25 Make-Ahead Hors d'oeuvres for Stress-Free Entertaining

So you can kick back and enjoy the party along with your guests.

Bacon-Wrapped Apricots With Sage
Photo: Con Poulos

The best hors d'oeuvres ideas don't require hours of prep work and sweating away in a kitchen while your guests enjoy each other's company. In fact, our favorite hors d'oeuvres recipes are ones you make ahead, pack away, and bring out just in time to plate and serve.

Make-ahead hors d'oeuvres not only help you plan, strategize, and work in advance, but they let you really enjoy the event you've worked so hard to bring together. Here, we assembled some quick and easy dishes, so you can pick and choose what fits your palate and preferences. Wow your guests and save time with these 25 easy hors d'oeuvres recipes.

01 of 25

Creamy Smoked Fish Dip

Smoked Fish Dip

Make this hors d'oeuvre if you're short on time. In fact, you'll only need around 10 minutes to prepare this satisfying party dip. Serve with bagel chips, potato chips, or crudités.

02 of 25

Chicken Pot Pie Empanadas

Chicken Potpie Empanadas
Antonis Achilleos

Skip the last-minute fussing with these ridiculously delicious stuffed pockets that can go from oven to serving platter with no additional day-of prep needed. All you need to do is prepare the empanadas the day before your party and store them in the fridge until you're ready to bake.

03 of 25

Bacon-Wrapped Apricots With Sage

Bacon-Wrapped Apricots With Sage
Con Poulos

Talk about convenience―apricots swathed in bacon can be assembled days before and then cooked straight from the freezer. Place toothpicks beside the dish to serve. This savory appetizer is sure to satisfy.

04 of 25

Caramelized Onion Tarts With Apples

Caramelized Onion Tarts With Apples
Con Poulos

Want to look like a pro? Here, frozen puff pastry dough is spread with tangy crème fraîche and topped with a sweet and savory mix of onions and apples. There is minimal prep time because the recipe uses a pre-made puff pastry and just the right amount of toppings to make this dish quick and tasty.

05 of 25

Goat Cheese Spread

Goat cheese spread is served in a bowl alongside crackers.
Dana Gallagher

Some spreads (like this goat cheese spread) actually taste better when they've had a few days to sit and "meld." So feel encouraged that you should be making this recipe ahead and not on the day of the party. This herbaceous spread pairs well with salty crackers.

06 of 25

Rosemary Pecans

Rosemary pecans are served in a decorative bowl.
Beatriz da Costa

You can cook this nut mix up to a week in advance. Keep it fresh in an airtight container stored at room temperature. Pecans are tossed in melted butter, cayenne pepper, sugar, and salt before being roasted, then rosemary is added for an immaculate earthy taste.

07 of 25

Mini Grilled Cheese Sandwiches With Chutney

Mini Grilled Cheese Sandwiches With Chutney
Con Poulos

Add a surprising twist to a familiar favorite with this gooey grilled cheese that is refreshed with a dollop of fruit chutney. Fortunately, you can make this hors d'oeuvre in minutes during a casual get-together.

08 of 25

Eggplant, Feta, and Lemon Tart

Eggplant, Feta, and Lemon Tart Recipe
Greg DuPree

Remember, not everything needs to be served hot or cold to be delicious. Room-temp hors d'oeuvres that are baked in advance make the last-minute rush to assemble a non-factor. This tart can be cut into bite-sized pieces and served warm or at room temperature (and still be delicious either way).

09 of 25

Chimichurri-Yogurt Dip

Chimichurri Yogurt Dip
Victor Protasio

Aside from stirring in yogurt, herbs, and a few other ingredients, the magic of this dip is in the chimichurri. There's no need to waste time baking here. Just mix together the ingredients and serve with a side of lettuce and radishes.

10 of 25

Caprese Skewers With Balsamic Glaze

caprese-skewers
Getty Images

Vegetable and cheese trays can be assembled in advance—but try a classic flavor combination on a skewer for a playful twist. You'll only spend five minutes putting these bright and colorful skewers together. Bite-size mozzarella balls and juicy cherry tomatoes make the perfect snack.

11 of 25

Chickpea and Mint Crostini

Chickpea and Mint mix in a bowl with a side of toasted crostini ready for serving
Mikkel Vang

To save time on this recipe, toast baguette slices in advance and store. Then mix the topping ingredients and set aside. The best part about this hors d'oeuvre idea is that you don't need to spend time topping the crostini. Leave the topping in a serving bowl for your guests to serve themselves.

12 of 25

Crispy Homemade Baked Potato Chips

homemade potato chips
Lauren Simpson

You only need a short list of ingredients to pull off these homemade crispy potato chips. Make ahead, and store in an airtight container to keep them from becoming stale before serving. Get creative and add different seasonings to your taste. Here, we've added paprika, but try chili powder, rosemary, or onion powder for a fun twist. Did we mention it's vegan?

