The mark of a truly tasty appetizer is an empty platter at the end of the night.

The easier the recipe, the better.

This assortment of our best appetizer recipes will just everyone on the guest list.

Southern Living French Quarter Cheese Spread on a plate ready to serve with crackers

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Cocktail Meatballs

Cocktail meatballs are a classic for a reason.

Instead of picking up some meatballs from the frozen section, this recipe starts from scratch.

But if you’re feeling slightly fancier, this French Quarter Cheese Spread is a must-make.

Southern Living Cocktail Meatballs on a platter to serve

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

This savory dip is perfect for dinner parties.

They’re the perfect way to use up the last of that puff pastry package sitting in your freezer.

), it will be the hit of any gathering.

Shrimp Cocktail Dip in a bowl with bread slices

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

This fresh take on a Southern classic hits all the flavor points.

Get the taste of two classic dishes, loaded baked potatoes and deviled eggs, in one bite.

Served on Ritz crackers or toasted baguette slices, cream cheese and pepper jelly is always a hit.

Fig, Pecan, And Brie Bites

Credit:Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

It’s up to you if you want to keep this jelly recipe a secret.

Bacon Bow Tie Crackers

This two-ingredient recipe couldn’t be more simple.

These tasty bites will start to disappear quickly once your guests arrive.

Southern Living Bacon Crackers on a platter to serve

Credit:Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Be sure to prepare extra servings.

Just be sure to serve this dip hot for best flavor.

Spicy Bisquick Sausage Balls

Using hot sausage adds some heat to these sausage balls.

Southern Living Marinated Mozzarella Cheese in a bowl ready to serve

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

As tempting as it may be, double-check not to reach for pre-shredded cheese for this recipe.

Grating your own cheese will give you the best results.

Warm Cheese Box Bites

If your reaction to this suggestion is, “More cheese?

Southern Living Baked Brie with Jam in the dish ready to serve

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

“, then this recipe is for you.

Serving these cheese box bites warm is key to delivering maximum flavor.

Paired with yourfavorite margarita, this delicious dip will be a regular on those Saturday nights with friends.

Southern Living Cheesy Caramel Corn in a bowl ready to serve

Credit:Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell

When we say our best appetizer recipes are good for any occasion, we mean it!

Then, a tortilla round is added along with a spoonful of seasoned beef.

Serve them hot off the skillet with lime wedges for a little extra flavor.

loaded deviled eggs

Credit: Photographer: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

Store it for up to three days in the fridge.

The spice in this addictive dip pairs great with a cold beer.

Asparagus Ribbon Crostini

Who says your appetizer selection can’t be elegant?

Southern Living Tennessee Onion Dip in the pan ready to serve with chips

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Fresh mint helps make it even more colorful.

Corn and Jalapeno Dip

This dip requires just eight ingredients and minimally no work.

Just ensure to reserve the bacon to add halfway through the cooking process.

Red Chipotle Pepper Jelly

Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Plus, making a dip in the slow cooker will ensure it stays warm until your guests arrive.

Spicy Cheese Twists

This slightly upgraded version of cheese straws comes together with frozen puff pastry sheets.

This approach is so easy, you will become committed to perfecting these puffy delights.

Southern Living Spicy Pear-and-Cheddar Bites on a tray ready to serve

Credit:Dane Tashima; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Appetizers for dinner, anyone?

The sweetness of the cherry tomatoes knocks the flavor profile out of the park.

Spread between bread to create little tea sandwiches, or serve as a dip for crackers and veggies.

Bacon Bow Tie Crackers

Credit: Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Tami Hardeman

This recipe is just that, coming together in just 15 minutes.

The presentation makes it almost restaurant-worthy.

This just might be the recipe for you.

Bloody Mary Poached Shrimp

Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

you’ve got the option to also prepare them at home and serve them as a side.

It’s definitely hearty enough to be a part of a dinner of appetizers.

What else will you prepare for finger food night?

Hot Cheesy Crab Dip

Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Ham And Cheese Sliders

This ham and cheese slider recipe is a beloved Southern classic.

Imagine game day being accentuated by these handheld snacks, along with all the other trappings of successful tailgating.

Anyone who takes a bite will definitely be on your team.

Picnic Egg Salad on Toast

Credit: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele

Pizza Pepper Poppers

After-school snacking has never looked so fun.

This filling treat will not have anyone complaining about where dinner might be.

You will find yourself wanting to experiment with different ingredients for hummus once you’ve tasted this.

Spicy Bisquick Sausage Balls

Credit: Photography: Caitlin Bensel Food Styling: Ali Ramee Prop Styling: Sarah Elizabeth Cleveland

Our smoky field pea hummus is another great example.

These will go fast, as they are simply addicting and so easy to ingest in one bite.

Be sure to have some extra stashed in the fridge.

Warm Cheese Box Bites

Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

With fresh tomatoes, this recipe is especially delightful.

Simply spreading it on one piece of hearty bread makes an excellent open-faced sandwich.

Georgia-Style Boiled Peanuts

This easy, slow-cooker snack is always a Southern favorite.

Southern Living Butter Baked Saltines on a platter to serve

Credit:Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Karen Rankin, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen

Nostalgic snack nuts taste best washed down with an ice cold beer.

Top with sour cream, lettuce, pico de gallo, and scallions.

you’re free to have these appetizers out in 30 minutes or less.

Creamy Avocado Dip

Credit: Johnny Autry; Prop and Food Styling: Charlotte L. Autry

For those who like it hot, swap mini sweet peppers for spicy jalapenos.

