10+ Party Appetizer Recipes Cold to Wow Your Guests

When planning a party, a variety of appetizers is key to impressing your guests. Cold appetizers are especially great because you can prepare them in advance. This leaves you free to enjoy the festivities.

These easy and delicious party appetizer recipes will make your gatherings memorable and enjoyable.

Whether you’re hosting a casual get-together or a more formal event, cold appetizers provide tasty options that cater to all preferences. From fresh veggies and dips to savory cheese platters, there is something for everyone to savor.

Embrace the joy of entertaining with simple recipes that will delight your friends and family.

1) Antipasto Platter

An antipasto platter is a colorful and tasty addition to any party. You can include a variety of items like cured meats, cheeses, olives, and marinated vegetables. This makes for a visually appealing dish that is easy for guests to enjoy.

To create your antipasto platter, start with a large board or platter. Arrange slices of Italian cured meats like salami and prosciutto. Then, add a mix of cheeses such as mozzarella and Parmesan.

Next, fill the spaces with olives, cherry tomatoes, and pickled vegetables. Feel free to include crackers or breadsticks for added variety.

This appetizer is not only delicious but also offers a variety of flavors and textures.

Ingredients

• Cured meats (salami, prosciutto)
• Cheeses (mozzarella, Parmesan)
• Olives (green or black)
• Cherry tomatoes
• Pickled vegetables
• Crackers or breadsticks

Cooking Instructions

1. Choose a large board or platter.
2. Arrange cured meats in sections.
3. Add cheese slices nearby.
4. Fill in gaps with olives and cherry tomatoes.
5. Include pickled vegetables for extra flavor.
6. Serve with crackers or breadsticks.

2) Marinated Cheese

Marinated cheese is a simple and delicious appetizer for your party. It combines cheese with herbs, spices, and oil, creating a tasty treat. You can use various types of cheese like mozzarella, feta, or havarti.

To prepare marinated cheese, start by cutting the cheese into cubes. Next, make a marinade with olive oil, vinegar, garlic, and your favorite herbs.

You can add sun-dried tomatoes or olives for extra flavor.

Let the cheese sit in the marinade for a few hours. This allows the flavors to blend together. Serve it cold with crackers or bread for a delightful snack.

Ingredients

• Cheese (mozzarella, feta, or havarti)
• Olive oil
• Vinegar
• Garlic
• Herbs (basil, parsley, oregano)
• Optional: sun-dried tomatoes, olives

Cooking Instructions

1. Cut the cheese into cubes.
2. Mix olive oil, vinegar, minced garlic, and herbs in a bowl.
3. Add the cheese and optional ingredients to the marinade.
4. Let it sit in the fridge for a few hours before serving.

3) Dill Deviled Eggs

Dill deviled eggs are a tasty and easy appetizer. They combine creamy filling with a hint of fresh dill, making them perfect for any gathering.

Start by boiling large eggs until they are hard-cooked. After cooling, peel the eggs and slice them in half.

In a bowl, mix the yolks with mayonnaise, mustard, and finely chopped fresh dill. Spoon the mixture back into the egg whites for a delightful treat.

These bite-sized snacks are simple to make and are always a hit at parties.

Ingredients

• 6 large eggs
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
• 2 teaspoons fresh dill, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil the eggs for 10-12 minutes in water.
2. Cool the eggs in ice water.
3. Peel and slice the eggs in half.
4. Mix yolks with mayonnaise, mustard, and dill.
5. Fill the egg whites with the mixture.
6. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

4) Spinach Dip

Spinach dip is a classic party appetizer that everyone loves. It’s creamy and full of flavor, making it perfect for dipping. You can serve it with crackers, fresh veggies, or bread.

To make an easy cold spinach dip, mix together cream cheese, sour cream, and ranch powder. Add in some chopped spinach and water chestnuts for extra crunch.

For a lighter version, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, onion powder, and garlic powder. This dip is quick to prepare and can be made ahead of time.

Ingredients

• 1 package cream cheese
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 packet ranch dressing mix
• 1 cup chopped spinach
• 1 cup water chestnuts, chopped (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix cream cheese and sour cream until smooth.
2. Stir in ranch dressing mix.
3. Add chopped spinach and water chestnuts.
4. Chill before serving with your favorite dippers.

5) Pesto-Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes

Pesto-stuffed cherry tomatoes are a delicious and easy appetizer for any party. They are colorful and refreshing, making them a great choice for summer gatherings. You can serve them cold or at room temperature, which is handy for entertaining.

To make these tasty bites, simply hollow out cherry tomatoes and fill them with pesto. You can use store-bought pesto or make your own at home. For an extra touch, consider adding cream cheese for a creamy texture.

