Party

47 Quick and Easy Appetizers and Hors d'Oeuvres

Have actual fun at your own party by simplifying the snacks. 
Jammy deviled eggs served as an easy holiday appetizer idea.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Billingskog

All too often, having a shindig just isn't that fun for the host. Holiday party menus, especially, tend to get out of hand. But this year can be different, thanks to Epi's official list of our favorite quick and easy appetizers and hors d'oeuvres. Because you can do more than a cheese plate without getting stressed out.

  • Jammy deviled eggs served as an easy holiday appetizer idea.
    Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Billingskog
    1/47

    Jammy Eggs With Smoked Paprika Aioli

    This classy-looking appetizer is just as delicious as deviled eggs, but way less fussy to make. Just boil your eggs to a jammy texture that's halfway between hard and soft, then top with a dollop of jazzed-up mayo. Garnish with savory-salty anchovies, sweet roasted peppers, and a flurry of parsley.

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  • Photo by Joff Lee
    2/47

    Halloumi Puff Pastry Twists

    These delicious crisp, cheesy snacks are perfect for entertaining and parties. Serve them with a glass of wine and a bowl of olives or as savory dippers for tzatziki.

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, prop styling by Brian Heiser, food styling by Rhoda Boone
    3/47

    Radishes With Herbed Salt and Olive Oil

    Start off a holiday meal in the freshest way possible: With crunchy radishes dipped in olive oil and then into flavorful herbed salt.

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Rhoda Boone
    4/47

    Simple Spinach Dip

    As long as you’ve got frozen spinach, cream cheese, and heavy cream, you can throw this together in a flash.

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  • Photo by Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott
    5/47

    Marinated Anchovies With Bread and Butter

    For a simple, just-the-right-amount-of-salty appetizer, doctor up a tin of anchovies. The acid, heat, and olive oil mellow the anchovies’ flavor, and serving them with a seedy loaf of bread and butter rounds the recipe.

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Ali Nardi
    6/47

    Creamy Avocado Dip With Scallions

    With a mix of caramelized and fresh scallions, plus avocado and yogurt, this dip has a taste and texture somewhere between onion dip and guacamole. It's the perfect easy appetizer recipe for a holiday party. 

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  • Photo by Tara Donne, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Cyd McDowell
    7/47

    Creamy Cauliflower Dip

    Earthy and rich without being heavy or filling, this creamy vegetable dip is just the thing to whet the appetite without ruining it before a big holiday meal.

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  • Photo by Alex Lau, Prop Styling by Kalen Kaminski, Food Styling by Sue Li
    8/47

    Mortadella Moments

    A good party spread is as much about curation as it is cooking. By using quality store-bought items and plating them up with a little bit of TLC, you have a tasty, stress-free snack at the ready.

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  • Photo by Peden + Munk
    9/47

    Salted Buttered Pecans With Orange and Nutmeg

    The orange zest and nutmeg say holiday, but you can switch up the spices as long as you keep the butter and salt.

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  • Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Megan Hedgpeth, Food Styling by Liza Jernow
    10/47

    Crab Louie Salad Lettuce Cups

    This take on the retro classic is a fun way to start a holiday dinner party. The recipe makes more Louie dressing than you think you might need—but that's a good thing.

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  • Photo by Alex Lau, Prop Styling by Kalen Kaminski, Food Styling by Sue Li
    11/47

    Onion-Dip Potato Chips

    These homemade onion-flavored chips just might be more addictive than the store-bought versions.

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  • Photo by Alexandra Shytsman
    12/47

    Crunchy Stuffed Cremini Mushrooms

    Bite-size and crispy, these mushrooms are always a crowd favorite. The secret weapon here is the nutritional yeast, which has the power to add a savory, cheesy flavor to basically anything.

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  • Yossy Arefi
    13/47

    Blistered Edamame

    Edamame pods needn't be boring. This easy snack is even better when cooked in a skillet with garlic, dried chiles, and red pepper flakes or gochugaru. 

