32 Best Make-Ahead Appetizers for Easy Entertaining
Spend more time with your guests and less time in the kitchen.
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It doesn't matter if you've been planning a party for ages or just have a few days to prepare: These make-ahead appetizers will come in handy when you need them most. Because let's face it, entertaining for a crowd can stress out even seasoned hosts. Plus, you'll be able to spend more time mingling with your guests. According to Ree Drummond, that's exactly what your party should be about: "Your friends and family are coming over to spend time with you! Stick with basics that are easy to throw together," she says.
Luckily, these easy appetizers will put any worries you have about hosting at bay. The key to these make-ahead appetizers is finding the recipe that you can prep almost entirely ahead. Whether it's party dips that can be stored in the fridge or freezer-friendly ideas that simply need to be heated up before serving, this list has tons of solutions for stress-free entertaining.
Plus, these make-ahead appetizers can work for just about any occasion—including festive holiday parties, game day tailgates, or simply a weekend get-together with friends. That stash of sausage rolls in the freezer or the caramelized onion dip that you made a few nights before will be your saving grace no matter who stops by. All you need to do is whip up a big batch cocktail and you'll feel like a pro at hosting in no time!
Antipasto Skewers
Instead of worrying about putting out a fancy charcuterie board, put your meat, cheese, and veggies on skewers instead. Assemble up to a day in advance and just wait to drizzle the balsamic glaze until right before you serve.
Get the Antipasto Skewers recipe.
Pesto Feta Dip
Three ingredients is all you need to make this flavorful dip: premade pesto, feta cheese, and plain Greek yogurt. Make it up to two days in advance and just give it a good stir before serving.
Get Ree's Pesto Feta Dip recipe.
Green Goddess Salad
You might think a salad would get wilted and soggy if you make it in advance, but not this one! A base of sugar snap peas, green onions, cucumber, and cabbage will stay crunchy for three days.
Get the Green Goddess Salad recipe.
Cheese Straws
While cheese straws are best when they're freshly baked, you can still do all of the prep in advance. You can freeze them unbaked for up to one month, and just let them thaw in the fridge for one hour before baking.
Get Ree's Cheese Straws recipe.
Little Smokies
Slow cookers are a great idea for appetizers, because not only do you make them ahead of time but then they stay warm for the party, too. And who doesn't love little cocktail wieners swimming in tangy-sweet sauce?
Get Ree's Little Smokies recipe.
Beet Walnut Goat Cheese Dip
It's hard to beet a three-ingredient dip, especially one that comes out so naturally pretty. Bonus: You can stash it in the fridge for two days. Just reserve the walnut sprinkle on top for serving.
Get Ree's Beet Walnut Goat Cheese Dip recipe.
Cheese-Stuffed Baby Peppers
You only need mini sweet bell peppers, herbed cheese spread, and a sprinkle of chopped chives to make these bites. They're so easy that you probably don't need to make prep in advance, but you absolutely can and just refrigerate them.
Get Ree's Cheese-Stuffed Baby Peppers recipe.
Shrimp Cocktail
The great thing about shrimp cocktail, besides being a scrumptious crowd-pleaser, is that you need to cook it in advance because the shrimp need time to cool. They'll last a few day in the fridge.
Get Ree's Shrimp Cocktail recipe.
Bloody Mary Dip
Get everything you love about the classic brunch cocktail in one bite! You can make it up to one day in advance and just wait to top it with the olives when you're ready to serve.
Get the Bloody Mary Dip recipe.
Spinach Puffs
While these cheesy bites are best served hot, you can make them in advance and stash them in the fridge or freezer. When you're ready to serve, you can pop them in an air fryer or oven for a few minutes to warm up.
Get the Spinach Puffs recipe.
Gougères
Keep a stash of these bite-sized cheese puffs in your freezer and you'll be ready for anything! They only take about 10 minutes to reheat.
Get the Gougères recipe.
Olive Tapenade
This spread is zippy and briny making it the perfect addition to a charcuterie board or a goat cheese crostini platter. Though it only takes 10 minutes to make, you can also whip it up three days in advance to let the flavors have time to mingle.
Get the Olive Tapenade recipe.
Caramelized Onion Dip
This is not your average onion dip! It has rich caramelized onions to give it even more flavor. Plus, it's one of those dips that seems to taste better and better the longer it sits in the fridge.
Get the Caramelized Onion Dip recipe.
Spinach Artichoke Dip
This cheesy dip is the ultimate crowd-pleaser. It can be assembled in the casserole dish the night before you need it, then just pop it in the fridge and bake it right before it's time to serve.
Get the Spinach Artichoke Dip recipe.
Ham and Cheese Pinwheels
Grab a package of store-bought crescent roll dough to make this easy snack. You can slice the pinwheels and store them in the freezer, then bake them when you're ready to serve.
Get the Ham and Cheese Pinwheels recipe.
Potato Skins
This popular bar snack is totally customizable. Prepare them part of the way through, then get creative with the toppings when it's time to party.
Get Ree's Potato Skins recipe.
Sausage Rolls
These flaky bites are similar to pigs in a blanket with with a filling of hearty sausage and smoky, salty bacon instead. You can bake them straight from frozen so they couldn't be easier.
Get the Sausage Rolls recipe.
Shrimp Dip
Make this creamy party dip the night before your big bash and store it in the fridge overnight. You'll feel like a pro-host when you serve it up with cocktail sauce on top and crackers for dipping.
Get the Shrimp Dip recipe.
Apple Butter Cheese Twists
These flaky cheese twists have an unexpected sweetness from the layer of apple butter. The best part? You can freeze the unbaked twists for up to a month so they're ready at a moment's notice.
Get the Apple Butter Cheese Twists recipe.
Deviled Eggs
For the Drummond family, it wouldn't be a party without deviled eggs. Luckily, they're one of the easiest snacks to make in advance. Just store them on an adorable deviled egg plate wrapped in plastic wrap.
Get the Deviled Eggs recipe.
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