Make-Ahead Appetizers Are My Secret to a Stress-Free Gathering—Here Are 25 To Try

A gathering is best enjoyed when the host is involved. In the party, that is—not just the prep. Once you’ve spent time planning the event, the guest list, and the menu, the last thing you want to be doing when happy hour strikes is frantic, last-minute prep. And if there’s one thing guaranteed to appease your guests, it’s easy make-ahead appetizers.

They’re a gift to hosts everywhere. There’s nothing like having food prepared ahead of time to mitigate the dreaded pre-party scramble. Couple that with make-ahead appetizers that are also relatively uninvolved and you’ve unlocked the ultimate stress-free secret. The easy make-ahead appetizers below are not only beneficial to the host, but they’re sure to be enjoyed by everyone in attendance. There’s nothing more inviting and pleasing than having something to nibble on upon arrival. Anyone else get a little hangry while waiting for dinner? Same.

Feature image of Ashleigh Amoroso’s spring happy hour by Michelle Nash.

Appetizer hour is almost always my favorite part of the evening. It gives your guests a chance to unwind, settle into the conversation, and snack on carefully-crafted offerings that can tie them over until the main event. So what are you waiting for? If there’s a small soirée, an all-out party, or a gathering of any size in your future, these easy make-ahead appetizers are sure to solve the stress of hosting.

25 Easy Make-Ahead Appetizers For Stress-Free Hosting

Classic Easy Bruschetta

Why We Love It: When it comes to easy make-ahead appetizers, bruschetta is king. You can prepare your bruschetta mixture ahead of time, chill it in the fridge, and pull it out when you’re ready to serve. When the time comes, all you have to do is toast some sourdough on the grill, assemble, and raise a toast to simplicity!

Hero Ingredient: I’m a huge fan of balsamic glaze on bruschetta. There’s nothing like a sweet/savory combo to set the mood for a meal.

Za’atar Spiced Citrus Yogurt Dip with Roasted Broccoli

Why We Love It: A cool citrus yogurt dip helps kick off a meal in style—especially when it’s seasoned with shallots, za’atar, and cilantro (and takes less than ten minutes to build!). Prep this dip the night before so all that’s left to do is plate up some crackers, fresh veggies, pita, or roasted broccoli.

Hero Ingredient: Fresh-squeezed orange juice is key. It brightens up the entire dip and introduces a welcome acidity.

Watermelon Chopped Greek Salad

Why We Love It: A chopped salad is ideal party food for many reasons. Its shareable, bite-sized design makes it easy to enjoy while mingling with guests, and each forkful is packed with sweet, salty, crunchy, briny, and herby goodness. Need more convincing? Try it out for yourself and prepare to be amazed.

Hero Ingredient: A healthy pinch of salt and pepper pulls out all of the watermelon’s mouthwatering sweetness. Don’t be shy here!

Chilled Pea Soup with Creme Fraiche and Microgreens

Why We Love It: A chilled soup is such an elegant way to preview a meal. It’s light, refreshing, and elevated enough to make your gathering feel all the more special. In the case of this recipe, you’ll stew the ingredients together on the stove, puree them until smooth, and chill until you’re ready to serve. Then, all that’s left to do is serve up the soup with creme fraiche, microgreens, and red pepper flakes. Mmm.

Hero Ingredient: Red pepper flakes introduce just the right amount of heat to each cooling spoonful.

Carrot Turmeric Hummus with Veggies

Why We Love It: A hummus packed with vegetative freshness and nutrition? Sign me up. This carrot turmeric hummus will have you and your guests glowing from the inside out. Turmeric keeps inflammation at bay, while carrots boost bone strength and keep blood sugar under control. Surround that foolproof formula with garlic, lemon juice, mint leaves, and sunflower seeds, and voilà. You’ve got a winning appetizer for any event.

Hero Ingredient: Sumac joins the party and brings its tart, fruity flavor profile to the forefront of this tasty dip.

White Bean & Radicchio Salad

Why We Love It: This Italian-inspired aperitivo is the perfect way to kick off a meal. Bitter radicchio leaves are contrasted by creamy white beans and Parmigiano Reggiano for a salad that’s sure to impress, yet so easy to make. You can prep those beans and the salad’s lemon vinaigrette ahead of time, so all you have to do before your gathering is toss everything together. To take it a step further, you can slice your radicchio a few hours in advance and chill on ice to maximize its crunchiness.

Hero Ingredient: Those beans are next-level delicious. They’re cooked with olive oil, shallots, white wine, and chicken stock to seal the deal on flavor.

Peruvian Carrot Pesto

Why We Love It: Among the list of easy make-ahead appetizers, dips might just take the cake—and this Peruvian carrot pesto is a real winner. It’s composed of cilantro, parsley, garlic, carrots, pumpkin seeds, and more, and makes the perfect pair for a cracker or veggie. Make this in advance so all that’s left to do is surround it with accompaniments and enjoy!

Hero Ingredient: Red wine vinegar introduces just the right amount of acidity that keeps things light and complex.

