Hosting a party can be fun, but we believe in not making it a stressful event especially when it comes to party appetisers. You serve your appetisers while your guests are most hungry and they tend to get demolished quickly, and while salmon blini with caviar is wonderful, sometimes you don’t want to spend hours hand-assembling individual little pancakes. Here are some easy party appetisers that will impress your guests without costing hours in the kitchen.
Chip and dip
The quickest and easiest of party appetisers, you can’t go wrong with chips and dip. Yes it’s like being in university again, but chips can be a lot more than just your standard low cost pack. Some nice kettle chips or posh corn chips, served from a bowl rather than a bag, have a way more sophisticated vibe than a party size bag of salt and vinegar or doritos.
Crudites
Another straightforward yet appealing party appetiser is crudités. All you need to do is slice some fresh vegetables like carrots, cucumbers, peppers, and celery and serve with a dip like hummus, tzatziki . This option is light and healthy and won’t fill your guests up to much and distract from the main events. You can also add other items such as olives, cherry tomatoes, or pickles to the platter for added variety and flavour.
Edamame
Edamame is a wonderful option, perfect if your menu has a Japanese theme or you want something light. Simply get a bag of unshelled edamame, heat them up, and sprinkle with salt or soy sauce. They are easy to prepare and offer a unique touch to your appetiser selection. Shelling them is delightfully tactile and will keep your guests entertained for not much more than a few pounds. A great guide to cooking edamame.
Baked brie
If you want to do something slightly fancier, an option that requires minimal effort, consider baked brie. This sophisticated appetiser involves baking a wheel of brie until it’s soft and gooey, you can also top it with herbs for an extra touch of effort. Serve it with slices of baguette or crackers for a delicious and elegant addition to your party spread.
Italian aperitif
For an easy but different option, try a milan-style aperitifo, commonly served with drinks in italy. You can read our guide on how to do that here.