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Dips and Appetizers

These dips and appetizers always hit the mark, whether you’re hosting a holiday gathering, bringing a dish to a party, or just need a quick snack to keep everyone happy until dinner. These easy appetizer recipes are tried and true favorites that I’ve tested again and again. Think crowd-pleasing, easy dip recipes made with pantry staples, and easy, simple appetizers recipes that are fast, flavorful, and fuss-free.

From warm, cheesy dips to no-fail finger foods, these recipes are the kind of starters that disappear fast (so you might want to make a double batch!). And when the holidays roll around, our lineup of holiday appetizers makes entertaining feel effortless. Whether you’re looking for the best holiday appetizers to impress your guests or something simple that comes together last minute, I’ve got you covered.

Here are some of my favorites: Redneck caviar, Italian hoagie dip, and sweet potato appetizer with bacon and avocado 

A white bowl filled with creamy dill dip garnished with fresh dill, with chips visible in the background.

Dill Dip

A hand holding a chip with the cream cheese corn dip.

Cream Cheese Corn Dip

Slices of salami arranged in the shape of roses with green olives on a white plate, perfect for anyone learning how to make salami roses for an elegant appetizer.

How to Make Salami Roses

Hot Honey Chicken Strips

A plate of golden-brown homemade tater tots is surrounded by bowls of chopped herbs, red chili flakes, black pepper, and a dish of red sauce on a textured white surface.

Homemade Tater Tots (Air Fried)

A bowl of creamy Peanut Butter Dip topped with chocolate chips and peanut butter cups, surrounded by apples and a glass of milk on a striped cloth.

Peanut Butter Dip

A plate of golden-brown Fried Mashed Potato Cakes garnished with herbs, served with a small dish of sour cream topped with chopped herbs.

Fried Mashed Potato Cakes

A bowl of sliced Crock Pot Kielbasa coated in barbecue sauce, garnished with herbs, sits on a red-patterned napkin with pepper and salt mills in the background.

Sweet and Spicy Crock Pot Kielbasa Bites

A white pedestal bowl filled with rich edible brownie batter topped with chocolate chips, set on a white textured surface.

Edible Brownie Batter

A white plate with several glazed Slow Cooker Chicken Wings garnished with herbs, placed on a light-colored woven placemat.

Honey Chipotle Slow Cooker Chicken Wings

A plate of crispy Panko Shrimp served with shredded cabbage, with dipping sauces in small bowls in the background.

Fried Panko Shrimp

A white plate with five golden brown garnished with herbs, sits on a blue cloth atop a stone surface.

Baked Ham and Cheese Roll Ups

Stuffed Mini Peppers halved and filled with a creamy cheese mixture, topped with crispy bacon bits, are beautifully arranged on a wooden serving board.

Cream Cheese Stuffed Mini Peppers with Bacon

A close-up of a spinach casserole inspired by an Artichoke and Spinach Dip Recipe, topped with chopped pecans and croutons, with a portion removed to reveal the creamy spinach filling.

Artichoke and Spinach Dip

Close-up of a cheesy baked Pepperoni Dip, topped with tomato sauce, mini pepperoni slices, grated cheese, and fresh parsley.

Pepperoni Dip

A spoonful of creamy Salsa and Cream Cheese Dip, topped with shredded cheese and chopped green onions, held above a bowl brimming with more of this delicious dip.

Salsa and Cream Cheese Dip

A plate of Pepper Jelly Pinwheels filled with cheese, bacon, and green onions is stacked on a white plate, with salt and pepper shakers in the background.

Pepper Jelly Pinwheels

A bowl of creamy Cottage Cheese Buffalo Chicken Dip topped with blue cheese crumbles, garnished with parsley, served with crisp celery sticks on the side.

Cottage Cheese Buffalo Chicken Dip

Two deviled eggs without mayonnaise, topped with paprika, are served on a white plate.

Deviled Eggs without Mayonnaise

A cranberry cheesecake crescent roll with a bite taken out.

Cranberry Cheesecake Crescent Rolls

A spoon holding a thick, creamy white Tiger Sauce hovers over a bowl filled with the same tangy, flavorful sauce.

Tiger Sauce

A bowl of corn salad with chopped red onion and green herbs, inspired by a Chipotle Corn Salsa Recipe, with an ear of corn, a red onion, and cilantro in the background.

Copycat Chipotle Corn Salsa

A bowl of Black Bean and Corn Salsa with chopped tomatoes, red onion, and herbs, garnished with lime wedges and surrounded by crispy tortilla chips.

Black Bean and Corn Salsa

A glass jar filled with sliced Cowboy Candy pickled jalapeños in liquid, placed on a white cloth with a black grid pattern.

Cowboy Candy (Candied Jalapenos)

Bowl of cookie dough dip with side of vanilla wafers and a red stripe napkin

5 Minute Chocolate Chip Dip

A white dish filled with several Mini Pigs in a Blanket, small sausages wrapped in golden-brown pastry, sits on a marble surface next to a striped cloth.

Mini Pigs in a Blanket

Close up on the meat.

Sweet and Spicy Wings

A white plate with florets, set on a gray surface with a striped cloth and garlic visible in the background.

Air Fryer Fried Cauliflower

Mozzarella Thyme Pull Apart Pizza Bread stacked on a dish.

Pull Apart Pizza Bread

A white bowl of the air fryer gnocchi.

Air Fryer Gnocchi

The garlic and herb spread on a bagel.

Garlic and Herb Cheese Spread

Bacon Ranch Crack Bread

Bacon Ranch Pull Apart Bread

A dish of the air fryer pasta chips.

Air Fryer Pasta Chips

A bowl of golden-brown Air Fryer Cauliflower Wings, garnished with chopped green onions.

Air Fryer Cauliflower Wings

A bowl of crunchy snacks.

Air Fryer Chickpeas

Tarts with golden crusts are arranged on a black serving tray atop a red and white checkered surface, alongside the appetizer.

Blueberry Mini Brie Bites

A bowl of the finished snack.

Baked Cinnamon Tortilla Chips (Churro Chips)

Cream cheese filled mushrooms are delicately topped with a creamy filling and garnished with chopped parsley, all elegantly arranged on a white plate.

Sausage Cream Cheese Filled Mushrooms

A bowl of dill pickle hummus topped with chopped pickles, whole chickpeas, and olive oil, surrounded by pieces of pita bread.

Dill Pickle Hummus

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Christina Hitchcock NY Times Best Selling Author and recipe developer behind It Is a Keeper

Hi, I'm Christina!

I'm a New York Times bestselling author and recipe developer behind It Is a Keeper. I've been testing and keeping recipes since 2010 — so you don't have to wonder if it'll work. If it's on IAK, it made the cut.

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