45 Bite-Sized Appetizers That Are as Cute as They Are Delicious

• Time commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I love it: vegetarian, ready in <30 minutes, one pan
• Serves: 8

Arts and crafts are not one of my skills, so when party-prepping food I’m always looking for options that are easy to assemble but still look elegant. These crostinis do the trick. Savory, sweet, crunchy, cheesy, a hint of spice—all the tasty things. What more could any host ask for?

• Time commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
• Why I love it: special-occasion worthy, vegetarian, make ahead
• Serves: 8

If the temps are below 60 degrees, you bet your buns I’m craving comfort food, usually in the form of a carby, garlicky treat. This garlic bread wreath is fluffy, flavorful heaven, and the exact kind of pre-dinner carb that is worth filling up on.

• Time commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I love it: vegan, special-occasion worthy
• Serves: 15

Tofu becomes a textured, aromatic filling in a cutesy, crispy shell. If frying is new to you, or you don’t fancy standing over a pot of hot oil, pop these suckers in the air-fryer instead.

• Time commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I love it: keto, vegetarian, make ahead
• Serves: 12

Deviled eggs are *the* it girl of an appetizer table. (At least, that’s one writer’s opinion.) And wasabi is the it girl of heat. (Sriracha and hot honey have had their moment.) Combine them, and you’ve basically got a food version of The Simple Life on your table. I’ll let you decide which ingredient is Paris and which is Nicole.

• Time commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I love it: <10 ingredients, make ahead, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
• Serves: 10

These dressed-up pigs in a blanket are juicy, buttery and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. I suggest making an extra batch, as no one will eat just one.

• Time commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I love it: vegetarian, no bake, <10 ingredients, ready in <15 minutes
• Serves: 8

Where are my Charlottes at? For Sex and The City fans, you know this app would be front and center at any Charlotte York soiree. I love that these have tea sandwich vibes, are no-bake, and come together in under 15 minutes.

• Time commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I love it: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, no cook
• Serves: 6

When it comes to appreciating a good charcuterie board, I say start ‘em young. This recipe is totally kid friendly, and they can help with the prep—from choosing what goes on the board to practicing their assembly skills.

To build the perfect board, Laurie Fleming, the blogger behind Fork to Spoon, says to give the cheese selection special attention. “While brie might be a hit at adult gatherings,” she says, “sturdy cheeses like cheddar or gouda might hold up better to kid handling.”

• Time commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I love it: vegetarian, keto, make ahead
• Serves: 10

We love a recipe that elevates basic pub fare. These goat cheese balls let you have your mozz sticks and eat them too. (The spicy sage honey is also a revelation.)

Pro tip: Make these in advance and pop them in the freezer. When you’re ready to serve, fry them up until warm, crispy and melty.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, make ahead, vegan
• Serves: 4 to 6

Instead of resigning your vegan friends to raw veggies at the app table—no shade to veggie trays—try this recipe. The mushrooms are packed with flavor, look pretty and pair well with a variety of bevs.

• Time commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I love it: less than 500 calories, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 8

If you’ve ever heard of these referred to as devils on horseback, you know why. They are devilishly good. The saltiness of the bacon and pungent kick of goat cheese perfectly cuts the caramelized sweetness of the dates. Plus, one looks very sophisticated eating a snack served on a toothpick.

• Time commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I love it: ready in <15 minutes, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly
• Serves: 1-2

Bacon. That’s really all you need to know. But if you need further persuading, whipped ricotta and flaky Ritz Crackers make this a picky-eater’s dream. If you want to take presentation a step further, pre-assemble your crackers with a swipe of the ricotta mixture and few crumbles of *uses Pippin voice* nice, crispy bacon.

Pro tip from PureWow food editor Taryn Pire: "Starting with a cold pan not only helps the bacon cook evenly, but it also slowly renders out the fat, making for a crispier final product. You can also pseudo-candy the bacon by whisking a bit of maple syrup and brown sugar together in a small bowl and drizzling or brushing it over the strips while they cook."

• Time commitment: 21 minutes
• Why I love it: ready in <30 minutes, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 2 as an entrée; makes about 8-10 croquettes total

Bring the magic of N’awlins to your next party with these fluffy beauties. For a snack that looks complex, they come together in about 20 minutes—music to my party-planning ears.

• Time commitment: 1 hour
• Why I love it: vegetarian, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 48 bites

Cheesy noodles never go out of style. PureWow editors love this recipe because it’s pretty much guaranteed to be a hit. “I love serving them with a drizzle of Buffalo ranch dressing or hot honey, just to take the flavor up a notch,” says Candace Davison, VP of editorial content. “If your guests aren’t into heat, you could use regular ranch or a garlic aioli instead.”

• Time commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I love it: vegan, make ahead, sheet pan recipe
• Serves: 80 crackers, ~8 people

One of my special talents: housing an impressive amount of Extra Toasty Cheez-Its. This vegan variation promises to bring the cheese flavor in a delectable bite-sized cracker.

