8 Appetizers That Know How to Party
We all have the same goal when throwing a holiday party — a display of impressive food that screams, “I went to soooo much trouble,” but with as little actual trouble as possible. Enter eight high-impact, low-effort recipes that are great-tasting and party-friendly, leaving you free to (gasp!) enjoy the festivities while getting all the high praise.
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1
Cheese-Stuffed Dates
A little sweet, a little savory, a big hit. This is one of those recipes that looks and tastes impressive and leaves you quietly giggling over how easy it was.
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2
Creamy Stuffed Mushrooms
The secret to this one is patience while the liquid absorbs in step one. Your reward: an addictively rich, creamy stuffing that will bring them back to the party platter again and again.
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3
Baked Ranch Zucchini Strips
When you think “party” you think “zucchini,” right? Well, you will after this. With pretty presentation and loads of flavor, these zucchini strips are definitely holiday party-worthy.
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4
Club Crostini
Crostini are a party standby for their ease of preparation and easy eating. But this flavor-packed version elevates everyone’s favorite finger food to a whole new level of wow.
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5
Twice-Baked Ranch Potato Poppers
We must warn you, if you serve these as passed appetizers, you may be chased. Blame guests’ unbecoming behavior on the crazy-making flavor combo of ranch, parmesan and toasty little potatoes.
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6
Spinach & Cheese Spirals
Want to cement your Party Wizard reputation? Bake up a batch of these flaky temptations and watch the crowd go wild. Make sure to save at least one for yourself – party wizards need snacks, too.
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7
Simple Potato Pancakes
These crispy, savory treats are holiday-fancy and mmm-out-loud tasty. You can fry pre-party and let them rest at room temp on baking racks (put down paper towels to catch drips). For a vegetarian version, simply omit the corned beef.
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8
Crispy Potato Croquettes
When life gives you leftover mashed potatoes, make crispy potato croquettes. Even if you’re starting from scratch, this recipe comes together quickly, and it’s so simple you can even get the kids to help.
