Dads often give so much and take very little. So why not spoil him a little bit this Father’s Day? In my house, the way to Dad’s heart is food. It’s almost as if “food” should be the sixth love language. I’ve compiled this list of 15 appetizer recipes that I think any Dad will devour. Whether you’re throwing a bbq or hosting a dinner party, this list has the perfect starters. From finger foods to fancy foods, this list has it all. Plus, they’re all pretty simple to make! Some of these recipes can even be customized just for dad. Show the special guy in your life all of your appreciation and make these delicious Father’s Day appetizers.
1. Nachos
I don’t make nachos at home very often, but I’m starting to think I should. Nachos are great for entertaining for so many reasons. They’re customizable, shareable, and quick and easy to make. Oh, and the cheese is reason enough for me! These nachos are piled high with delicious ingredients. Aside from cheese, you’ll find flavorful ground beef, beans, and jalapenos. Again, you can choose to add whatever ingredients you want. You can also experiment with types of beans, flavors of salsa, and different proteins. Just throw on whatever dad likes and be sure he gets at least one of the really good chips. You know, the one that has a bite of everything on it and isn’t soggy.
2. Father’s Day Charcuterie Board
Charcuterie boards are all the rage these days! For Father’s Day, load that board up with all of dad’s snacks and add a fun design while you’re at it. Not only is this board filled with snack foods, but it’s an edible conversation piece that’s completely custom-made for dad. The possibilities are endless here, so make it extra special for dad’s day. I also think this would be an awesome idea as a dessert board. Instead of adding all of the crackers and meat, you can add cookies and candies along with the fruit.
3. Cheesecake Factory Avocado Egg Rolls
The Cheesecake Factory avocado eggs rolls are a widely popular appetizer. For me, it’s the creamy avocado and the crunchy shell that make these egg rolls so awesome. If you have never tried these, this is your sign to make them yourself. If dad loves avocados, now is especially the right time to make them. Make these to enjoy for lunch on Father’s Day or as an appetizer at the Father’s Day barbecue. These egg rolls are full of flavor and have a wonderful mix of textures. It’s definitely a must-have recipe for any gathering.
4. Little Smokies Wrapped in Bacon
Little Smokies are a classic party appetizer. They’re flavorful and easy to prepare so they’re great for a crowd. These Little Smokies are made extra special for dad. They’re wrapped in bacon, so they’re meat wrapped in meat. I’m not sure that I could come up with anything more “dad” than that. They’re also covered in brown sugar before they’re cooked. It gives the bacon a delicious candied effect. These bite-sized appetizers are so addicting and tasty. You might want to make a double batch or they’ll be gone before you know it!
5. Macaroni and Cheese Bites
Macaroni and cheese is already a favorite of mine, but these “bites” take it to the next level. The recipe includes four different cheeses and classic elbow macaroni noodles. The mac and cheese is delicious already, but turning it into little bites makes it portable and snack-able. The best part, in my opinion, is the crispness that these macaroni and cheese bites get after baking in the oven. They hold together pretty nicely, so they’re perfect for Father’s Day cookouts. The kids will love these too since they’re easy to hold and involve cheese!
6. Crispy Beer Battered Fried Shrimp (Popcorn Shrimp)
I know a lot of dads out there who love seafood. This recipe combines seafood and beer so it’s likely just the perfect recipe for Father’s Day. These fried shrimp are so delicious. They’re tender on the inside and spectacularly crispy on the outside, perfect for dipping. If you’re entertaining a large group, you can make a large batch of these shrimp and put out different dipping options. I love the spicy mayo included in this recipe but you can also add cocktail sauce or tartar sauce. These are also really easy to make for a crowd. Who doesn’t love shrimp at a party?
