We all know the struggle of being asked to bring snacks to a party; deciding WHAT to bring … I KNOW we all want to be the one to bring the good stuff! Not the sad unused veggie tray. With over 25 unique appetizers that will actually get eaten at a party, I bet you will find something you like! I do not do boring recipes either. I do hot dips, salsas, little smokies, and tons of other easy party finger food type recipes. Whether you need snacks for game day, the holidays, or any random weekend, you will find something in this list!
Let me be honest here – our parties aren't exactly extravagant. If someone texts me at noon saying there’s a party at 4, I’m now standing in my kitchen hoping I didn’t forget to buy the cream cheese. If its got bacon and cheese, my teenagers will devour it. Gigi the goldendoodle will try to eat all of the other food. These are the recipes that make it to the table.
Hot Dips
Buffalo Chicken Dip
Every time I bring this dip to a potluck, it gets eaten first. Now, people even text me to see if I am bringing it. It has shredded rotisserie chicken, cream cheese, ranch dressing, and Frank’s hot sauce. I recommend serving it warm with tortilla chips or celery if you want to be healthy. Get the recipe for Buffalo Chicken Dip.
Jalapeño Popper Dip
With this dip you get all the taste of jalapeño poppers without the hassle of stuffing them and deep frying them. It will take about 10 minutes of your time to prepare.
I always keep a brick of cream cheese in the fridge for this recipe. My 15-year-old requests it for every game night. Get the recipe for Jalapeño Popper Dip.
Pepperoni Pizza Dip Recipe
It’s pizza in dip format! Served warm with delicious breadsticks or toasted-baguette slices for dipping. With layers of cream cheese, pizza sauce, mozzarella, and pepperoni, every scoop gets a bit of everything. My family would eat this for dinner if I would ever let them, and honestly, I think I actually have eaten this for dinner before (Ha!). Get the recipe for the Pepperoni Pizza Dip.
Crock Pot Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Set it and forget it — this version goes in the slow cooker so you can keep your oven free for other things.
It will stay warm the whole party without you hovering over it, which is the whole point of crockpot dips. Serve with pita chips or sliced baguette. Get the recipe for the Crock Pot Spinach and Artichoke Dip.
Neiman Marcus Million Dollar Dip
Even though it has an upscale title, you likely have everything to make this – cream cheese, cheddar, green onion, bacon, and sliced almonds for a little crunch. Plus, since it is served cold, it is a perfect make-ahead option. I have seen this at every church potluck in Iowa at least once, and it continues to show up for a reason. Get the Neiman Marcus Million Dollar Dip recipe.
Baked Crab Rangoon Dip
If you enjoy crab rangoons at Chinese restaurants, this dip may be a problem for you. It is warm, creamy, and cheesy. The best part is you bake it instead of stuffing and frying individual wontons. To complete the dish, you can use wonton chips on the side, or even just a bag of crackers. Get the Baked Crab Rangoon Dip recipe.
Easy Queso Crockpot Dip Recipe
Crockpot. Rotel. Velveeta. That’s all you need! I know some folks have their doubts about Velveeta but this dip is always a hit at parties and nobody can resist it. Even if people have opinions they don’t stop devouring it. Get the Easy Queso Crockpot Dip recipe.
Copycat Chili’s Skillet Queso
This one has more of a restaurant queso vibe than Velveeta since it has real seasoning (and a little spice) along with a smoother consistency more like you’d get in the chip basket at Chili’s. Plus, it all comes together on the stovetop in under 20 minutes.
Last year, my husband made this request for Super Bowl and he finished most of it before halftime. Get the Copycat Chili’s Skillet Queso recipe.
Real Cheese Queso Dip
Made with real shredded cheese — not a processed loaf. It takes a little more stirring than the dump-and-heat version, but the reward is a queso that puts any gas station warmer to shame. It is absolutely worth the extra five minutes! Get the recipe for the Real Cheese Queso Dip.
Cold Dips and Spreads
Crab Dip with Cream Cheese
Served with crackers, cold crab dip is an appetizer that seems fancy but is effortless to prepare. This recipe uses imitation crab meat, which keeps costs low and still provides the flavor people love. Bonus tip: make it the night before; it’s even better after sitting overnight in the fridge. Get the Crab Dip with Cream Cheese recipe.
Seven Layer Dip
The classic. A clear dish lets everyone see the layers of refried beans, sour cream, guacamole, cheese, tomato, olives, and green onion.
When I’m feeding a crowd, I make this in a 9×13 pan. It goes quickly, and you can prep it hours in advance – just cover it and refrigerate until you’re ready. Get the recipe for Seven Layer Dip.
Layered Taco Dip
Think of this as a cousin to seven layer dip. Same idea, but the flavors are more geared towards taco seasoning rather than straight Mexican layering. It’s a crowd dip, full stop. I’ve never brought it home with leftovers. Get the Layered Taco Dip recipe.
Easy Baked Bean Dip
This dip is warm, filling, and a serious step up from your average chip dip. Since baked beans with cheese on top are used, it can work as an appetizer, but it can also serve as a snack for hungry teenagers. In my house, that means this disappears really quickly. Get the Easy Baked Bean Dip recipe.
