These party food ideas are total crowd-pleasers! Everyone will love these easy and irresistible recipes for party snacks, dips and more.
Having a party and need recipe inspiration? Try our top party food ideas! This isn’t just a list of random recipes: we’ve tested them at actual parties with real people. Suffice it to say: these party snacks go over well with everyone, no matter their diet or preferences! There’s something for every season and occasion, from classic dips to finger foods to a few treats. The common thread? They all get rave reviews.
And now…our top 25 party food ideas!
What's better party food than the classic Spinach Artichoke Dip? This tangy, creamy dip recipe is such a crowd-pleasing snack that it might interfere with the conversation when you serve it (sorry!). Serve with pita chips for endless dipping.
Here’s a creamy, irresistibly spiced party dip that's a perfect easy Super Bowl recipe idea: Taco Dip! It’s got a quick homemade seasoning blend, Greek yogurt, and a colorful mix of fresh toppings for the absolute best flavor. Absolutely no one will turn this down.
Get the party started with Cowboy Caviar! This combo of black eyed peas, veggies and a vinaigrette dressing is equal parts zesty and comforting. This recipe has loads of veggies, cilantro and jalapenos, and a simple zingy dressing with the perfect flavor.
If you’re looking to distract party guests with a finger food they can’t resist, this is it. This baked goat cheese appetizer disappears quickly! Something about this sweet, garlic-y roasted tomato sauce and gooey healthy appetizer keeps everyone coming back for more!
Need a crowd-pleasing appetizer or snack? Let’s make classic bruschetta! This Italian appetizer has become ubiquitous all over the world because of its easy-to-love flavors. Who can say no to crunchy, toasted bread piled with tasty toppings? The most popular way to serve bruschetta in America is with chopped tomatoes, garlic and basil
Looking for a great party food idea? Try Stuffed Mushrooms! These little bites have everything going on: they’re savory, meaty, and herby, with a tender exterior and a crunch in each bite. Even better, this party snack recipe is incredibly easy: no need to sauté filling ingredients. Chop them up, fill, and bake!
Throwing a party? Here’s the best easy appetizer: the Ultimate Cheese Board! Cheese boards are our go-to for entertaining: they’re simple to put together, easy to customize for various diets, and look simply brilliant. Here’s an easy way to make a cheese board, with loads of ideas so you can build the spread of your dreams.
Check out that gooey, melty cheese, right? This skillet cheese dip is perfect for a party, tailgating, or really any time you want to wow your guests. It’s a play on white chili, using white beans, mild green chiles, corn, and a gooey mess of Mexican cheeses!
Instead of buying fruit dip from the store, make your own! Just stir together yogurt, honey or maple syrup, and cinnamon. It’s an excellent way to create a satisfying snack or healthy appetizer. This one always goes over well at parties: it's light and delicious!
How to make quesadillas into party food? Enter: baked quesadillas in the oven! This recipe makes a big batch all at once on a sheet pan. All the quesadillas are done at the same time, and they come out with a beautifully crispy exterior. Add dips and serve!
Need party food to impress? Try Tuna Tartare! Pairing the bold flavors of soy sauce, lime and toasted sesame oil makes magic with this sushi-grade fish. It’s the ideal spread for crackers or toasts. Here’s our favorite way to make it into an easy appetizer recipe that will wow everyone.
Here’s a tasty dip that will surprise you with its irresistibly creamy flavor: Black Bean Hummus! This spin on the traditional Mediterranean chickpea dip might sound fun, but here’s the thing. It tastes even better than it sounds! Black beans, lime, tahini and a bit of smoked paprika make creamy dip magic.
One of the best party food ideas? Pinwheels! These rollups are full of Italian-style flavors: mozzarella, sundried tomatoes, spinach, and a blend of spices. This party snack looks totally stunning on a platter.
There could not be an easier party food than baked brie. Often, we forget about these simple entertaining tricks. So here’s what you need to know about making a melty, delicious pile of brie. The toppings are versatile depending on your preferences, and you can make a beautiful platter with little effort.
These loaded sweet potato bites are ideal party food! Load up roasted sweet potato rounds with cheese, sour cream and green onion, and they're absolutely irresistible! These always disappear quickly.
Got 5 minutes? Then you can whip up this stunningly simple party food idea: Whipped Ricotta! The pairing of fluffy, savory cheese and gooey golden honey will have you licking your plate. It’s creamy, salty sweet perfection scooped up with some warm bread.
There’s nothing better than a party snack that tastes like a treat: and this recipe covers both. Try these Chocolate Peanut Butter Bites! They taste like dessert, but they’re a simple combination of peanut butter, oats and honey. Of course, there’s a hint of chocolate thrown in too!
Caprese skewers are perfect for parties! This easy recipe is visually stunning and irresistibly tasty, spearing all the components of a Caprese salad onto a skewer. There’s nothing better than basil and tomatoes in summer, and combined with seasoned mozzarella and a balsamic glaze: you won’t be able to eat just one!
Looking for a fast and easy dip to impress at parties or a simple dinner? Try this Mexican inspired corn dip! This recipes celebrates the flavors of elote (Mexican street corn), riffing on them to make a tasty dip for eating with crunchy tortilla chips. The pops of sweet corn against the tangy lime, zingy green chiles and salty crumbled cheese is absolutely irresistible!
What’s better than a big pan of nachos? (Answer: not much.) This Tex Mex favorite is one of life’s great pleasures, and we’re here for them. They’re ideal an appetizer to feed a crowd: make a big pile on a sheet pan!
