45 Easy Irish Appetizers to Kick Off Your St. Patrick's Day Celebration
These bites will get the party sham-rockin'.
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Planning a big party for St. Patrick's Day this year? There are a few things to keep in mind. For starters, you'll want to have plenty of green and gold St. Patrick's Day decorations. Then stock up on your favorite Irish beer brand and plan a dinner menu with corned beef and cabbage and other traditional Irish foods. But before you dig into the main event, kick things off with a few of these easy Irish appetizers!
Whether you're looking for green food ideas or classic Irish flavors in the form of finger foods and party dips, this list has it all. Try the Reuben-inspired egg rolls that are filled with corned beef and sauerkraut, or the Irish nachos made with potatoes in place of the chips. If comfort food is on your mind, you'll find ideas for cozy homemade soups and beer-based recipes, Irish pizza, and fluffy potato rolls to serve with Irish butter. Of course, there are plenty of potato appetizers like mashed potato pancakes and crispy potato skins.
Looking for something creative to add to your spread? Try Ree Drummond's homemade scones made with green jalapeños and Irish cheddar or the prosciutto-wrapped asparagus that will have you feeling ready for spring. They both have a pop of that Emerald Isle green, too. With these easy Irish appetizers (and a few Irish desserts), everyone at your party will be feeling lucky... and well fed!
Irish Brown Bread
There are so many ways to enjoy traditional Irish brown bread as an appetizer! Slather your slices in butter, dunk it in your soup, or sprinkle a piece with Irish cheddar before toasting it.
Get Ree's Irish Brown Bread recipe.
Reuben Egg Rolls
Just like the classic sandwich, these crispy egg rolls are filled with corned beef, sauerkraut, and melty cheese. They even have a Russian dressing dipping sauce for good measure!
Get the Reuben Egg Rolls recipe.
Clam Chowder
You'll see a lot of seafood chowders in Ireland, given the damp, chilly weather and the abundance of seafood. The clams, potatoes, and creamy broth would be delicious served with a slice of Irish bread.
Get the Clam Chowder recipe.
Ham and Cheese Pinwheels
Ham and cheese toasties are very popular in Ireland. (Picture a grilled cheese with ham added.) These little snacks have much the same feel and can feed a crowd.
Get the Ham and Cheese Pinwheels recipe.
Reuben Dip
This dip has everything that you love about the sandwich: corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Thousand Island dressing. Serve it with a platter of rye bread chips and you've got yourself an appetizer spread!
Get Ree's Reuben Dip recipe.
Homemade Potato Chips
Potato chips are just as popular in Ireland as they are here in the States. Making them from scratch feels special for a celebration. Just make sure to call them "crisps" like they do!
Get Ree's Homemade Potato Chips recipe.
Garlic Shrimp
Even if you can't get your hand on some Dublin Bay prawns, you can make a very similar version to their popular appetizer by using jumbo shrimp. Sop up all that garlicky goodness with some toasted bread.
Get the Garlic Shrimp recipe.
Green Goddess Salad
Though not traditionally Irish, just look at all that green! Plus, it does have cabbage in the mix, which keeps it crunchy for days. It'll be a great way to get your veggies.
Get the Green Goddess Salad recipe.
Pea Salad
You'll often find some version of pea salad in Ireland. Ree's version uses cheddar cheese just like they would, too! Plus, the green just feels right for the holiday.
Get Ree's Pea Salad recipe.
Mashed Potato Pancakes
Creamy, cheesy mashed potatoes are transformed into a whole new dish with this recipe that gives them a crispy coating. You can serve them up as an appetizer with your favorite dipping sauce or opt for a traditional condiment like sour cream.
Get the Mashed Potato Pancakes recipe.
Potato Rolls
Flaky, soft potato rolls are an instant crowd pleaser. You can serve them in a bread basket with Irish butter on the side or turn them into mini corned beef sliders!
Get the Potato Rolls recipe.
Potato Skins
We love potato skins any which way! You can keep these simple with melted cheese and bacon or load them up with shredded corned beef. Either way, they’ll be a hit!
Get the Potato Skins recipe.
Beer Cheese Dip
Stout beers are a popular choice on St. Patrick's Day, but their dark color might change the way this cheesy dip looks. Instead opt for a hoppy IPA and save the stout for drinking.
Get the Beer Cheese Dip recipe.
Cabbage Soup
Soup is always a welcome appetizer, particularly if it's still cold outside. We love this warming cabbage version, which you can load with whatever veggies and beans you've got on hand.
Get the Cabbage Soup recipe.
Irish Nachos
Irish nachos are a must-have at any St. Patrick's Day party. Crispy potatoes in place of chips? Yes, please.
Get the Irish Nachos recipe.
Slice-Baked Potatoes
This twist on twice-baked potatoes is the perfect size for serving as an party appetizer. It has all the flavor of a loaded baked potato in one single bite.
Get Ree's Slice-Baked Potatoes recipe.
Irish Pizza
Add some Irish flare to your pizza by topping it with thinly sliced potatoes, bacon, and Irish cheddar. For an extra hint of green, a sprinkle of chives will do the trick.
Get the Irish Pizza recipe.
Potato Soup
Potatoes are a staple in Irish cuisine. In our opinion, this warming soup is one of the best and most beautiful ways of presenting them to your guests at a St. Patrick's Day party.
Get Ree's Potato Soup recipe.
Corned Beef Sandwich
These sandwiches are full of flavor thanks to thin slices of fork-tender corned beef, cabbage, and mustard. You can cut them into quarters and use a toothpick to secure each bite-sized slider.
Get the Corned Beef Sandwich recipe.
Irish Soda Bread
You can't go wrong with slices of this classic Irish loaf, especially if you serve it with a good-quality Irish butter.
Get the Irish Soda Bread recipe.
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