15 Graduation Party Appetizers That Will Disappear Fast
Diploma-worthy dips, bites, and more!
After the final grades have been turned in and your student has walked across the stage at commencement to collect their diploma, there’s one thing left to do: celebrate that once-in-a-lifetime milestone with a graduation party! Graduation parties are all about mingling, grazing, and celebrating all day long, which is why appetizers work so well. Guests tend to come and go, snack between conversations, and circle back to the food table more than once, which means one thing: the food needs to be ready to go the distance.
Along with your other graduation party foods (including, of course, a show-stopping graduation party dessert), preparing a spread of easy, crowd-pleasing appetizers is must, so you’re prepared to keep everyone fed and happy no matter when they drop by. These graduation party appetizers are the perfect send-off for your graduate! Think party dips and salsas, crispy finger foods, and a few appetizers that you can make ahead of time. All of them are big on flavor and low on stress—and that’s exactly the way it should be for their last hurrah before heading off into the real world.
Melon Feta Skewers
So refreshing and easy to assemble! Prep the melon and feta cubes ahead of time, and store separately in the fridge. Assemble with basil and top with a drizzle of balsamic glaze just before serving.
Get Ree’s Melon Feta Skewers recipe.
Deviled Eggs with Candied Bacon
A classic party appetizer, this version gets a serious upgrade with candied bacon. Coated in brown sugar, cayenne, and black pepper, the crispy bacon adds a sweet-smoky flavor to the creamy deviled egg filling.
Get Ree’s Deviled Eggs with Candied Bacon recipe.
Antipasto Skewers
These handheld skewers are the perfect snack for mingling at any party! Each one stacks charcuterie board favorites like salami, cheese, and pickled veggies.
Get the Antipasto Skewers recipe.
Pigs in a Blanket
A popular app since the 1950s, cocktail sausages wrapped in store-bought pastry are topped with everything bagel seasoning for a modern twist. Serve with homemade dips for even more flavor.
Get the Pigs in a Blanket recipe.
Cowboy Caviar
Cowboy caviar is packed with black-eyed peas, black beans, fresh veggies, and a little jalapeño heat. It comes together in just 15 minutes, but tastes even better after the flavors have time to mingle.
Get the Cowboy Caviar recipe.
Bacon Cheese Straws
This is one of Ree’s favorite savory snacks to serve: bacon cheese straws! They’re flaky, crispy, a tad sweet, and just spicy enough for a little kick.
Get Ree’s Bacon Cheese Straws recipe.
Grilled BBQ Chicken Nachos
Kids, no matter how old they get, love nachos! Prep them inside, then take these nachos to the grill for a smoky, flavor-packed appetizer. Pile on all the toppings for a tasty finish.
Get Ree’s Grilled BBQ Chicken Nachos recipe.
Cocktail Meatballs
Ree’s take on the classic party food? She combines chili sauce, apricot preserves, soy sauce, and sriracha for the perfect sweet-and-spicy balance.
See the Cocktail Meatballs recipe.
Muffuletta Pinwheels
Here’s a bite-sized take on the famous New Orleans sandwich: these pinwheels are rolled with layers of ham, mortadella, salami, green olive salad, and cream cheese.
Get Ree’s Muffuletta Pinwheels recipe.
7-Layer Dip
Pull out your best serving bowl for this one. This hearty dip combines beans, cheddar, sour cream, guacamole, Monterey Jack, black olives, and pico de gallo. Pair with plenty of chips for scooping.
Get Ree’s 7-Layer Dip recipe.
Little Smokies
Little smokies are the ultimate party finger food. Simmered in a sweet-and-savory sauce, these bite-size sausages are pure nostalgia in every bite.
Get Ree’s Little Smokies recipe.
Dill Pickle Dip
Pickle fans will agree that this dip is a “keeper,” as Ree says. Made with fresh dill, this pickle dip is creamy, tangy and made for potato chips and crisp veggies.
Get Ree’s Dill Pickle Dip recipe.
Marinated Cheese
Marinated cheese is creamy, tangy, and made for grazing with crackers. Just layer the cheese, pour over the herby marinade, and let the fridge do the rest!
Get the Marinated Cheese recipe.
Pull-Apart Chicken Parm Sliders
Frozen chicken nuggets make these sliders quick and easy to throw together. Just layer them with marinara, melty cheese, and pesto on soft rolls for a tasty party bite.
Get Ree’s Pull-Apart Chicken Parm Sliders recipe.
Million Dollar Dip
One scoop of this delicious dip and you’ll understand the name! Packed with creamy cheese, crispy bacon, crunchy nuts, and green onions, it’s a rich, crowd-pleasing party dip that disappears fast.
Get the Million Dollar Dip recipe.
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