Appealing Appetizer Recipes

 

If you are planning a summer party, you need to start thinking about appetizers! I gathered 15 of my favorites from my blogging friends to share with you, just in case you need some snack inspo!

From the best stuffed mushrooms to a gorgeous grilled pizza, this collection of appealing appetizer recipes has a little something for everyone!

I don't know if anyone else does this but sometimes when we go out to dinner I just order the appetizer sampler and make a meal of it. I love to try all of the tasty bites that are offered! I can't resist a good appetizer. This collection has a whole lot of goodies in it. I know you will find a few recipes you love. Be sure to click thru the links to get the whole recipe.

Mushrooms Neptune by The Girl on the Bloor

These creamy seafood stuffed mushrooms are the ultimate appetizer for a party! So delicious and easy to serve.

Easy Baked Brie with Nuts and Honey by Gypsy Plate

Baked brie is always a great idea for a starter. This recipe is sweet, creamy and crunchy, and perfect for spreading!

Raspberry Goat Cheese Bites by Quiche My Grits

Goat cheese has such a great flavor on its own; but complemented by raspberries? It is so appetizing!

Chicken Cranberry Brie Wonton Tacos by Powered by Mom

These little wonton tacos have so many great flavors at play! They might be the star of the show when you serve them!

Seafood Nachos by Cooking with Curls

Nachos are always a good idea for a crowd. Adding seafood makes them feel and taste very elegant!

Cream Cheese Stuffed Peppers by Through the Fibro

These little pepper bites are stuffed with cream cheese for a great starter to share.

Turkey Taco Cups by Ottawa Mommy Club

Turkey taco cups are bite sized for party food; made with turkey, they are also guilt free. Go ahead and have two!

Caprese Skewers by Low Carb Spark

Simple is always super appealing for appetizers. You can't go wrong with the flavors of caprese when serving a crowd!

Bacon Wrapped Scallops by Summer Yule

Scallops are popular appetizers for good reason; they are delicious. This recipe wraps them in bacon to make them the perfect addition to any spread of food!

Bleu Cheese, Cucumber and Watermelon Appetizers by Amy Casey Cooks

Bleu cheese, cucumber and watermelon come together to make an appetizer that is complex,colorful and so satisfying to serve to guests!

Grilled Olives  by Bakers Beans

Grilled olives make for such an appealing appetizer to offer to guests! They will love the flavor released with the grilling process!

Beef Wellington Bites by Pizzazzerie

Want to serve something small that tastes like the definition of elegance? These beef wellington bites will do the trick, in style!

Cold Marinated Shrimp by Best Appetizer

This recipe is perfect for summer entertaining. No need to heat up the house cooking, you can serve these cold marinated shrimp to rave reviews everytime!

Mexican Shrimp Cocktail by Savoring the Good

Spice up shrimp cocktail by giving it a distinctly Mexican flavor. Your guests will love this spin on classic.

Grilled Arugula Pizza by Joy Filled Eats

Slices of grilled arugula pizza are perfect for a garden party, or as a starter to a great BBQ with friends!

Find more yummy appetizer recipes here:

Loaded jalapeno bites

Cold Veggie Pizza

Chocolate Cherry Floats

I have a recipe for a Chocolate Cherry Float that is so good that even on the coldest fall day, it will appeal to your taste buds!

I love to serve ice cream floats to friends and family. They are easy to make and while it seems like a pretty simple thing, an ice cream float can be as complex and creative as you desire. The combinations for yum are endless.

In this Chocolate Cherry Ice Cream Float recipe, you will find I went with basic ingredients you might already have in the kitchen. If you have them, get ready to dash in and make one of these!

You will need:

Dr. Pepper

Chocolate Ice Cream

Chocolate Syrup

Maraschino Cherries

Begin by drizzling chocolate syrup around the inner rim of your glass so that it dribbles down the sides.

Next, add 2 scoops of chocolate ice cream into the glass

Top with Dr. Pepper.

Drop a cherry in and drizzle with chocolate syrup.

This is completely delicious. If you like chocolate and cherry, this is one easy yet delicious float recipe you won't want to miss.

You might also enjoy this Lazy Affogato Recipe.

Blackberry Cheesecake Floats are a reader favorite you will love too!

Find all of my favorite ice cream floats here

Big Batch Chocolate Chip Cookies Without Butter

Big Batch Chocolate Chip Cookies (No Butter!): A Perfect Treat for Any Occasion

Chocolate chip cookies are a timeless favorite, but what if you’re out of butter or looking for a different twist? These big batch chocolate chip cookies swap out butter for Crisco, resulting in a cookie that’s soft, chewy, and perfect for sharing. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just want to stock up on homemade treats, this recipe delivers delicious results every time.

Why Use Crisco Instead of Butter?

