19 Make-Ahead Appetizer Recipes for Fuss-Free Hosting
The last thing any host wants to do is make snacks as guests arrive—these will help you get ready with time to spare.
Make-ahead appetizers are a host's best friend. Whether you're planning a casual backyard cookout or throwing an elegant watch party for the Oscars, offering a platter of appetizers and a signature cocktail are two surefire ways to get everyone in the mood to celebrate.
To pull off a successful gathering that everyone will enjoy, it pays to think like a caterer—draw up a game plan, list all of the dishes, and then break it down into what can be made ahead of time and when. This idea can translate well to the home cook; if you aren't sure what can made and when, look to these recipes, which will provide the make-ahead info you'll need to plan successfully.
Our collection features recipes that can be made to varying degrees of completion a day or two before and still be just as good—sometimes even better—than the day they were made. As you choose your make-ahead appetizers, remember that balance is key: It's best to pick a couple of cold or room-temperature dishes that can be made entirely in advance and one or two hot dishes that will require a little assembly at the last minute.
Related: 26 Quick and Easy Appetizers That Make Entertaining a Breeze
Mixed Olive Tapenade
Dress a selection of olives up for the party by heating them with anchovies and capers (two of our favorite powerhouse ingredients). This mix takes moments to make (ahead of time) and benefits from time spent chilling in the refrigerator—in fact, you can put it together up to a week before serving.
Rich Deviled Eggs
Perhaps the most classic appetizer of them all? Deviled eggs must be made ahead, and they always go fast. This handy recipe offers a classic, rich deviled egg and three variations: smoked trout, spiced hummus, and pesto.
Cheese Ball
For a crowd-pleasing retro appetizer, nothing beats a cheese ball. It needs time to chill and set up in the refrigerator, so we like to make ours a day ahead.
Creamy Corn-and-Onion Dip
Just when you think a homemade French onion dip couldn't get any better, this recipe goes and adds sweet summer corn to the mix. Lightened up with Greek yogurt instead of the standard sour cream, it's a great party starter and can be made up to three days in advance.
No-Knead Tomato Focaccia
Show some homespun hospitality by making this easy no-knead focaccia recipe that is studded with a flavorful topping of cherry tomatoes, garlic, and thyme. Bake it the night before or the morning of and serve squares alongside good olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Spanish Chorizo Balls
These little cocktail meatballs can be prepared the day before and can either be served at room temperature or warmed up in a slow cooker. Complete the tapas theme with a hunk of manchego cheese, toasted almonds, and slices of crusty bread.
Mushroom and Goat Cheese Purses
A darling appetizer, these little mushroom purses are easier to pick up and handle than traditional stuffed mushrooms, thanks to their phyllo crust casing. Do yourself a favor and make the mushroom filling the day before. The day of, just fill, form, and bake.
Yogurt Dip With Crudites and Chips
Perfect for a late spring garden party, this no-cook, crowd-pleasing yogurt-based dip is served with colorful, crunchy vegetables that will appeal to children and grown-ups alike.
Beet Muhammara
Let this smooth, spreadable dip sit in the fridge for a day or two to meld the flavors together, and serve it next to a log of goat cheese and crackers or your favorite crudités.
Juniper-and-Gin Gravlax
Gravlax is a fun make-ahead recipe and pretty low-maintenance, too. A few days before the party, you'll rub the salmon with a briny, salt-based blend of aromatics and let it chill in the fridge. As it cures, the fish will become firmer and easier to slice into thin pieces.
Homemade Cheddar-and-Gruyere Crackers
The dough for these easy slice-and-bake crackers can be made the day before or kept in the freezer for up to a month. Savory and rich, they are a particularly great snack to serve while the bubbly is being poured.
Artichoke Dip With Fontina
Unbaked, this dip can be frozen for up to one month. Thaw completely before baking for warm, cheesy goodness on demand.
Polenta Squares With Prosciutto
These one-bite polenta squares are studded with prosciutto and garlic and topped with melty, semi-soft taleggio cheese before being broiled. Everything but the broiling can be done the day before, so this impressive app couldn't be easier to execute.
Greek Layer Dip
Layer easy-to-prep ingredients like chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, and crumbled feta on top of a garlicky white bean purée, and this healthy Mediterranean dip is ready to be served with a bowl of pita chips. Of course, you can always have it waiting for you in the fridge for up to a day in advance, too.
Italian Seafood Salad
This entire recipe can be prepared a day in advance, so you don't even have to think about handling raw seafood right before the party is about to start. A bright and delicious salad, this recipe makes a classy opener to all kinds of occasions, from a New Year's Eve party to a late-summer soirée.
Grilled Kofta Kebabs
For these koftas, you are better off assembling the ground meat mixture the day prior, that way all that is left to do before the guests arrive is form them into patties and straight to the grill.
Smoked Trout Pate on Toasted Baguette
Always the crowd-pleaser, this smoked fish dip is enhanced with tangy cream cheese, shallot, lemon juice, and fresh chives. It will also please the cook to know that it can be made up to two days ahead.
Jalapeno Corn Muffins
Perfect on their own or alongside some delicious butter, these fun-size savory cornmeal cakes can be made an hour or so before guests arrive. Simply hold them in a warm oven to keep the signature texture.
Smoked Salmon Dip With Bagel Chips
For a brunch gathering, serve a smoked salmon dip with bagel chips that are truly the epitome of a breakfast classic. With a kick of horseradish, our dip packs all the flavors of your favorite New York deli into one bite.
Read the original article on Martha Stewart.