16 Three-Ingredient Party Appetizer Recipes for the *Lazy* Hostess (2024)

Whether you’re planning a TV viewing party, bridal shower or game day gathering, does this ever happen to you? You start out all ambitious, with a grocery list for some outrageous guacamole and crazy-impressive appetizers, but before you can get to a store, inertia sets in. Why does hostessing have to be so HARD? The whole point of *socializing* is to just enjoy hanging with friends. We feel you, and we’ve got your back. Here are 16 appetizers that bring on some BIG flavor using just three ingredients. Lazy girl for the win!

1. Grilled Cheese Roll Ups: It’s a grilled cheese literally rolled up, featuring ooey-gooey cheese slices, melted butter and a crunchy golden crust. These babies are perfect dunkers, so open a can of tomato soup and you’ve got just the right easy dipping sauce. (via Damn Delicious)

2. Baked Jalapeño Poppers: Now, no one is knocking the many complicated versions of poppers out there, where the peppers have been fire roasted over a mesquite smoker or even deep fried. But this recipe proves simple food cooked simply can be the very best. A bacon-wrapped pepper stuffed with cheese is a delicious thing, indeed. (via Macheesmo)

3. Baked Mozzarella and Marinara Dip: This dip is about as easy as it comes. Better make two if you’re serving it banquet-style and you want to avoid a traffic jam at one end of the table. (via Recipe Runner)

4. Three-Ingredient Beer Battered Artichoke Hearts: Anything beer battered is going to taste phenomenal, and this app does not disappoint. Make it for your next game day gathering and you’ll have a crowd of new veggie-loving converts on your hands. (via Neurotic Mommy)

5. Cheese Grape and Pistachio Truffles: Are you having friends and family over during the holidays? Even if it’s just a few girlfriends over for a glass of wine, these easy-to-prep apps are a one-bite delight. (via Delightful E Made)

6. Garlic Basil Parmesan Crisps: This one’s for the GF peeps in the house. It’s so rare to find a crispy dipper that’s 100 percent grain-free and 100 percent cheesy deliciousness. Even the non-GF folks will be gobbling them up. (via Bless Her Heart Y’All)

7. Crock Pot Kielbasa Bites: If you’re looking for an easy appetizer, this slow cooker kielbasa is always a crowd pleaser. Just toss your three ingredients in the pot, and let it bubble away happily, freeing up your kitchen counter space — and your time. (via Cakescottage)

8. Three-Ingredient Pulled Pork Tenderloin (Slow Cooker): All you need is some pork tenderloin, cola and your fave BBQ sauce in order to have a delicious appetizer on the table with zero fuss. Prepare for the onslaught, because everyone is going to be begging for the recipe. (via Plain Chicken)

9. Baked Fontinella Cheese Dip: Move over, cheddar — there’s a new cheese in town. White cheeses like Fontinella, Emmental or Gruyère, when melted with herbs and olive oil, make an easy peasy fondue that’s so simple, yet so impressive. (via Eazy Peazy Mealz)

10. Goat Cheese Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates: These little bites are deceptively effortless, but OH SO satisfying. When creamy goat cheese, salty bacon and sweet dates are combined, the taste is pure foodie nirvana. (via Fox and Briar)

11. Watermelon-Feta Bites: Need something a little lighter to balance out your food spread? Putting salad on a stick makes it much more appealing — and so much easier for your guests to eat while mingling. (via Mantitlement)

12. Crockpot Sriracha Meatballs: The sauce for these store-bought meatballs could not be simpler to make; just mix a jar of grape jelly with some chili sauce and voila! Spicy meatballs. But the real star of this show is the Sriracha in the chili sauce. It gives everyone’s fave appetizer an extra zing. (via Budget Girl)

13. Three-Ingredient Cheesy Monkey Bread: Cheesy, flaky, buttery monkey bread, served piping hot out of the oven, is pretty much irresistible. You’d better make a double batch, because it’s going to go sooooooo fast. (Brit + Co)

14. Easy Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips: If you’re a lover of salt and vinegar — and who isn’t? — do yourself a favor and make a batch of these chips right now. They’re perfect for a party, because food this delicious simply must be shared. (via The Suburban Soapbox)

15. Lemon Garlic Chicken Skewers: This one’s for the clean eaters in the house. These chicken kabobs are gluten-free, Paleo and even Whole30-compliant, plus they’re chock full of delicious flavor. (via What the Fork)

16. Little Potato Stacks: These baby hasselback taters on a stick are a triple win. They’re tasty, as only an oven-crisp potato can be, and they’re as beautiful to look at as they are to eat. (via Food Well Said)

If you HEART lazy-girl appetizers like these, follow us on Pinterest for more.

