50+ Dunkable Foods For Your Next Party

Cheesy Stuffed Pizza Crust Ring Recipe

You know how as soon as you grow into a fully formed adult human, you realize that the best part of a delivery pizza is the part you’ve been foolishly tossing aside (for your parents to eventually graze on)? Well we decided to make up for lost years by making this cheesy stuffed crust ring, no pizza necessary. Of course, we all know the only thing better than a standard hand-tossed pizza crust is a stuffed crust. We flavored this cheesy ring of bready glory with a seasoning blend inspired by the masters—Domino’s—and served it up with a delicious blend of the two most perfect crust dipping sauces: ranch and marinara. Warm from the oven, this cheesy appetizer perfect for a Super Bowl party, or any other game day gathering. 

Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Celery Recipe

We can’t decide what we love more about these Buffalo celery bites—the fact that they require zero cooking, come together in about 15 minutes, and are roughly the easiest appetizer ever OR the sheer magnitude of how delicious they are. But then, that’s the beauty of these seriously upgraded stuffed celery sticks, you don’t have to choose between convenience and full-on flavor. Crisp celery sticks are loaded with a creamy Buffalo chicken mixture—made entirely from store-bought staples—and topped off with crumbled blue cheese, making every bite the perfect Buffalo bite. Perfect for game day, these got-it-all snacks are sure to score more than a few devoted fans. 

Air-Fried Dill Pickle Fries With Ranch Breadcrumbs Recipe

Pickle spears are one of those foods that’s meant to be fried, and sticking them in the air fryer makes for a fun finger food. The combination of juiciness and crunch remains fantastic, while the ranch breadcrumbs bring in so much flavor you won’t need a dipping sauce. 

Red Pepper Miso Wings Recipe

Skip the cream cheese and pepper jelly appetizer and use the red pepper jelly for something new. These sticky, yet crispy chicken wings take full advantage of the red pepper jelly flavor. The result is a hot, sweet, savory sauce with a vibrant color. Add scallions and fresh basil for an impressive festive-looking dish that is just asking to be taken to a holiday potluck. 

Frudité Platter with Mint-Lime Dip Recipe

For a show-stopping party appetizer or dessert that will appeal to both kids and adults, you can't go wrong with a fruit platter. Accompanied by an easy, ultra-creamy, homemade dipping sauce that's bursting with fresh lime and mint, this starter offers plenty of fruit combinations that are refreshing and sweet. 

Cheese Dreams Recipe

These savory little gems will be the first party appetizer to disappear. Make ahead the day before and refrigerate, or you can freeze them up to 3 weeks in advance. If frozen, pop in the oven straight from the freezer and increase the bake time by 10 minutes. We find that sharp cheddar works best for creating a super cheesy flavor, but feel free to experiment with your favorite flavor of cheddar--an aged white cheddar would be amazing here. These are guaranteed to be one of the best easy appetizer recipes you've ever made.

Air-Fried Onion Rings Recipe

Ah, onion rings—the ultimate deep-fried indulgence. Thanks to your air fryer, you can rescue this crunchy favorite from the realm of diet banishment and invite it back to your plate. These rings of allium awesomeness come out of the air fryer boasting a superbly crispy coating without any heavy greasiness. And if you’ve ever had comeback sauce, you know its tangy and sweet flavor is the perfect pairing with the crunchy, savory onion.

Pigskins in a Blanket Recipe

Using puff pastry instead of crescent roll dough to wrap up the sausages adds a great deal of richness and flavor. And replacing the pig in this version of pigs in a blanket is fully-cooked chicken sausage.

Pineapple Pizza Bites Recipe

This easy, 4-ingredient appetizer is a fun and inexpensive way to feed a crowd. They’ve got the greatest balance of sweet and salty thanks to the meat and cheese’s richness, the tomato’s acidity, and the pineapple’s juice. 

Olive-Blue Moons Recipe

Spanish olives and blue cheese bring distinct flavor to each bite of savory Olive-Blue Moons.

Candied Bacon Sticks with Garlic Butter Drizzle Recipe

Sweet and salty bacon wrapped around crunchy breadsticks makes for heaven on a stick. Crunchy, salty, and with just the right amount of garlic to give bacon the upper hand (not that it needs it) these crispy appetizers are the perfect way to get the party started. Thin breadsticks can be found in the cracker aisle at the grocery store, and be sure to use thin-sliced bacon to easily wrap around these breadsticks. Feeling even more daring? Uses these flavorful sticks to stir up a savory-sweet cocktail. 