7. Hanky Panky
Okay, this recipe is perfect for Father’s Day because dad wouldn’t be called dad if it weren’t for a little hanky panky. I know what you’re thinking but I’m talking about the recipe! Anyway, your dad will probably be pretty entertained by the names of this recipe alone, but it’s also a fabulous appetizer! Hanky panky, otherwise known as sh*t on a shingle or Polish mistake, is a beef, sausage, and cheese mixture on top of toasted bread. This appetizer reminds me of a cheesy, open-faced sloppy Joe of sorts. It’s like a cheeseburger with ground meat instead of a patty. It’s not pretty but it tastes delicious.
8. Bacon-Wrapped Bratwurst
These bite-sized brats are sure to be dad’s new favorite. It’s probably safe to say that most dads like bacon. And this bacon is wrapped around more meat. These bacon-wrapped bratwursts are also covered in a sweet and spicy, brown sugar and mustard coating. The mustard is just heavenly! It adds a fantastic layer of flavor that’s a little unexpected. You can use any kind of pre-cooked or smoked meat for this recipe so if dad has a favorite, use that instead!
9. Beer Cheese Dip
This is an incredible dip for dad if he loves beer and cheese. He and all his guests will likely devour this beer cheese dip before it even cools down enough. I think this is an awesome recipe because you can use almost any cheese and any beer. You can really customize it to dad’s preferences. Plus, you can serve this with almost any dipping tools you want. You can use bread, chips, soft pretzel bites, veggies, or even just a spoon.
10. Sausage Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls
This recipe is one of my favorite got-to breakfasts. They’re so easy to put together and incredibly tasty. The flaky pastry on the outside is warm and fluffy. The inside is salty, meaty, and creamy. They are so good and dad will love them! These are great if you’re serving a crowd because they’re easy and you can enlist others to help roll them up. Once you get the filling made, just spread it onto a crescent roll triangle and roll it up! You can make these with regular pork sausage or Italian sausage if you want to make them for a meal other than breakfast. There are no rules here, so have fun with it!
11. Jalapeno Poppers
Jalapeño poppers are another classic appetizer that are a huge hit. These are baked instead of fried so they’re easier to make and not as greasy. The jalapeños are closed in half and filled with a creamy, cheesy, and flavor-packed mixture. I recommend adding chopped bacon to the mixture. Then, they’re topped with breadcrumbs for that signature crunch of a jalapeño popper.
12. Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms
Now, this is a decadent appetizer. These little bites will impress your dad and all of your guests and leave them wanting more! The mushrooms are hollowed out and then stuffed with a creamy crab meat mixture. It has tons of flavor and the crab is fantastic! These are surprisingly simple to make and you can even get some help with the stuffing part! I definitely recommend this appetizer if you want to make dad feel extra special this Father’s Day!
13. Baked Chicken Wings
Beloved chicken wings are made pretty simple and foolproof with this recipe. I absolutely love the simple seasonings used here. Paprika, garlic, salt, and pepper make a delicious combination. These wings are baked so there’s less mess to clean up, and they’re healthier without losing flavor! Plus, everybody loves finger food, right? These are a hit at every party and will disappear every time!
14. Million-Dollar Dip
Dips are always a good idea. This one is so good, that it almost feels wrong. Million-dollar dip is packed with ingredients that dad will love. First, who doesn’t love bacon and cheese? This dip is full of it. The almonds add a really nice crunch and the base of the dip is creamy and delicious. I love using crackers for this dip since it is a pretty substantial thickness. Potato chips will likely break easily, but crackers and veggies are perfect!
15. Crabbies
If dad is a fan of seafood, here is another recipe you have to try! These little appetizer treats are creamy, cheese, crispy, and have an incredible crab flavor. The crab meat is combined with cheese, mayonnaise, and butter. The mixture ends up being so creamy and scrumptious. The mixture gets slathered onto English muffins and then baked. While they’re baked, the crab mixture gets bubbly and gooey. It’s a truly fantastic seafood appetizer. Whether you’re making this for Father’s Day or any other celebration, you can be confident that they’ll be loved and devoured. Sorry, dad, but there won’t be any leftovers with this dish. Click on a star to rate it!
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