• Time commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I love it: crowd pleaser, ready in <30 minutes
• Serves: 8

“Is there a better way to repurpose leftover rotisserie chicken than this?” asks recipe creator and food blogger Chunga Rhee. I’m inclined to say no, especially when you serve them with a pico de gallo, guac and queso bar to let people customize their app.

• Time commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I love it: <10 ingredients, ready in <30 minutes
• Serves: 12

You know I had to include a pinwheel recipe on this list. I love them because they are endlessly customizable and always gorgeous to look at. This option requires just four ingredients, and if you can’t get your hands on soppressata, any salami or pepperoni would do.

• Time commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I love it: gluten free, vegetarian
• Serves: 12 fritters

Handheld apps for the win! You’ll appreciate the mix of salty feta, tender broccoli and savory hummus all wrapped up in a portable snack. The lemon tzatziki dip is a fabulous bonus.

• Time commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I love it: <10 ingredients, special-occasion worthy
• Serves: 14 bites

Give leftover cranberry sauce a second life or make these just for funsies. With just six ingredients and less than 20 minutes’ time, you have no excuse not to. The thyme garnish is optional, but it scores major aesthetics points in my book.

• Time commitment: 11 minutes
• Why I love it: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 4

If you’re not singing the Bagel Bites theme song in your head right now, we need to talk. I digress. This recipe calls for full-sized bagels, but I’m including it because it can be mini-fied by subbing in bagel minis. Level up with a bar of creative toppings guests can stack on their tiny pizzas.

• Time commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I love it: sheet pan recipe, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 12

Yes, this recipe is a bit sloppy to eat. But isn’t that the beauty of it? A drippy, saucy, gooey smash burger is enough to put a smile on anyone’s face. Personally, I recommend serving these up if you plan on having a cocktail-heavy beverage menu. Nothing prevents guests from getting too rowdy like a cheeseburger base.

• Time commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I love it: no bake, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 2-4

Finger food definitely includes popcorn. You can whip this up in larger batches with minimal effort. Set it out with some paper cups and watch it disappear. “Instead of tossing the popcorn in melted butter and sprinkling the seasonings on top, I mash all the ingredients into a paste before melting it. That way, every drop of butter is infused with garlicky, cheesy goodness," says Pire.

• Time commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I love it: vegan, sheet pan recipe, beginner friendly
• Serves: 16

This sweet and spicy nut mix is a bit addictive. Make some for a party, but definitely save some for later. This mix goes particularly well on toast or yogurt parfaits.

• Time commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I love it: vegan, sheet pan recipe, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 4 to 6

“Tostones, which are made with unripe green plantains, are deliciously savory and salty,” says recipe creator Kathryne Taylor. If you double the recipe, use two sheet pans and bake in the upper or lower thirds of your oven for max crispiness.

• Time commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I love it: one bowl, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 10

Get the party started with hand-held enchiladas. I love them because you can customize the filling according to your taste and guest preferences. Try swapping the chicken for another protein, like steak, shrimp, seitan, or extra beans.

• Time commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I love it: vegetarian, crowd pleaser, sheet pan recipe, make ahead
• Serves: 12

This recipe has a secret ingredient: kettle chips. Reviewers say they not only add flavor, but a slight crunch that goes brilliantly with the cream cheese filling. You can easily double the recipe and make it ahead of time. Top them with cheese and bake when you’re ready to serve.

• Time commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I love it: kid-friendly, sheet pan recipe
• Serves: 10

If there’s a snack mix out at a party, you can bet I won’t be far away. I like that this recipe works as a delicious appetizer but can also easily be scooped into to-go bags when guests are ready to leave.

• Time commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I love it: special-occasion worthy, make ahead, kid friendly
• Serves: ~16

Puff pastry is the gift that keeps on giving. Turn two sheets into a stunning work of edible art with these delish pastry twists. Recipe creator Jessica Merchant says she based this creation off of Starbucks’s ham and cheese croissant. “[It’s] twisted into a beautiful holiday star and is such a delicious, crowd-pleasing appetizer!” she says.

• Time commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
• Why I love it: vegetarian, crowd-pleaser, beginner friendly
• Serves: 12

Y’all, this recipe is a showstopper. Rainbow beets add beautiful color and earthy flavor (I’m team beet for life). Bake it all on a sheet pan, then cut into tiny servings that are almost too pretty to eat. Almost.

• Time commitment: 4 hours
• Why I love it: slow cooker, kid friendly, crowd pleaser, make ahead
• Serves: 12

This list would not be complete without a Crockpot meatball recipe. I love this creative take that uses fig jam for a dose of sweetness. Dump in your slow cooker, set it and forget it. Until it’s time to eat, that is.