Crisco, or vegetable shortening, has been a baking staple for generations. Unlike butter, it creates a cookie that stays soft for longer while giving it a slightly crisp edge. It also helps maintain a consistent texture, making it a great choice for large batches. Plus, since it’s dairy-free, it’s an excellent option for those avoiding dairy products.

The Benefits of a Big Batch Recipe

Making a big batch of chocolate chip cookies means you’ll always have enough to share. Whether you’re baking for a party, a bake sale, or just filling the cookie jar for your family, having plenty of cookies on hand is never a bad thing. These cookies store well and can even be frozen for later enjoyment.

Perfect for Any Occasion

Soft, chewy, and packed with chocolate chips, these cookies are ideal for every situation. Pair them with a glass of milk, take them to a gathering, or simply enjoy them as a sweet treat any time of day. The Crisco ensures they stay fresh and delicious for days, making them a go-to recipe for busy bakers.

So, if you’re looking for a chocolate chip cookie recipe that’s easy, delicious, and perfect for big batches, give these no-butter cookies a try. You might just find a new favorite way to bake this classic treat!

 Big Batch Butter Less Chocolate Chip Cookies

Makes 50 cookies

Ingredients

2 cups of shortening

4 room temperature eggs

2 cups of dark brown sugar, packed

1 cup granulated sugar

3 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract

5 ½ cups of flour

1 teaspoon of salt

2 teaspoons of baking soda

3 ½ cups of chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Line several cookie sheets with parchment paper.

In the bowl of your stand mixer, combine the shortening and both white and brown sugar.

Mix on medium speed for one minute.

Add the eggs and vanilla to the mixing bowl, mix on medium speed until well combined.

Remove the bowl from the stand.

Add the flour, baking soda and salt and mix by hand until all ingredients are blended.

Add the chocolate chips and stir by hand.

Scoop out dough with a 2 tablespoon cookie scoop, or you can do this by hand if needed.

Place the cookies about 3” apart on a cookie sheet.

Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are light golden brown and the tops look just a little shiny.

Allow the cookies to cool on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes before moving them to a cooling rack.

Store at room temperature for 4 days or in the freezer for 4 months.

Find more great recipes here:

Chocolate Espresso Cookies

Foolproof Biscuits

Homemade Coleslaw Dressing

Peanut  Butter Instant Pot Noodles

Cake Mix Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookies

This is the easiest cookie recipe yet. It is perfect for those times you crave a chocolate peanut butter treat, but maybe don't have all of the ingredients for a totally homemade recipe. This recipe only needs 4 ingredients.

I used a triple chocolate fudge cake mix, but you can use whatever chocolate flavor you prefer! 

1 box of chocolate cake mix

1 cup of peanut butter

1 egg

¼ c water

¼ c granulated sugar for rolling

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or spray lightly cooking spray. 

Combine the cake mix, peanut butter, water and egg in a mixing bowl.

Use a hand or stand mixer to combine.

Blend for 3 minutes.

Form small balls of dough and roll them in the sugar.

Place the cookie balls 3” apart on a prepared baking sheet.

With a fork, press into the balls of dough to flatten them.

Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the edges look lightly crackled.

Allow to cool for 5 minutes before removing from the cookie sheet.

Makes 2 dozen cookies.

This is the recipe I pull out when I have not been shopping and find myself out of an ingredient I might need for cookies, or when I just simply don't want to fuss with too many ingredients.

These have a great texture and a lot of great peanut butter flavor! You are sure to love them.

Have you ever made cake mix cookies? So easy and tasty!

You can find more recipes here:

Reader favorites include:

Coconut Rice Krispie Treats (Dairy Free)

Chicken Taquitos

3 Ingredient Biscuits

Instant Pot Butter Garlic Glazed Carrots

 Carrots are such a good side dish to add to your meal plan because they are so affordable. This recipe makes them super easy to make. Plus this recipe is great for kids; it is lightly sweet, very buttery and has just the right amount of garlic to spice things up.

I know I am not the only one who has been feeling the strain of the economy. Groceries cost more, gas prices are high, and the cost of cooling the house all summer and running the sprinklers to keep the kids cool has caught up with us. I have been trying to shop smart and make the most of our budget at the grocery shops.

I have found that carrots are a great side dish to serve my family. It fills them up, and it is something different. We like carrots, but honestly, I don't know if I have ever really cooked with them, aside from making a pretty good carrot soup on occasion. Carrots are especially nice when they are marked down in the produce section. A few weeks back, I found a one pound bag of organic whole carrots for 49 cents. I sliced them into rounds and prepared them like this. Everyone liked them. So when I found mini carrots at Kroger, marked down to 79 cents, I grabbed 2 bags and worked them into our meals.

This recipe is good because it is so easy to make if you have a pressure cooker. It goes well with a variety of beef dishes, chicken, or fish and I even served it with leftover pasta last night. 