These little treats are perfect for sharing and add a pop of flavor to your appetizers table.

Ingredients

• 12 cherry tomatoes
• 1/2 cup pesto
• 4 ounces cream cheese (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) if you choose to warm them.
2. Hollow out each cherry tomato.
3. Mix pesto and cream cheese in a bowl (if using).
4. Stuff each tomato with the pesto mixture.
5. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to enjoy.

6) Vietnamese Spring Rolls

Vietnamese spring rolls are a fresh and tasty choice for any party appetizer. These rolls are made using rice paper, filled with shrimp, crunchy veggies, and herbs. They are light and perfect for warm weather.

You can serve these rolls with a delicious peanut sauce or a tangy dipping sauce. They are easy to prepare and fun to eat, making them a hit at gatherings.

Ingredients

• Rice paper wrappers
• Cooked shrimp
• Rice vermicelli noodles
• Fresh herbs (like mint and cilantro)
• Cucumber
• Carrots
• Peanut sauce or nuoc cham

Cooking Instructions

1. Soak rice paper wrappers in warm water for a few seconds until soft.
2. Lay the wrapper flat on a plate.
3. Add a few shrimp, a small amount of noodles, and slices of cucumber and carrot.
4. Add fresh herbs to the filling.
5. Roll tightly, folding in the sides as you go.
6. Serve with peanut sauce or nuoc cham for dipping.

7) Smoked Salmon Bites

Smoked salmon bites are a tasty and elegant choice for your party. They’re easy to prepare and packed with flavor.

Start with crisp cucumber slices as a base. Spread some creamy cheese mixed with herbs on top. Then, layer the smoked salmon over it.

You can add fresh dill and capers for an extra touch. These bites look great on a platter and are sure to impress your guests.

Ingredients

• 1 cucumber
• 4 ounces cream cheese
• 4 ounces smoked salmon
• Fresh dill
• Capers

Cooking Instructions

1. Slice the cucumber into thick rounds.
2. Mix cream cheese with dill.
3. Spread the cream cheese mixture on each cucumber slice.
4. Top with a piece of smoked salmon.
5. Garnish with capers and extra dill.

8) Cucumber Sandwiches

Cucumber sandwiches are a refreshing choice for your party. They are easy to make and look elegant on any platter. You can use soft bread, cream cheese, and thinly sliced cucumbers to create these tasty bites.

To add flavor, mix cream cheese with herbs or seasonings. This adds a nice touch to your sandwiches. Assemble by spreading the mixture on the bread and layering the cucumber slices on top. Finally, cut them into small pieces for easy serving.

These sandwiches are light and perfect for any gathering. Your guests will enjoy their crisp and creamy taste.

Ingredients

• Soft bread (white or whole wheat)
• Cream cheese
• Fresh cucumbers
• Optional herbs or seasonings

Cooking Instructions

1. Spread cream cheese on one side of each bread slice.
2. Slice cucumbers thinly.
3. Layer cucumber slices on half of the bread.
4. Top with another slice of bread, cream cheese side down.
5. Cut into small squares or triangles.

9) Bruschetta with Tomato and Basil

Bruschetta with tomato and basil is a fresh and tasty appetizer. It’s simple to make and always a crowd-pleaser. You can prepare it quickly for your guests.

Start with toasted slices of fresh bread. Add a mixture of ripe tomatoes, chopped basil, and minced garlic. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar for extra flavor.

Let the mixture sit for a few minutes to blend the flavors before topping the bread. Serve it at room temperature for the best taste. Your friends will love the bright colors and delicious taste!

Ingredients

• 1 French baguette or Italian bread
• 2 cups ripe tomatoes, diced
• 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Slice the bread and toast it in the oven until golden.
3. In a bowl, mix the tomatoes, basil, garlic, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper.
4. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes.
5. Top the toasted bread with the tomato mixture and serve.

10) Stuffed Mini Peppers

Stuffed mini peppers make a colorful and tasty party appetizer. They are easy to prepare and can be enjoyed cold or baked warm. You can fill them with a variety of ingredients.

A popular filling is cream cheese mixed with herbs and spices. This combination creates a creamy texture that pairs well with the crispness of the peppers. You can also add cheddar cheese for extra flavor.

These bites are not only delicious but also healthy. They look great on any platter and are sure to impress your guests.

Ingredients

• Mini sweet peppers
• Cream cheese
• Cheddar cheese (optional)
• Chives
• Spices (like garlic powder and onion powder)

Cooking Instructions

1. Wash the mini peppers and slice them in half lengthwise.
2. In a bowl, mix cream cheese, cheddar cheese, chives, and spices.
3. Fill each pepper half with the cheese mixture.
4. You can serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator until ready to enjoy.