Recipes

You can make intricate and alluring appetizers for your next party using skewers or toothpicks including BLT egg sliders, strawberry caprese with lemon and basil, watermelon feta and mint, and more!

You can make your cold skewer appetizers ahead of time and place them in the fridge until you’re ready to plate them.

Drizzle any balsamic, sauces, or sprinkle garnishes right before you’re ready to serve your chilled appetizers.

BLT Egg Sliders

BLT egg sliders are adorable appetizers that look like miniature burgers.

BLT egg sliders are made by cooking hard boiled eggs and then cutting them in half to create the “buns”.

The bottom half of the “buns” need to have a little bit of the bottom of the egg cut off so it can sit flat on a serving plate.

Add a little salt, pepper, and your favorite sauce (ketchup, mustard, mayo, hot sauce, horseradish) to the bottom half of the egg.

Assemble the egg sliders by placing a strip of freshly cooked bacon, a slice of tomato to fit right inside the slider, and a piece of lettuce.

Top the slider with the other half of the egg to make the sliders complete.

Garnish the egg sliders by adding a little more pepper and sesame seeds.

Place a toothpick through the egg slider to make sure it stays together.

You can make these ahead of time, and place them in the fridge until you’re ready to serve them.

Strawberry Caprese with Lemon and Basil

Strawberry caprese with lemon and basil is a cheesy and fruity cold finger food appetizer.

Cubed mozzarella is marinated with lemon juice, lemon zest, thin strips of fresh basil leaves, olive oil and salt.

Strawberry caprese is made by cutting strawberries in half.

To assemble the appetizer, place a strawberry, a slice of mozzarella cheese, and then repeat again together in a stack.

A toothpick is placed through the stack to create the strawberry caprese appetizer.

Fresh ground pepper is sprinkled on top of the appetizer to finish it off.

Cantaloupe Caprese

Cantaloupe caprese is an easy appetizer that packs a ton of flavor!!

Cut cantaloupe into cubes or rounds, and stack a similar piece of mozzarella cheese on top.

Sprinkle with a few cut up strips of fresh basil leaves, and drizzle with a little balsamic reduction to finish off.

Watermelon Skewers

Watermelon skewers are simple to make, but have a ton of flavor!

The mint and watermelon mixed together with the tart feta cheese makes these watermelon skewers irresistible!

To make this simple watermelon appetizer, cut watermelon and feta into similar sized cubes or rectangles.

Stack them on top of one another, and then add a large mint leaf on top.

Place a toothpick through the stack, and garnish with a bit of pepper. Place them in the fridge until you’re ready to serve them.

You can drizzle balsamic vinegar on top right before you’re ready to serve them.

Peach Caprese Skewer

Peach caprese appetizer uses slices of peaches to create a sandwich.

In between the layers of peaches is a slice of mozzarella.

On the top layer of peach, add a single leaf of basil and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.

Place a toothpick through the sandwich so it can easily be eaten without it falling apart.

Cantaloupe and Prosciutto Bites

Cantaloupe and prosciutto bites are a juicy appetizer with a hint of pepper flavor.

You can make these tasty bites by cutting a piece of cantaloupe into a square ~1″.

Fold a piece of prosciutto and put it on top of the cantaloupe.

Add a few cut up strips of fresh basil leaves to the prosciutto.

Sprinkle a bit of pepper on top of the appetizer, and put a toothpick through it for easy serving.

Pepperoni Caprese Bites

Pepperoni caprese bites are an eye catching appetizer assembled on a toothpick, with a basil vinaigrette dressing.

To assemble the pepperoni appetizer, place a fresh piece of mozzarella, then a folded piece of pepperoni, a fresh basil leaf, and a cherry tomato on a toothpick.

Drizzle basil vinaigrette dressing on top and serve immediately.

Tomatoes can be roasted, baked, or served fresh to create alluring appetizers for your guests.

You can make puff pastry pesto caprese bites, salsa, crostini’s, dips, focaccia bread, and more!

Tomato Salsa

Tomato salsa is a juicy, chunky salsa that has a little bite to it.

Salsa adds a ton of flavor and compliments tacos well as a topping.

