Cold Appetizers

Cold appetizers are great for so many reasons. My #1 reason is that most can be made ahead, saving time and stress when hosting events.

More Collections: Mexican Appetizers, BBQ Appetizers, Easy Appetizers

Hot or Cold?

When I think of my top favorite appetizers, they usually include hot ones such as Mozzarella Sticks, Spinach Dip, or Chicken Wings.

However, not every occasion is good for hot appetizers, and other times, you just need some variety to your appetizer spread!

The cold appetizers we’ve included in this post fall into three categories: easy cold appetizers (most of these involve fresh produce), make ahead cold appetizers (both sweet and savory dips), and cold vegetarian appetizers!

Before we get into the recipes, here are some tips for planning and serving your cold appetizers!

Planning Your Appetizer Spread

A great spread starts with planning, and including make-ahead appetizers will help set you up for success. We’ve included several additional tips to make sure everything runs smoothly for your next party!

Prepping tips. Whether you’re planning a picnic or cocktail party, prepping an easy cold appetizer recipe or two ahead of time can make the event run much more smoothly. 

• Plan your menu a week or two before, then watch ads to see what is on sale. 
• Add variety to the menu, using both sweet and savory dishes, and incorporating different colors and textures.
• Include homemade and store bought dishes. If you are using any new recipes, make them a couple of weeks before the event, to work out any kinks. 
• Decide which appetizers can be made ahead of time, and stored in the fridge. 
• Decide which appetizers can be set out at room temperature, and which ones need to be kept cold.
• Be sure to provide the proper serving utensils, making it easier for guests to fill their plates.

how Much to Serve

It is important to make sure you have enough food for your guests, but not too much that you don’t have room to store it all!

How many different dishes are needed:

• For fewer than 10 guests: offer 2-3 different types of appetizers. 
• For more than 10 guests: add another dish for every 5-8 additional guests. 
• Balance out how many cold appetizers you serve, with how many hot appetizers you serve.

How much per person: 

• Main dish. When appetizers are the main food at an event, plan to serve about 10-12 pieces per person, for a two-hour party. Add about 5 more pieces per person, for every hour after.
• Side. If you will be serving dinner, fewer appetizers are needed. In this case, plan to serve a total of 3-5 appetizers per person. 
• For dips and salsa. Plan for guests to have about ⅓ cup each. Make sure to include dip-ables (see ideas below).

serving Tips

It’s important to keep appetizers at the correct temperature.

Keeping appetizers cold.

• Freeze the serving trays and bowls before filling them with the food.
• Place ice in a bowl, then nestle the serving bowl with the food inside. 
• Purchase large thin ice packs that fit nicely under serving plates and platters.
• Only set out a portion of the appetizers at a time. Refill platters and bowls with chilled food, when needed.

Dippers. If you are serving dips or dipping sauce, you will also need to serve items to BE dipped. Some of my favorite sweet and savory dippers include:

• Sweet – cookies, Graham Crackers, pretzels, sliced fruits like apples, strawberries, and bananas 
• Savory – chips, Tortilla Chips, crackers, crostini or baguette slices, pretzels, cheese cubes, and cut vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, broccoli, celery, green onion, or cherry tomato

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Easy Cold Appetizers

Not only are they delicious, but these easy cold appetizer ideas are beyond simple too!

Veggie Cups

Veggie cup appetizers – perfect for parties and after school snacks for the kids! This mess free concoction is great for so many occasions!

Deviled Eggs

Nothing better than a smooth deviled egg appetizer! You’ll be surprised with how easy these are to make. Tons of flavor, super delicious and perfect for parties and holidays.

Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball

Spruce up your holiday appetizers with a tasty bacon ranch cheese ball. It’s easy, delicious, and perfect served with crackers and veggies.

Mexican Pinwheels

Mexican pinwheels are bite-size tortilla rolls filled with a spiced cream cheese mixture. They are a party in your mouth!

Easy Bruschetta

This easy bruschetta is quick, simple and perfect for any party! It takes just 5 ingredients and is the perfect appetizer for any occasion.

Greek Cucumber Cups

Simple Greek cucumber cups are a light and delicious appetizer that whips up in minutes. They are a perfect low calorie snack!

Caprese Stuffed Avocados

Simple and fresh caprese stuffed avocados are a twist on classic flavors. This is a perfect appetizer or side to any meal!

Ham Salad

Creamy ham salad with hints of dill and chunks of hard-boiled eggs is a tasty appetizer perfect for using up that leftover ham!!

Fruit Kabobs

Colorful fruit kabobs are the best appetizer or side for any occasion! Load up your favorite fruits and get snacking.

Lunch Kabobs

Kid-friendly lunch kabobs are filled with savory meats and fresh veggies. They’re perfect for parties, BBQs, lunches and more!

Pineapple Cheese Ball

Sweet + tangy pineapple cheese ball is crusted with pecans for a perfect combination. The juicy pineapple pops are irresistible!

