40 Insanely Easy Last-Minute Appetizers that Come to the Rescue
Has life been so crazy that that appetizer you needed to make for an upcoming party never got made? And now here you are?!? I’ve been there! These appetizer recipes are easy to throw together & perfect for the last minute rush! Let’s put your mind at ease & get to the good stuff!
Easy Appetizers You Can Throw Together in a Pinch
Today, there will be no lengthy intros from me! You don’t have time for that!
If you’re here, I’m guessing you made a last ditch effort to search Pinterest & find a simple appetizer recipe you can throw together fast!
Sister, I’ve been there. I won’t delay things by making you scroll & scroll!
These appetizers are great if you’re throwing a party, going to a party, or if unexpected company shows up at your door!
I love that these types of dishes can also be used for a variety of events, all at the last minute, with lots of recipes that use ingredients you probably have on hand.
Let’s get your ready for that party with these last minute appetizer ideas!
40+ Life-Saver Last Minute Appetizers to Make in a Pinch
Simple DIY Bread Board Appetizer
Whether it is for a snack or for an easy lunch idea, this DIY bread charcuterie board is a perfect last minute no cook appetizer to prepare! I love how all the pieces of this board can be found in my kitchen. I also try to swap out the spreads I use so I can savor different flavors each time I serve it!
Caprese Bites
This one is soooo easy, and it’s always a crowdpleaser! It takes minutes to assemble, but it loois so classy! You can’t go wrong with this flavor combo!
Easy Salad Kabobs
Looking for a tasty last minute cold appetizer idea? Get a bit of salad with every bite with this
easy salad kabab recipe Petra likes to whip up for her loved ones! Mini tomatoes, cucumbers, baby mozzarella, olives, and basil on skewers are a flavorful combination to serve your guests something special when they arrive at your home.
Easy Philadelphia Cream Cheese Dip Recipe
This cream cheese dip Zhen whips up is one of the easiest appetizers for last minute guests to make! You need only 5 minutes and only 5 ingredients to whip up in a pinch. What I love most about it is all the yummy snacks I can dip into it!
Oven Baked Tostones (Crispy Baked Green Plantains)
I love how only three simple ingredients are needed to create these oven baked pressed green planting slices or tostones! These quick last minute appetizers are a great idea to serve because they can be put together in a pinch should unexpected company pop in. I also think it is great that there are many variations to add different flavors to this easy snack.
Chicken Sheet Pan Nachos
I think this chicken sheet pan nachos recipe Lyne came up with is one of those amazing last minute appetizers to make when you want to throw a snack together for a festive gathering. I like how you can switch the toppings so you can enjoy a different kind of nachos dish each time you throw together this snack
Asparagus in Puff Pastry
For a more elegant last minute appetizer idea, this puff pastry-wrapped asparagus recipe is a
tasty one to make. Coated in a vegan cream and a hidden green pesto lining the inside of the pastry, this light and flaky dish will be a hit on your table.
Roasted Pepper Crostini Recipe
Sweet, crunchy, and full of flavor, this roasted pepper crostini will be one your loved ones will
devour in a flash! Fresh basil and balsamic vinegar are used to season roasted sweet peppers. These ingredients are then topped onto toasted bread to finish this yummy dish.
The Best Bruschetta Flatbread Pizza
Tomatoes, basil, garlic, and mozzarella are used to top this zesty flatbread pizza that is a
perfect last minute appetizer to put together for your grazing table. What is great about this snack is that you can play around with your toppings to create your own favorite bruschetta flavors.
Tender Garlic Puff Pastry Pinwheels
Pinwheels are always a hit on an appetizer table! This garlic puff pastry version Marie makes will become a go-to snack you’ll love to roll up and serve. Butter infused with garlic and thyme and mature cheddar cheese help to bring a punch of flavor to this popular treat.
Bread Bowl Baked Brie with Fig Preserves
Last minute appetizers are always a favorite on a grazing table! This bread bowl baked brie with fig preserves captures the flavors of the holiday season in one yummy treat. What’s amazing about this dish is that it can be thrown together in an air fryer to free up your oven for your other Christmas meal prep.
Simple Cheese Straws
Whether it is for a formal event or whipped up for a fun night at home, these simple cheese straws are one of those popular party last minute appetizers you should have in your rotation to serve. They take a few minutes to prepare and come out light flaky, and cheesy. They make eating just one hard to do!
