Tasty Appetizers

The right appetizer sets the tone for everything that follows, whether you're hosting a casual game night, elegant dinner party, or holiday gathering. This collection offers options for every occasion, skill level, and time constraint. You'll find quick-assembly platters that let beautiful ingredients speak for themselves, make-ahead dips and spreads that actually improve with time in the refrigerator, and hot appetizers worth turning on the oven for. I've included both vegetarian options and meat-based classics, with plenty of room for customization based on what looks good at the market. Many recipes include serving suggestions and scaling information, making it easy to adapt them for different group sizes. I'm particularly fond of appetizers that can be prepped in stages, allowing you to enjoy your own party instead of being stuck in the kitchen, so you'll find plenty of those here. Whether you need something to tide guests over before dinner or want to create an entire spread of small bites for grazing, these recipes deliver big flavor in small packages, often with simpler preparation than their impressive appearance suggests.