The 25 Best Foods to Bring to a Party Gallery

The best guests at any casual gathering know that you should not show up empty handed. If you’re invited somewhere, you bring along a small token of your gratitude, be it a bottle of wine or a small gift themed to the occasion. However, we feel like the best guests bring one thing: A dish to share.

Of course, you can’t just bring any old food with you. You need something that will win the party. Luckily, we have the 25 best foods to bring to any party, from appetizer to side dish to dessert. These recipes are not only crowd-pleasers, but they’re also easy to put together and travel well. It’s the perfect trifecta for the ultimate party dish.

Who doesn’t love a chicken wing? This Asian-inspired recipe is prepared all in one pot, so it’s easy to prepare and take to your celebration.

For Andrew Zimmern’s 1-Pot Sticky Chicken Wings recipe, click here.

So, you’ve been tasked with bringing the salad. But that doesn’t have to be a bummer! This earthy, sweet, zesty salad is full of surprising flavors and colors.

For the Apple Beet Ginger Salad recipe, click here.

Beet hummus is not only a beautiful color — its earthy, smooth flavor is the perfect accompaniment to any plate of food.

For the Beet Hummus recipe, click here.

People underestimate coleslaw. However, when you bring this to the party, they won’t anymore. With a slight Asian influence, this texture-filled umami bomb will outshine whatever else is on the plate.

For the Best Coleslaw Ever recipe, click here.

Pie is the best dessert, hands down. This Reese’s-inspired pie makes a fan favorite even better with a delicious chocolate and peanut butter filling.

For the Buckeye Pie recipe, click here.

Even the most novice home cook can make Buffalo chicken dip, and everyone loves it. We don’t need to say anything else about this iconic party dip.

For the Buffalo Chicken Dip recipe, click here.

Stuffed mushrooms are playful, easy to transport, and actually a relatively healthy appetizer option. With spicy chorizo sausage and plenty of cheese, no one will be able to resist these.

For the Chorizo Stuffed Mushrooms recipe, click here.

There’s any number of patriotic holidays. Whether you’re celebrating the Fourth of July, Memorial Day, or just love the USA, a flag pie is always appropriate.

For the Flag Pie recipe, click here.

Potato skins are the ultimate party dish, but sometimes they can feel a bit lowbrow. Not these. With cremini mushrooms, Brie cheese, fresh thyme, and prosciutto, this is a truly classy snack.

For Guy Fieri’s Elevated Potato Skins recipe, click here.

Pressed for time? Don’t worry! These crescent roll-ups will be done in under 20 minutes and are the perfect party pleaser for guests of all ages.

For the Ham and Cheese Crescent Roll-Ups recipe, click here.

No party is complete without guacamole. Thanks to a smoky, roasted jalapeño, fresh garlic, and chopped cilantro, this guac is truly a religious experience.

For the Holy Guacamole recipe, click here.

A homemade chip and dip combination is always going to sound impressive, but this is a cinch to make. The secret? Bottled roasted red peppers. They pack an insane amount of flavor and require zero effort on your part.

For the Homemade Pita Chips With Red Pepper Dip recipe, click here.

Deep-fried macaroni and cheese is always going to get the party going. These fries are no different, though with a homemade cheese sauce, they are spectacular.

For the Mac and Cheese Fries recipe, click here.

The universe needs balance, and so does your salsa. With fresh mango and flaming hot habanero peppers, this dip is a little sweet, a little spicy, and everything you need to bring to a party.

For the Mango Habanero Salsa recipe, click here.

Is there anything more delightful than a cheesecake? Yes! A cheesecake infused with rosé and fresh blackberries.

For the No-Bake Rosé Cheesecake recipe, click here.

People think crab cakes are really difficult to execute, but they couldn’t be simpler. With fresh crab and a delightful fresh dill sauce, these crab cakes will make you the belle of the ball.

For the Pan-Fried Crab Cakes With Dill Sauce recipe, click here.

Being in charge of dessert is a tall task. You don’t want something dull, but you don’t want something too sugary. This take on a pecan pie is the perfect balance of elegant and sweet.

For the Pecan Squares recipe, click here.

If you’re going to a potluck brunch, these mini frittatas are the best thing to bring thanks to their classic combination of potatoes, ham, mushrooms, and cheese.

For the Potato and Ham Mini Frittatas recipe, click here.

Beer batter? Forget it! These onion rings are made in a batter with prosecco, giving a crisp lightness that is unmatched. This is the perfect game day dish.

For the Prosecco Battered Onion Rings recipe, click here.

Is there a dessert more reminiscent of childhood than a s’more? This pretty parfait plays on the flavors of graham cracker, chocolate, and marshmallow in a new way.

For the S’more Parfait recipe, click here.

A slow-cooker is the perfect way to make a low-effort party dish that’s easily transportable. Throw this dish together the night before your event, and you are good to go.

For the Screamin’ Good Carnitas recipe, click here.

We seriously love handheld presentations for entertaining. These chicken lollipops are so easy to hold and eat, people will be munching on them all day long.

For the Sesame Chicken Lollipops recipe, click here.

Swedish meatballs are a classic party food. Give them a modern twist by skewering them to make them super grab-able and snack-able.

For the Skewered Swedish Meatballs recipe, click here.

You only need four common pantry ingredients for these savory little bites. Though these are a Southern holiday classic, they’re really perfect for any time of the year.

For the Southern Sausage Balls recipe, click here.

For a spicy, smoky twist on a party classic, add some heat and candied bacon to your deviled eggs. These certainly aren’t your mama’s appetizers.

For the Sriracha Deviled Eggs With Candied Bacon recipe, click here.

Now that you know the absolute best foods to bring to a party, here are the 25 worst foods you could bring.