Crispy Fried Wontons
These crispy fried wontons are a homemade a breeze to whip up in a pinch. The secret ingredient in this quick last minute appetizer is black cream cheese. It makes prepping this snack easy and melts well without burning like normal cream cheese does. The result is a yummy side dish you’ll love to bite into
Ultimate Cowboy Caviar Recipe
Any gathering is always a good time with this tasty cowboy caviar to snack on! I like that I can get big, chunky pieces of avocado, corn, tomatoes, red peppers and onions in every bite! The dressing is a fabulous finishing touch that I can’t stop savoring - this is my go-to for just about any get-together!
Homemade Guacamole Without Cilantro
If you love guacamole, but not the cilantro, this homemade version is one you should keep in mind to put together and serve! This last minute quick appetizer is a fabulous one to make because no cooking is required! All you have to do to prepare this tasty dish is to pop everything into the blender, spoon it into a bowl, and serve
5-min Cream Cheese Olive Dip Recipe
This 3-ingredient cream cheese olive dip is perfect to make and serve when you need an easy side dish to serve! It’s one of those last minute appetizers from your pantry ideas I love to have on hand. Why? It’s because it only takes 5 minutes to make and packs a lot of flavor!
Pineapple Salsa
Are you looking for a yummy alternative to salsa? Here is one you should try at home! Pineapples give this salsa a tropical flavor to this last minute appetizer and is also a fun
idea to serve should you want a dip that is not too spicy. The added surprise is English cucumber! It adds an extra bit of texture without taking the taste away from this salsa.
Easy & Quick Black Eyed Pea Hummus
If you like hummus this version using black-eyed peas is an easy appetizer you should try!
Substituting black-eyed peas for chickpeas gives this popular dip a smoky flavor you won’t want to stop scooping. What makes this simple side dish special is that it is dairy-free and vegan, so everyone can enjoy snacking on it.
Lemon Whipped Feta Dip
I think this lemon whipped feta dip Julia shared is a great one to prepare and enjoy. The lemon juice and zest add a zingy taste to this creamy side dish. It will be a hit whether it is spread on bread or if you dip into it with pita chips
Ranch Chicken Cheese Ball
This ranch chicken cheese ball recipe Bintu shared is a show-stopping last minute appetizer to serve family and friends. The tangy flavor of ranch seasoning pairs well with the savory flavour of the chicken and bacon. This snack is perfect to enjoy while watching the big game
or for celebrating the holidays
Chicken Taco Pinwheels
If you love serving wrapped snacks, this chicken taco pinwheel recipe will be a hit on any appetizer table. What’s fabulous about this dish is that you can grab a few staples from your pantry to help put them together.
Pizza Dip Recipe
Pizza lovers! This dip recipe was made for you! Gooey mozzarella cheese, tangy pizza sauce, and mini pepperoni slices are the stars of this terrific appetizer. This dip is als great to have on hand if an actual pizza is not on the menu.
Crispy Toasted Ravioli Recipe
This crispy toasted ravioli dish Amy makes will be an instant favorite with your loved ones. What makes this recipe an easy last minute appetizer is that the ravioli are pre-made. A few extra ingredients are all it takes to complete this tasty snack sensation you won’t be able to stop eating.
Coconut Shrimp
Coconut shrimp is a hit for many grazing tables. This air fryer version Jan makes will become one you turn to time and time again. What’s amazing about this recipe is that they can be quickly made in the air fryer in 10 minutes. When they are done, the shrimp have a crunchy, golden coating while being juicy and tender inside.
Seasoned Whipped Ricotta With Honey
Whether it’s the holiday season or for catching up with friends, this seasoned whipped ricotta dip with honey recipe is one everyone will love eating. This side dish is smooth and creamy while being packed with flavor by fresh herbs and honey. This dip can be served simply with
pita chips or as part of a larger dinner party platter
Easy Heart of Palm 'Crab' Bites
Are you looking for an alternative to crab cakes? These easy vegan crab bites are one of the last minute party appetizers Melissa likes to use to solve this problem. Heart of palm replaces the crab meat texture and clever seasonings make up the crab flavor in this recipe. Adding this mixture into portable phyllo cups makes this dish a perfect party snack!
