Our Best Fast Hors d’Oeuvre Recipes
Impressive hors d’oeuvres are the perfect way to kick off a cocktail party — and if they’re quick and easy to throw together, even better. We’ve gathered some of our favorite fast hors d’oeuvre recipes here, ranging from Ricotta and Roasted Grape Crostini to Mini Deviled Crab Cornbread Muffins, that all come together in 45 minutes or fewer and won’t keep you in the kitchen all day. Read on for all 11 recipes and start planning your menu now.
Mini Deviled Crab Cornbread Muffins
At his dinner parties in Harlem, chef and cookbook author Alexander Smalls pairs creamy, slightly spicy, fresh deviled crab with tender corn muffins, barely sweetened with brown sugar and studded with corn kernels, for a quick one-bite appetizer. Choose fresh crab over pasteurized for the best flavor.
Spinach Dip Hot Bread
The classic spinach dip appetizer achieves new heights in this irresistibly cheesy appetizer from Mr. Digby’s in San Francisco.
Thai-Style Shrimp Cocktail
Chef Kris Yenbamroong of Night + Market invites a quick garlic aioli and super spicy fish sauce–based dipping sauce to the shrimp cocktail party. Serve the shrimp alongside ramekins of aioli and nam jim seafood sauce for dipping, or arrange the shrimp around the rim of a coupe glass filled with nam jim for more intense flavor.
‘Nduja Toasts with Quick-Pickled Celery
Store-bought ‘nduja, the spicy, spreadable sausage, is transformed into a special canapé when served on toasted baguette and topped with a quick-pickled celery.
Ricotta and Roasted Grape Crostini
Designer and blogger Athena Calderone’s signature aesthetic comes through in this striking appetizer. Roasting the grapes concentrates and deepens their sweetness.
Grilled Marrow Bones with Rosemary-Lemon Bruschetta
Chris Cosentino uses the phrase God’s butter to describe rich, decadent bone marrow. Here he serves it alongside grilled toasts rubbed with rosemary and lemon. For a more potent herbal flavor, singe the rosemary sprigs on the grill for a few moments before rubbing the toasts.
Grilled Squash Ribbons and Prosciutto with Mint Dressing
Grilling zucchini and summer squash ribbons on skewers is terrific because the edges become wonderfully charred and crisp, while the insides stay tender and juicy.
Garlic-Butter Steak Bites
These quickly stir-fried beef bites deliver all the savory luxury of a steakhouse-caliber steak, without the stress over cooking one at home. The buttery, velvety sauce coats every piece nicely, and the vermouth’s herbal richness pairs well with the savory Worcestershire. Serve as an appetizer with toothpicks, or enjoy over mashed potatoes or polenta.
Cheese Croustades
A dollop of sweet-tart cranberry relish hides at the center of the goat cheese and ricotta mousse for a burst of flavor. Garnish with fresh, oniony chives or tart lemon zest for some color and brightness.
Caviar Waffle Bites
Instead of serving blini alongside a tin of caviar, Food & Wine’s Justin Chapple makes these adorable handheld snacks. Waffles are cut into strips, and the pockets are filled with caviar, crème fraîche, and snipped chives to form the perfect pop-in-your-mouth morsel.
Three-Cheese Mini Macs
Anything big made small is ultrafun for cocktail parties, and these quick, one-bite mac and cheeses are the ultimate example. Cooked in mini muffin pans, the mini macs can be assembled early and baked just as guests arrive.