As I mentioned in my previous posts about hospitality and holiday hosting, I mentioned that it’s great to have snacks on hand for unexpected guests and appetizers before dinner gatherings to give people something to do before the meal is served. And personally, I love a good snack.
In this post, I’m sharing five of my favorite appetizers to share with others. If you’re hosting a formal dinner party or just a casual movie night with friends, these are sure to be crowd pleasers in every crowd. You’re probably familiar with most of them, but I hope to share a new twist on a few or simply remind you of an old favorite.
1. Fruit Dip
Fruit dips are versatile depending on the seasonal fruits available and can also be served as a light dessert. This recipe is one of my most popular dishes, and I’m glad to share it with you. It’s creamy and sweet, but can be sweetened to taste.
Click Here to view my Three-Ingredient Fruit Dip recipe
2. Veggie Tray and Dip
A great way to spice up a veggie tray is to serve it with a delicious homemade dip! This one from Healthy Little Peach is gluten-, dairy-, and sugar-free, so everyone can enjoy!
3. Bacon-Wrapped Green Beans
These aren’t new and ground-breaking, but they are pretty simple to throw together and are always quick to run out. Make these by trimming green beans and wrapping bundles of 4-5 beans in a half-strip of bacon. Hold them together with toothpicks or just place them seam-side down and bake at 350 until the bacon is cooked and the green beans are tender. They require just a little more effort, but are delicious in the end!
4. Cheese Ball
My mom’s cheese ball is something I can never get enough of. She made it for almost every holiday gathering when I was growing up, and now that I’m an adult, I make it myself. It’s the perfect snack or appetizer with a fresh crunch from green onions, and saltiness from the black olives. At the out-set, it seems like an odd mix of ingredients, but even people who dislike olives usually say they can’t even taste them. Serve this with crackers or even some vegetables for a delicious pairing.
5. Cream Cheese and Jam
This is probably the easiest appetizer in this post, and I’m sure it’s a familiar one to many of you. With just two ingredients, you can whip this one up in no time. Simply set your cream cheese out to soften for a bit, plate it and pour a jam or preserve of your choice right on top. Most commonly, this is done with a jalapeño jam, but you could use any kind of sweet or spicy preserves. Serve this with a variety of crackers, and this will be gone in a hurry!