Crispy, Sweet Air-Fried Beet Chips Recipe

Specialty root chips can cost $5 to $6 per bag at the grocery store; save big bucks by whipping up a couple batches in your air fryer. The secret to crispy beet chips is to slice the beets super thin; if your knife skills aren’t Top Chef level, use a mandolin to get wafer-thin slices. Don’t overcrowd the basket; air flow is crucial to getting the chips nice and crispy.

Saucy Mini Meatballs Recipe

Adding cinnamon gives these meatballs a slight Moroccan feel. You can make this a day ahead and reheat on the stovetop before the party. Using different types of beef adds moisture to the meatballs while keeping sat fat in check.

Crab Cake Hush Puppies Recipe

Serve these Crab Cake Hush Puppies with your favorite rémoulade or cocktail sauce for tasty appetizers. Hush puppies, a Southern classic made by deep-frying a cornmeal batter gets a seafood makeover. Served with a creamy, thick dipping sauce, these salty critters are a great option for a potluck meal or an appetizer that serves to impress. Freeze any leftovers and defrost up to 3 months later.

Cheese-and-Potato Purses Recipe

Things we love: Impressive appetizers that require minimal time and minimal ingredients. Things we really love: Impressive appetizers that require minimal time and minimal ingredients, and make use of the leftovers in your fridge—i.e. these easy, cheesy potato purses. Supposing you’re not looking to use up leftover spuds, you can also substitute prepared, store-bought mashed potatoes, such as Bob Evans brand, in this recipe.   

Contemporary Shrimp Cocktail Recipe

Revive this party staple by setting out a bountiful platter of shrimp with three bowls of zingy new sauces. For an appetizer, plan on 1 pound of large shrimp for every 4 to 5 guests. Perk up precooked shrimp in boiling water for 30 seconds. Then plunge them in ice water. Drain shrimp well, pat dry, and serve.

Easy Party Pizza Sticks Recipe

If you’re searching for an easy and inexpensive appetizer for a crowd, the hunt stops here. These crispy, cheesy pizza sticks are the perfect snack to whip up for a Super Bowl spread, birthday party, or a casual family get-together. Besides being inherently kid-friendly, these tasty pizza sticks are endlessly customizable—just pile on your favorite toppings!

Roasted Carrot Platter Recipe

Scoop up these spiced carrots and seasoned yogurt with freshly toasted pita chips.

Air-Fried Corn Dog Bites Recipe

Who doesn’t love a corn dog? These whimsical, perfect little bites of smoky hot dog goodness come with a crunchy cornflake coating that will make party guests smile. Look for high-quality uncured hot dogs at upscale grocery stores such as Whole Foods, Fresh Market, or Sprouts. Mustard is best friends with corn dogs, so pick out your favorite to serve with these fun and festive snacks.

Niçoise Gnocchi Salad Recipe

Haven’t made it to the grocery store in a minute? That doesn’t mean you can’t whip up an impressive dish. This lovely, snackable take on a salad Niçoise is composed largely from pantry items, like canned tuna and roasted red peppers, plus a couple of common refrigerator staples—frozen green beans and eggs. We use packaged gnocchi, shelf-stable gnocchi as a creative swap  for the fresh potatoes typically found in a salad Niçoise.  Dressed up with a super simple vinaigrette this “throw-together” salad could easily pass for a well-planned. In other words, keep this one in your back pocket for the next time you need a last-minute appetizer for entertaining. 

Parmesan and Herb Cheese Puffs Recipe

These rich pastry bites can be baked right from the freezer so your guests can eat them warm.

Mini Corn Dogs with Cranberry Mustard Recipe

The Chardonnay in a brut blend pairs well with the corn and the mustard, while the Pinot Noir builds bridges to the hot dog and the cranberry in the dip.

TIP: Make the Cranberry Mustard before you start the dogs.

Chickpea Salad Boats Recipe

This recipe captures all of the bright, fresh appeal of a salad in a pretty, portable bite. Sturdy endive leaves have a nice cup shape for filling; you also could use Little Gem or small Bibb lettuce leaves. To get a head start, make the filling (minus the pears) up to a day in advance. About an hour before guests arrive, gently stir in the pear and fill the leaves.

Bacon-Wrapped Grilled Dates with Brie Recipe

These yummy little bites are not your normal appetizer. Make sure to use large dates, which are much easier to handle and fill than small ones, and center cut bacon—thick cut bacon will take too long to cook. If a date splits while you’re filling it, just press it back together. These are best warm, right off the grill, but are still good at room temperature. 

