Food and Recipes

Appetizers

They say that at a great party people never want to leave the kitchen. That may or may not be true, but with the right appetizers at least you may entice them to another room.

At Southern Living we love appetizers so much that we're always looking for easier ways to get them on the table—even if it is the coffee table. Appetizers keep family and friends satisfied and whether you choose hearty or healthy treats, we're here to help you make every small bite your best yet.

Southern Living Sweet-and-Spicy Sausage Bites in the skillet to serve

Sweet-And-Spicy Sausage Bites

Southern Living Loaded Queso in a bowl ready to serve

Loaded Queso Is A Sign That Football Season Has Arrived

Southern Living Bacon Pimiento Cheese in a bowl to serve with crackers

Bacon Pimiento Cheese

Southern Living Corn Salsa in the bowl ready to serve

Southern Living Chicken-Fried Mushrooms with Creamy Mushroom Gravy on a platter to serve

Chicken-Fried Mushrooms With Creamy Mushroom Gravy

Southern Living Hot Bacon and Swiss Dip scooped out and ready to serve with vegetables

Hot Bacon And Swiss Dip Will Be Devoured In Minutes

Southern Living Jezebel Sauce with some cream cheese and crackers on a plate

homemade chicken nuggets on a white plate with pickles and a side of ranch dressing - Southern Living

Homemade Chicken Nuggets

Southern Living Pico de Gallo in a bowl to serve with chips

5-Ingredient Pico De Gallo Is Better Homemade

Southern Living Pickled Green Beans in jars ready to eat

Perfectly Pickled Green Beans

Southern Living Pickled Shrimp on plates to serve

Southern-Style Pickled Shrimp

Grilled Okra-and-Pepper Skewers with Dijon Dipping Sauce on a platter

Grilled Okra-And-Pepper Skewers With Dijon Dipping Sauce

Southern Living Fried Okra on a platter to serve with ranch for dipping

Southern Living Soft Pretzels on a tray to serve with pretzel dip

Soft Pretzels Are Worth Making From Scratch

Southern Living Baked Zucchini Fries on a platter to serve with marinara sauce

Baked Zucchini Fries

Cornbread and Milk

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Texas Caviar

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Ham salad with saltine crackers - Southern Living

Southern Living Corn Fritters on a platter to serve

Southern Living Cajun-Rubbed Pork Chop Bites

Billy Reid's Cajun-Rubbed Pork Chop Bites Will Be The Star Of Your Tailgate

Southern Living Watermelon Gazpacho in bowls to serve

Watermelon Gazpacho

Southern Living Southern Pimento Cheese on a platter ready to serve with crackers and vegetables

Southern Pimiento Cheese

Southern Living Bacon BBQ Smokies on a platter to serve

Bacon-Wrapped Smokies

Twain's Brewpub & Billiards Fried Watermelon Bites

Fried Watermelon Bites

Southern Living Smoky Bacon Snack Mix in bowls to serve

Bacon Snack Mix

Southern Living Muhammara on a platter to serve with vegetables and pita bread

Muhammara Is Made For Casual Backyard Dinners

Southern Living Cheeseburger Sliders on a plate to serve

20 Of Grandpa's Favorite Appetizers

Southern Living Pickled Eggs in the jar after pickling

Southern Living Fried Saltines on a platter to serve

Extra Crispy Fried Saltines

Southern Living Deviled Egg Dip in the bowl to serve

Deviled Egg Dip

Southern Living Boat Dip ready to serve with tortilla chips

Make Waves With This Crowd-Pleasing Boat Dip

jalapeno poppers

Jalapeño Poppers

Applebee's Exterior, entrance with signage

Applebee's Has A Deal This Month That Will Put A Favorite Appetizer On Your Table For Pocket Change

Benedictine Spread - Southern Living

Benedictine Spread

bacon ranch cheese ball on a serving platter with crackers and a knife - Southern Living

Bacon-Ranch Cheese Ball Is The Best Way To Start A Party

Southern Living Spicy Cheese Straws

This Is The Best Cookie Press For Making Cheese Straws, Says Our Food Editor

party cheese ball

The 20 Best Appetizers From Grandma’s Recipe Box

Southern Living Texas Trash Dip ready to serve with chips

Texas Trash Dip

Southern Living Texas Torte cut on a plate, topped with hot sauce

Southern Living Smashed Oven-Fried Okra on a platter to serve with dipping sauce

Smashed Oven-Fried Okra

Southern Living Blooming Quesadilla Ring on a platter to serve with dipping sauce

Blooming Quesadilla Ring Is The Appetizer We'll Be Making All Summer

Southern Living Dill Dip in a bowl to serve with a platter of vegetables and potato chips

Spicy Strawberry-Goat Cheese Crostini on a platter

Spicy Strawberry-Goat Cheese Crostini

Southern Living Kentucky Benedictine Sandwiches on a tray to serve

Kentucky Benedictine Sandwiches

Ritz Cracker Party Sandwiches - Southern Living

Ritz Cracker Party Sandwiches Are Your New Easiest Appetizer

Southern Living Dill Deviled Eggs on a platter to serve

Dill Deviled Eggs

Southern Living Million Dollar Deviled Eggs on a platter to serve

Million Dollar Deviled Eggs

Kentucky Derby Cheese Hat - Southern Living

Kentucky Derby Cheese Hat

Loaded Deviled Eggs - Southern Living

Loaded Deviled Eggs

Mini Hot Browns on platters - Southern Living

Mini Hot Browns

Southern Living Fava-and-Whipped Feta Bruschetta on a tray ready to serve

Fava-And-Whipped Feta Bruschetta

Caramelized Onion Dip

Caramelized Onion Dip

Southern Living Radishes with Miso-Sesame Butter on a platter to serve

Radishes With Miso-Sesame Butter

Southern Living Loaded Smashed Potatoes on the pan ready to serve

Loaded Smashed Potatoes

Southern Living Texas Twinkies on a platter to serve

French Onion Dip - Southern Living

French Onion Dip

Southern Living Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus on a platter to serve

Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus

Southern Living Easter Charcuterie Board ready to serve

Easter Charcuterie Board

Southern Living Ham Cheese Ball

Ham Cheese Ball

Southern Living Shaved Vegetable Salad on plates to serve

Shaved Vegetable Salad

Southern Living Pesto Deviled Eggs on a platter to serve garnished with more basil

Pesto Deviled Eggs

Southern Living Deviled Ham in a bowl to serve with crackers

Chicken Fries - Southern Living