13 of 25

Vegan Ranch Dressing

Vegan Ranch Dressing Recipe
Victor Protasio

Silken tofu replaces regular buttermilk and mayonnaise in this vegan ranch dressing recipe. Serve with a variety of crudités for dipping. No one will even know it's vegan.

14 of 25

Spicy Parmesan Crackers

Spicy Parmesan Crackers

Make a double batch of these spicy parmesan crackers—we promise one just won't be enough. Contain them in an airtight zip-top bag until you're ready to serve. We recommend serving them with something sweet, like some homemade chocolate chip cookies for the perfect contrast.

15 of 25

Pink Hummus

Pink Hummus
Victor Protasio

This pink hummus will get everyone's attention. Use a cooked magenta beet to achieve the pink color. Serve with an array of crudités for dipping: Think of your favorite vegetables, crackers, pita bread, and more.

16 of 25

Cowboy Caviar

Cowboy cavier in a white bowl on white surface
Rus32/Getty Images

This scoopable appetizer went viral on TikTok for a reason: It's delicious and so customizable to your taste. Jalapeño, a variety of bell peppers, onion, corn, canned beans, and sliced olives are the basic ingredients to the mix, however, you can add whatever you like.

17 of 25

Carrot-Ginger Dip

Carrot Ginger Dip
Caitlin Bensel

A touch of maple syrup is added to this cooked carrot puree for a bit of sweetness. This dip is best served cold and tastes better when the dip has time to marinate in the refrigerator, which makes it a perfect make-ahead hors d'oeuvre option. Serve with rice crackers, pretzels, and crudités.

18 of 25

Many-Cheese Cheese Ball

Many Cheese Cheese Ball
Victor Protasio

Inspired by the French cheese spread fromage fort, this cheese ball is made with whatever leftover cheeses you have in your fridge. Preferably, about three to four varieties of different firmness levels. Store pre-made crostini in an airtight container, and the cheese ball in the fridge until you're ready to serve.

19 of 25

Caramelized Onion Chutney

caramelized onion chutney

Marcus Nilsson

A quick and easy chutney recipe can take you far. Chutneys can be used as a sauce alongside grilled meats or as an appetizer. Just add them to a cheese and charcuterie platter or serve alongside grilled or toasted baguette, crackers, and soft cheese.

20 of 25

Double Tomato Crostini

double tomato crostini
Christopher Baker

When entertaining a large crowd, sometimes simple is better (and faster). Crostini, a cocktail-party classic, gets an upgrade with a flavorful double tomato combination.

21 of 25

Pears With Rosemary Sugar

Pears With Rosemary Sugar
David Prince

Sliced pears, oranges, sugar, and rosemary are all you need to whip up this 10-minute appetizer. Use your fingers to sprinkle sugar in an even layer all over the pears. Double the recipe if serving a crowd.

22 of 25

Glorious Green Dip

Though this recipe for glorious green dip is a hit with classic dippers, this would be a no-brainer drizzled over roasted or grilled chicken, fish, or layered into a roasted vegetable sandwich. 
Victor Protasio

Charred scallions, spinach, chives, mild cannellini beans, lemon juice, and mayonnaise are pureed to make this healthy green dip. Make up to two days in advance, and store in an airtight container. Serve with homemade potato chips, broccoli, carrots, and whatever other dippables your heart desires.

23 of 25

Orange-Chili Shrimp Cocktail

Orange-Chili Shrimp Cocktail
David Prince

Want to let the sauce shine? For an easy make-ahead hors d'oeuvres, thaw a few pounds of cooked peeled and deveined shrimp and partner the crowd-pleasing seafood bites with a stand-out orange-chili topping that can be made earlier in the day.

24 of 25

Easy Homemade Mild Salsa

Easy DIY Salsa Recipe, tomato salsa with chips
Cara Cormack

Like hot salsa? Keep the seeds in, but remove them if you like a mild blend. This homemade salsa can be stored for up to five days in advance, but aim for less time for ultimate freshness. Serve with your favorite tortilla chips.

25 of 25

Garlic and Rosemary Focaccia

garlic-and-rosemary-focaccia-0324FEAT_38677-realsimple

Greg DuPree

You'll definitely need to make this hors d'oeuvre ahead of time because a garlic and rosemary focaccia will take about 10 hours to finish—but it only requires about a half hour of active effort. When it's ready, you'll brush it with garlic- and rosemary-infused olive oil. You can serve it in strips alongside some balsamic and olive oil dip or olive tapenade. Whipped feta cheese also pairs nicely with it.

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