Spicy Chipotle Barbecue Sausage Bites Recipe

Coat cocktail-sized smoked sausages with a homemade glaze featuring barbecue sauce, cherry preserves, chipotle peppers, and adobo sauce for an easy party appetizer that's sure to be gobbled up in no time.

Jalapeño Cheese Straws Recipe

We know: You've got a cheese straw recipe you can make with your eyes closed. But give this subtly spicy recipe (that impressed our Test Kitchen staff!) a try.

Microwave Sweet Potato Chips Recipe

When the chip craving strikes, look no further than these healthy, homemade chips. Pro tip: You'll need a mandoline to slice the potato thin enough to crisp.

Instant Pot Chicken Wings Recipe

Make homemade wings in minutes with some help from your Instant Pot. Everyone's favorite pressure cooker get your chicken wings cooked through quickly, while the broiler crisps them up. Serve with crunchy veggie sticks and the sauce of your choosing. 

Crockpot Fondue Recipe

It’s easy, it’s cheesy, and it requires no special equipment—what’s not to love? This slow cooker take on cheese fondue offers all of the nuanced flavor of traditional fondue along with all of the convenience of the crockpot; basically, it’s perfect for entertaining. Tossing the cornstarch with your grated cheese helps the cheese incorporate evenly into the liquid when melting and prevents clumping. Serve with a platter of your favorite roasted veggies, sausages, and bread cubes, using long skewers for dipping. 

Gumbo Rice Fritters Recipe

You can make the rice balls two weeks ahead and freeze. Bread and fry straight from the freezer.

Chicken Sausage Puffs with Creamy Mustard Dipping Sauce Recipe

These delightful little puff pastries taste best when served warm. The tasty sauce is a simple combination of coarse-grained mustard mixed with sour cream. The entire recipe only calls for five ingredients, so it's a snap to whip up.

Copycat Taco Bell Cinnamon Twists Recipe

Our take on Taco Bell’s Cinnamon Twists taste just like the real thing, minus the drive-thru experience. They’re super light and crunchy, and the cinnamon-sugar mixture provides the perfect balance of sweetness and spice. 

Easiest Baked Taquitos Recipe

There’s just something so good about this simple, satisfying lunch. It’s cheesy, chewy, meaty, and indulgent enough to make kids and parents alike excited about lunchtime. They’re just as satisfying as the fried version, and they’re even good cold. 

Goat Cheese Poppers with Honey Recipe

In addition to being a delicious appetizer that feels special, these Goat Cheese Poppers with Honey make for extra awesome croutons on salads and as "meat" balls for vegetarian pasta dishes. Be sure to bring your oil to the right heat before adding the poppers--if the oil is not hot enough, you will end up with a soggy, greasy mess instead of crisp poppers. Available at most stores that carry kitchen equipment for around $10, a kitchen thermometer is an incredibly worthy investment.

Crispy Potato Chips Recipe

Slice potatoes as thin as possible.

Classic Shrimp Cocktail with Red and Green Sauces Recipe

For convenience, make this dish ahead, and refrigerate until time to serve.

Nacho Sausage Balls Recipe

Nothing says PARTY like two of the all-time greatest finger foods uniting as one. And that is exactly what is happening with these Nacho Sausage Balls. Adding chorizo, Mexican cheese, pickled jalapeño, cilantro, and crushed nacho cheese flavored Doritos to the mix gives traditional sausage balls a hit of spicy personality. They’re perfect for tailgating or holiday parties—plus, these next-level sausage balls can be made ahead of time and frozen for up to 1 month. For ease, form the sausage ball and freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet; once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe container. When you’re ready to serve, pop them straight from the freezer to the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. Serve your nacho sausage balls with favorite nacho condiments, like sour cream, salsa, and guacamole, for dipping. 

Chickpea Crackers with Chunky Tapenade Recipe

These rustic, gluten-free crackers are addictively salty and crunchy, like a snack should be. The creamy hummus and briny tapenade are the perfect complements to create an impressive appetizer spread.

Cheddar Cheese Shortbread Crackers Recipe

These crisp, buttery crackers make an impressive hostess gift alongside a bottle of wine. We’ve included a classic Cheddar option, as well as three creative flavor variations if you want to mix things up: Pimiento Cheese,; Pecan-and-Thyme; and Bacon, Borubon, and Benne Seed.

