunch, and bold flavor in every bite. The crispy wrapper holds in the rich, tangy buffalo chicken filling, making them an easy crowd favorite. As soon as they hit the table, they start disappearing one by one.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Rolls
Tuscan Artichoke and Sundried Tomato Dip
This artichoke and sundried tomato dip is rich, creamy, and packed with deep, savory flavors. It pairs well with crusty bread, crackers, or fresh veggies, making it a versatile choice for any appetizer spread. No matter how much is made, guests always scrape the bowl clean.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Artichoke and Sundried Tomato Dip
Chicago-Style Popcorn Mix
This Chicago-style popcorn mix blends sweet caramel with sharp cheddar for an addicting mix of flavors. The sweet and salty contrast makes it the perfect snack to keep grabbing by the handful. Once the bowl is set down, it never stays full for long.
Get the Recipe: Chicago-Style Popcorn Mix
BBQ Bourbon Little Smokies
These little smokies are coated in a thick, smoky bourbon BBQ sauce that makes them impossible to resist. They’re easy to prepare and bring a bold, savory flavor to any gathering. Every time someone grabs one, they end up coming back for more.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Bourbon Little Smokies
Brazilian Cheese Bread
These Brazilian cheese breads have a crispy crust and a soft, cheesy center that makes them a satisfying gluten-free snack. They pair well with just about anything, but they’re delicious enough to eat on their own. Once people get a taste of the warm, cheesy goodness, they don’t last long.
Get the Recipe: Brazilian Cheese Bread
Homemade Nacho Cheese
This creamy, slightly spicy nacho cheese dip is packed with bold flavor and perfect for dunking chips, fries, or anything crispy. It’s quick to make and stays warm and melty, keeping every bite just as good as the first. The second someone scoops into it, the rest won’t last much longer.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Nacho Cheese
Non-Traditional 7-Layer Dip
This 7-layer dip is loaded with creamy beans, fresh guacamole, tangy salsa, and plenty of bold flavors in every scoop. It’s easy to serve with chips and brings just the right mix of textures to keep things interesting. Each layer keeps people coming back for another scoop until there’s nothing left.
Get the Recipe: Non-Traditional 7-Layer Dip
Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Dip
This cheesy chicken enchilada dip is packed with chicken, enchilada sauce, and melty cheese for a rich, comforting bite. It’s thick, creamy, and perfect for scooping up with chips or fresh veggies. The moment one chip gets dunked in, it’s hard to stop until the dish is empty.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Dip
Bacon-Wrapped Dates
These bacon-wrapped dates bring the perfect balance of salty, crispy bacon and soft, sweet fruit in every bite. They take minimal effort to prepare but pack a ton of flavor, making them an easy favorite. The tray always ends up empty before anyone realizes how many they’ve eaten.
Get the Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Dates
Whipped Vegetable Bruschetta
These whipped vegetable bruschetta bites bring creamy ricotta and fresh, colorful veggies together on crisp toasted bread. The mix of textures and flavors makes them a light but satisfying choice for any appetizer spread. The moment people get a bite, they keep reaching for another.
Get the Recipe: Whipped Vegetable Bruschetta
Chicken Taco Wraps
These chicken taco wraps are filled with seasoned chicken, classic toppings, and a soft tortilla for an easy handheld snack. They’re packed with flavor and simple to make, making them a go-to option for any gathering. Once one disappears, it’s only a matter of time before the rest follow.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Taco Wraps
Tomato Bacon Cups
These tomato bacon cups have a crispy, bite-sized shell filled with a rich, creamy mixture that’s full of flavor. The smoky bacon and fresh tomato create a perfect balance that keeps them from being too heavy. No matter how many hit the tray, there’s never a single one left by the end of the night.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Bacon Cups