Eight Mouth-Watering Appetizers for Your Next Dinner Party

A dinner party without appetizers is like a movie without popcorn – too boring to enjoy. Besides, you cannot just throw some chips and dip on a platter or serve a bowl of nuts and call it an appetizer. Imagine how disappointed your guests would be.

So, if you want your dinner party to be a hit, you must have some mouth-watering appetizers on the menu. After all, the time between your guests’ arrival and the main course is often the most enjoyable part of any dinner party. It’s when everyone mingles and catches up. So, serve your guests the perfect appetizers and set the tone for a fun-filled evening.

Here are eight oh-so-delicious, easy-to-make appetizers that will tickle your guests’ taste buds and enhance the whole dining experience.

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  Homemade Japanese Cucumber Salad (Sunomono)

This light, refreshing salad is everything you could want in an appetizer – easy to prep, healthy, and delicious. 

You need: 

• Cucumbers
• Dried wakame seaweed
• Rice vinegar
• Soy sauce
• Sugar
• Kosher salt
• Toasted sesame seeds

First, soak the wakame seaweed in cold water to soften it and then chop it into bite-sized pieces.

Next, slice the cucumbers thinly and sprinkle some kosher salt on top. Let it sit for about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the vinegar sauce with rice vinegar, soy sauce, and sugar.

Then, give the cucumbers a good squeeze to get rid of excess water and toss them into the bowl with the vinegar sauce and the seaweed.

Follow this homemade sunomono recipe for detailed instructions, and impress your guests with this flavorful appetizer.

• Avocado Deviled Eggs

Are you looking for a twist on the classic deviled eggs? Try this recipe with creamy avocados to make a healthier version of the traditional appetizer.

You need: 

• Eggs
• Avocado
• Lemon juice 
• Mayonnaise 
• Mustard
• Salt and pepper 
• Paprika

First, hard-boil the eggs and cut them in half lengthwise. Remove the yolks and mash them with avocado, lemon juice, mayonnaise, mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth.

Spoon the mixture back into the egg whites and sprinkle with paprika for an added kick. Serve chilled, and watch your guests gobble them down.

• Hawaiian Roll Turkey Pesto Sliders

The combination of sweet Hawaiian rolls, savory turkey, and flavorful pesto make these sliders the perfect finger food to serve at any dinner party.

You need: 

• Hawaiian sweet rolls
• Sliced turkey deli meat
• Provolone cheese 
• Pesto sauce 
• Melted butter 
• Garlic powder

First, preheat your oven to 350°F and cut the Hawaiian rolls in half. Spread pesto on half the rolls and top with sliced turkey and provolone cheese.

Place the other half of the rolls on top and brush with melted butter and garlic powder. Bake for 10 minutes until they’re golden brown and the cheese is melted.

Slice into individual sliders and serve warm for a delicious appetizer or snack. Your guests will love the flavorful combination of ingredients in this easy-to-make dish.

• Broiled Salmon Collars 

Are you inviting some seafood lovers to your dinner party? Impress them with this simple and flavorful broiled salmon collar dish.

You need: 

• Salmon collars 
• Soy sauce
• Brown sugar 
• Garlic 
• Ginger

Marinate the salmon collars in soy sauce, brown sugar, crushed garlic, and grated ginger for at least 30 minutes. Preheat your broiler and place the marinated collars on a foil-lined baking sheet.

Broil for about 5 minutes on each side until cooked through and slightly charred. Serve with additional soy sauce for dipping, and watch your guests savor every bite of this delicious seafood dish. 

• Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Crostini

Your guests will go crazy over this appetizer’s perfect sweet and savory flavor balance.

You need:

• Baguette slices
• Olive oil 
• Red onions 
• Balsamic vinegar 
• Goat cheese 
• Honey

Preheat your oven to 400°F and brush the baguette slices with olive oil. Bake for about 8 minutes until crispy. Meanwhile, heat a pan over medium heat and add sliced red onions. Cook until caramelized, then drizzle with balsamic vinegar.

Spread goat cheese on each crostini slice, then top with the caramelized onions. Drizzle some honey for extra sweetness. 

• Bacon Cheddar Hasselback Potatoes

You know it will be a hit when bacon and cheese are involved. These Hasselback potatoes are no exception.

You need:

• Russet potatoes 
• Bacon
• Cheddar cheese 
• Green onions 
• Sour cream

Preheat your oven to 425°F. Cut slits into each potato, careful not to cut all the way through. Place a slice of bacon in each slit and bake for about an hour until tender. 

Remove from the oven and top with shredded cheddar cheese. Bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese has melted and bubbly.

Serve with chopped green onions and a dollop of sour cream for added flavor. 

• Homemade Hummus with Pita Chips

Forget store-bought hummus and impress your guests with this homemade version. It’s easy to make and packed with flavor.

You need:

• Chickpeas 
• Garlic  
• Lemon juice 
• Tahini 
• Olive oil

Drain and rinse a can of chickpeas, then add them to a food processor. Add in minced garlic, lemon juice, tahini, and olive oil. Blend until smooth and creamy.

Slice pita bread into triangles, brush with olive oil and bake at 375°F for about 8 minutes until crispy. Serve the hummus with the warm pita chips, and your guests will be coming back for seconds. 

• Caprese Skewers

These bite-sized skewers pack all the delicious flavors of a traditional caprese salad into one convenient and tasty appetizer.

You need:

• Cherry tomatoes 
• Fresh mozzarella balls 
• Basil leaves 
• Balsamic glaze

Thread a cherry tomato, mozzarella ball, and basil leaf onto a skewer. Repeat until you have as many skewers as desired.

Drizzle some balsamic glaze for added sweetness and tanginess. Serve at room temperature for the perfect balance of flavors.

Conclusion:

Hosting a dinner party pays off when you see your guests enjoying the delicious food and having a great time. With these easy and tasty appetizer recipes, you can create a spread that everybody will love. 

So, prepare the homemade sunomono for a refreshing and light start to the meal, followed by the savory bacon cheddar hasselback potatoes. Caprese skewers, caramelized onion and goat cheese crostini, avocado deviled eggs, and hummus with pita chips are flavorful appetizers that will satisfy your guests until the main course. 

If you want to serve something more “appetizing,” whip up Hawaiian roll turkey pesto sliders and broiled salmon collars. Each dish will surely be a crowd-pleaser and make your dinner party one to remember.