Honey-Ginger Chicken Bites Recipe

These bite-sized appetizers are steeped in a mixture of garlic, soy sauce, ginger, citrus, and honey. The marinade is then reduced and used to glaze the chicken.

Cacio e Pepe Air-Fried Ravioli  Recipe

This fried ravioli is filled with cheesy goodness, plus that classic cacio e pepe flavor thanks to two different cheeses and freshly ground black pepper. To prep ahead, these can be breaded in advance and air-fried closer to serving. Turn up the indulgence by deep-frying or even pan-frying these.

Warm Rosemary Olives Recipe

Dress up a mix of your favorite olives with rosemary sprigs and red pepper flakes for a super easy appetizer that's perfect for any occasion.

Pimento Cheese Puffs Recipe

Classic French gougères with a Southern remix. These airy pimiento cheese puffs make an impressive addition to virtually any party spread. While the choux pastry dough may seem intimidating to make, trust us—success is just a matter of not walking away from the pan. As long as you can stay put and keep stirring (so that your dough doesn’t burn), you can make gougères. 

Cheesy Taco Jalapeño Poppers with Cilantro-Lime Crema Recipe

Beefy, cheesy, taco-tasting poppers that are deep-fried and delicious... what more could you ask for in an appetizer? Cilantro-Lime Crema adds the perfect amount of balancing brightness, making these poppers something to remember. We recommend baking the jalapenos before frying them to cook them all the way through and give them that irresistible tender texture. 

Basil Aïoli with Crudités Recipe

Presentation is half the fun! A beautiful platter of crudités is almost too pretty to eat.

Easy Party Meatballs Recipe

Using frozen meatballs makes this 5-ingredient take on a crowd favorite perfect for easy, affordable, no-fuss entertaining. Feel free to use whatever type of meatballs you like best for this delightfully spicy-sweet slow cooker appetizer—chicken, beef, or turkey all work great. 

Crispy Cauliflower Bites with Herbed Yogurt Dip Recipe

Even your most carnivorous meat-eating guests won’t be able to resist these crispy, spiced cauliflower bites. Offering the perfect balance of hearty crunch and bright, tangy sauciness, our cauli-bites are a grade-A vegetarian appetizer for entertaining, tailgating, and beyond. You can find berbere at supermarkets like Whole Foods or online; and if this Ethiopian spice blend is new to you, be prepared, you’re gonna wanna add it to everything. 

Pigs in an Everything Blanket with Cream Cheese Dip Recipe

Two finger food favorites collide as pigs in a blanket get an everything bagel makeover. Rather than the traditional canned biscuit or croissant dough, the "blanket" of this playful appetizer is made with fresh pizza dough that is first boiled, brushed with egg wash, and rolled in an "everything" seasoning blend (poppy seeds, sesame seeds, dried minced onion, dried minced garlic, and coarse salt) before being baked. Using a yeasted dough and this double cooking method is what gives these tailgate-ready bites their bagel personality. Serve them up with a tangy cream cheese dip for a party-perfect snack platter. 

Garlic Pita Chips Recipe

Pita rounds, garlic powder, and cooking spray are all you need for these homemade pita chips.  This recipe yields 4 dozen chips from only 6 pita rounds, so the cost is considerably less than purchasing them ready-made.

Best Sausage Balls Recipe

There’s a universal attachment to these and the holidays. Everyone starts by rolling their eyes at the idea of them and then proceeds to eat at least 5.

Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Celery Recipe

We can’t decide what we love more about these Buffalo celery bites—the fact that they require zero cooking, come together in about 15 minutes, and are roughly the easiest appetizer ever OR the sheer magnitude of how delicious they are. But then, that’s the beauty of these seriously upgraded stuffed celery sticks, you don’t have to choose between convenience and full-on flavor. Crisp celery sticks are loaded with a creamy Buffalo chicken mixture—made entirely from store-bought staples—and topped off with crumbled blue cheese, making every bite the perfect Buffalo bite. Perfect for game day, these got-it-all snacks are sure to score more than a few devoted fans. 

Pizza Rolls Recipe

These tender, buttery snack rolls are akin to cinnamon buns in structure… but they’re full-on pizza perfection in flavor. Using canned crescent roll dough and prepared marinara sauce keeps both the prep time and ingredient list short, making these cheesy, kid-friendly bites easy to whip up at a moment’s notice. Of course, you can also prep them ahead to enjoy as after-school snacks or on-the-go breakfasts throughout the week. Feel free to customize you homemade pizza rolls with your own favorite toppings.