Ingredients

1 pound of baby carrots

3 tablespoons of butter

1 tablespoon of minced garlic

½ c light brown sugar

1 ½ to 2 cups of water

Add brown sugar, butter and minced garlic to the instant pot.

Add carrots, and cover with water.

Give everything a stir to make sure the carrots are covered with the water.

Place the lid on the instant pot.

Seal the instant pot.

Use the manual setting, and set the timer for 8 minutes.

When the timer dings, allow the instant pot to naturally release pressure for 3 minutes, then use the quick release valve.

Remove the lid and stir.

Serve the carrots immediately.

Store leftovers in an airtight container after they have cooled.

These are so tender, and have such a great flavor. I am sure you are going to love it.  Plus it is fuss free and you can probably get 2 meals worth out of a bag of carrots if you are cooking for 4 like I am. If you don't want to eat carrots 2 nights in a row, you can freeze the remaining carrots. You know how I feel about freezing veggies! Do it! I would recommend blanching them first though.

This carrot patch activity might be a good way to get the kids excited about carrots before serving this side.

This sheet pan shrimp, potatoes, carrots and asparagus recipe is also a great way to use up any leftover mini carrots you might have after serving this.

Brown Sugar Overnight Oats

Breakfast has never been easier or tastier than it is with this simple Brown Sugar Overnight Oats recipe.

Some of the best things in life are simple; this recipe embraces that and plays on the goodness of pantry staples. I love that you can literally toss this together in under a moment for a no frills, but tons of flavor start to the day.

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Ingredients
1 cup of old fashioned oats
1 cup of 1% milk
1/8 teaspoon of vanilla
1 tablespoon of brown sugar

Instructions
Combine all ingredients in a food storage container. Allow to sit in the fridge for at least 3 hours. Overnight is ideal.
Serve cold, or heated in the morning for a nutritious and delicious breakfast.

This recipe will last for 3 days covered in the fridge.

I love this cold and often opt for it over dessert. It is that good! I consider it my happy food these days. If you have a favorite overnight oat recipe I hope you will leave a comment and share it with me.

Find some of my favorite recipes here:
Reader favorites include:
Cold Veggie PizzaLoaded Jalapeno Bites

Crumbl Copycat Golden Graham Cookies

Looking for a really good cookie recipe? These golden graham cookies are just what you need. They have such a lovely flavor and are perfect for anyone who loves cereal and milk. These are even better than Crumbl cookies! I think it is safe to call these a copycat crumbl recipe.

I love to bake cookies, muffins, biscuits and even popovers. It is my dream to someday have a bakery of my own where I can spread cheer and cookies all around. 

Well, until that happens, I keep myself happy coming up with recipes like this one. It is perfect for creating huge, delicious cookies with a wonderful texture. These are so big you can only make 6 to a cookie sheet and you will need your ice cream scooper to form them!

Bake these for a friend, to share with family or for a bake sale, and prepare for compliments! Go on and pin this recipe for later because you are going to want to make these all the time!

.

1 c salted butter, softened to room temperature

1 ½ c sugar

2 large eggs

2 ½ c flour

½ tsp baking soda

½ tsp baking powder

1 ½ c crushed golden graham cereal

1 tsp vanilla extract

½ tsp cinnamon

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Line a cookie sheet with a silicon baking mat or parchment paper.

Add butter and sugar to a medium mixing bowl. Beat for 2-3 minutes or until light and fluffy.

Add eggs and vanilla, mix for 1 more minute.

Add baking soda, baking powder and cinnamon. Mix for 1 minute.

Add flour and mix until you can’t see any flour in the dough.

Crush the golden graham cereal with a food processor.

Add the crushed cereal to the dough and mix for a minute

Use an ice cream scoop to make large dough balls.

Place them 6 to a cookie sheet.

Bake for 13-15 minutes or until the edges are golden brown.

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes.

When the cookies are completely cool you can add glaze or frosting to them.

Garnish with golden graham cereal.

Glaze

1 ½ c powdered sugar

¼ c softened butter

1 tsp vanilla extract

1-2 tbsp of half and half of milk.

Add the powdered sugar and butter to a mixing bowl. 

Add vanilla and 1 tbsp of milk or half and half.

Begin mixing.

If your glaze feels too thick add an additional tbsp of milk and continue to blend until you achieve the desired consistency.

These cookies are SO GOOD. I think they are even better than CRUMBL cookies!

These would be incredible for a cookie exchange, or to add into your cookie tray at the holidays. But, these are awesome anytime of the year. So don't wait for the holidays to roll around to bake this recipe.

Look at those scrumptious cookies! They are great with both milk and coffee. They have a wonderful flavor!

You can find all of my dessert recipes here

Homemade Rice Pudding

Instant Pot Banana Rice Pudding

Brown Sugar Overnight Oats

More copycat recipes:

Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings