Appetizers are a fantastic way to start a meal whether it’s a regular night at home or if you’re entertaining friends. Try one of these easy appetizers that are perfect for the end of summer and easy on the wallet.
Summer vacations are rolling to a close. While some of us have been back to school for a few days or weeks, others are enjoying one last hurrah before going back to the grind after Labor Day.
Now is a great time to host a few get-togethers or a late summer BBQ, even if it’s an late afternoon “happy hour” of appetizers. Easy appetizers are usually something that I keep in my backpocket for the holidays, but they are great really anytime of the year. So wherever you land on the spectrum: with school for yourself or your children on the horizon or with work and fellow co-workers returning from various summer holidays these easy appetizers will be perfect for your get together
What Are Easy Appetizers To Serve?
The appetizers rounded up here are not only easy to prepare, but they are also easy on the wallet. You can serve them to a crowd without breaking the bank. And they taste amazing!
Super Easy Salsa
This Super Easy Salsa really is just that — super easy. Even my 11-year old can make it on his own. With a few fresh ingredients, you (or your kid) can transform canned tomatoes and sauce into a really delicious salsa that will keep for a week in the fridge. Just add your favorite tortilla chips.
Tomato Bruschetta with Herbes de Provence
This Tomato Bruschetta with Herbes de Provence is pretty amazing. If you’ve got some homegrown tomatoes from your garden or your neighbor, use those instead of the cherry or grape tomatoes. You can usually buy cherry or grape tomatoes year-round, so this makes for a yummy appetizer even in the winter months.
Zucchini Fritters
These Zucchini Fritters are a fantastic way to enjoy the zucchini that is in season. Even zucchini haters love these! Though these appetizers are fried, they are still very simple to mix up and cook. Serve them up hot and fresh with Ranch Dressing or sour cream for dipping.
Ranch Dressing
Speaking of Ranch Dressing, it is so easy to make and tastes so much better than the bottled version. A batch will last for 4 days in the refrigerator. Serve up a bowl with your favorite veggies for dipping.
Olive Oil Dipping Sauce
If you’ve got spice mix and good olive oil on hand, you can easily mix up some delicious Olive Oil Dipping Sauce for a nice baguette. Jamie’s Spice Mix, Fishmama Spice, and Herbes de Provence would all be good choices. Experiment and see which spice mix is your favorite.
What’s your favorite easy appetizer?
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Makeover Your Meal Plans
Here is an appetizer that I have served many times and people always ask for the recipe.
Cordon bleu appetizers
4 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 tsp. spicy brown mustard (I use guldens)
1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
3/4 cup small diced cooked ham (I use the packages of small dice ham that I find in the store)
1/2 cup minced chives, divided
18 slices French bread (1/2 inch thick)
In a small bowl, beat cream cheese and mustard until smooth. Stir in the Swiss cheese, ham and 1/4 cup of chives. Spread 1 TBS. mixture over each bread slice; place on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Sprinkle with remaining chives.
The mixture can be made ahead of time and frozen until ready for use. I’ve done this and it’s just like it was freshly made. I just make it and put it into a freezer bag. It defrosts in a short period of time and can be made the day of service.
Another appetizer that goes over very well:
Cheese Clouds
1 jar of Cheese Whiz
1 can dinner rolls such as Pillsbury
1/2 stick butter
Put butter and cheese in a round pyrex dish and melt in a 350 oven for about 5 minutes. With a fork, blend together. Cut each biscuit into quarters and arrange on top of cheese. Bake in oven for about 10 minutes or until biscuits are golden brown. Guests can pick up a piece of the biscuit and the cheese mixture underneath it.
I love the sound of those Cordon Bleu Apps. Yum!
I like the idea of the zucchini fritters, but since leeks are very pricey here I might substitute sweet onions.
I usually just do dip or meatballs in either marinara or the old standard ketchup and grape jelly sauce. My usual dips are the Spicy White Bean Dip from the AlaskaFromScratch website or a yogurt dill dip that I think I found in a blog on the FoodieWithFamily website. I like hummus, but it is expensive and even if you make your own the tahini is pricey. The bean dip is a bit more basic and goes well with crackers or veggies. It goes over well except with my daughter-in-law who expects bean dip to be the Tex-Mex type. For that type I usually just mash up a can of chili style beans with or without a batch of salsa.
Yes, onions or scallions will work great. The bean dip sounds delicious!
These fritters look yummy. We have a couple monster zucchinis on the counter right now, and I heard from one of the kids there are more out on the vine….I think I’ll give this recipe a try and see if the family likes it 🙂
I hope they like it!