Whether you’re hosting a few friends for a fireside dinner or a crowd for cocktails, you’ll want festive nibbles on hand to get the party rolling. That’s where our easy-yet-yummy appetizers come in.  Whip some up and you’ve got what you need to start up the evening, or make a whole meal.

Try these ideas for starters:

Dunk pre-cut veggies

Serve red pepper, celery and carrot sticks in small bundles with individual ramekins of tasty dips, like cheddar cheese fondue, yogurt ranch dressing, or hummus with paprika. 

Make tiny tacos

Create mini appetizer tacos by cutting out small rounds from corn tortillas with a biscuit cutter. Serve with your favorite toppings, with salsa and jalapenos on the side.

Plus up a deli platter

That platter of cold cuts is not just for sandwiches. Roll slices of roast beef with mascarpone or crumbled blue cheese and a leaf of spinach tucked inside. Or try turkey, havarti and roasted red peppers; or salami, provolone and  spicy peperoncini. Fasten with decorative toothpicks.

Do a bakery pie remix

Take leftover pie—or heck, get a fresh one—crumble the crust and layer with spoonfuls of filling and frozen yogurt or ice cream in small juice glasses. Top with a whirl of whipped cream and voila! You made Petite Pie Parfaits!

For more appetizer goodness, try these recipes:

Crab Meat Empanadas

Prosciutto-Wrapped Potato Poppers

Cocktail Bacon-Wrapped Smokies

Pear and Brie Quesadillas

Gingered Turkey Meatballs with Sesame Sauce

Italian Appetizer Kabobs by Essential Everyday

Smoked Salmon Spread by Essential Everday

Reuben Sandwich Appetizers

Best Ever Guacamole