Party Party Dip Recipe
This is a classic cold dip that goes with chips, veggies, or crackers. It is quick to make, easy to bring, and perfect for potlucks. Get the Party Party Dip recipe.
Bacon Wrapped Pickle Dip Recipe
Yes, I mean pickles in a dip. Trust me, it works. The briny pickles pull out some of the richness from the cream cheese and bacon, and are genuinely addictive. This one is for the pickle people – and there are more than you think at every party.
Pair with ruffled chips that can support a thick dip. Get the Bacon Wrapped Pickle Dip recipe.
Salsas
Canned Tomato Salsa (Restaurant Style)
This is made from ingredients that all come from the pantry: canned tomatoes, jalapeño, garlic, cilantro, and lime. You can quickly blend this together in about five minutes. For a recipe to be classified as a ‘Restaurant-style Salsa’, it needs to be smooth, not chunky. This canned tomato salsa is my go-to option when I need to whip up a batch of salsa and don’t have any fresh ingredients. Get the recipe for Canned Tomato Salsa.
Corn and Black Bean Salsa
This dish is so good you could eat it with a spoon. With ingredients like canned corn and black beans, you can make this recipe no matter what season it is. The corn and black bean salsa recipe is bright and fresh due to the spritz of lime juice and fresh cilantro. Get the Corn and Black Bean Salsa recipe.
Corn and Black Bean Salsa with Avocado
This is the same corn and black bean salsa, just with avocado added. This will make it richer and give it more body. Avocados will brown, so try to make this closer to serving time. If you’re making this ahead, squeeze some extra lime juice on top and press plastic wrap directly on the surface. Get the Corn and Black Bean Salsa with Avocado recipe.
Cranberry Jalapeño Salsa Recipe
Cranberries, jalapeño, and lime sound like they shouldn’t work together, but surprise. I make these every Thanksgiving and someone always asks for the recipe. Jalapeños and cranberries make for a perfect sweet & spicy combination!
For a quick holiday appetizer, serve it over a block of cream cheese with crackers. The whole thing takes about 10 minutes. Get the recipe for Cranberry Jalapeño Salsa.
Watermelon Mango Salsa
Fresh, juicy, and bright — this is peak summer party food. It’s fresh watermelon and mango with lime and jalapeño, and it pairs well with grilled chicken or fish tacos as well as chips. The best part is it can be made the same day you’re serving it! Get the Watermelon Mango Salsa recipe.
Finger Foods and Snacks
Grape Jelly Meatball Recipe
Two ingredients, one crockpot, zero complaints. Grape jelly and chili sauce sounds completely wrong until you taste it. Then it makes total sense. These are the meatballs people hover around at every party. Keep toothpicks nearby because the dish will be empty before you expect it. Get the Grape Jelly Meatball recipe.
Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies Appetizer Recipe
Little smokies are wrapped in bacon and sprinkled with brown sugar for that sticky-sweet goodness. They go on the sheet pan, and when they come out, they look like something you’d pay an arm and a leg for at a fancy restaurant. I make a double batch each time because one batch just doesn’t cut it. Get the recipe for Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies.
Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites
These soft, warm and salty pretzel bites are the perfect snacks for your guests. They will make your guests want to stop what they are doing to grab more. Having cheese sauce or mustard easily makes these pretzel bites even more enjoyable. While these pretzel bites do take more work than some of the other snacks, they are completely worth it. Get the Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites recipe.
Spicy Ranch Pretzels (Dot’s Homestyle Copycat)
If you’ve tried Dot’s pretzels, you know what the craze is about. This copycat version allows you to make a huge batch at home for much cheaper. The pretzels have a ranch seasoning, some heat, and they’re baked until crispy, making them just as addicting. The best part is that you can make these in advance and store them in an airtight container, and they’ll last for days. Get the Spicy Ranch Pretzels recipe.
Easy Bruschetta Recipe
If you want an appetizer that looks like you tried harder than you did, bruschetta is it. Chopped tomatoes, basil, and garlic, drizzled with olive oil, and heaped onto slices of toasted baguette. Just make the tomato topping a few hours in advance so the flavors can meld and then pile it on the bread right before serving so it doesn’t get soggy. Get the Easy Bruschetta recipe.
Baked Wonton Wrapper Chips
After being coated in oil and baked, wonton wrappers come out crispy, thin, and light, making them perfect for scooping dips. They pair especially well with crab rangoon dip, but with almost anything on this list, they work. They cost almost nothing to make and take only about 10 minutes in the oven. Get the recipe for Baked Wonton Wrapper Chips.
To avoid scrambling for it the day of the event, save this list ahead of time. You can pin it, bookmark it, or text it to yourself. Every recipe has been tested in my kitchen, and if I didn’t consider it good enough to take to a party, it doesn’t make the list.
Check out CouponCravings for tons of easy recipes, from weeknight dinners to holiday desserts – everything real families actually eat. Browse to find your next crowd-pleasing recipe.