Salsa can be paired with guacamole well for serving on top of steak tacos.

Tomato salsa is made by adding whole canned tomatoes, and a can of diced tomatoes with green chilies (Rotel tomatoes work well) as the base of the salsa.

Finely chopped jalapeno with the seeds removed are added to the salsa, as well as some diced onions.

A few herbs like garlic and cumin are added, and then the salsa can be “pulsed” only in a food processor. Don’t overmix the salsa until it becomes a mush.

Pulse the salsa 7-10 times to get it just perfectly chunky.

Marinara Dip

Marinara dip has a vibrant, rich, tomato flavor to it, with hints of garlic and herbs.

Marinara is made by adding oregano, basil, minced garlic, salt, and olive oil to tomato sauce. The flavors come together by heating them on the stove for a couple of minutes.

Marinara dip is served with focaccia bread, garlic Italian bread sticks or French bread for dipping.

Bruschetta Baked Brie

Bruschetta baked brie is made by first creating a tomato bruschetta.

Tomato bruschetta is made by combining diced tomatoes, freshly chopped basil leaves, olive oil, minced garlic, and a bit of balsamic vinegar.

Bake your brie until it’s creamy and soft, then top your baked brie with your freshly made bruschetta.

You can serve your bruschetta baked brie with French bread, artisan crackers, celery, or carrots to dip into the baked brie.

Pesto Caprese Puff Pastry

Pesto caprese puff pastry bites are made with fresh pesto and fresh mozzarella for a savory mini appetizer.

Puff pastry is cut into squares, and then fresh pesto is placed in the center.

A thin cut tomato is placed on top, along with a piece of fresh mozzarella cheese.

Pesto caprese appetizer is baked in the oven until the puff pastry edges turn golden brown.

Garnish with balsamic, basil leaves, freshly grated parmesan cheese, or a spoonful of more pesto.

Roasted Cherry Tomato Bruschetta

Roasted cherry tomato bruschetta is served warm, made on crispy garlic crostini’s.

The roasted tomatoes are tossed with fresh basil leaves, and then placed on top of the crostini’s that have been rubbed with garlic.

The bruschetta topped with a sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese, and a drizzle balsamic vinegar.

BLT Egg Sliders

BLT egg sliders are adorable finger food appetizers that look like miniature burgers.

BLT egg sliders are made by cooking hard boiled eggs and then cutting them in half to create the “buns”.

The bottom half of the “buns” need to have a little bit of the bottom of the egg cut off so it can sit flat on a serving plate.

Add a little salt, pepper, and your favorite sauce (ketchup, mustard, mayo, hot sauce, horseradish) to the bottom half of the egg.

Assemble the egg sliders by placing a strip of freshly cooked bacon, a slice of tomato to fit right inside the slider, and a piece of lettuce.

Top the slider with the other half of the egg to make the sliders complete.

Garnish the egg sliders by adding a little more pepper and sesame seeds.

Place a toothpick through the egg slider to make sure it stays together.

You can make these ahead of time, and place them in the fridge until you’re ready to serve them.

Pepperoni Caprese Bites

Pepperoni caprese bites are an eye catching appetizer assembled on a toothpick, with a basil vinaigrette dressing.

To assemble the pepperoni appetizer, place a fresh piece of mozzarella, then a folded piece of pepperoni, a fresh basil leaf, and a cherry tomato on a toothpick.

Drizzle basil vinaigrette dressing on top and serve immediately.

Fresh Pesto Bruschetta

Make a fresh batch of pesto, the flavor is much more powerful and fragrant than store bought.

Dice a tomato with a little bit of onion. Mix the pesto together with the tomatoes and onions.

Spoon the tomato pesto mixture on top of fresh baguette rounds and grate parmesan cheese on top.

Toast for a couple of minutes for the cheese to warm up.

Focaccia Bread

Focaccia bread is a warm appetizer that can be served with olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping.

Focaccia bread with pesto in the dough adds a ton of earthy sharp flavor to the bread.

Focaccia bread is topping with halved cherry tomatoes and a few pieces of goat cheese prior to baking it in the oven.