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16 Three-Ingredient Party Appetizer Recipes for the *Lazy* Hostess (2024)

FAQs

How do I host an appetizer only party? ›

Planning Your Appetizer Party Menu

Bruschetta, breadsticks, crackers, and rolls are also mainstays. Protein: Serve meat or fish dishes, such as meatballs, chicken wings, or sushi, to give your guests protein. You could also make an egg, cheese, or tofu appetizer. Try these grilled appetizer recipes.

What is the difference between an appetizer and a Horderves? ›

Purpose and Setting: Hors d'oeuvres can be thought of as 'mingling food'; small portioned items that are passed around in a social setting. Appetizers on the other hand are often served directly to you while seated at a table.

What are the four types of hors d'oeuvres? ›

Hors d'oeuvres include canapés, small tartlets, crudités, or skewered items.

What is a typical finger buffet? ›

A finger buffet meal consists of food which may be picked up with the fingers (finger food), such as small (finger) sandwiches, canapés and vol-au-vents.

What is a one bite appetizer called? ›

myz. ɡœl]) is a single, bite-sized hors d'œuvre. Amuse-bouches are different from appetizers in that they are not ordered from a menu by patrons but are served free and according to the chef's selection alone.

What is a moosh boosh? ›

amuse-bouche. Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 15, 2007 is: amuse-bouche • \AH-mooz-BOOSH\ • noun. : a small complimentary appetizer offered at some restaurants.

What are the two basic types of appetizers? ›

The document provides information on different types of appetizers including: 1. co*cktail appetizers - juices or small portions of food served with drinks. 2. Hors d'oeuvres - thinly sliced bread with toppings like fish, meat or eggs that are toasted or fried.

What do you call the simplest appetizer? ›

Fresh Fruits and Vegetables – are the simplest appetizer. Fruits are good appetizers because they give an attractive appearance, fragrance, appealing taste and delicious flavor. For example, you could serve a platter of thinly sliced cucumbers, chunks of red bell pepper and baby carrots.

What is a fancy appetizer called? ›

An hors d'oeuvre (/ɔːr ˈdɜːrv(rə)/ or DURV(-rə); French: hors-d'œuvre [ɔʁ dœvʁ]), appetiser or starter is a small dish served before a meal in European cuisine. Some hors d'oeuvres are served cold, others hot.

What is the most common hors d'oeuvre? ›

Usually presented buffet style, it often consists of cold cuts, cured fishes, mixed salads, kholodets, pirozhki, various pickled vegetables (such as tomatoes, beets, or cucumbers), sauerkraut, pickled mushrooms, deviled eggs, hard cheeses, caviar, canapés, open sandwiches, and breads.

What is the cheapest food to make for a party? ›

20 Great inexpensive party food ideas
  • Ham and cheese pinwheels. ...
  • Mini spinach pies. ...
  • Spaghetti bolognese. ...
  • Baguettes with toppings (bruschetta) ...
  • Egg, cheese, and ham skewers. ...
  • Chicken pot pie. ...
  • Cheese straws. ...
  • Macaroni and cheese. You can make a few dishes of macaroni and cheese and serve it from warming trays.
Oct 13, 2022

What is the easiest food to serve at a party? ›

Easy Finger Food Recipes to Make Ahead
  1. Fried Pickles. Treat your guests to fried pickles for fun finger food ideas. ...
  2. Fried Mac and Cheese Rolls. ...
  3. Deviled Eggs. ...
  4. Honey Garlic Meatballs. ...
  5. Garlic Breadsticks. ...
  6. Salted Soft Pretzels. ...
  7. Whipped Ricotta Crostini. ...
  8. Vietnamese Spring Rolls.
May 29, 2024

What do you call a party with just appetizers? ›

Call them hors d'oeuvres or call them appetizers, they stand on their own at an event and have stopped being just a starter. On trend are the “All Appetizers” or “Heavy Hors d'oeuvres” parties. These co*cktail party style events allow for more mingling, interaction and movement.

How do you throw an appetizer party? ›

HOW TO HOST AN APPETIZER PARTY: MY TOP TIPS
  1. Figure out roughly how much food you're going to need. ...
  2. Don't make everything yourself; pay for the items you can't or don't want to make. ...
  3. Make sure all your appetizers have complementary flavors. ...
  4. Make pricy ingredients go further with a little hidden bulk.
Oct 22, 2016

Can you order only an appetizer? ›

Ask George: Does it bother a restaurant owner if a customer orders an appetizer in lieu of a main course? The answer has more to do with hospitality practices than which items are ordered. After everything that restaurateurs have endured for nearly two years, the short answer is no.

How do you present and serve appetizers? ›

Create appealing displays.
  1. Use toothpicks and small plastic skewers to hold small complementary pieces of food together. ...
  2. For appetizers that need to be contained inside small dishes, like pasta salads and fruit salads, choose a non-conventional dish to serve them in. ...
  3. Remember to decorate the platters, as well.

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