18 Easy Hors d'Oeuvres And Snacks Your Guests Will Devour
With warm weather comes plenty of opportunities to entertain friends and loved ones at your home. And because no garden party, backyard barbecue, or picnic would be complete without a variety of delicious things to nosh on, now is the perfect time to hone your hors d'oeuvres strategy for upcoming events. Sure, you can always pick up some goodies from your local grocery store in anticipation of a party, but where's the fun in that?
To help with spring and summer party planning, Daily Meal has an assortment of recipes that are as tasty as they are easy to make. Even better, the recipes included in this collection cover a variety of flavor profiles and particular preferences, whether your guests love seafood, fried appetizers, or flavorful chip dips. With such an expansive selection to choose from, you can rest assured that guests at your next party will leave your home fully satisfied.
1. Air Fryer Egg Rolls
Using an air fryer to make some delicious egg rolls not only ensures a healthier alternative to a classic appetizer, but also makes for a stress-free kitchen experience. Simply combine pre-made egg roll wrappers with ingredients like mushrooms, onions, cabbage, and scallions to recreate the perfect Chinese takeout experience for your guests. And don't forget condiments like sour cream, soy sauce, and Sriracha for added flavor.
While this egg roll recipe calls for tofu, feel free to substitute another type of protein, depending on your preferences.
Recipe: Air Fryer Egg Rolls
2. Sticky Cantonese Barbecue Baked Chicken Wings
Wings are the perfect accompaniment to just about any social gathering, but this recipe really elevates the dish in ways you wouldn't expect. Baked wings are easier to make (and, sans oil, are generally healthier), but still offer the same crispy crunch synonymous with the fried variety.
This recipe really packs in the flavors thanks to ingredients like honey, sesame, oil, ginger, and hoisin sauce, which offers a sweet and savory flavor profile. These baked wings take only an hour to prepare — and that includes prep time.
3. At-Home Chex Mix
Creating your own Chex mix allows for a wider selection of ingredients than picking up a box at the store. While this recipe features a specific list of cereals and other treats to be included, you're free to add others as you see fit. As for the flavor, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and assorted seasonings ensure a bold and flavorful snack perfect for all kinds of events.
Once the ingredients are mixed and seasoned, spread the Chex mix over a baking sheet and bake in the oven for one hour.
Recipe: At-Home Chex Mix
4. Easy Garlic Bread
Combining carbs and garlic is a surefire way to please palates at your next dinner party. Even better, this garlic bread recipe calls for relatively few ingredients: only a sliced baguette, parmesan cheese, and a mixture made from unsalted butter, parsley, and garlic cloves. But don't let the simplicity of the recipe fool you: this easy garlic bread is bursting with bold flavors.
Simply slather the baguette in the garlic-butter blend, pop it in the oven for ten minutes, and sprinkle with parmesan cheese when finished.
Recipe: Easy Garlic Bread
5. Classic (For A Reason) Deviled Eggs
You'd be hard-pressed to name a social gathering where deviled eggs aren't welcomed by most in attendance. Delicious and easy to prepare, this particular deviled eggs recipe should become a staple of your hors d'oeuvres selection.
In the spirit of laissez-farie, don't worry about using a complicated piping technique for the filling, you can use a spoon to easily fill the hardboiled eggs with the delectable mixture of yolk, mayo, mustard, and assorted seasonings.
6. Baked Ham And Cheese Sliders
While sliders traditionally include ground beef, there's no reason you can't swap in other ingredients to be the real hero. Take these ham and cheese sliders, for instance: They're wholesome and delicious, which makes them the perfect appetizer for an afternoon party. You can easily whip them up for a neighborhood potluck, which is sure to make you a beloved figure within your community.
In addition to ham and Swiss, this recipe also calls for crave-worthy Hawaiian rolls, Worcestershire sauce, and dried onions. And you can't beat a cook time of just 15 minutes.
Recipe: Baked Ham And Cheese Sliders
7. Easy Cowboy Caviar
Sure, yes, cowboy caviar is "caviar" in name only; this vegetable-forward chip dip features selections like pepper, corn, and tomatoes, as well as black beans and black-eyed peas. It's a fresh and lively alternative to salsa and pairs beautifully with your favorite brand of tortilla chips. Your guests can also enjoy it on the side or use it to top other dishes, such as tacos.
As for the preparation, all you need to do is ensure the ingredients are well-mixed, and after that, you're good to go.
Recipe: Easy Cowboy Caviar
8. Homemade Potato Chips
Perfect for snacking, this homemade potato chip recipe is also ideal when you want a side for burgers and dogs at your next cookout or neighborhood block party. With just three ingredients, virtually anyone can make these crunchy chips at any time. Once prepared, simply place the spuds into hot canola oil and fry for about four minutes, tops.
Homemade chips typically have a shelf-life of about three days when placed in an airtight container, so feel free to prepare them ahead of time.
Recipe: Homemade Potato Chips
9. Easy Baked Kale Chips
If you're seeking a healthy alternative to potato chips this summer, kale chips are an ideal selection. Crunchy and salty, kale chips take some of the guilt out of snacking.
