Top 15 Easy Cold Appetizers

What’s better for parties than a good spinach dip? This cold appetizer is so easy to make, and perfect for dipping pita chips or serving in a bread bowl. The recipe is a little healthier than most, relying on Greek yogurt for much of the creaminess. Because it’s not baked, it’s quick to put together: just 10 minutes! Literally the perfect finger food for easy entertaining.

One of the best cold appetizer finger food recipes there is? A good pinwheels recipe! They’re full of Italian-style flavors: mozzarella, sundried tomatoes, spinach, and a blend of spices. They look totally stunning on a platter. Make them ahead and refrigerate until serving.

A simple homemade guacamole is a home run every time! When we serve it, a chorus of “Wow’s” fill the room. What makes it so great? It’s classic and has the perfect balanced flavor: perfectly savory, creamy, and tangy. Serve it up with tortilla chips and your guests — and you — won’t be able to stop eating it.

Tip: Refrigerate with plastic wrap pressed into the top of the guacamole to prevent browning.

Here’s a tasty cold appetizer with a party vibe: Texas caviar! Cowboy caviar, as it’s also known, was invented in Texas and has now spread all over the US. This combo of black eyed peas, veggies and a vinaigrette dressing is equal parts zesty and comforting: and you can use it as a chip dip or healthy side dish. This recipe has loads of colorful veggies, cilantro and jalapenos, and a simple zingy dressing with the perfect flavor

What’s more appetizer than shrimp cocktail? This 1960’s cold appetizer might seem a little retro, but it’s a timeless recipe that truly never goes out of style! Why buy one of those sub-par trays from the grocery store when you can make an incredible version of shrimp cocktail at home? Homemade is always the best and this recipe really shines. The shrimp are perfectly tender and lightly lemony, and the cocktail sauce is an explosion of tangy and spicy flavor.

Love dill pickles? Love dip? Good. Because we’ve got the perfect cold appetizer for you: dill pickle dip! Creamy and tangy, the flavor is like biting into a dill pickle spear. It’s absolutely perfect with potato chips or cucumber slices.

Here’s an easy appetizer that looks stunning and relies on simple, spot-on flavors: Smoked Salmon Appetizer Bites! The classic combination of smoked salmon, dill, cucumber and cream cheese is a hit every time. Mix the cream cheese with fresh dill, green onion and Dijon for a rich, zingy pop. Make up this platter for a party, and people won’t be able to tear themselves away!

These easy deviled eggs are a classic cold appetizer and taste incredible. They’ve got a twist: Greek yogurt in the filling along with the mayo! With yellow and Dijon mustard, it adds the perfect flavoring to these eggs without being overly rich. Garnish with dried dill or smoked paprika.

Want our favorite trick for entertaining? Goat cheese stuffed dates! Yes, these beauties are incredibly easy to make, and the flavor of this simple pairing is outrageous. There’s the sweet caramel chewiness of Medjool dates. Pair that with tangy goat cheese or almond butter, and the sweet-savory combo is out of this world.

Here’s a tasty cold dip that surprised us with its irresistibly creamy flavor: Black Bean Hummus! This spin on the traditional Mediterranean chickpea dip might sound fun, but here’s the thing. It tastes even better than it sounds! Yep, we polished this one off extremely quickly because it’s just that good. Black beans, lime, tahini and a bit of smoked paprika make creamy dip magic.

This cold peanut butter dip is made with 4 ingredients and tastes like frosting! It works for any occasion: a quick snack for kids, a family party, or a big snacks table. Or if you’re me, use it for a sweets craving after a meal! I’ve been making it for me and our toddler Larson, and it disappears in a flash. 

Need a cold appetizer to impress? Try this Pineapple Salsa! It’s one of the best ways to use a fresh pineapple (other than eating it in chunks off the cutting board, of course). The zing of the lime and heat of the jalapeno are the ideal pairing for this sweet fruit. Grab a juicy, ripe pineapple for this one: scoop it up with chips and each bite is an explosion of sweet, savory, salty and spicy.

Chocolate hummus? It’s a bit unexpected, but oh-so-delicious and our new favorite snack for parties and gatherings. Instead of vegetables like a traditional hummus, we treat it like a fruit dip and serve it with strawberries, pineapple, green apple slices, and salty pretzels. 

A delicious cold appetizer? Let's make tuna tartare! Pairing the bold flavors of soy sauce, lime and toasted sesame oil makes magic with sushi-grade ahi tuna. It’s the ideal spread for crackers or toasts. Here’s how to make it into an easy cold appetizer recipe that will wow everyone.

Here’s a favorite party trick of ours that makes a tasty and versatile cold appetizer in just 5 minutes of hands on time. It’s Marinated Olives! This dish will make an olive lover out of anyone. Using the right olives here results in smooth, rich flavor: not briny or overly salty. The garlic, lemon and herbs make a symphony of flavor.

This yogurt ranch dip is the ideal cold appetizer! It's made with all natural, whole food ingredients: no seasoning packets here! Just a few simple spices and you've got a perfectly creamy dip for veggies and chips. Made with Greek yogurt, it's a healthy spin on the traditional sour cream.

Also try: Cottage Cheese Dip