A great appetizer can set the tone for an entire meal. It can whet your appetite and leave your guests eager for more. When it comes to entertaining, it’s important to have a few crowd-pleasing appetizer recipes in your arsenal that you can rely on. Here are some appetizer recipes that are sure to impress your guests.
Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce
Baked Brie is a classic appetizer that is always a hit. To make this recipe, you’ll need a wheel of Brie cheese, some cranberry sauce, and some chopped walnuts. First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Next, slice the top off of the Brie wheel and place it in a baking dish. Top the Brie with cranberry sauce and chopped walnuts, and bake for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve with crackers or sliced baguette.

Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus
Prosciutto-wrapped asparagus is a simple yet elegant appetizer that looks and tastes impressive. To make this recipe, you’ll need some asparagus spears and some thin slices of prosciutto. First, blanch the asparagus by boiling it in salted water for 1-2 minutes, then immediately transfer it to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Once the asparagus has cooled, wrap each spear with a slice of prosciutto and place it on a baking sheet. Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes or until the prosciutto is crispy.
Mini Caprese Skewers
Caprese salad is a classic Italian dish that combines fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and basil. These mini Caprese skewers are a fun and easy way to enjoy those flavors in bite-sized form. To make this recipe, you’ll need some cherry tomatoes, mini mozzarella balls, fresh basil leaves, and some toothpicks. Skewer a tomato, a mozzarella ball, and a basil leaf onto each toothpick and arrange them on a platter. Drizzle with balsamic glaze for an extra pop of flavor.
Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms
Crab-stuffed mushrooms are a delicious and decadent appetizer that is perfect for special occasions. To make this recipe, you’ll need some large mushrooms, some canned crabmeat, cream cheese, garlic, and breadcrumbs. Remove the stems from the mushrooms and set them aside. In a mixing bowl, combine the crabmeat, cream cheese, garlic, and breadcrumbs. Stuff the mushroom caps with the crab mixture and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes or until the mushrooms are tender and the filling is golden brown.
Pesto-Parmesan Pinwheels
These pesto-Parmesan pinwheels are a delicious and easy appetizer that are sure to impress your guests. To make this recipe, you’ll need some store-bought puff pastry, some prepared pesto, and some grated Parmesan cheese. Roll out the puff pastry into a rectangle and spread a thin layer of pesto over the top. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and roll up the pastry into a log. Chill the log in the fridge for 15-20 minutes, then slice it into pinwheels and bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.

Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Spinach and artichoke dip is a classic appetizer that never fails to please. To make this recipe, you’ll need frozen chopped spinach, canned artichoke hearts, cream cheese, sour cream, Parmesan cheese, garlic, and salt. Thaw the spinach and squeeze out the excess water. Drain and chop the artichoke hearts. In a mixing bowl, combine the spinach, artichokes, cream cheese, sour cream, Parmesan cheese, garlic, and salt. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown. Serve with tortilla chips or sliced baguette.
Shrimp Cocktail
Shrimp cocktail is a classic appetizer that is always a hit at parties. To make this recipe, you’ll need cooked and peeled shrimp, cocktail sauce, lemon wedges, and fresh parsley. Arrange the shrimp on a platter and serve with the cocktail sauce, lemon wedges, and chopped parsley. For a fancy touch, you can also serve the shrimp in individual shot glasses with the cocktail sauce on the bottom.
Bruschetta
Bruschetta is a classic Italian appetizer that consists of toasted bread topped with a tomato and herb mixture. To make this recipe, you’ll need a baguette, tomatoes, garlic, basil, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper. Slice the baguette into thin slices and brush with olive oil. Toast the bread in the oven or on a grill until crispy. In a mixing bowl, combine the chopped tomatoes, minced garlic, chopped basil, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper. Spoon the tomato mixture onto the toasted bread and serve immediately.
Bacon-Wrapped Dates
Bacon-wrapped dates are a sweet and savory appetizer that is always a hit. To make this recipe, you’ll need pitted dates, bacon, and toothpicks. Cut the bacon slices in half and wrap each date with a half slice of bacon. Secure with a toothpick and place on a baking sheet. Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes or until the bacon is crispy. Serve hot.

Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Tartlets
Caramelized onion and goat cheese tartlets are a savory appetizer that is perfect for entertaining. To make this recipe, you’ll need frozen mini tart shells, yellow onions, butter, goat cheese, fresh thyme, salt, and pepper. Bake the tart shells according to the package instructions. Meanwhile, thinly slice the onions and sauté them in butter over low heat until caramelized. Fill the tart shells with the caramelized onions, crumbled goat cheese, fresh thyme, salt, and pepper. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-12 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Caprese Skewers
Caprese skewers are a simple but elegant appetizer that can be made with just a few ingredients. To make this recipe, you’ll need cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella balls, fresh basil leaves, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Thread a cherry tomato, a fresh mozzarella ball, and a fresh basil leaf onto each skewer. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
Crab Cakes
Crab cakes are a classic appetizer that are always a crowd-pleaser. To make this recipe, you’ll need crab meat, breadcrumbs, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Old Bay seasoning, parsley, and an egg. Combine all the ingredients in a mixing bowl and form into small patties. Heat some oil in a frying pan and cook the crab cakes until golden brown on both sides. Serve with tartar sauce and lemon wedges.Conclusion
These appetizer recipes are sure to impress your guests and leave them eager for more. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, a holiday gathering, or just a casual get-together, these recipes are easy to make and guaranteed to be a hit. So go ahead and try them out, and watch as your guests are wowed by your culinary skills!