10 appetizer ideas to serve guests‍

Sans pre-heat, cook time, & oven mitts

For the times when you want to have people over, without the hassle of planning out cooking times and having everything warm at the right time. Ever wish there was a perfectly curated, taste-bud approved list of easy appetizers to pull from? Wish granted—on an aesthetic serving platter. Here are our top appetizers that you don’t need to cook. Chill, spread, display, eat up. 

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Make your own dips

They're simple—believe us. The name of this game is "No Cook" and we'll hold to that. Scoop, stir, sprinkle a garnish, and serve.

1. Greek Yogurt Anything

Really though, mix spices into greek yogurt, and suddenly you’ve created a cleaner, heartier, and fluffier version of any dip you’d like. A few of our favs:

• Pesto: Greek yogurt + pesto
• Ranch dressing: Greek yogurt + spices (parsley, garlic powder, onion salt)
• Hatch Green Chile Dip: Greek yogurt + Hatch green chilis + cream cheese + spices
• Buffalo Chicken Dip: Greek yogurt + shredded chicken + cheese + cottage cheese + Frank’s Red Hot
• Creamy Fruit Dip: Greek yogurt + honey + almond butter + vanilla + cinnamon

Serve yogurt dips with anything from crackers, pita chips, sliced carrots, radishes, or cucumbers.

2. 7 Layer Bean Dip

A fan favorite, every time. Scoop it up with tortilla chips and find yourself instantly transported to party mode.

Try this recipe

Store-bought dips

Tip of the year: Buy store-made dips and spreads and transfer to a pretty dish of your own. If you are cooking other things, simply displaying dips tastefully (ha, ha) is still beautiful and one less thing to worry about preparing. 

3. Hummus

Classic, red pepper, roasted garlic, lemon tahini…the flavor options here have no limit.

• Spread in a wide plate with a lip like this one and drizzle with olive oil, zaatar, paprika, and flaky salt
• Slice carrots and cucumbers into matchsticks for easy dipping and presentation
• Crispy pita chips are everybody’s best friend

Color your guests fancy with fun carrots: White, purple, and orange variations

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4. Elote Dip

This one will be gone before you finish scooping out.

• Trader Joe’s dip
• Make it yourself: Recipe by TastyAZ
• Serve with chips, crackers, or sliced carrots or cucumbers

Apps to display 

5. Greek skewers

Talk about an app that delivers all things display and very little prep. Toss these onto skewers, arrange on a platter or board, and watch your guests devour.

• Cherry tomatoes
• Kalamata olives
• Feta cheese cubes
• Cucumber slices

Sprinkle with oregano, olive oil, and lemon juice to create a dish worthy of anyone’s big fat Greek wedding.

6. Stuffed dates

Make them savory or sweet, but you can’t go wrong either way with everyone’s favorite companion (a date). Snag a friend and prep these ahead of time, assembly line style. A few of our favorite things to stuff them with:

• Goat cheese
• Cream cheese
• Almond 
• Chopped nuts
• Top any with honey or a dash of sea salt

Pro Tip: Or, wrap the dates in bacon. So okay maybe that’s a touch of cooking, but we think bacon is worth cheating for.

7. Marinated Olives 

Pick up at the store or make your own. These are sure to be a memorable nosh to kick things off the right way! 

Ingredients

• 14 oz pitted olives
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
• Chopped fresh parsley
• Chopped fresh oregano 
• Red pepper flakes if you like it spicy ‍
• Flaky salt

How to make 

1. Mix all ingredients besides olives together in a bowl
2. Add 14 oz pitted olives 
3. Let marinate for at least one hour
4. Serve at room temperature in mini bowls like this with nuts and cornichons 

8. Classic Bruschetta 

But make it toast edition. Put a simple new spin on the prep of this classic, albeit gourmet appetizer. Slice a baguette longways, toast it, and then cut those toasted slices into individual servings. Top each piece with the following, and have yourself an Italian feast.

• Diced tomatoes
• Fresh basil
• Garlic
• Drizzle of olive oil
• Extra credit: Mozzarella or balsamic glaze

9. Charcuterie board

We all know this one, but in case you forgot! But, have you seen it done… veggie edition? (See #10 below).

Make this board

10. Crudite board

All you could ever want in a gorgeous board, suitable for all eating desires and restrictions. Hello veggies, nutrients, and beta carotene.

Try this board

We think piling your countertop with no-cook apps qualifies as a party in itself. So go ahead, try out a few, whether it’s a weeknight at home just for fun, or to have the crew over and celebrate doing life together. Featuring extra decadent appetizers. Who needs main courses anyway?

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