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Apple-Gouda Pigs in a Blanket
For New Year’s, I used to make pigs in a blanket with beef and cheddar. But now I like apple and Gouda for an even better flavor celebration. —Megan Weiss, Menomonie, Wisconsin
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Puff Pastry Holly Leaves
These elegant appetizers get rave reviews at my office holiday party. The pastry leaves look as if they require hours in the kitchen, but the prep work takes just 30 minutes. —Angela King, Walnut Cove, North Carolina
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Stuffed Pizza Bites
After trying a similar dish at a local restaurant, I came up with my own version of pizza bites. This delicious recipe is easy and fun for potlucks or parties. —Sarah Gilbert, Beaverton, Oregon
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Finger-Licking Good Mini Cream Puffs
This recipe is quick and easy to whip up and the kids will love it! They are perfect to pack for a picnic or to have as a snack for family game night I guarantee you can't eat just one…hey are so addicting & they're perfect for satisfying any sweet tooth! —Jennifer Erwin, Reynoldsburg, Ohio
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Mini Burgers with the Works
I started preparing these mini burgers several years ago as a creative way to use up bread crusts accumulating in my freezer. They're delicious. —Linda Lane, Bennington, Vermont
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Broccoli & Chive Stuffed Mini Peppers
There's plenty of both crunch and cream in these party appetizers. Fresh chives help them really stand out. —Jean McKenzie, Vancouver, Washington
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Red Velvet Cake Bites
Everyone loves red velvet, but any cake mix can work here. I've even rolled chopped macadamia nuts into pineapple cake and dipped them into white chocolate. Whatever you do, have fun! —Anne Powers, Munford, Alabama
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Crispy Crab Rangoon
My husband loved the appetizers we ordered at a Chinese restaurant so much that I was determined to develop a crab rangoon recipe to make them at home. After two more trips to the restaurant to taste them again and about four home trials, I had them perfected. —Cathy Blankman, Warroad, Minnesota
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Taco Pinwheels
These pinwheels come together quickly when you start with leftover taco meat. They make an appealing party appetizer served with salsa, or a fun lunch option with a salad on the side. —Cindy Reams, Philipsburg, Pennsylvania
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Jam-Topped Mini Cheesecakes
We turned cheesecake into irresistible bite-sized snacks. Feel free to swap in any favorite flavor of jam. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Spinach Deviled Eggs
Spinach adds unexpected color and flavor to this tasty variation on deviled eggs. They're easy to make and are an attractive addition to a party spread. —Dorothy Sander of Evansville, Indiana
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Ham and Swiss Sliders
My next-door neighbor shared this ham and Swiss sliders recipe with me, and I simply cannot improve it! You can make it ahead and cook it quickly when company arrives. The combo of poppy seeds, ham and cheese, horseradish and brown sugar makes it so delicious. —Iris Weihemuller, Baxter, Minnesota
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Mini Cheese Balls
These mini cheese balls are the perfect quick appetizer for any party. Roll them in toasted sesame seeds, fresh rosemary and/or paprika to add even more flavor. —J. Spivey, Ennice, North Carolina
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Miniature Peanut Butter Treats
This recipe is one of my family's favorites, and I make the treats a lot, especially at Christmas. I have three children and eight grandchildren, and every one of them loves those "peanut butter thingies," as the grandchildren call them! —Jodie McCoy, Tulsa, Oklahoma
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Bacon Cheddar Potato Skins
Wondering how to make potato skins taste great? Both crisp and hearty, this restaurant-quality snack is one that's often requested by my family. —Trish Perrin, Keizer, Oregon
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Sausage Cheese Puffs
People are always surprised when I tell them there are only four ingredients in this easy sausage ball recipe. Cheesy and spicy, the golden morsels are a fun novelty at a breakfast or brunch, and they also make yummy party appetizers. —Della Moore, Troy, New York
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Holiday Meringue Miniatures
My kids love these light melt-in-your-mouth cookies, and we have fun making them. These were always on our Christmas cookie plate when I was a kid, and now the tradition continues. —Susan Marshall, Colorado Springs, Colorado
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Quinoa Arancini
We love arancini, but they’re not the healthiest thing going! I wanted to make a version that we could enjoy guilt-free. I substituted quinoa for rice and tried baking instead of frying. Now we can have them any time. —Sabrina Ovadia, New York, New York
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Mini Corn Dogs
For fun flavor, try this mini corn dog snack made with cornmeal dough. Serve a tangy dipping sauce. —Geralyn Harrington, Floral Park, New York
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Miniature Almond Tarts
My family requests these adorable little tarts each Christmas. I always enjoy making them since the almond paste in the filling reflects our Dutch heritage. They're super popular at special gatherings. —Karen Van Den Berge, Holland, Michigan
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Black Forest Ham Pinwheels
Dried cherries are the sweet surprise alongside the savory ingredients in these delightfully different spirals. I roll up the tortillas and pop them in the fridge well before party time, and then I just slice and serve. —Kate Dampier, Quail Valley, California
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Stuffed Asiago-Basil Mushrooms
Even if you don't like mushrooms, you will have to try them again with these pretty appetizers, which taste divine. For a main dish, double the filling and use large portobellos. —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario
