When you need some epic inspo for what to serve at your next pool party, picnic, cookout or grownup timeout on the verandah, we have the list of cold appetizers for you here!
Not all appetizers need to be hot foods.
Everyone loves to chow down on some stuffed mushrooms or a nice penne alla vodka, but they can lead to complications when serving them as party food.
There are plenty of delicious make ahead appetizers you can serve directly from your refrigerator like fresh veggies and cheese.
Or use fun floating ice pack platters like these.
Yup, we made sure to share simple recipes anyone can make at home.
You can keep these chilled appetizers in coolers, serve straight out of the fridge, or on a chilled buffet server like this one.
Fun foods like portable Caprese Salad Skewers, refreshing Watermelon Feta Bites, cute single servings of the popular seven layer dip: Individual Seven-Layer Dips, and so much more.
Also, these cold appetizer ideas will keep your guests happy and their stomachs full, from deviled eggs times two to delightful finger foods.
In this list of my favorite cold appetizers, we’ll go over the 25 Best Cold Appetizer Recipes to give you more ideas of what to serve at your next party.
Lookee, one of our favorite appetizers is #1 in our list.
These are so poppable and crave-worthy, better make a double batch.
This tried-and-true recipe has been coming up a lot for us while we have been writing about appetizers.
These are gorgeous, ruby-red and sweet tomatoes, tiny and crammed with seasoned goat cheese.
While it may seem like a taste of one would be enough, it’s best to have three to make sure.
These delicious Goat Cheese-Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes will make your mouth water, especially if you love goat cheese.
They’re easy enough to prepare too, just have to scoop out the insides and stuff them with the filling.
The soft and creamy texture of the cheese mixes well with the acid of the tomatoes, making a tangy treat.
Use fresh basil with the recipe to make it even more refreshing and delightful.
Do you like Caprese salad?
Well, your guests won’t need a plate for these convenient Caprese Salad Skewers!
The mozzarella and tomato are scrumptious.
Just make sure you don’t put too much balsamic vinegar glaze.
Otherwise, there will be stains all over your carpet!
Use red and yellow cherry tomatoes to add some color and finesse to the dish.
Deviled eggs are a classic appetizer at any party.
They’re easy to make and contain simple ingredients that everyone universally loves.
These Avocado-Deviled Eggs take that recipe to the next level!
The avocado adds a nice layer of texture and flavor, plus it’s healthy!
These avocado-deviled eggs are zesty with lemon and vinegar in the mix.
If the avocado deviled eggs please any vegetarians at the party, this dish will undoubtedly appease the meat lovers.
Deviled eggs are great, but after one or two, the taste can get a little boring.
Bacon Deviled Eggs are heavier but richer in flavor.
Try making them with smoked bacon to add another sensation to the mix.
5. Taco Dip
Everyone loves tacos, but keeping the meat hot throughout the party can be a pain.
Try this cold Taco Dip if you want some Tex Mex flavors in your appetizers.
For this Taco Dip, we recommend buying corn tortilla chips.
They will mimic a taco shell and blend well with the other flavors found in the dip.
A remarkable Italian-style snack, Italian Pinwheels are one easy summer appetizers to please them all.
Instead of regular bread, the cold hors d’oeuvres are wrapped in a flour tortilla.
Using roasted red pepper and banana peppers will add some kick.
Try subbing in a spicier pepper if you want even more kick to the dish.
If there’s one thing they understand in the South, it’s how to make easy cold appetizers out of corn.
From hush puppies to cornbread, there’re tons of excellent apps you can include with your comfort food.
Southwest Corn Dip is one of the best options for a cold corn appetizer or a flavorful dip for a summer party.
It has tasty blends of cheddar cheese and green onion, and you can prepare it in less than five minutes.
Lighter options around the party will encourage more movement from your guests and keep their bellies empty for the main course.
These Cucumber Bites are the perfect blend of light and fresh.
The cucumbers have a wonderful flavor already, and adding the cream cheese, walnuts, and herbs make them more delectable.
Here’s a Cooler Table made for holding ice and all your favorite cold appetizers and drinks.
Beyond its fun name, Cowboy Caviar is a tasty and surprisingly filling appetizer you can make in less than a half-hour.
This appetizer is perfect for backyard barbecues or other outdoor celebrations.
There’s nothing quite like a blend of salty and sweet when it comes to cold finger foods.
These Prosciutto Wrapped Pears will have your guests complimenting you on originality and taste.
Consider sticking a toothpick into the wraps, so they don’t become unraveled.
11. Antipasto Kabobs
Antipasto Kabobs are one of the most popular and easy cold appetizers.
The delightful plate full of Italian cheeses and meats make for easy prep—grab a kitchen helper for cubing your meat and cheese and another for the skewering, and you’re set.
Now you can add your flair to these no-cook appetizers by putting them on a skewer and serving it with a cheese board.
You can also stack them in a bouquet style out of a clean vase.
Easy skewers, indeed!
