42 Hot Appetizers to Get the Party Going

Read Time: 19 mins

42 Hot Appetizers to Get the Party Going2/41 Slow-Cooker Cheddar Bacon Beer Dip 10 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Slow-Cooker Cheddar Bacon Beer Dip Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 3 hours 15 min Servings 4-1/2 cups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My tangy, smoky dip won the top prize in our office party recipe contest. Other beers can work for this, but be sure to steer clear of dark varieties. —Ashley Lecker, Green Bay, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1/4 cup: 213 calories, 19g fat (10g saturated fat), 60mg cholesterol, 378mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars,

0 fiber), 8g protein

0 fiber), 8g protein. 3/41 Cuban Sliders 51 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved TASTE OF HOME Total Time 30 min Servings 2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These wonderful little rolls are baked until lightly toasted and the cheese melts. The leftover King’s Hawaiian ham sliders keep really well in the fridge, and they make a lovely cold snack. Followers of my blog, houseofyumm.com, go nuts for these! —Serene Herrera, Dallas, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1 slider: 191 calories, 10g fat (5g saturated fat), 42mg cholesterol, 532mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 1g fiber), 10g protein. 4/41 Grilled Chicken,

We double or triple the ingredients when we host parties

Mango & Blue Cheese Tortillas 2 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Grilled Chicken, Mango & Blue Cheese Tortillas Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 16 appetizers Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Here’s a fantastic outdoor appetizer to kick-start your summer get-togethers. We double or triple the ingredients when we host parties. —Josee Lanzi, New Port Richey, Florida Nutrition Facts: 1 wedge: 85 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 12mg cholesterol, 165mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 lean meat, 1/2 starch. Take your summer get-togethers up

a notch with more such grilled appetizers on the menu

a notch with more such grilled appetizers on the menu. 5/41 Chili-Lime Chicken Wings 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved DAN ROBERTS FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 30 min Servings 2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Who would have guessed that mixing maple syrup, chili sauce and lime juice would make chicken wings taste so good? Family and guests alike will scramble to ensure they get more than one of these utterly delicious wings – so be sure to make extras! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 142 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat),

It’s fast and easy, and my kids love it

15mg cholesterol, 198mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 0 fiber), 5g protein. 6/41 Pizza Monkey Bread 22 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 55 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I cannot throw a party without making this recipe. It’s fast and easy, and my kids love it. —Courtney Wilson, Fresno, California Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 288 calories, 17g fat (5g saturated fat), 12mg cholesterol, 723mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 1g fiber), 8g protein. 7/41 Coconut Chicken and Shrimp 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Coconut Chicken and Shrimp Recipe photo by Taste of Home

This has become a favorite!

Total Time 1 hour Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I was looking for a fun, easy weeknight dinner based on our favorite shrimp dish that was healthier than fast food. This has become a favorite! —Susan Seymour, Valatie, New York Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 659 calories, 31g fat (14g saturated fat), 123mg cholesterol, 735mg sodium, 69g carbohydrate (39g sugars, 4g fiber), 29g protein. 8/41 Texas Taco Dip Platter 18 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Texas Taco Dip Platter Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 50 min Servings 20 servings Go to Recipe

From the Recipe Creator: When I’m entertaining, this colorful dish is my top menu choice. My friends can’t resist the hearty appetizer topped with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and olives. —Kathy Young, Weatherford, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 522 calories, 24g fat (9g saturated fat), 56mg cholesterol, 1200mg sodium, 47g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 8g fiber), 27g protein. 9/41 Jalapeno Poppers 36 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Jalapeno Poppers Recipe photo by Melissa Patterson for Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings about 2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These creamy stuffed jalapeno poppers have some bite. They may

be the most popular treats I make!

be the most popular treats I make! My husband is always hinting that I should make a batch. —Lisa Byington, Johnson City, New York Nutrition Facts: 1 popper: 94 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 20mg cholesterol, 167mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein. 10/41 Chicken Parm Sliders 27 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chicken Parm Sliders Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 1 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Sliders are the perfect finger food for any get-together, and this flavorful chicken Parmesan version won’t disappoint. —Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado

The secret ingredient in this sassy sauce is the grape jelly

Nutrition Facts: 1 slider: 428 calories, 26g fat (12g saturated fat), 69mg cholesterol, 843mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 3g fiber), 18g protein. 11/41 Grape Jelly and Chili Sauce Meatballs 24 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Grape Jelly and Chili Sauce Meatballs Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings about 3 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: The secret ingredient in this sassy sauce is the grape jelly. It’s a sweet contrast with the chili sauce. —Irma Schnuelle, Manitowoc, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 meatball: 106 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 313mg sodium,

8g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein

8g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein. 12/41 Mini Hot Browns 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 1-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Here’s my take on the famous Hot Brown sandwich. Guests quickly saddle up for juicy turkey slices and crispy bacon piled on toasted rye bread and then topped with a rich cheese sauce. —Annette Grahl, Midway, Kentucky Nutrition Facts: 1 appetizer: 98 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 21mg cholesterol, 246mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein. 13/41 Asparagus Wraps 2 Reviews Test

Kitchen Approved Asparagus Wraps Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Asparagus makes lovely finger food, especially wrapped in pastry and tasty filling. Easily assembled, it’s perfect for weeknight noshing or something a little fancier for entertaining. —Linda Hall, Evington, Virginia Nutrition Facts: 1 appetizer: 139 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 11mg cholesterol, 248mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 2g fiber), 4g protein. 14/41 Pasties 63 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Upper Peninsula Pasties Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 35

min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where pasties—traditional meat pies often eaten by hand—are extremely popular. There’s a debate on whether they should be served with gravy or ketchup, but no matter what you dunk them in, they’re super comforting. —Carole Lynn Derifield, Valdez, Alaska Nutrition Facts: 1 pasty: 757 calories, 44g fat (13g saturated fat), 46mg cholesterol, 1060mg sodium, 69g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 5g fiber), 19g protein. 15/41 Zucchini Fries Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Zucchini Fries Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1 fat

Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 91 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 52mg cholesterol, 389mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 6g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1 fat. 16/41 Swiss Cheese Bread 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Swiss Cheese Bread Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 20 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This bread will receive rave reviews, whether you serve it as an appetizer or with a meal. For real convenience, you can make it ahead of time and freeze it! —Karla Boice, Mahtomedi,

—Phyllis Douglas, Fairview, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 153

Minnesota Nutrition Facts: 1 slice: 187 calories, 13g fat (8g saturated fat), 34mg cholesterol, 231mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 6g protein. 17/41 Taco Tater Skins 5 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Taco Tater Skins Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 25 min Servings 2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I wanted to make a version of these with ingredients most people have on hand. We make a meal out of these skins, but they’re also great for parties as appetizers. —Phyllis Douglas, Fairview, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 153

19/41 Glazed Chicken Wings 36 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Glazed

calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 20mg cholesterol, 227mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 2g fiber), 5g protein. 18/41 Hoisin Meatball Lettuce Wraps Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 10 min Servings 3 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I make these tangy-sweet appetizers every year during the holidays, and it doesn’t take long for them to disappear.—Elaine Sweet, Dallas, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1 appetizer: 69 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 21mg cholesterol, 99mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein. 19/41 Glazed Chicken Wings 36 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Glazed

💡 Frequently Asked Questions

⭐ Expert Tips

• Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

• Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.

• Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.

✅ Key Takeaways

• These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

• Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.

• Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.

📣 Join Our Community