The short answer: for party food, plan a mix of one or two warm dishes, a dip, a board and something sweet, and make as much as you can ahead. Easy appetizers is a good starting list.

Our picks for appetizers & party food

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Ideas and how-tos

  • Easy appetizers Start here60 easy appetizers sorted by no-cook, 5-ingredient, dips, bites, oven, slow cooker and make-ahead, plus how many to make per perso…
  • Baked brieHow to make baked brie two ways, plain in 15 minutes or wrapped in puff pastry, with oven times, 8 topping ideas, make-ahead steps…
  • Bruschetta recipeA classic bruschetta recipe with garlic-rubbed toasted bread, fresh tomatoes, basil and olive oil, plus balsamic, holiday and make…
  • Buffalo chicken dipAn easy buffalo chicken dip recipe with cream cheese, hot sauce, ranch and cheddar, plus oven and slow cooker methods, swaps and m…
  • Cheese ball recipeAn easy cheese ball recipe with cream cheese and sharp cheddar: amounts, how to shape and coat it, 6 flavor variations, make-ahead…
  • Christmas appetizers40 easy Christmas appetizers: make-ahead, no-bake, hot and cold ideas, how many appetizers per guest, a party timeline and food-sa…
  • Christmas charcuterie boardChristmas charcuterie board ideas with wreath, tree and candy cane layouts, a shopping list by guest count, a budget table and hol…
  • Christmas party foodChristmas party food ideas made easy: 50 appetizers, mains, sweets and drinks for a crowd, plus how much food to make and how to k…
  • Christmas potluck ideas40 Christmas potluck ideas: crowd-pleasing mains, sides, apps, desserts and no-cook dishes, plus a sign-up plan, serving math and …
  • Christmas snacksEasy Christmas snacks for parties, kids and movie nights, grouped into sweet, savory, healthy and make-ahead ideas, plus a budget …
  • Easy party food ideas55 easy party food ideas for game day, birthdays, open houses and potlucks, with portions per person, the 2-hour food safety rule …
  • Easy snacks for kids50 easy snacks for kids: no-prep, 5-minute, sweet, savory and make-ahead ideas, with a simple snack formula, costs and choking-saf…
  • Fall potluck ideas40 fall potluck ideas grouped by mains, sides, salads, desserts and drinks, with a sign-up starter list, serving amounts and tips …
  • Fall snacks40 easy fall snacks: apple and pumpkin treats, savory bites, healthier picks and party snack boards, plus a weekly snack plan and …
  • Healthy snacks70 healthy snacks grouped by need: high protein, sweet, savory, no-prep, work and on the go, plus a starter snack list, easy pairi…
  • Healthy snacks for workHealthy snacks for work in 3 groups: 10 desk-drawer, 10 fridge and 10 grab-and-go ideas, plus a pairing formula, a stock list and …
  • High protein snacks50 high protein snacks with grams of protein and calories for each: no-prep grab-and-go picks, 5-minute combos, make-ahead batches…
  • Hot cocoa bar ideasHot cocoa bar ideas with a setup checklist, 40 toppings, five themes, how much to buy for 10, 20 or 30 guests, food-safety tips an…
  • How to make deviled eggsHow to make deviled eggs: easy-peel boiling, a classic filling ratio, flavor variations, how many to make per guest, and make-ahea…
  • Low calorie snacks75 low calorie snacks under 150 calories with USDA calories, protein and fiber, tiered at 65/100/150, plus a weekly snack plan for…
  • Rotel dipAn easy Rotel dip with Velveeta, diced tomatoes with green chiles and sausage or ground beef, made on the stove, in a slow cooker …
  • Shrimp CocktailAn easy shrimp cocktail: poach shrimp 2 to 3 minutes, chill in an ice bath and serve with a 5-ingredient cocktail sauce, plus how …
  • Thanksgiving Appetizers30 Thanksgiving appetizers: easy, warm and healthy ideas, a make-ahead table, how much to make per guest and food safety tips for …
  • Thanksgiving Charcuterie BoardHow to build a Thanksgiving charcuterie board: a shopping list, how much per person, 8 board ideas including a turkey shape, a mak…
  • Thanksgiving potluck sign-upThanksgiving potluck sign up sheet with a copy-and-paste list, a dish plan for 8 to 20 guests, oven and allergy columns and a prin…

Guides

  • Baby shower food ideasBaby shower food ideas on a budget: 48 ideas, how much to make per guest, cost per guest targets and a fill-in menu template for 2…
  • Low carb snacks40 low carb snacks sorted by protein, dairy, produce and crunch, with portion sizes, USDA net-carb counts for 6 staples and prep t…
  • Potluck IdeasEasy potluck ideas by course and occasion: mains, sides, salads, dips and desserts, plus cheap and last-minute picks, a host plan …