16 Last Minute Party Snacks and Appetizers

Keep last minute guests fed, entertained, and happy.

By
Katie Morford, MS, RD
Katie Morford
Katie Morford, MS, RD
Katie is a culinary dietitian with a master's degree in clinical nutrition. She has 25 years of experience as a recipe developer, writer, and teacher.
Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
and
Sara Bir
Sara Bir
Sara Bir
Sara is a chef, culinary educator, and author of three cookbooks, The Pocket Pawpaw Cookbook, Tasting Ohio and The Fruit Forager's Companion. The latter won a 2019 IACP Cookbook Award.
Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
Updated November 25, 2024
Last minute snacks and apps

In my experience, the best get-togethers are often done on the fly: a spontaneous dinner party, a Sunday potluck planned one day ahead, a last-minute holiday gathering. The question of what to serve is almost an afterthought since it’s more about making merry than having everything “just so.”

These 16 last minute party snacks and appetizers are just the thing when you want to gather, but don't have a lot of time to plan. You’ll find recipes that range from entirely unfussy to just a bit fancy. And all of them are easy enough to do an hour or so before guests arrive. 

Since it’s always nice to have a few festive tricks up your sleeve, here are some ideas to get the party started. 

  • Offer a signature cocktail. Rather than having a full bar, offer a single fabulous cocktail that you can prep ahead and pour as needed. It elevates any party and can be as simple as a glass of Prosecco with a splash of pomegranate juice (or get inspired with our cocktail recipes). 
  • Get out the good stuff. It’s high time you stop saving your wedding china or prettiest platter for the right occasion. There’s no easier way to dress up the simplest snack or appetizer! You’ve got the goods, now is the time to show them off.  
  • Minimize dishware. Not into post-party clean up? Stick with finger foods, such as Boursin Stuffed Mushrooms or Kimchi Deviled Eggs that require little more than a cocktail napkin. 
  • Fill in with quick fixes. In addition to from-scratch snacks, feel free to rely on store-bought hummus and pre-cut veggies, a jar of good olives (warm them on the stove with a few strips of lemon peel), pre-made tapenade with crackers, and soft goat cheese drizzled with olive oil. 

  • Deviled Eggs

    Overhead view of a platter of Classic Deviled Eggs.
    Kelly Hamilton

    Right now you may have in your fridge everything you need to make 24 delectable deviled eggs that will disappear in minutes.

  • Garlic Knots

    Garlic Knots
    Elise Bauer

    Sub a pound of pizza dough from the store for the dough from scratch and this tempting pizzeria carb-fest is a mere matter of shaping, baking, and dousing with butter and garlic.

  • Homemade Veggie Dip

    Platter of Vegetables with a Bowl of Veggie Dip

    Simply Recipes / Lori Rice

    Yes, you can make your own veggie dip. It's a simple mix-together situation. Throw some baby carrots and celery sticks on a platter alongside and you're done.

  • Curried Chicken Salad With Endive

    Curried Chicken Endive Salad
    Elise Bauer

    Little boats of endive are a party-perfect way to turn chicken salad into an easy-to-eat appetizer. The salad is dressed up with curry powder and crushed pineapple, which give it a throw-back vibe. Make things go even more quickly by picking up a rotisserie chicken to use for the salad. 

    Continue to 5 of 16 below

  • Golden Cheddar Cheese Crisps

    Golden Cheddar Cheese Crisps
    Sally Vargas

    These paper-thin cheddar crisps should come with a warning: Impossible to eat just one. Light and delicate with a pleasing crunch, they’re the ideal party snack to accompany a glass of wine or flute of champagne. 

  • Crispy Air Fryer Chickpeas

    Crispy Chickpeas in the Air Fryer
    Alison Conklin

    These crispy chickpeas are tailor made for last minute party prep. Cooked in the air fryer means plenty of crunch without the mess of stovetop frying. The recipe offers four different seasoning blends, from Italian herbs to hot chilies, so pick whatever strikes your fancy. 

  • Mushroom Caviar

    Mushroom Caviar
    Elise Bauer

    Mushrooms, shallots, sour cream, herbs, and a bit of butter? What’s not to love about this savory mix of sautéed mushrooms to scoop up with crackers? It’s vegetarian-friendly and can be made ahead. 

  • Classic Cheese Ball

    The best cheese ball is in the center of a platter and surrounded by crackers.
    Nick Evans

    There’s a reason cheeseballs were all rage back in the day: they’re easy, festive, and very tasty. This is a pretty classic interpretation, featuring cheddar cheese, cream cheese, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder, all rolled in chopped pecans. The whole operation will take under 10 minutes to tackle and it will disappear in no time at all. 

    Continue to 9 of 16 below

  • Boursin Stuffed Mushrooms

    Boursin Stuffed Mushrooms
    Elise Bauer

    Mushrooms are a handy vessel for making appetizers. All it takes here are three ingredients and about 15 minutes of prep. You’ll have 24 scrumptious bites at the ready. The recipe can easily be doubled or tripled. 

  • Shrimp Cocktail

    Shrimp Cocktail
    Jaden Hair

    Once you try our take on this party classic, there is no going back. This recipe is a “how to” on properly cooking shrimp with a spicy homemade cocktail sauce that will make you want to double dip. 

  • Edamame Avocado Dip

    avocado and Edamame Dip
    Elise Bauer

    If you’re looking for a party snack that’s on the lighter side, this is a good bet. It’s a clever twist on guacamole and is excellent with pita chips or cut up crunchy vegetables. Any leftovers are excellent as a sandwich spread the next day. 

  • Hot Crab Dip

    Hot Crab Dip with Cream Cheese and Mayo
    Elise Bauer

    This quick and easy hot crab dip is a crowd-pleasing party snack. Use any mix of crabmeat you like, then dress it up with onions, parsley, horseradish, and Tabasco. Cook the dip until creamy and bubbling and serve it straight from the oven. Baguette, crackers, and crudité are all fair game for dipping.  

    Continue to 13 of 16 below

  • Perfect Popcorn

    Perfect Popcorn
    Elise Bauer

    Popcorn isn’t just for movie night. It’s actually a pretty terrific party snack, especially using this straightforward stovetop method. Elevate your buttery bowl of popcorn by adding a favorite spice mix, such as za’atar, ras el hanout, or herbes de Provence. 

  • Quick and Easy Artichoke Dip

    Quick and Easy Artichoke Dip
    Elise Bauer

    Everyone loves an artichoke dip and this one couldn’t be easier to make. It’s got just three ingredients (along with salt and pepper) and can be done in the microwave or oven. No advanced planning needed!

  • Easy Baked Brie in Puff Pastry

    Baked Brie
    Elise Bauer

    Bring back the 80s culinary glory days with this decadent appetizer. Known to the French as Brie en croute, it’s a wedge or wheel of cheese wrapped in puff pastry and baked until golden. This version elevates the whole affair with the addition of tangy raspberry jam, which plays deliciously off the melted cheese and flaky pastry.

  • Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

    Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts on a Plate

    Simply Recipes / Alison Bickel

    We all know that brussels sprouts are, at their very best, finger foods. Serve with a quick spicy aioli of mayo mixed with sriracha and a dash of garlic powder.

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