• Time commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I love it: vegetarian, less than 500 calories, make ahead
• Serves: 12

“Lasagna in a muffin tin? Yes, it’s possible!” says recipe creator Nicole Malik. “These Mini Vegetable Lasagnas are made with pesto, cheese, lots of veggies and wonton wrappers instead of lasagna noodles.”

Like many recipes on this list, these are customizable and can easily be made vegan- or carnivore-friendly.

• Time commitment: ~30 minutes
• Why I love it: beginner friendly, paleo, high protein
• Serves: 4

Give your bacon a top hat and a monocle and what do you get? Prosciutto. Wrap it around shrimp and you’ve got a high-protein, satiating, classy appetizer that belongs at any party.

• Time commitment: 55 minutes
• Why I love it: keto, low carb, high protein
• Serves: 12

Three cheeses? A secret dose of cauliflower? Cups?! I’m not trying to do a dramatic reading of this recipe, but I think we can all appreciate a recipe that gives us handheld mac and cheese in any form.

• Time commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I love it: air fryer, paleo, high protein
• Serves: 4

Erin Druga, the recipe developer behind The Almond Eater, says these babies are a dream for folks short on time. “It's made with shredded coconut and breadcrumbs, cooks in just 10 minutes and tastes like your favorite restaurant appetizer!” she says.

• Time commitment: 1 hour, 10 minutes
• Why I love it: vegetarian, make ahead, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 18

If presentation isn’t exactly your strong suit, allow me to share these garlicky cheese straws. The recipe isn’t overly complex, and all you have to do is give the dough a little twist before baking. Put them in a cute display cup, and you’ve got an appetizer you can be proud of.

• Time commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I love it: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
• Serves: 8 to 10

If you always have a bottle of Trader Joe’s Everything But The Bagel Sesame Seasoning (EBTBSS, for short) in your kitchen, do I have a recipe for you. Pigs in a blanket are always a hit, but I’ll never say no to a heavy sprinkling of EBTBSS. Especially when this bite-sized appetizer is served with a shortcut aioli.

• Time commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I love it: vegetarian, make ahead, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 12

These cheesy, spicy, crumbly muffins won’t last long. Try this baking tip from recipe creator Lexi Davidson: “If you are looking for a more cake-like cornbread, you can increase the melted butter to 1/2 cup instead of 1/4 cup.”

• Time commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I love it: vegan, ready in <30 minutes, make ahead
• Serves: 11

If you believe in the Olive Theory, this appetizer might very well introduce you to your soulmate. And if you’re not interested in coupling up, they’re still tasty as hell.

• Time commitment: 21 minutes
• Why I love it: kid-friendly, make ahead, crowd pleaser, vegetarian, low sugar
• Serves: 12

The classic caprese combo has become portable, people. Watch out. “I serve these caprese kabobs at all my parties,” says recipe creator Sara Welch. “Everyone loves this classic flavor combination, and it’s even more fun to eat it off a stick!”

• Time commitment: 55 minutes
• Why I love it: vegetarian, special-occasion worthy
• Serves: 32

Fried green tomatoes might feel like a summer snack, but I love to munch on these when temperatures drop and I’m craving that sitting-on-a-patio-with-sweet-tea feeling. These little guys are bright, tangy, and indulgent.

• Time commitment: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Why I love it: vegetarian, crowd pleaser
• Serves: 30

Spanakopita is a Greek treat that is pretty much impossible not to love. It’s a spinach and feta hand pie served up in a crispy shell. Sold yet? Try it for yourself ASAP.

• Time commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I love it: kid friendly, sheet pan recipe
• Serves: 12

“If you’re looking for a calorie conscience sandwich, this isn’t it,” says recipe creator Kristen Maxwell. “It is, however, one of the funnest sandwiches you’ll ever get your two little paws on.” Say less. You had me at Monte Cristo.

• Time commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I love it: make ahead, crowd pleaser, vegetarian
• Serves: 18

If fall could be represented in a bite-sized app, this is it. You can pre-make a giant batch of these that are ready to go at party-time.

• Time commitment: ~15 minutes
• Why I love it: one bowl, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 6

Never made arepas before? Now’s your chance to perfect this fluffy-crispy Venezuelan dish. “If you want to keep it simple and practice the basics…you can just follow this recipe,” says recipe creator Paul Palop.Once you’ve mastered that, he recommends stuffing ‘em with carne mechada, a robust shredded beef stew.

• Time commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I love it: vegetarian, make ahead, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 24

Let’s talk about quiche, baby. These are cheesy, eggy delights that steal the show on an appetizer table. In the unlikely event you have any left the next day, they heat up well for brunch.

• Time commitment: 38 minutes
• Why I love it: kid-friendly, crowd pleaser
• Serves: 24 bites

Yes, this is another brie-bite recipe—but can you blame me? Davison thought up this ingenious combo during last year’s Super Bowl, and I’m confident it’s an appetizer that will leave an impression on party guests. “There's no Super Bowl (Taylor's Version) app quite like this tangy, creamy wonder,” Davison says. “Trust.”