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  • Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio, Food Styling by Monica Pierini
    14/47

    Crudités With Chile-Lime Salt

    Forget dip: this zesty spiced salt wakes up any sliced raw fruit or veggie—don’t feel limited to the ones listed in the recipe.

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  • Photo by Alex Lau, Prop Styling by Kalen Kaminski, Food Styling by Sue Li
    15/47

    Lemon-Pepper Salami Bites

    Bright citrus and fresh-ground pepper put a festive spin on two party staples: cured meat and Marcona almonds.

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  • Photo by Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott
    16/47

    Swiss Chard–Tahini Dip

    If you love hummus or baba ghanoush, this dairy-free dip will become a new favorite. It's flavored with fresh Swiss chard, garlic, tahini, and lemon.

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  • Photo by Alex Lau
    17/47

    Relish Tray With D.I.Y. Eggs

    Smoked almonds and black olives are are fun to serve with this mix-and-match easy appetizer spread, but use any nut or olive that you like.

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  • Photo by Alex Lau, Prop Styling by Kalen Kaminski, Food Styling by Sue Li
    18/47

    Marinated Manchego

    The only thing more crowd-pleasing than cheese is marinated cheese. If Manchego isn’t your thing, go for any semi-firm cheese like white cheddar, Gouda, or Monterey Jack.

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Jennifer Ophir
    19/47

    3-Ingredient Smoked Mozzarella Sticks

    Skip the mess of dredging and deep frying with these quick (but delicious) mozzarella sticks. You'll wrap flavorful smoked mozz in egg roll wrappers. Easy peasy.

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  • Photo by Alice Gao, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Diana Yen
    20/47

    Parsnip-Wrapped Devils on Horseback

    This vegetarian version of the classic appetizer uses soy sauce, smoked paprika, and smoked almonds to pack so much savory flavor that no one will miss the traditional bacon. Use Gorgonzola dolce if you prefer a more mild blue cheese flavor.

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  • Photo by Alex Lau
    21/47

    Cacio e Pepe Chips

    Cacio e pepe—that is, cheese and pepper—works on pasta, but maybe it's even better on these festive potato chips. Put out a bowl as a part of your holiday party spread and you'll have to refill quickly.

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Billingskog
    22/47

    Homemade Cheese Spread With Garlic and Herbs

    This quick and easy spread recipe comes out looking fancy, but it's just a mix of tangy cream cheese, butter, garlic, and herbs. Serve it with crackers or toasts and a cute little knife for spreading. 

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  • 23/47

    Gambas al Ajillo

    Translation: Garlic shrimp. Which explains why there’s a clove of garlic for every shrimp in this saucy dish.

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Rhoda Boone
    24/47

    Classic Spinach-Artichoke Dip With Mozzarella and Parmesan

    Two kinds of melty cheese (plus some heavy cream) make this dip extra luxe. If you've got frozen spinach and artichoke hearts on hand, you're just about ready to make a batch. 

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  • Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Megan Hedgpeth, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich
    25/47

    Warmed Spiced Olives

    A warm, richly spiced oil turns a bowl of mixed olives into elegant party fare.

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  • Photo by Juco
    26/47

    Whipped Gorgonzola

    Choose a mild and creamy Gorgonzola for this dip, an Alison Roman specialty. Pair it with crunchy radishes, cucumbers, fennel, and slender carrots with their greens. 

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  • Ture Lillegraven
    29/47

    Feta with Sumac and Black Sesame Seeds

    Set out this tangy feta situation in advance and serve it at room temperature. The cheese will be soft enough to scoop with a cracker, and it will taste better, too.

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  • Danny Kim
    30/47

    Crab Toasts with Spicy Yogurt

    Used in place of mayonnaise, yogurt brings tang and brightness to this luxurious dish. And nothing goes better with Champagne than crab, so ask all your guests to bring a bottle!

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  • Gabriela Herman
    31/47

    Grilled Pop-Up Oysters

    When you don't feel like struggling to shuck oysters, just throw them on the grill.

