Thai Chicken Wings with Peanut Sauce
Asian-inspired chicken wings get a kick when tossed with a homemade spiced peanut sauce. Serve with any remaining sauce to let your guests pick their level of heat.
Makes: 12 servings
Prep: 25 mins
Cook: 5 hrs to 6 hrs (low) or 2 1/2 to 3 hours (high)
Caribbean Cocktail Sausages
These aren't your everyday cocktail sausages. With a jerk-seasoned pineapple glaze and hot pepper sauce, your guests will be fighting over these bite-size treats.
Makes: 24 servings
Prep: 15 mins
Slow Cook: 4 hrs (low) or 2 hours (high)
Sweet-and-Sour Chicken Sausage Bites
Drench sausage bites in a sweet-and-sour sauce for tasty party fare. Have some fun with them and let guests skewer the morsels with pretzel sticks instead of toothpicks.
Makes: 18 servings
Prep: 20 mins
Slow Cook: 3 hrs to 4 hrs (low) or 1 1/2 to 2 hours (high), plus 15 minutes (high)
Greek Stuffed Meatballs
Nestle traditional Greek Kasseri or feta cheese inside these meatballs before tossing them in your slow cooker for an easy make-ahead appetizer. A homemade Mediterranean tomato sauce drizzled on top heightens the flavor.
Yield: about 42 meatballs
Prep: 40 mins
Bake: 25 mins 350°
Slow Cook: 3 hrs to 4 hrs (low) or 1-1/2 to 2 hours (high)
Lemon-Zested Snacker Mix
The zippy flavor of lemon peel and mixed herbs guarantees this party mix will be a major hit. Save any leftovers for an easy on-the-go snack.
Makes: 24 servings
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: About 2 1/2 hours (low) or 1 hour 20 minutes (high)
Picadillo Poppers
Hot and hearty, these poppers are easy to make on the grill or in the broiler. Filled with ground beef, Spanish rice, cheese, raisins, and olives, the stuffed jalapeno peppers offer bite-size bursts of flavor.
Yield: 24 poppers
Prep: 45 mins
Grill: 8 mins
One-Handed Fried Pies
These yummy fruit-filled pastry packets are great for casual snacking. Keep a stack of napkins nearby for powdered sugar-coated fingers.
Makes: 6 servings
Prep: 50 mins
Cook: 8 mins
Whole Wheat Soft Pretzels
Wow your guests with homemade whole wheat pretzels. At only 55 calories per serving, they'll make a healthy option for your dinner party. For a savory dipping sauce, offer a few varieties of mustard, such as coarse ground, Dijon, and classic yellow.
Makes: 48 servings
Prep: 1 hr 30 mins
Rise: 1 hr 15 mins
Bake: 24 mins
Meatball Sliders
Using a slow cooker makes these hearty mini sandwiches so easy. The sliders offer grab-and-go ease for the meat-lovers at your party.
Makes: 24 servings
Yield: 24 appetizers
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 4 hrs to 5 hrs (low) or 2 to 2 1/2 hours (high)
How to Cook Shrimp
You'll always please hungry guests when you have a platter of cocktail shrimp. Get our quick tips for easy prep.
Bacon-Wrapped Smokies
The salty-sweet flavor of sausage links wrapped in bacon is addictive. Make them a day ahead so they're ready to pop in the oven just before party time.
Makes: 45 servings
Prep: 35 mins
Bake: 30 mins 350°F
Strawberry Margarita Cheesecake Minis
A twist of lime gives each of these tiny cheesecakes a taste of the tropics. The salted pretzel crust and fresh strawberry topper combine for a sweet appetizer or a perfect party finish.
Yield: 36 mini cheesecakes
Prep: 1 hr
Bake: 15 mins 325°F
Cool: 10 mins
Nutty Gorgonzola Apple Rings
Creamy honey and cream cheese deliciously complement the crunch of crispy apples and spicy candied nuts. A sprinkling of Gorgonzola cheese finishes this appetizer with just-right sharpness.
Makes: 12 servings
Yield: 12 to 16 rings
Prep: 25 mins
Bake: 10 mins 400°F
Mini Burgers with Cheesy Onions
While a big burger may be too much for a party spread, these sliders pack a wallop of flavor inside a cocktail bun. They're so juicy that no condiments are required.
Makes: 12 servings
Prep: 35 mins
Grill: 8 mins
How to Make Crab Dip
Want a dip that's a little more special? Try a crab dip -- we've got the secrets.
Chinese Coca-Cola Wings
Give traditional chicken wings a sweet-spicy attitude with Asian flavoring and a splash of fizzy cola. The saucy goodness is worth using a few napkins.
Editor's Tip: For an easy dip, mix together a second batch of the marinade.
Makes: 12 servings
Prep: 25 mins
Marinate: 1 hr
Cook: 15 mins
Mini Puffs with Goat Cheese and Herbs
Party guests will devour these two-bite cheese puffs. The delicate pastry balances the tangy, herb-infused flavor of the creamy goat cheese filling.
Makes: 20 servings
Prep: 35 mins
Bake: 20 mins 375°F
Chocolate Whoopie Pies
Sweet cream filling gets sandwiched between two soft chocolate cookies in this popular treat. Try lightly sprinkling with powdered sugar for extra flair.
Makes: 30 servings
Prep: 40 mins
Bake: 5 mins 375° per batch
Gorgonzola and Pear Focaccia
Creamy Gorgonzola, fresh pears, red onion, and toasted walnuts top mini focaccia wedges for a flavor-filled party star.
Makes: 12 servings
Prep: 45 mins
Rise: 1 hr
Bake: 10 mins 425°F
Aztec Chocolate Caramel Popcorn
When spice-infused chocolate is mixed with crispy caramel-coated popcorn, the result is a snack that will earn praise from your party guests.
Makes: 40 servings
Yield: 20 cups
Prep: 30 mins
Bake: 20 mins
Oven: 300°F
Teriyaki Chicken Rumaki
Glaze bacon-wrapped chicken with teriyaki sauce for a sweet-salty party bite. Skewered with red pepper and green onion, the presentation is party-perfect, too.
Yield: 24 rumaki
Prep: 25 mins
Bake: 24 mins 375°F
Lime-Pecan Shortbread Bars
Squeeze a little citrus into your buffet. With a tart lime filling and a pecan-studded crust, the sunny bars add fresh zest to your get-together.
Yield: 36 bars
Prep: 25 mins
Bake: 10 mins 325°F
Strawberry-Chocolate Turnovers
Marvelous milk chocolate meshes with sweet strawberry jam in these flaky pastries. Cut them in half to show off the filling and make the turnovers even more party-friendly.
Yield: 18 turnovers
Prep: 30 mins
Bake: 16 mins 400°F
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