Tomato, Avocado, & Cucumber Salad With Feta

Why We Love It: Beat the heat with this tomato, avocado, and cucumber salad. It’s juicy, refreshing, and full of fresh, seasonal flavors. A perfectly ripe tomato meets vibrant cucumber, creamy avocado, and salty feta to create a salad both you and your guests will love. You can’t go wrong with this one.

Hero Ingredient: Pickled red onions take the cake. Their vinegary profile takes this salad to a new level.

No-Knead Olive & Rosemary Focaccia

Why We Love It: If you’ve never tried your hand at homemade bread, this focaccia is a great place to start. It’s easy enough for a blind try and foolproof enough to give you a big dose of confidence. Basically, this bread is totally beginner-friendly and will leave you feeling so impressed with yourself—something we can all get behind. Plus, bread always makes for a killer appetizer.

Hero Ingredient: Not only is the focaccia dough amazing itself but it’s studded with an impressive lineup of toppings. We’re talking olives, red onion, rosemary, everything seasoning, garlic, red pepper flakes, and more. All of that drizzled with olive oil? Sheer perfection.

Summer Crudités with classic ranch

Why We Love It: Crudités are a classic appetizer that guests of all ages will love. The recipe is loaded with fresh veggies and a classic ranch dip that’s tasty enough to make you want to lick the bowl. Seriously. You can also prep the veggies beforehand and chill them over ice until you’re ready to serve, which will keep everything perfectly crisp and bursting with juices.

Hero Ingredient: A dash of Tabasco in the ranch dip introduces a slight heat to complement the veggies.

Burrata with Pesto & Figs

Why We Love It: A four-ingredient appetizer that you can make in under five minutes? Yes, please. Fresh burrata is always a crowd-pleaser, especially when surrounded by nutty pesto, sweet figs, and crusty french bread to soak it all up. Fire up the grill for quick pre-party bread toasting that won’t keep you from your guests. Goodbye, FOMO.

Hero Ingredient: You can use homemade pesto or store-bought, making your prep all the easier.

Watermelon Tomato Caprese Salad

Why We Love It: Make the most of late-season watermelon with this Caprese salad. It’s loaded with juicy melon, crisp cucumber, creamy mozzarella, and vibrant basil, and is practically impossible not to love. This fresh salad sets the tone for a delicious meal and even better conversation. Mix everything together a few hours in advance to let those flavors come alive in the fridge.

Hero Ingredient: Don’t skimp on the lime juice. It’s the contrast of sour lime and sweet melon that finishes this salad beautifully.

Squash Hummus With Whole Tahini & Pumpkin Seeds

Why We Love It: Another veggie-forward hummus, this recipe swaps carrots for squash and is a total home run. It’s incredibly simple to make, which makes party prep that much more hands-off. This straightforward recipe uses only four ingredients to create something so much more than the sum of its parts.

Hero Ingredient: Toasted pumpkin seeds bring the crunch to this smooth hummus that makes it complex, though it’s inherently simple.

Mint Tzatziki with Endive, Romaine, & Sugar Snaps

Why We Love It: This appetizer is a bomb of freshness. Raw veggies meet light tzatziki for a satisfying combination you won’t want to miss. It’s like a deconstructed salad, which makes it perfect for conversation-filled mingling. The mint tzatziki is made of grated cucumber, Greek yogurt, garlic, lemon zest/juice, and chopped mint and is seriously drool-worthy. Plus, whipping up a little extra to have on hand is never a bad idea.

Hero Ingredient: Trust me, you won’t regret stirring up a little extra tzatziki. You can thin it out with a little olive oil for a zesty salad dressing, or keep it in the fridge for snacking.

Southern Cheese Rounds

Why We Love It: I don’t know about you, but in my book, cheese rounds are a staple at any respectable gathering. They’re classic, easy, and universally loved by all ages. Serving a mess-free snack lets guests grab a little bite to tie them over before the main event. These cheese rounds are completely textbook, with Rice Krispies, butter, flour, grated cheddar, tabasco, and cayenne building the flavor and crunch.

Hero Ingredient: I like my cheese rounds to have a little kick, so tabasco and cayenne win the prize.

Raw Carrot Hummus

Why We Love It: Raw carrot hummus is packed with plenty of fresh flavors that are joined by tahini’s creamy nuttiness. Avocado oil, garlic, lemon juice, cumin, za’atar, and parsley flavor this dip to perfection that’s waiting to be scooped up and savored. This hummus is a breeze to make ahead of time, store in the fridge, and pull out just before you’re ready to serve. Hosting made easy.

Hero Ingredient: The key to success is that crunchy za’atar. It’s herby, savory, and nutty, making it the perfect garnish for this savory hummus.

Wild Mushroom and Ricotta Toasts

Why We Love It: Not only are mushrooms a superfood, but they make an excellent toast topping alongside creamy ricotta and vibrant lemon zest. These toasts are such an easy appetizer for you to make and for your guests to enjoy. You can make the mushroom mixture ahead of time so all that’s left to do before your party is toast up some crusty bread, slather with ricotta, and spoon mushrooms over top. These toasts make a first-class sidekick to a crisp glass of white. However you slice it, these are toast-ally delicious (sorry, had to).

