Looking for appetizer recipes to help plan your next get-together? These ideas give you plenty to choose from, including golden stuffed mushrooms, colorful skewers and dips with lots of cheese.
There are little individual bites here too if you’d rather skip the big serving bowl.
You can keep things simple or put together a whole spread. Start with a couple of favorites, then borrow a serving idea or two from these pictures.
I especially love the fig toasts and those little shrimp cups!
Appetizer Ideas Worth Saving
topped dips and cracker bowls
We’re starting off strong with this pretty appetizer setup. Two handled dishes sit on stands, with nut-covered tops and bowls of crackers below. I love how the different heights leave room for everything.
Try the same arrangement with your favorite dips. Keep a stack of small plates nearby so guests have somewhere to put their crackers.
golden spinach dip
If you love a dip with plenty of greens, this one is for you. The spinach-filled center has golden edges, with toasted triangles scattered around the skillet.
I’d serve the dippers on a separate platter beside it. That leaves the whole skillet open for scooping.
heaped stuffed mushrooms
How good do these stuffed mushrooms look? The filling sits high above each cap, with browned little pieces across the tops.
The chopped green garnish is such a pretty finishing touch.
For a similar presentation, arrange yours filling-side up in a single layer rather than piling them into a bowl.
tomato and mozzarella skewers
I am obsessed with these little caprese skewers. The red tomatoes, white mozzarella balls and folded basil leaves look so cute together.
Follow this serving idea with an oval platter and a light drizzle of balsamic glaze. Leave the looped ends pointing outward so they’re easy to pick up.
baked chicken dip
That cheese pull! This baked chicken dip has a golden top dotted with chopped green onions.
The scoop lifted from the dish shows just how much melted cheese is tucked underneath.
Bring out a bowl of tortilla chips alongside yours if you want to follow this serving idea.
tomato topping and little toasts
Don’t want to top every piece of bread before serving? No problem!
This platter keeps the chopped tomato mixture in a bowl, with golden toasts fanned out around it.
Read also: 20 Party Appetizers to Inspire Your Next Get-Together
I love this help-yourself approach to bruschetta. Add a spoon to the center bowl so everyone can top their own.
bacon-wrapped dates
These bacon-wrapped dates with goat cheese may just be one of my favorites here. The dark dates peek out from their browned bacon wraps, with little bits of green scattered over the board.
Keep the simple board presentation if you want the bites themselves to stand out.
shrimp and avocado cups
How cute are these little cups? Each golden shell holds a chunky green filling with a curled shrimp on top.
The feathery herb sprigs make them look extra pretty.
For your own version, try an avocado filling and leave a little space between the cups on the platter.
glossy sauced meatballs
If you’re looking for something without lots of little garnishes, go with sauced meatballs. These have a glossy reddish-brown coating, with plenty of sauce left in the pot.
I’d put out small plates and cocktail picks beside the serving dish. A spoon is worth keeping there too for anyone who wants extra sauce.
pomegranate and pistachio spread
This is such a pretty way to serve a creamy spread. I love the ruby pomegranate seeds and chopped pistachios scattered over the white base.
The golden drizzle makes it even lovelier.
Try spreading your chosen soft cheese across a platter instead of keeping it in a bowl. Then add your toppings across the whole surface.
jalapeño popper wonton cups
The jalapeño popper fans are going to love this idea! These wonton cups have tall golden corners surrounding a cheesy filling with green pepper pieces and browned bacon bits.
Those folded edges are my favorite part. Keep the cups upright on a flat tray to show them off.
pecan-covered cheese ball
Don’t want to decorate lots of individual bites? This pecan-covered cheese ball gives you one centerpiece instead.
I love how the mix of pecan halves and smaller pieces covers almost the entire outside.
Surround yours with crackers if you want to turn this simple tray into a complete serving platter.
Read also: 20 Picnic Food for a Crowd Ideas From Sandwiches to Snack Boards
golden mushroom tops
Here’s another stuffed mushroom idea, but the tops look a little different from the ones above. These have a pale golden filling with red and green pieces peeking through.
The browned patches are so good-looking that I’d keep any extra garnish light. You could serve these on a plain white platter.
cucumber rounds with piped topping
How adorable are these cucumber bites? The thick green rounds have little flower-like swirls of white topping, with herbs dotted throughout.
Try a star piping tip with your favorite herb cream cheese to get a similar finish. That small detail makes the whole platter look dressed up.
cheesy pesto pinwheels
I love these cheesy pesto pinwheels. The golden spirals have green filling and little red pieces tucked into the folds.
The broken piece on top gives you a peek inside.
Arrange yours spiral-side up so that pretty pattern doesn’t get hidden.
colorful layered dip
If you are looking for a dip that doubles as a table centerpiece, then this one is for you. There’s so much color, from the orange and white bottom layers to the green spread and chopped tomatoes.
I especially love the sliced black olives across the top. Choose a clear serving bowl if you want all those layers to show.
grilled chicken skewers
These chicken skewers look so good with their golden coating and dark grill marks. Chopped nuts and green herbs are scattered over the top, with a bowl of orange-brown dipping sauce alongside.
For a satay-inspired serving idea, pair your chicken skewers with peanut sauce. Keep the sauce in a small bowl rather than pouring it over everything.
fig toasts with a golden drizzle
I am obsessed with these fig toasts. The pink centers and green edges of the figs look gorgeous against the white spread.
Thin green ribbons and a golden drizzle finish the tops.
Try soft goat cheese or ricotta for your own version. A little honey would be a lovely addition too.
golden sausage balls
Want another bite-sized option for the table? These sausage balls have uneven golden surfaces with little orange cheese pieces throughout.
There’s just a little green garnish over the pile.
Keep the serving bowl simple like this one. You could add a small dish of mustard alongside it if you’d like a dip.
mini pizzas with mixed toppings
Last but definitely not least, we have these cute mini pizza bites. I love how each row has a different topping!
There are red-sauce rounds with melted cheese, olive-topped bites and pale rounds with rosemary.
Try a few topping combinations rather than making the whole tray the same. Arrange them in rows like this so the choices are easy to see.