Tomatoes give the focaccia bread a light, fresh taste to it, whereas goat cheese adds a sharp, cheesy flavoring to the bread.

Caprese Pesto Crostini

Caprese pesto crostini’s are made by marinating cherry tomatoes and fresh mozzarella with dried basil leaves and olive oil.

Once you’ve made your crostini’s and they have cooled, fresh pesto is spread on the crostini.

Mozzarella slices and cherry tomatoes are placed on top of the layer of pesto.

Finally, the pesto appetizer is topped with freshly chopped basil leaves, parmesan cheese, and balsamic vinegar.

Spicy Italian Sausage Dip

Spicy Italian sausage dip is a hot, creamy sausage dip served with crackers or crostini’s.

Spicy Italian sausage is cooked and broken up into smaller pieces.

The sausage is mixed with cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, and mozzarella cheese to create the base of the dip.

Sausage dip is spiced with red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.

Diced tomatoes and banana peppers are added to the dip, and then it can be placed in a heat proof dish.

The sausage dip is topped with more mozzarella cheese and baked in the oven until the cheese has started to brown.

Garnish with strips of fresh basil leaves and serve immediately.

Spinach and Feta Puff Pastry

Spinach and feta pastry bites is a creamy and savory appetizer.

Cooked spinach, crumbled feta cheese, and grated parmesan cheese are mixed together in a bowl to make the base of the appetizer.

Puff pastry is cut into squares, and then scored 1 cm from the edge of the puff pastry square.

Spinach and cheese mixture is spooned onto the puff pastry, and a thin slice of tomato is placed on top. Sprinkle a bit of pepper on top, and egg wash the pastry prior to putting it in the oven.

Spinach puff pastry appetizer is baked in the oven until the pastry turns golden brown.

Mini puff pastry appetizers are small and bite sized so you can easily serve them at a party.

Puff pastry can be baked in muffin tins, or placed flat on a lined baking sheet, depending on what you want the appetizers to look like.

You can fill mini puff pastry appetizers with brie, gruyere, mushrooms, caramelized onions, smoked salmon, crab, cream cheese, pepper jelly, pesto, and more!

Puff Pastry Brie Bites

Puff pastry brie bites can easily be made in a muffin tin with a small square of puff pastry (2″ square).

You can also cut a bit larger of a square, and then score the inside and place the toppings in the center.

Pieces of brie cheese are placed in the center of the puff pastry square. On top of the brie you can put fig jam, and a couple of almonds or pecans. Top with a bit of thyme and bake in the oven until the cheese begins to bubble.

Pesto Caprese Puff Pastry

Pesto caprese puff pastry bites are made with fresh pesto and fresh mozzarella for a savory mini appetizer.

Puff pastry is cut into squares, and then fresh pesto is placed in the center.

A thin cut tomato is placed on top, along with a piece of fresh mozzarella cheese.

Pesto caprese appetizer is baked in the oven until the puff pastry edges turn golden brown.

Garnish with balsamic, basil leaves, freshly grated parmesan cheese, or a spoonful of more pesto.

Brie Honey Puff Pastry

Brie and honey puff pastry bites are a sweet, cheesy appetizer you can make with a few squares of puff pastry.

You can cut the pastry to the size you want for your appetizers (2-3″ squares).

Score a square inside the puff pastry about 1 cm from the edge. Place all of the fillings on the inside of the scored puff pastry.

Place a piece of brie cheese, and then drizzle with honey and sprinkle with a few chopped almonds on top.

Egg wash the pastry with 1 egg + 1 tbsp of water. Using a fork, whisk the egg and water together. Use a pastry brush to brush all of the edges of the pastry with the egg wash.

Bake at 400 degrees F for 15-20 minutes, until the puff pastry turns a golden-brown.

Pesto Sundried Tomato Puff Pastry

Pesto and sundried puff pastry bites are a savory, cheese filled appetizer.

You can cut the pastry to the size you want for your appetizers (2-3″ squares).

Score a square inside the puff pastry about 1 cm from the edge. Place all of the fillings on the inside of the scored puff pastry.

Place a spoonful of fresh pesto on the puff pastry, and then place a piece of fresh mozzarella on top.

