47 Quick and Easy Appetizers and Hors d'Oeuvres

All too often, having a shindig just isn't that fun for the host. Holiday party menus, especially, tend to get out of hand. But this year can be different, thanks to Epi's official list of our favorite quick and easy appetizers and hors d'oeuvres. Because you can do more than a cheese plate without getting stressed out.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Billingskog1/47Jammy Eggs With Smoked Paprika Aioli
This classy-looking appetizer is just as delicious as deviled eggs, but way less fussy to make. Just boil your eggs to a jammy texture that's halfway between hard and soft, then top with a dollop of jazzed-up mayo. Garnish with savory-salty anchovies, sweet roasted peppers, and a flurry of parsley.
Photo by Joff Lee2/47Halloumi Puff Pastry Twists
These delicious crisp, cheesy snacks are perfect for entertaining and parties. Serve them with a glass of wine and a bowl of olives or as savory dippers for tzatziki.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, prop styling by Brian Heiser, food styling by Rhoda Boone3/47Radishes With Herbed Salt and Olive Oil
Start off a holiday meal in the freshest way possible: With crunchy radishes dipped in olive oil and then into flavorful herbed salt.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Rhoda Boone4/47Simple Spinach Dip
As long as you’ve got frozen spinach, cream cheese, and heavy cream, you can throw this together in a flash.
Photo by Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott5/47Marinated Anchovies With Bread and Butter
For a simple, just-the-right-amount-of-salty appetizer, doctor up a tin of anchovies. The acid, heat, and olive oil mellow the anchovies’ flavor, and serving them with a seedy loaf of bread and butter rounds the recipe.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Ali Nardi6/47Creamy Avocado Dip With Scallions
With a mix of caramelized and fresh scallions, plus avocado and yogurt, this dip has a taste and texture somewhere between onion dip and guacamole. It's the perfect easy appetizer recipe for a holiday party.
Photo by Tara Donne, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Cyd McDowell7/47Creamy Cauliflower Dip
Earthy and rich without being heavy or filling, this creamy vegetable dip is just the thing to whet the appetite without ruining it before a big holiday meal.
Photo by Alex Lau, Prop Styling by Kalen Kaminski, Food Styling by Sue Li8/47Mortadella Moments
A good party spread is as much about curation as it is cooking. By using quality store-bought items and plating them up with a little bit of TLC, you have a tasty, stress-free snack at the ready.
Photo by Peden + Munk9/47Salted Buttered Pecans With Orange and Nutmeg
The orange zest and nutmeg say holiday, but you can switch up the spices as long as you keep the butter and salt.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Megan Hedgpeth, Food Styling by Liza Jernow10/47Crab Louie Salad Lettuce Cups
This take on the retro classic is a fun way to start a holiday dinner party. The recipe makes more Louie dressing than you think you might need—but that's a good thing.
Photo by Alex Lau, Prop Styling by Kalen Kaminski, Food Styling by Sue Li11/47Onion-Dip Potato Chips
These homemade onion-flavored chips just might be more addictive than the store-bought versions.
Photo by Alexandra Shytsman12/47Crunchy Stuffed Cremini Mushrooms
Bite-size and crispy, these mushrooms are always a crowd favorite. The secret weapon here is the nutritional yeast, which has the power to add a savory, cheesy flavor to basically anything.
Yossy Arefi13/47Blistered Edamame
Edamame pods needn't be boring. This easy snack is even better when cooked in a skillet with garlic, dried chiles, and red pepper flakes or gochugaru.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio, Food Styling by Monica Pierini14/47Crudités With Chile-Lime Salt
Forget dip: this zesty spiced salt wakes up any sliced raw fruit or veggie—don’t feel limited to the ones listed in the recipe.

Tiffany Hopkins

Anna Stockwell