We love including walnuts in our salads because they add a nice protein and nutty crunch into the mix.
Plus, they’re tasty!
Now you can make a more wholesome chicken salad with walnuts included.
The cranberries will provide a hint of sweetness to go along with all that savory.
You won’t have to worry about double dippers with these genius Individual Seven-Layer Dips.
All you need to prepare are sour cream, taco seasoning, refried beans, guacamole, Mexican blend cheese, salsa, and tomatoes.
The process is the same as making a traditional seven-layer dip, but you will do it several times in tiny single-serving cups, like these biodegradable options.
Everyone at your party will love this easy appetizer.
With only a few ingredients needed, you can make this appetizer in less than 30 minutes!
The Cranberry & Prosciutto Crostini also have a blend of savory and sweet, which will surprise your guests.
Buy some fresh bread from your local Italian bakery to get a more authentic taste.
15. Guacamole Cups
Everyone loves guacamole, and now everyone can have their own.
Placing the guacamole in these crispy cups removes the need to dip chips.
Now you can get all the tastes of a traditional guacamole dip in one bite.
16. Spicy Hummus
Hummus is great, but some people might find it a little bland.
No one is going to find this Spicy Hummus bland.
It has all the spicy punch necessary to get people back for rounds two, three, and four.
17. Peach Salsa
You’ve heard of mango salsa.
How about peach?
Blend sweet and spicy together perfectly for this fabulous dish that’s one of our no cook appetizers on this list.
Note: Add some extra jalapeños if you want more heat.
If you want low-carb appetizers, then celery is one of the best replacements for bread.
These cream cheese celery sticks are such delicious cold appetizers you’ll forget you even miss bread.
🥬 Want more celery appetizer goodness? 🥬
Are you or your family salami lovers?
Now you can indulge yourselves with this salami cornucopia.
The plate will look like a work of art, but it will disappear fast, especially during a game day!
Spreads are one of the best cold appetizers.
They are easy to make and don’t cause much of a mess.
This Pesto Cream Cheese Spread is incredibly awe-spiring delicious, while the sun-dried tomatoes give it a robust taste.
Layering them all together is a great presentation for parties.
Fresh mozzarella is a fantastic light ingredient for cold appetizers.
These sit in olive oil to add some additional richness to the cheese balls.
The best part: you can make them in less than 15 minutes but the longer they sit, the tastier they will get.
Goat cheese is a great ingredient to work with.
It’s easy to spread and marinate and pairs well with almost everything.
Try a nice blend of savory and sweet by combining some Goat Cheese With Honey plus.
If you haven’t noticed, a lot of the recipes we recommend contain cream cheese.
That’s because it makes excellent appetizers, and it’s easy to use.
We recommend frozen spinach for this easy recipe because it’s accessible and less expensive.
Plus, the whole recipe can take you just seven minutes to prepare.
You can have one of the prettiest appetizers with these tasty goat cheese truffles that would surely be a crowd pleaser.
You’ll encrust your goat cheese with a layer of nuts, fruit, herbs, and honey to make them look more like a festive Christmas tree ball than an appetizer.
Have a fresh and sweet snack with these watermelon and feta bites.
The watermelon and feta together is the combination no one was expecting, but everyone will love.
The bottom line
We hope you got some awesome ideas for appetizers at your next party.
From easy make ahead appetizers to your next favorite cold party appetizer, they’re all here!
This Chiller Mat is easy to throw down on any picnic table to keep chilled foods cold.
Have fun and enjoy!
25 Best Cold Appetizers
Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes, Cowboy Caviar, and Watermelon Feta BItes are just a few of the 25 Simple Cold Appetizers on our list. Check them out now!
Ingredients
- Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes
- Caprese Salad Skewers
- Avocado Deviled Eggs
- Bacon Deviled Eggs
- Taco Dip
- Italian Pinwheels
- Southwest Corn Dip
- Stuffed Cucumber Bites
- Cowboy Caviar
- Prosciutto Wrapped Pears
- Antipasto Skewers
- Cranberry-Walnut Chicken Salad
- Individual Seven-Layer Dips
- Cranberry & Prosciutto Crostini
- Guacamole Cups
- Spicy Hummus
- Peach Salsa
- Italian Cream Cheese Celery
- Cornucopia Salami Roll Ups
- Pesto Cream Cheese Spread
- Olive Oil Mozzarella Balls
- Goat Cheese Appetizer with Honey and Fig
- Spinach Cream Cheese
- Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Truffles
- Watermelon Feta Bites
Instructions
- Choose one or more options from our list of Cold Appetizers here!
- Create your new favorite cold appetizer.
- Pat yourself on the back for making ahead!
- Share and comment! Did you make any tweaks so it’s all your own?
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Laura
Monday 8th of August 2022
Great inspiration! Made the caprese skewers for a summer picnic and used the crostini as a jumping off point for my own creation (used fig butter, Cambrozola cheese, apple and bacon) - both were a huge hit! Thank you!