These Marinated Olives will make an olive lover out of anyone. Using the right olives here results in smooth, rich flavor: not briny or overly salty. The garlic, lemon and herbs make a symphony of flavor! Every time we make these and set them out on the party snack table, people go crazy for them.
Want our new favorite trick for a party? Goat cheese stuffed dates! Yes, these beauties are incredibly easy to make, and the flavor of this simple pairing is outrageous. There’s the sweet caramel chewiness of Medjool dates. Pair that with tangy, fluffy goat cheese, and the sweet-savory combo is out of this world.
Want a stunning vegan party food idea? Buffalo cauliflower wings! These tasty morsels are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and tossed with spicy, tangy buffalo sauce. You’ll see these in restaurants these days…and this recipe? It tastes just as good as restaurant-style. Better, in fact! They take a bit of time to prepare, but it's absolutely worth it.
Here’s another party trick for a delicious treat: Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars! These are everything you want in a treat: irresistible sweet peanut-y flavor, chewy texture, and a little drizzle of chocolate on top! All you need are 5 ingredients: and no bake time.
There’s nothing more epic at a party than a platter of Chili Cheese Fries! Imagine: that combination of deliciously hearty chili, crispy potatoes, and gooey cheese sauce is comfort food at its finest. Why settle for a plate of fries when you can add chili? This spin on the traditionally heavy dish is fresher than most, featuring a black bean chili and a lighter (but just as tasty) cheese sauce.
This guacamole is a home run every time! When we serve it at a party, a chorus of “Wow’s” fill the room. What makes it so great? It’s classic and has the perfect balanced flavor: perfectly savory, creamy, and tangy. Serve it up with tortilla chips and your guests won’t be able to stop eating it.
There’s nothing more fun than food on a stick, right? Here’s an easy party appetizer that capitalizes on this idea: Antipasto Skewers! They’re everything that’s great about an antipasto platter, in skewer form. Thread olives, mozzarella, marinated artichokes and tortellini pasta onto a skewer, and it’s easily devoured by eaters of all ages.
Need simple party food to impress? Try this Pineapple Salsa! The zing of the lime and heat of the jalapeno are the ideal pairing for this sweet fruit. Grab a juicy, ripe pineapple for this one: scoop it up with chips and each bite is an explosion of sweet, savory, salty and spicy.
This creamy dip is a Lebanese classic with a smoky finish to the flavor that makes it absolutely irresistible for dipping. Turns out, it’s actually very simple to make at home. Perfect for a party, it's a delicious recipe to nosh your way into happy hour.
These homemade taquitos are easy spin on that tasty Mexican rolled tortilla treat! This version is not so much authentic as an easy way for a tasty snack. The filling is vegetarian, a mix of refried beans, cheese, salsa, and spices. It makes for a snack that’s seriously tasty and great for parties. Serve with your favorite salsa, guacamole, or sour cream for dipping.
Finally what’s a more classic party food than shrimp cocktail? This 1960’s appetizer might seem a little retro, but it’s a timeless recipe that truly never goes out of style! Why buy one of those sub-par trays from the grocery store when you can make an incredible version of shrimp cocktail at home? Homemade is always the best (in our opinion), and this recipe really shines.
More party recipes & snacks
Need to round out your menu of party food and snacks? Depending on the occasion, you may want to accessorize your menu with drinks and desserts. Here are a few more collections of recipes to please everyone at the party:
- Drinks: Try 15 Party Drinks for a Crowd, featuring Party Punch and more
- Healthy: Go for fresh and wholesome with Favorite Healthy Appetizers
- Appetizers: Go for 50 Appetizer Recipes Everyone Will Love with lots of ideas in every category
- Finger Food or Dips: Opt for 15 Finger Food Ideas for Parties or 15 Easy Dip Recipes
- Desserts: Make sweet treats with Top 10 Easy Desserts to Make
25 Party Food Ideas: Skillet Cheese Dip & More!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 1x
Description
Looking for easy party food ideas for a crowd? This Mexican cheese dip recipe is perfect for entertaining, baked in a skillet covered in gooey cheese.
Ingredients
- 2 medium garlic cloves
- 15-ounce can pinto beans
- ¾ cup whole milk Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 15-ounce can white beans
- 1 1/2 to 2 cups Mexican blend shredded cheese
- 1 4 ounce can diced mild green chiles
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
- 1/2 red pepper
- 2 green onions
- ¾ cup canned or frozen corn
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375F.
- Peel the garlic cloves, then add them to the bowl of a food processor and pulse until chopped. Drain the pinto beans. Add the pinto beans, Greek yogurt, cumin, oregano, chili powder, onion powder, and ½ teaspoon kosher salt. Process until smooth, about 1 minute.
- Brush a cast iron skillet or 9 x 9″ pan with olive oil and pour bean mixture into the skillet. Drain the white beans. To the bean mixture, stir in the white beans, ½ cup Mexican cheese, green chiles, hot sauce (optional), and ¾ teaspoon kosher salt.
- Mince the red pepper and thinly slice the green onions. Top the white chili cheese dip with 1 to 1 ½ cups Mexican cheese (depending on your cheese preference!), red pepper, green onions, and frozen corn.
- Bake for 20 minutes until cheese is melted*. Serve warm with tortilla chips.
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Keywords: Party food, Party food ideas
Let us know if you have any questions!
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