Candied Bacon Crackers
These candied bacon crackers Christi makes are a fantastic last minute appetizer to set out for loved ones. Brown sugar is used to season thick cut bacon, then is baked on top of buttery club crackers. The result is a delectable treat you’ll want to keep crunching into
Cheesy Pull Apart Garlic Bread
Kids young and old will love pulling apart this cheesy garlic bread recipe at your snack table.
The biscuit dough makes preparing this last minute appetizer one you’ll love because the dough is already made.
Pizza Rolls with Garlic Butter
Movie night or big game days are perfect for this pizza roll recipe. The 1-2 combination that
makes this dish a quick one to make is that the pizza rolls are already made, and you can cook them in your air fryer. The garlic parmesan butter topping is the finishing touch to this snack you’ll love to eat.
Cheddar Cheese Bites
Light, fluffy, and cheesy snacks are always one people make a beeline for whenever they are
served. Only 4 ingredients are needed to whip up these little delights. Cheddar cheese provides the tangy flavor that makes these tiny bites a favorite to enjoy.
Apple Dipping Charcuterie Board
This is a super-simple appetizer that both kids and grownups can enjoy! Healthy apple slices mixed with a variety of dips and toppings makes this a fun finger food any time of the year!
Tuna Dip
This tuna dip recipe is one of the last minute appetizers from your pantry ideas Terri loves serving to her family and friends. I like that all you have to do to make this delicious dip is to throw all of the ingredients into a bowl and mix them together
Easy Pizza Puffs
These easy air fry pizza puffs are one of the last minute puff pastry appetizers Lauren likes to
whip up for fun nights at her home. I think this dish is terrific because you can create new versions by changing the ingredients you use. They are also portable, so mixing and mingling at a party with them are simpler to do.
Fried Pickles
If you love crispy and tangy treats, these air fryer fried pickles are a last minute appetizer you’ll want to snack on. One of the best parts of this dish is its gluten-free breadcrumb coating blend. It adds a spicy crunch to the tang of these pickle slices. You won’t be able to stop at eat just one on them.
Easy Pigs in a Blanket with Crescent Rolls
Pigs in a blanket become cozier with this recipe that tucks them into crescent rolls. Using crescent roll dough gives these mini snacks a fluffier coating. What’s fabulous about this dish is that these popular appetizers can be prepped ahead of time and be put into the oven right before company knocks at your door
Quick & Easy Salami Cream Cheese Roll-Ups
Enjoy salami in a whole new way with this cream cheese roll-up recipe Tracey uses to make for her family and friends. 3 ingredients and 10 minutes of prep later results in a little bite that dances with flavor on your tongue.
Taco Dip
This spicy and creamy taco dip is a tasty way to enjoy tacos without worrying about items falling out of the shell. Cottage cheese, black beans, chipotle peppers, shredded cheese,
tomatoes, and taco seasonings are put together into a bowl to create a dish you’ll love dipping into until there’s none left to scoop out.
3-ingredient Crockpot Little Smokies Recipe
Cocktail sausages are made tastier with Diana’s little smokies recipe. They have a tangy barbecue flavor that is perfect for parties of all kinds. The secret to this dish’s success is by making them in the crockpot to make time for you to prep for your guests.
Light Sweet & Savory Charcuterie Board
This is a very easy last minute board! You can't go wrong with a platter of nuts, cheese, crackers, and fruit. You can make this one seasonal as well by adding a few favorites of the season! With a variety of textures, this charcuterie board allows guests to graze on a light treat.
1-Minute Crème Fraîche Love Bowl
Share the love with this 1-minute crème fraiche love bowl. This dish is one of those tasty last minute no cook appetizers because everything is prepared in one bowl. Use wafers and cookies to dip into this love bowl to make snacking a tastier affair
Simple Finger Foods for the Win
I hope you found lots of easy appetizer options for you to throw together for your party.
If you’re needing other party food ideas besides snacks or hors ‘oeuvres, be sure to check out the posts below (if you have time! 🙂
30 Delicious Christmas Party Cocktails and Non-Alcoholic Drinks
Best Backyard Dinner Party Ideas {Budget-Friendly, Outdoor Charm}
35 + Delicious Summer Cookout Side Dishes {100% Crowdpleasers}
35 Easy Summer Desserts for a Crowd
40+ Best Individual Appetizers for Social Distancing: Party Approved!
40+ Slow Cooker Party Recipes Guaranteed to Wow
Other thoughts? I’d love to hear them! Leave a comments below!
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