Add a couple sundried tomatoes on top of the mozzarella.

Egg wash the pastry with 1 egg + 1 tbsp of water. Using a fork, whisk the egg and water together. Use a pastry brush to brush all of the edges of the pastry with the egg wash.

Bake at 400 degrees F for 15-20 minutes, until the puff pastry turns a golden-brown.

Pesto and Goat Cheese Puff Pastry

Pesto mini puff pastry appetizer bites are made with sharp goat cheese.

You can cut the pastry to the size you want for your appetizers (2-3″ squares).

Score a square inside the puff pastry about 1 cm from the edge. Place all of the fillings on the inside of the scored puff pastry.

Place a spoonful of fresh pesto on the puff pastry, and then place of goat cheese top of.

Add a couple of sundried tomatoes to the top of the goat cheese.

Egg wash the pastry with 1 egg + 1 tbsp of water. Using a fork, whisk the egg and water together. Use a pastry brush to brush all of the edges of the pastry with the egg wash.

Bake at 400 degrees F for 15-20 minutes, until the puff pastry turns a golden-brown.

Gruyere Mushroom and Caramelized Onion Puff Pastry

Gruyere puff pastry bites are made with buttery caramelized onions, and soft mushrooms for a textured appetizer.

Onions are caramelized in butter, and deglazed with balsamic. Mushrooms are cooked in butter, and then mixed with caramelized onions, along with some grated gruyere cheese.

Puff pastry is cut into squares, and then scored 1 cm from the edge of the puff pastry square.

Onion mixture is spooned onto the puff pastry and egg washed.

Mini puff pastry appetizer is baked in the oven until the pastry turns golden brown, and garnished with parsley.

Spinach and Feta Puff Pastry

Spinach and feta pastry bites is a creamy and savory appetizer.

Cooked spinach, crumbled feta cheese, and grated parmesan cheese are mixed together in a bowl to make the base of the appetizer.

Puff pastry is cut into squares, and then scored 1 cm from the edge of the puff pastry square.

Spinach and cheese mixture is spooned onto the puff pastry, and a thin slice of tomato is placed on top. Sprinkle a bit of pepper on top, and egg wash the pastry prior to putting it in the oven.

Spinach puff pastry appetizer is baked in the oven until the pastry turns golden brown.

Smoked Salmon Puff Pastry

Smoked salmon puff pastry bites have a cream cheese base with a hint of dill weed.

Cream cheese is mixed with freshly chopped chives, smoked salmon pieces, and fresh dill weed to make the base of the appetizer.

Puff pastry squares are placed inside a muffin tin (2″ square) to make a well for holding the fillings of the mini appetizer.

Place a spoonful of cream cheese filling into each of the puff pastry squares, and bake in the oven until the pastry turns golden brown.

Garnish the puff pastry appetizer with a bit of fresh dill.

Pepper Jelly and Cream Cheese Puff Pastry

Pepper jelly puff pastry bites are made with cream cheese, and have a hint of spice from the pepper jelly.

Puff pastry squares are placed inside a muffin tin (2″ square) to make a well for holding the cream cheese. The squares are baked for a few minutes, and then removed from the oven.

Cream cheese is spooned onto the partially cooked puff pastry squares, along with a spoonful of pepper jelly.

Pepper jelly puff pastry bites are baked in the oven for a few more minutes to crisp up the puff pastry edges.

Garnish with thyme leaves and serve immediately.

Crab Puff Pastry

Crab puff pastry bites are filled with vegetables and lumps of crab for this seafood mini puff pastry appetizer.

Chopped onions and red pepper are cooked in a bit of olive oil and minced garlic in a frying pan on medium heat.

Vegetables are removed from the heat source, and mixed together with cream cheese, mayo, freshly grated parmesan cheese, and lumps of crab meat to make the base of the appetizer filling.

Chives, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and fresh lemon juice are added to the cream cheese filling.

Puff pastry squares are placed inside a muffin tin (2″ square) to make a well for holding the cream cheese filling.

Crab cream cheese filling is spooned onto the puff pastry squares and baked in the oven until the pastry turns golden brown.