Life is too short to keep postponing that get-together. There are countless reasons not to host people, but food won’t be one of them. This selection of 15 easy bite-size appetizers will definitely have something to please everyone.
Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
Zucchini makes for some surprisingly delicious fries with added health benefits. Be sure to make the avocado dip to go with these tasty alternative fries.
You need: 3 courgettes, 50 g breadcrumbs, 30 g parmesan, 2 eggs, oil spray.
- Cut courgettes into sticks.
- Dip in egg and in crumbs mixed with parmesan.
- Air fry at 200°C for 10 min.
Brie Cranberry Bites Appetizer
Mix the creamy tanginess of baked brie with the tart sweetness of cranberry sauce to make these brie cranberry bites. Baking them in puff pastry squares provides this treat’s perfect light, fluffy foundation.
You need: 1 sheet puff pastry, 100 g brie, 4 tbsp cranberry sauce, 1 egg.
- Cut pastry into squares.
- Add brie and cranberry, fold.
- Brush with egg and bake at 200°C for 15 min.
Air Fryer Pizza Pockets
Pizza rolls make great snacks. While the store-bought ones are easy, these homemade ones aren’t much more work, but they are much higher in quality.
You need: 1 pizza dough, 4 tbsp pizza sauce, 100 g mozzarella, pepperoni, 1 egg.
- Cut dough circles.
- Fill with sauce, cheese and pepperoni, seal.
- Brush with egg and air fry at 180°C for 8 min.
Guacamole Bites
While a fresh salad is always great, it can be a bit of a commitment. These guacamole bites feature tasty guacamole, fresh tomatoes, and queso fresco cheese. It’s like a great salad in a single bite.
You need: 2 avocados, 1 lime, 1 tomato, mini tart shells or tortilla chips, salt.
- Mash avocado with lime and salt.
- Fold in tomato.
- Spoon into the shells.
Crab Stuffed Mushrooms
These crab-stuffed mushrooms are the perfect choice for the next time you need finger food. Everyone will be amazed at how much work you put into these fancy appetizers. You don’t need to tell them how easy they were to make.
You need: 12 large mushrooms, 150 g crab meat, 100 g cream cheese, 30 g parmesan, 1 garlic clove.
- Mix crab, cream cheese, garlic and parmesan.
- Stuff the mushrooms.
- Bake at 190°C for 20 min.
Jalapeno Cheese Bites
Jalapeno cheese bites have all the goodness of jalapeno poppers without all the messy cutting and stuffing. Combine a cheese mix with sliced jalapenos and mini tortilla cups.
You need: 10 jalapeños, 150 g cream cheese, 100 g cheddar, 50 g breadcrumbs.
- Halve and seed the peppers.
- Fill with the cheeses and top with crumbs.
- Bake at 190°C for 20 min.
Spinach Pinwheels
Pinwheels are a staple in the finger food world, and for good reason. They are easy to prepare, but the right filling makes them winners every time. These feature spinach, caramelized onion, and garlic, among other flavors.
You need: 4 tortillas, 150 g cream cheese, 150 g spinach, 100 g cheese, 1 garlic clove.
- Mix cream cheese, spinach, cheese and garlic.
- Spread on tortillas and roll.
- Chill and slice.
Caesar Salad Bites
There’s nothing quite like a crisp, creamy Caesar salad. This recipe ups the ante by serving mini Caesars in homemade parmesan cups.
You need: 12 toasted bread cups, romaine, 3 tbsp Caesar dressing, 30 g parmesan, croutons.
- Chop lettuce and toss with dressing.
- Fill the cups.
- Top with parmesan.
Meatball Marinara Poppers Appetizer
Featuring freshly made (but still easy) marinara sauce with meatballs and grated mozzarella, these poppers are guaranteed to disappear. Even better, they use frozen meatballs to cut the workload down massively.
You need: 12 small meatballs, 100 g mozzarella, 150 ml marinara, 1 tube biscuit dough, basil.
- Wrap meatball and cheese in dough.
- Bake at 190°C for 15 min.
- Serve with marinara.
Fried Mac and Cheese Bites
Mac and cheese is never a bad idea. It’s just so good that it kind of goes with anything. But it can be messy, which is where these fried mac and cheese bites step in.
You need: 200 g cooked mac and cheese (cold), 50 g breadcrumbs, 1 egg, oil.
- Shape into balls and chill.
- Dip in egg and crumbs.
- Fry until golden.
Teriyaki Cauliflower Wings
To the uninitiated, cauliflower wings might sound like an odd choice. But they are tasty and crispy, and the teriyaki sauce perfectly complements them.
You need: 1 cauliflower, 100 g flour, 150 ml milk, 4 tbsp teriyaki sauce, sesame seeds.
- Batter the florets and bake at 220°C for 20 min.
- Toss in teriyaki.
- Bake 5 min more.
Salmon Avacado Cucumber Roll Ups
Cut a cucumber into long, thin slices by cutting the long way using a mandolin slicer or vegetable peeler. Roll those up into resette-like bites full of flavor with salmon and cream cheese.
You need: 1 cucumber, 150 g smoked salmon, 1 avocado, 100 g cream cheese, dill.
- Slice cucumber into ribbons.
- Spread with cream cheese and add salmon and avocado.
- Roll up.
Strawberry Basil Bruschetta
Bruschetta is just another name for small appetizers served on mini toast slices. This version combines sweet and savory flavors like strawberry and basil for a fresh taste sensation.
You need: 1 baguette, 200 g strawberries, basil, 2 tbsp balsamic glaze, 100 g ricotta.
- Toast baguette slices.
- Spread with ricotta.
- Top with strawberries, basil and glaze.
Fried Shrimp Balls
Shrimp balls may sound odd, but you only have to try them once to become an instant convert. They are easy to make and absolutely worth trying.
You need: 300 g shrimp, 1 egg, 2 spring onions, 3 tbsp cornflour, 1 tsp soy sauce, oil.
- Chop and mix shrimp with egg, onion, cornflour and soy.
- Shape balls.
- Fry until golden.
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