Our Best Appetizer Recipes

It's not very often that we see a trending recipe on social media and think it makes sense for our audience. Many rely on gimmicky techniques or ingredients that, quite frankly, we just can't buy into. But the "trend" of crispy, baked onions is one we could—though we had to make it Southern first, of course. Meet Crispy Tennessee Onions. We took the iconic casserole and turned it into a savory, salty, and irresistible snack. Sweet yellow onions (Vidalia, if you have them) soften and sweeten...

Two-Bite Ham Delight Rolls are a bite-sized twist on a classic party favorite. Just take our Southern Living Test Kitchen professionals’ word for it: “These were a real test kitchen favorite. Everyone swarmed around them and all three pans were polished off in minutes.” Starting with refrigerated pizza dough, this appetizer comes together in no time. #appetizers #hamdelightrolls #recipes #appetizerrecipes #partyappetizers

Aside from the short ingredient list and simple preparation, people can’t get enough of these Candied Bacon Crackers because they hit every note on the flavor scale. #appetizers #candiedbacon #crackers #recipes #recipeideas

Even though the main dish is the star of the show at Easter dinner, every Southern host knows you've got to have a few appetizers to welcome your guests. That doesn't mean that you should spend even more time and effort in the kitchen than you already are, though. These easy Easter appetizers will look beautiful and taste incredible, but no one will know how easy they were to put together. #easter #appetizers #recipes #easterrecipes #appetizerrecipes

The good news is that for a dish with so much flavor complexity (sweet, savory, smoky, umami), the ingredient list for Bacon Jam is short and affordable. Obviously, you’ll need bacon. Aside from that, grab one sweet onion, light brown sugar, smoked paprika, and Worcestershire sauce. The last three ingredients are probably in your pantry right now. #baconjam #recipes #appetizers #sides #southern

As much as Southerners love to gather around the table and feast on casseroles, there's something even better about grazing on a spread of your grandmother's homemade snacks. Appetizers in the South mean more than a bag of chips and jar of store-bought dip; we pride ourselves on having the best homemade snacks available to please any and all appetites. #appetizers #southernappetizers #bestsouthernrecipes #classicappetizers #partyappetizers

While saltines are classic for dipping into homemade chili or for scooping up Grandma’s famous chicken salad, they’re also a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of recipes. Use a sleeve of saltines to serve a variety of appetizers or transform them into Christmas toffee candy. Plus, it's likely one of those items that you always grab a box of at the store and have on hand in your pantry. Crumbled saltines are an awesome breading based for fried chicken and can even be made...

We enjoy potatoes any time of day in any number of ways. Breakfast—hash browns and tater tots. Lunch and dinner—mashed potatoes, smashed potatoes, twice-baked potatoes, potatoes tossed in a casserole or soup, French-fried, roasted, and so much more. Lucky for us, these amazing potato appetizers at the link prove the humble potato's versatility even further. These spuds are ready to party. #recipeideas #potatoes #appetizers #partyappetizers #partyrecipes

Folks in the South like to throw a party, gather for backyard barbecues, and celebrate the holidays with lots of loved ones around. That means hosts need a handful of go-to appetizer recipes at the ready year-round. The kinds of recipes that don’t require a long laundry list of ingredients, or tons of prep, and can also serve a crowd. When Southerners need help produce an impressive spread, they’re searching for one easy appetizer again and again: Ham Delights. #hamdelights #appetizers...

Cream cheese is perhaps one of the most versatile cheeses you can buy. From casseroles to desserts to side dishes, it's used in a wide variety of recipes. While cream cheese is a very versatile ingredient, appetizers are perhaps one of our favorite ways to make use of the refrigerator staple. #appetizers #creamcheese #appetizerrecipes #recipes #southernliving

You may be familiar with Melt-Away Mushrooms already. These were a mainstay of parties in the 1970s and 1980s, but we don't see a reason they shouldn't be on buffets and displays at parties today. These rich and creamy mushroom bites pack a smoky-salty punch from the bacon and a pop from horseradish. The cremini caps turn tender and juicy in the oven, giving way to a smooth, tangy filling that melts. A sprinkle of parsley adds just the right fresh lift to balance the richness. #mushrooms...

The simple three-ingredient combo made the perfect blend of herby, cheesy, savory, sweet, creamy, and crunchy. It looks beautiful as-is, but you could also form the cheese into a specific shape for holiday parties. Even though this no-effort snack takes mere minutes to throw together, it was a hit with our crowd, and my friend’s plate looked like it had been licked clean. #holiday #appetizer #recipes #recipeideas #boursin #easterappetizers

Southerners love queso in all forms. This Tex-Mex masterpiece is a staple at nearly every gathering, whether it’s bubbling away in a slow-cooker, simmering on the stove, or being escorted back to the microwave for a glow-up every 15 minutes. We’ve created a lot of cheese dips over the years, but this one is so good, our readers claim it gets “wiped out” every time they make it. We’re inclined to believe them. #appetizers #dips #cowboydip #partyrecipes #partydips

These mini appetizers put the party in the palm of your hand. They make enjoying festive food simple, and these recipes make it fun. Our recipes for mini appetizers include new twists on traditional Southern classics. From mini chicken and waffles to mini tomato sandwiches, honey we shrunk your Southern favorites! These tiny bites will disappear so quickly, and with kid-friendly mini appetizers like meatball sliders and pizza poppers, every family member will love these. Fill a plate with...

Knowing how to properly reheat chicken wings is a skill that every Southerner should know. Even if you don't cook on a regular basis, that's no reason to eat cold leftover chicken wings. Fortunately, thanks to modern appliances, there are plenty of ways to heat up our favorite game day snack—the the oven, the air fryer, the stovetop, and the microwave. #testkitchen #reheatchicken #chickenwings #howtoreheatwings #southern #appetizers