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Sweet Potato Mini Cakes
Whenever I make these cute desserts, I think of my grandmother. She always used extra sweet potatoes from her garden in pies, breads and cakes and added black walnuts from her trees for good measure. —Joyce Larson, New Market, Iowa
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Mini Party Burgers
We love finger foods in the South. For parties, I make mini burgers in advance and then wrap them in pastry, bake them and serve them with assorted sauces. —Monica Flatford, Knoxville, Tennessee
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Cheesy Meatball Sliders
These meatball sliders are a fun way to serve meatballs at your party without using a slow cooker. Made on mini Hawaiian rolls, they have a hint of sweetness to balance out all the wonderful Italian seasonings. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Buffalo Chicken Crescent Rolls
My husband loves Buffalo wings, but they are so messy! These Buffalo chicken rolls are mess-free and always go fast at parties—and they're much tastier than regular Buffalo wings, if you ask me. —Tiffinie Cichon, Gulfport, Mississippi
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Toasted Ravioli
While visiting a friend who had just moved to St. Louis, Missouri, I tried toasted ravioli at almost every restaurant! When I got home, I had to try to replicate them, and this recipe comes pretty close. —Cristina Carrera, Kenosha, Wisconsin
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Garlic Pizza Wedges
Our pastor made this for a get-together, and my husband and I just couldn't stay away from the hors d'oeuvres table. The cheesy slices taste great served warm, but they're still wonderful when they've cooled slightly. —Krysten Johnson, Simi Valley, California
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Mini Chimichangas
Wish your guests "Feliz Navidad" with this south-of-the-border specialty! Hearty enough to serve as a meal, these flavorful and filling wraps draw raves whenever I serve them.—Kathy Rogers, Hudson, Ohio
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Chicken Bites with Apricot Sauce
Satisfying a hungry crowd is simple with these oven-baked morsels. The bite-sized chicken pieces are served with an incredibly easy sauce that combines apricot preserves and mustard. —Michelle Krzmarzick, Redondo Beach, California
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Nacho Triangles with Salsa-Ranch Dipping Sauce
These nacho bites are a fun fusion of Greek appetizers and flavors of the American Southwest. The simple dipping sauce is a perfect match—the ranch balances out the heat of the jalapeno and chipotle peppers—and takes the recipe to the next level. —Angela Spengler, Niceville, Florida
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Loaded Baked Potato Rounds
I was trying to create an appetizer that could be served at my teenaged daughters birthday party that the kids would love but that would appear elegant enough for the adults to be interested as well. These are made with simple ingredients yet yield a sophisticated result. Feel free to get creative with the flavors. Try shredded white cheddar in place of mozzarella or thyme instead of the rosemary. Take it up another notch by topping the rounds with smoked fish. —Amanda Digges, South Windsor, Connecticut
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Mini Fruitcakes
Fruitcake always looked so festive to me but I did not like the hard citron fruit so I came up with my own recipe using dried fruits and nuts. I place these in Christmas themed petit fours paper cups and give them to neighbors and friends along with the many other cookies and candies I bake. These keep well in the freezer in an airtight container. Just thaw to room temperature and they taste fresh baked and moist. —Lisa McDermith, Highland, California
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Bacon Cheeseburger Balls
The first time I served these, my husband and kids thought we were having plain meatballs. Then they cut into the flavorful filling inside! —Cathy Lendvoy, Boharm, Saskatchewan
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Festive Holiday Sliders
Turkey sliders with ginger, horseradish and cranberry sauce refrigerate well, so I keep them ready for get-togethers when we bake gifts and wrap presents. —Pamela Miller, Big Rapids, Michigan
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Garlic Bread Bites
These garlic bread bites are ridiculously easy to make and insanely tasty! To make them extra cheesy, sprinkle the tops with more mozzarella cheese after taking them out of the oven the second time, and then return them to the oven until the cheese is melted. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce. —Anna Bowden, Littleton, Colorado
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Spanakopita
I love having appetizers on hand in the freezer, especially when the holiday season is fast approaching. This easy spanakopita recipe is one of my all-time favorites. Everyone loves them, they're easy to prep and they bake up in about 20 minutes. —Shannon Dobos, Calgary, Alberta
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Swiss Potato Puffs
Encourage guests to mingle by serving these cute little morsels. They’re transportable, mess-free and easy to eat in a few bites. —Myra Innes, Auburn, Kansas
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Roasted Chicken and Brie Holly Mini Bites
I got the idea for these appetizers from my favorite sandwich at a local restaurant—a symphony of sweet fig, roasted apple, melted brie and tangy garlic mayonnaise. I re-created this delectable combination in a quick appetizer with bright red cranberries and green spinach to give it a holiday twist. These scrumptious bites only take about 20 minutes, but taste like you spent hours; you can also make them a few days in advance, then warm them in the microwave for 20-30 seconds before serving. They're the perfect party appetizer! —Terri Gilson, Calgary, Alberta
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Portobello Mushroom and Cream Cheese Taquitos
This party appetizer was inspired by a dish I saw on an episode of Top Chef. I simplified it a little and tweaked the flavors a bit. The taquitos can be made ahead and reheated in a 250° oven for 10 minutes. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, GeorgiaAlso check out these New Year’s Eve drinks to clink when the clock strikes twelve.
Originally Published: December 09, 2020