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  • Charles Masters
    32/47

    Herbed Feta Dip

    Whirl this easy dip recipe in your food processor, and no one will guess it's just feta, fresh herbs, and olive oil. Scoop it up with pita or dip in pieces of cucumber. 

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  • Photo by Alex Lau
    33/47

    Tajín-Seasoned Vegetable Spears

    This recipe for raw vegetables is the only conscionable thing you can serve right before sitting down to a heavier meal.

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  • Photo by Michael Graydon and Nikole Herriott
    34/47

    Smoked Salmon Tartines With Fried Capers

    These toasts are piled with savory hot smoked salmon on a bed of crème fraîche, but it's the little extras—crispy fried capers and pickled onions—that really elevate this hors d'oeuvre. 

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  • Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop styling by Megan Hedgpeth, Food styling by Simon Andrews
    35/47

    Baked Tomatoes, Peppers, and Goat Cheese with Crisped Toasts

    This savory-sweet dish is decorated with soft cheese and a hint of garlic. It works pretty well even with off-season tomatoes, since they're cooked until softened and juicy. 

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Ali Nardi
    36/47

    Five-Cheese Pimento Cheese

    This is a five-cheese version of the classic Southern spread. Obviously it will be the favorite item on your holiday party menu. Serve with crackers, celery, or mini-biscuits if you're feeling ambitious.

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  • 37/47

    Spicy Baked Shrimp

    A marinade of Cajun seasoning, soy, and honey make these roasted shrimp extra flavorful.

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Grace Parisi
    38/47

    Caviar and Crème Fraîche Tartlets

    It doesn't get simpler—or more elegant—than crème fraîche and caviar tartlets alongside a glass of sparkling wine.

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  • Photo by Chelsie Craig, Food Styling by Molly Baz
    39/47

    Peanut Drinking Snack

    This spicy, sour, salty, crunchy mix isn't your typical roasted bar nut situation. Fresh lime juice, red onion, chiles, and cilantro give it amazing flavor. It's best served with spoons for scooping into your palm.

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  • Photo by Chelsie Craig, Prop Styling by Emily Eisen, Food Styling by Molly Baz
    40/47

    Niçoise Toast

    Splurge on high-quality oil-packed tuna for these delicious toasts. They get extra flavor from mayo flavored with garlic, sherry vinegar, and smoked paprika, plus mixed fresh herbs.

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  • Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Erika Joyce
    41/47

    Easy Hummus With Canned Chickpeas

    A simple trick gets silky-smooth results from canned chickpeas—no rinsing or overnight soaking required.

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  • Photo by Aubrie Pick
    42/47

    Bacon Jalapeño Popcorn

    To make great popcorn on the stovetop, be sure to use a heavy-bottomed pot with a tight-fitting lid and a good handle. A little Parmesan, bacon, and spicy jalapeños gives this 'corn a kick. 

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  • Photo by Chelsie Craig, Food Styling by Frances Boswell
    45/47

    Hummus with Spiced Summer Squash and Lamb

    Herby cumin-spiced lamb and squash over a bed of creamy hummus makes for a delicious and simple dinner. Serve it with lots of toasted pita for scooping everything up.

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Rhoda Boone
    46/47

    3-Ingredient Microwave Cheese Sauce

    This velvety-smooth sauce uses real cheddar (not the processed stuff) and comes together in less than 10 minutes. Serve as is with chips, fries, or chili dogs, or transform it into the best queso you've ever had. Pro tip: Skip the aged cheddar from the fancy cheese counter—the sauce will be even creamier with a block of no-frills cheddar from the dairy aisle of the supermarket.

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  • Gabrielle Revere
    47/47

    Prosciutto Filled with Happiness

    Ok, this quick and easy hors d'oeuvre is a little retro, but that means it's just right for an Ugly Christmas Sweater party. And you'll want to scarf down these little cornucopias down as fast as you can make them.

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