Spinach And Vidalia Dip

Take a moment to meet your new favorite appetizer.

This twist on the classic spinach dip is sure to like even the most particular guests.

jalapeno popper dip

Credit: Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke

Set this appetizer out with crackers or toasted baguette slices and watch it disappear at your next party.

This mix will satisfy that sweet and salty combo that everyone craves.

If you make this ahead and store in an airtight container, consider yourself over prepared.

Southern Living Tiny Tacos on plates to serve

Credit:Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Be ready to share the recipe on command.

And forget about these being eaten just as an appetizer.

These tasty eggs are a great snack or a nice little surprise in a lunchbox.

Southern Living Taco Dip in a dish to serve with chips

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Grab some fresh shrimp while you’re on the coast for the best results.

Spicy Sweet Potato Crostini

These mini crostini bites are the perfect fall happy hour snack.

This will help ensure they all cook in the same amount of time.

Slow-Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip

This take on salsa is practically addictive.

You may not want any other kind after you try this.

These little bites are just that.

Asparagus Ribbon Crostini

Credit: Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Christina Daley

Pear And Brie Puff Pastry Tarts

How beautiful is this for a fall starter?

No need to reveal your secret, though.

Let everyone imagine that you labored away at this presentation.

Corn and Jalapeno Dip

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Crudites Platter

Crudite is an appetizer staple for a reason.

Bring your best with this gorgeous spread.

Wow a crowd by putting this together when the vegetables are in season.

Spicy Cheese Twists

Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

The fresh tastes and beautiful colors will lure your guests into veggie bliss.

The spice sweet combo along with the creamy texture make a perfect accompaniment to the shrimp.

The secret here is to smoke plum tomatoes over applewood chips.

Hot Brown Party Rolls

Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Stying: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

The resulting flavors are out of this world.

This will be your go-to cheese dip recipe once you try it.

All your effort will be worth it when you see your guests react to this plated delight.

Slow-Roasted Cherry Tomato Bruschetta

Credit: Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Anna Hampton; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch

Brown sugar and bacon are a match made in heaven.

When wrapped around a thin breadstick, the flavors are delivered with a satisfying crunch.

Buttery Toasted Pecans

Buttery toasted pecans can be served in different ways at a dinner party.

Basic Pimiento Cheese

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Butter makes everything better, and the same is true for these toasted pecans.

Most of us roll with hot sauce and lemon juice.

But the bacon, greens, and parmesan in this recipe will make you reconsider your oyster game.

Creamy Spinach-Ricotta Crostini

Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

The peaches are a mesmerizing sweet-and-spicy mixture that makes this Brie recipe absolutely irresistible.

Mini Potato Skins

Credit: Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop styling: Claire Spollen; Food styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Easy Buffalo Chicken Dip

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen

Ham-And-Cheese Sliders

Credit: Photography and Styling: Karen Rankin

Pizza Pepper Poppers

Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Christina Daley

Rosemary-Bacon Nut Mix

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Smoky Black-Eyed Pea Hummus

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Smoked-Fish Dip

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Mushroom-Stuffed Phyllo Cups

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Baked BLT Dip

Credit: Skyler Burt

Georgia-Style Boiled Peanuts

Credit: Alison Miksch

Sweet Potato and Chorizo Sausage Bites

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Appetizer Mini Black Bean and Cheese Enchiladas

Credit: Stephen Devries

Sparkling Pomegranate Punch

Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

Party Poppers

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

Spinach-and-Vidalia Dip

Credit: Photo: Greg Dupree

Deviled Potatoes

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Crawfish Dip

Credit: Greg DuPree

Tex-Mex Deviled Eggs

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Lump Crab Mornay

Credit: Photo: Iain Bagwell

Sweet-and-Salty Snack Mix

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Katie Jacobs

Cheese Dreams

Credit:Antonis Achilleos; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

Muffuletta Deviled Eggs

Credit: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Meatball Sliders with Tomato Sauce

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

Old Bay Rémoulade with Crudités and Shrimp

Credit: Johnny Autry; Prop and Food Styling: Charlotte L. Autry

Spicy Sweet Potato Crostini

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Southern Living Cream Cheese Sausage Balls in a bowl to serve

Credit:Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

Hot Crab-and-Artichoke Dip

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Margaret Monroe Dickey

Back Bean Corn Salsa

Credit: Antonis Achilleos

Cranberry Brie Bites

Credit: Southern Living

Maple Bacon Smokies

Credit: Southern Living

Pear-and-Brie Puff Pastry Tarts

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Curdités Platter

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Katie Jacobs

Shrimp on Seasoned Crackers with Pepper Jelly and Cream Cheese

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Smoked-Tomato Salsa

Credit: Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Anna Hampton; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch

Spicy Strawberry-Goat Cheese Crostini

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

Crab Cake Bites with Old Bay Seasoning

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Bacon Bites

Credit:Molly Bolton / Southern Living

Butter Toasted Pecans - Southern Living

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Caesar Salad Bites

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick/Prop Styling: Lydia DeGaris Pursell/Food Styling: Marian Cooper Cairns

Baked Oysters with Bacon, Greens, and Parmesan

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Bake Brie With Jezebel Peaches

Credit:Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Slow-Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs

Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Ali Ramee; Prop Styling: Sarah Elizabeth Cleveland

Southern Living Hot Bacon and Swiss Dip scooped out and ready to serve with vegetables

Credit:Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless