As a parent, figuring out how to feed a crowd without spending a lot of money is almost a superpower, and this collection of inexpensive appetizers will offer you some great options. These are the appe-tizers that look like you spent a lot of time preparing them, but you actually just used some basic ingredients from the pantry and some smart ideas. Choose a few (or double them), and you will see the party platters clear before the party starts!
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1) Spinach and Feta Stuffed Mushrooms
Earthy mushroom caps filled with zesty feta cheese and spinach are a mouthwatering appetizer that is sure to disappear quickly!
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Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 375F and brush the mushroom caps with olive oil.
- Saute the garlic and spinach until wilted, then let cool slightly.
- Mix the spinach with feta and cream cheese until combined.
- Spoon the filling into each mushroom cap.
- Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until the mushrooms are tender and the tops are golden.
- Serve warm.
Notes
2) Mini Caprese Skewers
With just a little effort, you can make the most beautiful and freshest skewers with three ingredients and a drizzle of balsamic.
Ingredients
Method
- Thread one tomato, one folded basil leaf, and one mozzarella ball onto each small skewer.
- Arrange the skewers on a serving platter.
- Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic glaze.
- Sprinkle lightly with salt.
- Serve right away or chill until ready.
Notes
3) Deviled Eggs
Arguably one of the easiest appetizers to make, today we're sharing a simple yet delicious recipe for Deviled Eggs.
Recipe and photo credit: Living the Gourmet.
Get the full recipe at Living the Gourmet.
4) Phyllo Cheese Bites
Cheese-filled phyllo cups are easy to make and look elegant.
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350F and set the phyllo shells on a baking sheet.
- Mix the ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, parsley, and pepper together.
- Spoon the cheese mixture into each phyllo shell.
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve warm.
Notes
5) Bacon-Wrapped Water Chestnuts
These little retro bites are sweet , salty and crunchy and can be weirdly addictive as they seem to disappear in seconds.
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 375F.
- Wrap each water chestnut in a piece of bacon and secure with a toothpick.
- Arrange on a foil-lined baking sheet.
- Whisk the brown sugar, soy sauce, and ketchup together and brush over each piece.
- Bake for 25 minutes until the bacon is crisp, brushing with more glaze halfway.
- Serve warm.
Notes
6) Vegetable Spring Rolls
These crispy veggie spring rolls are packed with goodness. You can get the taste and experience of takeout at home for a fraction of the cost and the best part is you can add loads of fresh ingredients.
Ingredients
Method
- Stir-fry the cabbage, carrots, and bean sprouts with soy sauce for 3 minutes, then let cool.
- Place a spoonful of filling on each wrapper and roll up tightly, sealing the edge with water.
- Heat the oil to 350F in a deep skillet.
- Fry the spring rolls in batches for 3 to 4 minutes until golden and crisp.
- Drain on paper towels and serve with sweet chili sauce.
Notes
7) Hummus and Pita Chips
Creamy homemade hummus and baked pita chips are super simple, inexpensive and healthy ways to please a crowd.
Ingredients
Method
- Blend the chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and 3 tablespoons of olive oil until smooth, adding water to loosen.
- Spread the hummus in a shallow bowl and drizzle with the remaining olive oil.
- Brush the pita wedges with a little oil and arrange on a baking sheet.
- Bake at 400F for 10 to 12 minutes until crisp.
- Serve the warm pita chips alongside the hummus.
Notes
8) Stuffed Mini Peppers
Bright little peppers are crunchy and colorful, and they look so good for how inexpensive they are! They even have a delicious cheese filling!
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 375F and halve the peppers, removing the seeds.
- Mix the cream cheese, cheddar, chives, garlic powder, and salt together.
- Spoon the filling into each pepper half.
- Arrange on a baking sheet and bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the cheese softens.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
9) Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
These crispy cauliflower bites will change your mind about cauliflower. Now you can enjoy all the zesty buffalo flavor you crave without the guilt!
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 425F and line a baking sheet.
- Whisk the flour, water, and garlic powder into a batter and coat the florets.
- Bake for 20 minutes until starting to crisp.
- Toss the baked cauliflower with the buffalo sauce and melted butter.
- Return to the oven for 10 more minutes until crispy.
- Serve with ranch or blue cheese.
Notes
10) Sweet Potato Rounds
When you top roasted sweet potato coins with something special, you can enjoy a naturally sweet and colorful treat that feels fancy yet costs next to nothing!
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Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 400F and toss the sweet potato rounds with olive oil and salt.
- Arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet.
- Roast for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping once, until tender and lightly caramelized.
- Top each round with a little goat cheese.
- Drizzle with honey and sprinkle with chopped pecans.
- Serve warm.
Notes
11) Garlic Herb Roasted Nuts
Warm, tasty roasted nuts are a nice snack for people to eat while they hang out by the bowl and are much cheaper than store-bought nuts.
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350F.
- Toss the nuts with melted butter, garlic, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
- Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet.
- Roast for 18 to 20 minutes, stirring once, until fragrant and toasted.
- Let cool slightly and serve warm.
Notes
12) Prosciutto-Wrapped Melon
Prosciutto and melon is a classic no-cook dish that tastes far more luxurious than it really is!
Ingredients
Method
- Cut the cantaloupe into bite-sized wedges, removing the rind.
- Cut the prosciutto slices in half lengthwise.
- Wrap a piece of prosciutto around each melon wedge, tucking in a basil leaf.
- Secure with a toothpick if needed and arrange on a platter.
- Drizzle with balsamic glaze and a crack of black pepper before serving.
Notes
13) Crispy Zucchini Fritters
Crispy and golden zucchini fritters make use of all that summer squash in a clever way, turning it into something everyone will want to have!
Ingredients
Method
- Squeeze the grated zucchini in a towel to remove as much water as possible.
- Mix the zucchini with egg, flour, parmesan, and green onion into a batter.
- Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Drop spoonfuls of batter into the pan and flatten into patties.
- Fry for 3 minutes per side until golden and crisp.
- Drain on paper towels and serve with a dollop of sour cream.
Notes
14) Guacamole and Tortilla Chips
No party should miss out on guacamole with tortilla chips as it is super easy to prepare. Guacamole is forgiving to prepare.
Ingredients
Method
- Mash the avocados in a bowl, leaving some chunks for texture.
- Stir in the lime juice, red onion, tomato, and cilantro.
- Season with salt to taste.
- Transfer to a serving bowl.
- Serve immediately with tortilla chips.
Notes
15) Bruschetta with Tomatoes
Juicy, garlicky tomatoes on toasty bread are like summer on a slice! Plus, it can come together quicker than your guests can find a seat.
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 400F and arrange the baguette slices on a baking sheet.
- Brush with a little olive oil and toast for 6 to 8 minutes until golden.
- Combine the diced tomatoes, garlic, remaining olive oil, basil, and salt.
- Marinate the tomato mixture for 10 minutes.
- Spoon the tomato topping onto each toasted slice just before serving.
Notes
16) Mini Quiches
Little quiches with a buttery crust and a light, fluffy egg filling taste fancy for brunch, yet they are one of the most affordable crowd-pleaser snacks!
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 375F and press the pie crust rounds into a mini muffin tin.
- Whisk the eggs, milk, and salt together.
- Divide the cheese and spinach among the crusts.
- Pour the egg mixture over the top, filling each cup.
- Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until set and golden.
- Cool slightly before removing and serving.
Notes
17) Feta and Olive Tapenade
Olives and feta combined into a unapologetically delicious dip gives you a taste of the mediterranean seas.
Ingredients
Method
- Add the olives, garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice to a food processor.
- Pulse until coarsely chopped but still chunky.
- Stir in the crumbled feta and parsley by hand.
- Transfer to a serving bowl.
Notes
18) Sausage Rolls
Sausage rolls are made out of flaky puff pastry wrapped around sausage. They are always the first appetizer to get eaten at a party.
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 400F and line a baking sheet.
- Mix the sausage with sage and pepper.
- Roll the pastry out and cut into strips, then pipe a line of sausage down each.
- Roll the pastry over the sausage and seal the seam, then cut into pieces.
- Brush with beaten egg and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
- Bake for 22 to 25 minutes until puffed and golden.
Notes
19) Cheese and Charcuterie Platter
A nicely made cheese board is the best no-cook way to please a crowd, and with a little arranging, even some simple ingredients look fancy.
Ingredients
Method
- Place small bowls of jam and nuts on a large board first.
- Arrange the cheeses around the board, leaving space between them.
- Fold or fan the cured meats and tuck them into open spots.
- Fill in the gaps with crackers and grapes.
- Serve at room temperature for the best flavor.
Notes
20) Cucumber Sandwiches
Cute little cucumber sandwiches are adorable, cheap, and give that vintage feel, PLUS they are a delicious, refreshing snack!
Ingredients
Method
- Mix the cream cheese with dill, lemon juice, and salt.
- Spread the herbed cream cheese on each slice of bread.
- Layer thin cucumber slices over half the slices.
- Top with the remaining bread and press gently.
- Cut each sandwich into quarters or triangles and serve chilled.
Notes
21) Chicken Satay Skewers
A stick of chicken that has been marinated and grilled gives you that big take out feeling and is topped with a creamy peanut sauce.
Ingredients
Method
- Marinate the chicken strips in soy sauce and curry powder for 20 minutes.
- Thread the chicken onto soaked skewers.
- Grill or broil for 5 to 6 minutes per side until cooked through.
- Whisk the peanut butter, honey, and coconut milk into a smooth sauce.
- Serve the skewers warm with the peanut sauce for dipping.
Notes
22) Beef Sliders
Tiny cheeseburgers are essentially designed for maximum crowd enjoyment, and since they're mini, everyone can have one (or three).
Ingredients
Method
- Mix the ground beef with salt and garlic powder and form into small patties.
- Cook the patties in a skillet for 3 minutes per side.
- Top each patty with cheese during the last minute to melt.
- Toast the slider buns lightly.
- Assemble each slider with a patty and a pickle slice.
- Serve warm.
Notes
23) Tomato Basil Soup Shots
The little cups of velvety tomato soup serve as a sophisticated and cozy sippable starter.
Ingredients
Method
- Saute the onion and garlic in olive oil until soft.
- Add the crushed tomatoes and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Blend the soup until smooth with an immersion blender.
- Stir in the heavy cream and basil and warm through.
- Ladle into small cups or shot glasses and serve warm.
Notes
24) Parmesan Twists
Crispy and cheesy puff pastry twists are incredibly simple to create and always seem to be the first to disappear from the table.
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 400F and line a baking sheet.
- Brush the puff pastry with beaten egg.
- Sprinkle with parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and salt, pressing it in.
- Cut the pastry into strips and twist each one a few times.
- Arrange on the baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes until golden and crisp.
- Serve warm with marinara for dipping.
