Our Best No-Cook Appetizers for Easy Party Prep

Cucumber Tea Sandwiches

Cucumber sandwiches are the go-to for afternoon tea gatherings. But these easy no-cook appetizers with a generous slather of garlic and herb soft cheese are equally well-suited to martinis. Pair these sandwiches with your most dashing summer cocktails and let the party begin.

Smoky Cheese Ball

If you're tasked with finding easy no-cook appetizers for a crowd, consider one of our great cheese ball recipes. Here's a favorite that makes a whopping 56 servings (assuming guests can stop at 1 tablespoon). Also, varying the coating options for each cheese ball gives you three no-cook party appetizers in one recipe.

Antipasto Pinwheels

Wrap up these no-cook party appetizers with just five ingredients and 15 minutes of your time. Serving hint: The great combo of cured Italian meat, cheeses, and basil calls for a crisp, food-friendly white wine.

Charcuterie Board

You can search for hours for all kinds of no-cook appetizer ideas, but trust us: You'll never find anything easier or more eye-catching than a charcuterie platter. It's not about cooking—it's about shopping. Simply score the best ingredients you can, including meats, cheeses, olives, and nuts, and arrange them in the prettiest way possible.

Layered Greek Dip

Purchased ingredients make easy no-cook appetizer recipes even easier—and that's the case with this hummus. Pick up a container of packaged hummus and chop some other ingredients, including Kalamata olives, feta, and fresh veggies, and your store-bought appetizer gets a whole new look and flavor.

Test Kitchen Tip: Pre-pitted Kalamata olives will cut down on prep time.

Mediterranean Salmon Spread

When you're rounding up a menu of no-cook appetizers for parties, be sure to include a few make-ahead options. This luscious five-ingredient dip fills the bill—you can make it up to 24 hours in advance. Plus, like many great party dips, it tastes best after it has been refrigerated at least a couple hours to allow the flavors to meld.

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Four-Cheese Pimiento Dip

Put this rich, four-cheese dip high on your list of no-cook appetizers for a potluck. It makes 5 cups, which (according to our trusty party appetizers calculator) is about 40 servings. The combination of sharp and creamy cheeses, peppy spices, and colorful stir-ins will garner the rave reviews that every cook secretly hopes to hear.

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Viola Tea Sandwiches

These pretty tea sandwiches are terrific no-cook appetizers for potlucks and other gatherings. You might have to go to a specialty food store to find violas or other edible flowers, but it's worth it: You can be sure these cool, crisp, and creamy bites will stand out on the appetizer table.

Smoked Trout Bites

This smoky spread is one of those simple no-cook appetizer recipes that can be served ASAP or refrigerated up to a day.

• Party-Ready Finger Food Ideas

Smoked Salmon Appetizers

Add a dash of elegance to the gathering with smoked salmon. It's easier than it looks—simply stir together a relish, arrange the rest of the ingredients on a platter, and let everyone assemble their own appetizer.

Test Kitchen Tip: To keep this in the easy no-cook appetizers camp, simply serve with crackers.

Avocado with Prosciutto

Here's one of our best and easiest no-cook appetizers in the prosciutto category. Simply cut avocados into wedges, then wrap the wedges with prosciutto. Drizzle with a make-ahead dressing and get ready for the compliments. While these bites make great no-cook appetizers for parties, consider serving them another time on a bed of dressed lettuce as an elegant sit-down first course.

Marinated Cheese

Lay cheese cubes in a colorful rainbow of peppercorns to jazz up the look and flavor. Here, peppercorns team with lemon, garlic, fennel, and olive oil, to turn mild Monterey Jack cheese into the life of the party.