Taco Dip Recipe

Loaded with all of your favorite taco toppings, this creamy taco flavored dip is perfect for dipping with tortilla chips.

Cheese Ball Bites

Mini cheese ball bites taste just like a loaded cheese ball, but mini! They are perfect grab and go appetizers.

Cinnamon Tortilla Chips

Cinnamon tortilla chips are a quick and easy snack to serve with your favorite dessert dip, frosting, or salsa!

Charcuterie Board

We all love to graze during holidays and parties, and what better way to do it than with a charcuterie board?! Customize with all your favorite meats, cheeses, crackers, veggies, fruits and dips!

Fruit Salsa Recipe

Fresh fruit salsa is a perfect pairing for our sweet homemade cinnamon chips. Ready in under 20 minutes, you can make it for any occasion!

Watermelon Salsa recipe

Juicy watermelon salsa is sweet with the perfect touch of spice. It’s a tasty summer salsa that whips up in minutes!

Burrata Board Recipe

This simple burrata board is a stunning & sophisticated appetizer. It’s easy to assemble, and perfect for any occasion!

Tortellini Skewers Recipe

Quick + simple pesto tortellini skewers whip up in minutes for a tasty appetizer perfect for any occasion. They are cheesy and delicious!

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Make Ahead Cold Appetizers

One of the easiest things to make ahead are salsas and dips. They need to be stored in the fridge until they’re ready to serve anyways!

Dipping tip: When my own little family is eating salsa, we dip out of the same bowl, but you don’t necessarily want to have party guests do the same thing. I like to have small plastic cups available for guests to spoon their dip and salsa into. 

Knorr Spinach Dip Recipe

Savory Knorr spinach dip is perfect for serving at parties with your favorite crackers and veggies. It’s chunky and delicious!

Nutella Dip

Filled with hazelnut goodness and a helping of tangy cream cheese & whipped cream, this Nutella fruit dip is heavenly!

Yogurt Fruit Dip

In just minutes, mix together an amazingly sweet and creamy vanilla yogurt fruit dip. Serve with your favorite fruit!

Guacamole

Spicy, chunky simple guacamole is so easy and addicting, it’s sure to be a crowd pleaser! You won’t be able to stop eating it.

Homemade Hummus

If you need a quick healthy snack or party appetizer, you can whip up this homemade hummus in 5 minutes or less! With just a few simple ingredients, this delicious hummus is perfect for dipping pita bread, fresh veggies, and tortilla chips.

Dill Veggie Dip

Fresh & creamy dill veggie dip is quick, simple, and perfect for parties and snacking. It’s our go-to vegetable dip!

French Onion Dip

French onion dip is tangy and savory. It requires only two ingredients and is made in under a minute making it the perfect chip dip!

Homemade Salsa

This is such an EASY and delicious homemade salsa recipe! All you have to do is throw all the ingredients into your blender, and blend!

Sweet Salsa Verde

Sweet salsa verde is a delicious salsa recipe made from tomatillos, jalapeños, sugar, & cilantro. It is sweet and spicy and takes just minutes to make.

Black bean And Corn Salsa

This black bean and corn salsa is one of our favorite dips and appetizers. It’s great with any Mexican dish or served with tortilla chips!!!

Chili’s Salsa

The restaurant salsa you know and love, made at home anytime you like! This Chili’s Salsa copycat recipe is literally made in minutes with the help of a blender.

Mango Salsa

This sweet and savory mango salsa is perfect with chips or any Mexican meal. It’s full of flavor and simple to make.

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Cold Vegetarian Appetizers

Most of these cold appetizers are vegetarian already since most meat appetizers are served warm. However, these are some of my FAVORITE meatless apps!

Veggie Tortilla Roll Ups

These delicious veggie tortilla roll ups are made from a rolled tortilla filled with Ranch Veggie dip, and chopped veggies, making them the perfect bite-sized party appetizer!

7 Layer bean Dip

This 7 layer bean dip recipe is a must-have at every function! It has loads of flavor and all your favorite dip ingredients including avocados, olives, tomatoes, cheese, guacamole and more!

Caesar Salad Cups

Caesar salad cups are a quick, simple and tasty side dish or appetizer. They’re mini salads in a cup and great for parties and get togethers!

Bruschetta Caprese

Toasted bread rounds are topped with a mixture of juicy tomatoes, ripe avocado, and fresh mozzarella to make this bruschetta caprese. Top it all off with a balsamic glaze!

Pina Colada Dip

Pina colada fruit dip is fresh, creamy and filled with pineapple and coconut bits. It is perfectly refreshing and great for any party.

Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball

Decadent chocolate chip cheese ball is a cool, creamy treat filled with mini chocolate chips and perfect for dipping!

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Best Cold Appetizers

Keep it chilled with this tasty compilation of cold appetizers.

Be sure to check out all of our Appetizer Recipes.

More Collections: Finger Food Appetizers, Healthy Appetizers, Italian Appetizers