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When prepping for a party, it's hard not to break a sweat. Cleaning, curating a playlist, and coming up with a mouthwatering menu barely leave you time to breathe. But there are plenty of shortcuts you can take to make things less stressful, many of which start in the kitchen! Take this list of easy appetizers, for one. These light, crowd-pleasing bites will keep your guests happy without taking up too much of your time. Think quick party dips, genius puff pastry hacks, and plenty of simple appetizer recipes with just a handful of ingredients.
In fact, all of the finger foods, cheesy dips, and starters on this list are anything but complicated. If you're looking for something that looks fancy but is easy to make, try the whipped feta dip, spinach artichoke cups, or cranberry brie bites. Even The Pioneer Woman admits, "I've always had a bunch of easy appetizer recipes in my arsenal," and so should you! One of Ree’s favorites is a simple platter of deviled eggs. But there are also plenty of air fryer recipes, like crispy egg rolls, and one-pot recipes, like Ree's cocktail meatballs, that minimize cleanup and maximize flavor. Whatever you choose to serve at your next cocktail hour, dinner party, or themed event, you're sure to impress your guests without the added stress.
Bacon-Wrapped Water Chestnuts
Wrapping your favorite ingredients in bacon is one of the easiest ways to elevate an appetizer, and this vintage recipe is proof! With just 15 minutes of prep time, you'll be on your way to crunchy water chestnuts smothered in a thick layer of crispy, chewy bacon.
Get the Bacon-Wrapped Water Chestnuts recipe.
Chili Cheese Dip
This easy, cheesy skillet dip is the ultimate crowd-pleaser! It's loaded with homemade chili, processed cheese, and cheddar, plus a spoonful of fresh pico de gallo as garnish.
Get Ree's Chili Cheese Dip recipe.
Cheese Straws
Greet your guests with the smell of golden puff pastry and melty cheddar and parmesan by popping Ree's cheese straws in the oven! They're made with her staple shortcut ingredient: frozen puff pastry.
Get Ree's Cheese Straws recipe.
Little Smokies
Who can resist a saucy slow cooker snack like these? In this recipe, mini weenies are coated in a tangy-sweet sauce made of ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, and adobo peppers for a kick.
Get Ree's Little Smokies recipe.
Roasted Shrimp With Cranberry Cocktail Sauce
Peeled frozen shrimp make this finger food so easy to prepare! They're seasoned with fresh thyme and smoked paprika and served alongside a vibrant cranberry cocktail sauce.
Get Ree's Roasted Shrimp With Cranberry Cocktail Sauce recipe.
Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms
Stuffed mushrooms don’t have to be complicated to be delicious! This recipe omits the tedious task of scooping out the mushrooms’ insides and delivers the perfect creamy, crab-filled bite that your guests will love.
Get the Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms recipe.
Spinach Puffs
The crowd-favorite dip takes a fresh form in this recipe. Flaky puff pastry cups are filled with a spinach-feta mixture to make bite-size morsels that are as easy to serve as they are to make.
Get the Spinach Puffs recipe.
Whipped Goat Cheese
Swap the usual log of goat cheese on your cheese board for this creamy dip! It’s the perfect match for sliced veggies and toasted bread.
Get Ree's Whipped Goat Cheese recipe.
Antipasto Skewers
Who can resist a stacked charcuterie skewer? You can even prep the salami, cheese, and pickled veggies the day before to make party day a breeze.
Get the Antipasto Skewers recipe.
Pimento Cheese Thumbprint Crackers
These vibrant crackers are just as pretty as they are tasty! Get a head start by baking the cheesy crackers a few days in advance. When you’re ready, top them with a spoonful of pepper jelly.
Spicy Chex Mix
Spice up your snack table with this homemade Chex mix! In this recipe, pretzels, crackers, nuts, and rice cereal squares are coated in a marvelous mixture of hot sauce, melted butter, and Worcestershire.
Get the Spicy Chex Mix recipe.
Blue Cheese and Pear Flatbread
This crispy pizza is a crowd-pleasing party appetizer! Topped with rich blue cheese, sliced pears, and fresh thyme, it’s bursting with flavor.
Get Ree's Blue Cheese and Pear Flatbread recipe.
Turkey Meatballs
For a lighter twist on cocktail meatballs, try using ground turkey. You can quickly prepare a zesty lemon-herb yogurt sauce while they bake in the oven.
Get Ree's Turkey Meatballs recipe.
Bloody Mary Dip
If you're a fan of the namesake cocktail, this dip version is a must-try. It's a creamy, flavorful dip that comes together in just 20 minutes with a handful of ingredients like cream cheese, tomato paste, and crispy bacon.
Get the Bloody Mary Dip recipe.
Chicken Sausages In A Blanket
You’ve probably had pigs in a blanket, but have you tried chicken sausages in a blanket? They're super simple to make with frozen puff pastry and pre-cooked chicken-apple sausages. And the dipping sauce is a breeze, with just three ingredients: Dijon mustard, maple syrup, and mayo.
Get Ree's Chicken Sausages In A Blanket recipe.
Dill Pickle Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs are a staple appetizer in Ree's book, and this dill pickle version of the classic snack is no exception. It's perfectly tangy, thanks to fresh dill and plenty of dill pickles.
Get Ree's Dill Pickle Deviled Eggs recipe.
Jalapeño Poppers
These jalapeño appetizers are sure to get the party poppin'! Each pepper is filled with a cheesy filling and bacon bits for an explosion of salt and spice.
Get the Jalapeño Poppers recipe.
Avocado Salsa
You can think of this recipe like a mash-up between a guacamole and a salsa. It's got both avocado and tomato, along with red onion, poblano pepper, and diced jicama for crunch.
Get the Avocado Salsa recipe.
Deviled Eggs
For Ree Drummond, it wouldn't be a party without deviled eggs! And this foolproof recipe makes them perfect every time.
Get the Deviled Eggs recipe.
Air Fryer Taquitos
These crispy taquitos are a great way to use up leftover shredded beef. The best part? You don't need to waste any oven or stovetop space to make them! Just let the air fryer do the work.
Get the Air Fryer Taquitos recipe.
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