Hero Ingredient: The finishing touches are key. Flaky salt, lemon zest, and fresh parsley take these toasts to new heights.

Watermelon Salad with Cucumber, Mint, Feta and Lime

Why We Love It: If you can’t tell, we’re a little obsessed with watermelon here at Camille Styles—and for good reason! It’s a true superstar that deserves to be celebrated. In this salad, watermelon is surrounded by cool cucumber, fresh mint, salty feta, and acidic lime to create something nothing short of magical. Serve this to guests before the main event to set the meal off on the right foot.

Hero Ingredient: Be sure to slap your mint before tearing it over this salad. It wakes up each flavor and aroma to its fullest.

Burrata Toasts with Caramelized Walnuts and Mint-Pomegranate Pesto

Why We Love It: Consider this entry a love letter to burrata. Its creamy, cheesy goodness earns it a top spot on my list. In this toast, burrata is surrounded by mint pesto, pomegranate seeds, figs, and sweet/salty caramelized walnuts. I mean… yum. Everything can be made in advance, too, from the mint pesto to the caramelized walnuts. Simply toast up some bread, spread over the burrata, drizzle with pesto, and top with figs, walnuts, and pomegranate seeds. Then the only remaining challenge is trying not to fill up on these tasty toasts. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Hero Ingredient: Make a big batch of those caramelized walnuts for a yogurt or ice cream topping, anytime snacking, or granola making. They keep for a week at room temp or up to a month in the freezer. If you have the bandwidth to make an extra serving, you’ll be glad you did.

Malibu Farm Rainbow Vegan Chop Salad

Why We Love It: This vegan chop salad is loaded with bright and nourishing veggies. Plus, it definitely classifies as eating the rainbow. You can chop the veggies hours beforehand so you only have to assemble when the clock strikes party-time. One thing to note is that this salad contains quinoa, so be sure to cook that in advance as well. You’re also welcome to pre-roast your butternut squash and marinate the beets ahead of time.

Hero Ingredient: I love the use of watermelon radishes. They’re light, crispy, and oh-so-fresh, making them the ideal salad topping.

Spring Crudité with Green Goddess Dressing

Why We Love It: Another winning crudités recipe, this platter with green goddess dressing is easy to put together and even easier to enjoy. The entire tray takes about ten minutes to assemble. You can prep all of the veggies ahead of time, as well as that gorgeous green goddess dressing. I recommend whipping up a little extra green goddess for week-long salad dressing and veggie dipping.

Hero Ingredient: A few capers in the dressing bring a salty, briny flavor to the mix.

Mexican Street Corn Dip from half baked harvest

Why We Love It: Spicy Mexican street corn dip is the easy make-ahead appetizer your next gathering needs. It’s incredibly simple, full of flavor, and universally loved. Sweet summertime corn meets chili powder, cream cheese, and mayo, complemented by spicy chili butter and salty cotija cheese. Scoop up all that goodness with crunchy tortilla chips and you’re in for a treat. Making this in advance gives your flavors more time to develop, and in turn, become all the more delicious.

Hero Ingredient: Smoked paprika brings a, well, smokiness to the dip that goes perfectly with the sweet, creamy corn.

Basil Whipped Goat Cheese from what’s gaby cooking

Why We Love It: Whipped goat cheese gets swirled with fresh, herby basil for a dip you won’t want to miss. It’s ideal for enjoying with crudités, crackers, or both, and only takes ten minutes to prep. It’s composed of whipped cream cheese, tangy goat cheese, lemon zest, garlic, thyme, red pepper flakes, and basil for a fresh, flavorful dip that’s equal parts creamy and delicious.

Hero Ingredient: The basil offers a vibrant, fresh flavor to balance out all that creamy cheese.

Herbed Flatbread with Whipped Feta from modern proper

Why We Love It: In terms of easy make-ahead appetizers, this one is a little more on the “involved” side, but is still manageable. The spread is composed of whipped herbed feta, similar to the whipped goat cheese above, and herby flatbread that’s ready and eager for feta dipping.

While the feta can be made ahead of time and stored for up to a week, you’ll have to cook the flatbreads the day of. But have no fear! They hardly take any time to cook and can be reheated right before your gathering so guests can enjoy a warm flatbread for dipping.

Hero Ingredient: Like some of the other dips on this list, you might want to consider preparing extra whipped feta. You can use it throughout the week on wraps, sandwiches, and toast or for fresh veggie dipping.

creamy kale pesto white bean dip from the first mess

Why We Love It: This white bean/pesto hybrid dip is savory, cheesy, bright, and hearty—all in one bowl. It’s another great dip option for raw veggies or crackers, and is both nut-free and vegan, so guests of all dietary restrictions can enjoy. Plus, this dip packs a healthy dose of leafy greens. A dip that works for your body and taste buds? Yes, please.

Hero Ingredient: A touch of tahini ushers in lots of creaminess that binds the dip together to perfection.

What are your favorite easy make-ahead appetizers? Share them with us in the comments!