This recipe also prevents food waste, whether you grow kale in your backyard or find that you bought too much on your last grocery store run. As for seasonings, granulated garlic, salt, and olive oil ensure these healthy chips hit all the right flavor notes.
Recipe: Easy Baked Kale Chips
10. Truffled French Fries
This recipe shows that it is indeed possible to improve upon actual perfection as long as you have the right ingredients at your disposal. Case in point? This recipe for truffled french fries. For this spin on a classic, truffle oil infuses these fried spuds with an unbelievable earthy flavor, and in, turn, a bit more complexity than your standard french fry.
The recipe calls for a 30-minute cold-water bath prior to frying. It's a step key to achieving the perfect texture, as the cold water eliminates starch from the spuds. You can even add other seasonings, like paprika, if you so desire.
Recipe: Truffled French Fries
11. Classic Jalapeño Poppers
A favorite appetizer at pizza shops and bars everywhere, this recipe for jalapeño poppers allows you to make your very own at home. From the crunchy outer layer (courtesy of seasoned breadcrumbs) to the creamy, spicy interior, fried food really doesn't get better than this. Or maybe it does, as when it comes to prep and cooking time, you'll only need to spend about 40 minutes total.
While the ingredients called for in this recipe are undoubtedly tasty, it's also easy to make substitutions; for example, you can always swap cream cheese for something like Cheddar, or use panko breadcrumbs for a flakier exterior.
Recipe: Classic Jalapeño Poppers
12. Foolproof Kettle Corn
Is it really a movie night without popcorn? If your answer to that question is "no," then this kettle corn recipe is a must for your snacking arsenal.
The key to kettle corn is coconut oil, which ensures that your popcorn is fully coated with salt and sugar. However, you must exercise caution when cooking the oil, sugar, and salt to prevent the mixture from burning. If you want a steady supply of kettle corn, all you need is an airtight container, as this hors d'oeuvre/elevated snack lasts up to three weeks.
Recipe: Foolproof Kettle Corn
13. Classic Fresh Guacamole
Doing double duty as both a spread and a dip, this guacamole recipe will serve you well in your kitchen and beyond. As it consists of only six ingredients, you can easily create a batch in 15 minutes or less.
Go the classic route and serve with tortilla tips or use guac as a taco topping or burrito accompaniment. In the event you have leftovers — which, let's be honest, is unlikely — simply store guacamole in the fridge, where it will keep for about two days.
Recipe: Classic Fresh Guacamole
14. Creamy Homemade Hummus
Lemon juice is a crucial part of what makes this homemade hummus recipe so fantastic. By blending tahini (a condiment consisting of sesame paste) with lemon juice, you'll achieve a bright and lively flavor that perfectly offsets the creaminess of the hummus. This recipe couldn't be easier, as it takes only five minutes to prepare.
While hummus is commonly served alongside pita bread or vegetables for dipping, it also works well on toast, or even as a component of salad dressing if you're seeking a non-dairy alternative.
Recipe: Creamy Homemade Hummus
15. Easy Baba Ganoush
Traditionally a Middle Eastern dish, baba ganoush consists of blended eggplant and assorted flavorings, among which include tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and seasonings. With a smooth, creamy texture similar to hummus, this recipe is the perfect accompaniment to chips, pita bread, and raw veggies.
If you want to go an unorthodox route for some mini-plates, baba ganoush can also be used as an alternative to pasta sauce. And thanks to the inclusion of fresh, wholesome ingredients, baba ganoush is a much healthier version of the dips you normally find at parties.
Recipe: Easy Baba Ganoush
16. Classic Fresh Pico De Gallo
Pico de gallo has a beautiful piquancy all its own thanks to the inclusion of fresh vegetables. Diced tomatoes, jalapeños, and onions combine with lime juice and cilantro to create a bright, citrusy flavor that pairs well with all sorts of dishes.
Though pairing pico de gallo with tortilla chips is a proven hit, it's also a welcome addition to Mexican dishes like tacos and burritos. For the best results, ensure all veggies are chopped into uniform pieces to keep the recipe balanced.
Recipe: Classic Fresh Pico De Gallo
17. Quick And Easy Shrimp Ceviche
Seafood enthusiasts are bound to fall in love with this shrimp ceviche recipe. The dish calls for cooked shrimp, unlike traditional ceviche, which makes it a little easier to prepare (since you won't need to wait for the lime juice to break down the proteins in the raw shrimp). Other ingredients include avocados, tomatoes, onions, peppers, and cucumbers, as well as seasonings and cilantro.
Shrimp ceviche is best eaten when freshly prepared, but the tastiness of this recipe means you probably won't have leftovers to worry about anyway.
Recipe: Quick And Easy Shrimp Ceviche
18. Dippable Crab Rangoon
If you feel there is no way to improve upon the perfection that is crab rangoon, you haven't been introduced to the dippable version of the beloved appetizer. Featuring the same ingredients as its predecessor — albeit in a deconstructed form — this recipe takes a zippy 35 minutes to prepare from start to finish.
As for the wonton wrappers that are integral to the crab rangoon experience? Don't worry, they're still there — you'll get to enjoy them in the form of chips. Accordingly, this recipe is as delicious to eat as it is fun to make.
Recipe: Dippable Crab Rangoon