30 Retro Party Appetizers That Feel Straight Out of the Good Old Days
Love 'em just as much as you did in the '70s and '80s.
If there's one thing we love around here, it's a good excuse to throw a party! And what's a party without some seriously good snacks? Enter: retro appetizers. These easy appetizers take you straight back to the best kind of gatherings, where someone probably had a camcorder, the music was a little too loud, and the snack spread sat proudly on the kitchen counter like it was a centerpiece. We're talking deviled eggs, shrimp cocktail, and pigs in a blanket—the finger foods that seemed to appear at every buffet table in the '70s and '80s and somehow still disappear first today! Ree Drummond has always understood this truth: give people something warm and cheesy in bite-sized form, and everyone is best friends. (That's why half the party always happens in the kitchen!)
From party dips like Rotel and sausage dip to fancy appetizers like crab-stuffed mushrooms and bacon-wrapped dates, these old-school favorites are guaranteed crowd-pleasers. And let's not forget the sweet stuff! No retro spread would be complete without ambrosia salad or chocolate fondue. (Yes, you can serve desserts as appetizers.) Best of all, these recipes are easy to make and there are plenty of make-ahead appetizers to save you time. So break out the vintage serving platters and whip up a few of these nostalgic bites. Your guests (and their tastebuds) will thank you! And if you're really feeling old school, finish the night off with a spread of nostalgic desserts.
Shrimp Cocktail
Shrimp cocktail is a party staple that always pleases a crowd. Ree Drummond's version adds extra flavor by simmering the shrimp with lemon, garlic, and Old Bay before chilling. Just serve with a tangy cocktail sauce and watch them disappear!
Get Ree's Shrimp Cocktail recipe.
Porcupine Meatballs
This Depression Era comfort food serves as a great party appetizer! The ground beef meatballs are bound with uncooked rice, which pokes out just like the quills of a porcupine (hence, the name). Serve with grilled bread or toothpicks for a quick bite.
Get the Porcupine Meatballs recipe.
Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs have been a party staple for decades, and for good reason! This classic version is perfectly creamy, tangy, and impossible to stop at just one. Ree swears they're dangerous to have around—and she's not wrong!
Get Ree's Deviled Eggs recipe.
Potato Skins
Potato skins are the ultimate throwback snack. They're crispy, cheesy, and loaded with all the best toppings. Ree's been making them forever, and they're just as good now as they were in the '80s.
Get Ree's Potato Skins recipe.
Rotel Dip
Rotel dip is a party classic for a reason: it's warm, cheesy, and packed with flavor. This version adds ground beef and a touch of smoky spice for extra flavor. Serve it straight from the slow cooker with plenty of tortilla chips, and let the snacking begin!
Get Ree's Rotel Dip recipe.
Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms
Crab-stuffed mushrooms never fail to impress. Roasting the mushrooms first keeps them firm enough to hold the creamy crab filling, which comes together with budget-friendly lump crabmeat, cream cheese, and seasonings. Make them once and you'll be bringing them to every holiday party!
Get the Crab-Stuff Mushrooms recipe.
Million Dollar Dip
Cream cheese and cheddar get stirred with mayo, bacon, toasted slivered almonds, and plenty of green onion. Chill it and set out bagel chips or buttery crackers and thank us later!
Get Ree's Million Dollar Dip recipe.
Mini Beef Wellington Bites
Beef Wellington has always been a dinner-party showpiece, but these little bites make it easy to share. Each piece of filet gets a quick sear, then it’s wrapped in puff pastry with a mushroom-and-onion filling seasoned with thyme and Dijon (and yes, horseradish cream sauce on the side is a very good idea).
Get Ree's Mini Beef Wellington Bites recipe.
Hot Corn Dip
Put this in the oven and you’ll hear the chip-bag crinkling from across the room. Sweet corn, diced peppers, green chiles, and a jalapeño get folded into a creamy mix with cream cheese, sour cream, mayo, and Monterey Jack, then baked until bubbling.
Get Ree's Hot Corn Dip recipe.
Cheese Straws
Twisty cheese straws are a retro party move for a reason: they vanish one by one while people talk! Puff pastry does all the work here, with sharp white cheddar, parmesan, cayenne, and a scatter of black and white sesame seeds baked right into those golden spirals.
Get Ree's Cheese Straws recipe.
French Onion Dip
Every throwback spread needs onion dip parked next to a pile of potato chips. This one comes together fast with sour cream, dried chopped onion, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and a little parsley—then it just needs a chill so the dried onion softens up.
Get the French Onion Dip recipe.
Pimento Cheese Thumbprint Crackers
Thumbprint cookies have nothing on these savory little crackers! The dough is packed with sharp cheddar and pimentos (plus a pinch of chipotle chile powder), and each one gets a tiny spoonful of pepper jelly right before serving.
Pimento Cheese
Pimento cheese is party insurance, because everyone's guaranteed to love it. Ree’s version uses sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, and cream cheese with pimentos, Dijon, a touch of adobo sauce, and fresh dill.
Get Ree's Pimento Cheese recipe.
Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Thingies
Halved jalapeños get stuffed with cream cheese, wrapped in bacon, and secured with a toothpick—three ingredients, and they’re as simple as it gets. Keep a few seeds for heat, scrape them out for mild, and make more than you think you’ll need.
Get Ree's Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Thingies recipe.
Homemade Corn Dogs
Corn dogs bring the state-fair nostalgia straight to the snack table. Skewer the hot dogs, dip them in a cornmeal batter sweetened with honey, fry until golden, and set out ketchup and mustard for dunking.
Get the Homemade Corn Dogs recipe.
Waldorf Salad
Waldorf salad is a true classic with crisp apples, celery, and toasted walnuts tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing. It's fresh, simple, and just fancy enough to make any meal feel a little more special. Serve it as an easy starter at your next gathering.
Get the Waldorf Salad recipe.
Crab Rangoon
Crab rangoons are stuffed with a filling that combines imitation crab, cream cheese, and a hint of jalapeño for just the right amount of kick. Once fried to golden perfection, these little pockets of goodness are impossible to resist—so you might want to make a double batch.
Get the Crab Rangoon recipe.
Ambrosia Salad
Ambrosia salad is the sweet and fluffy throwback dish that always finds a place at the table. With juicy fruit, marshmallows, and coconut flakes all mixed into a creamy base, it's a dessert disguised as a salad. Translation: it's totally acceptable for breakfast, brunch, or any appetizer spread.
Get the Ambrosia Salad recipe.
Pigs in a Blanket
Pigs in a blanket prove that sometimes the simplest snacks are the best. Mini sausages wrapped in buttery dough make for an easy and crowd-pleasing bite that disappears fast. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauces and watch them go even faster.
Get the Pigs in a Blanket recipe.
Quiche Lorraine
Quiche Lorraine is a brunch favorite for a reason. The combination of crispy bacon, creamy filling, and flaky crust makes it an easy and delicious way to get your morning fill. Serve it warm or at room temperature alongside coffee or mimosas for a simple yet satisfying appetizer.
Get the Quiche Lorraine recipe.
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