Best of all, they’ll crown you as the party superstar, too! Potlucks can happen any time of the year. Whether you’re the host or on the invite list, it always helps to have some go-to finger food recipes so you’re always prepared. I’ve rounded up 26 of the best potluck appetizers that will tease and excite every guest, getting them in the mode to have more. From the unique strawberry shortcake dip to the cheesy baked potato skins, these snacks will make everyone go wild — in a good way!
1. Pineapple Salsa
A colorful salsa with a hint of sweet and spicy flavors is always a hit. That’s why this pineapple salsa is a must-have at your next party! Pineapples and tomatoes team up to give you a sweet bite, counterbalanced by some jalapeños that bring a tolerable heat. Other ingredients you’ll need include red onions, red bell pepper, cilantro, and lime juice. They’re super easy to find, and you can even make this dish at the last minute! Complete your party appetizer by serving this bright, zesty salsa with tortilla chips.
2. Candied Nuts
You’ll only need one pan, a handful of basic ingredients, and 9 minutes to make these roasted, tasty nuts. They’re crunchy, well-spiced, and surprisingly healthy. What’s not to love? Pecans and walnuts are flavored with cayenne pepper, nutmeg, cinnamon, and coconut sugar. This results in sweet-spicy chewy goodness that’ll impress the crowd.
3. Buffalo Chicken Dip
This ooey-gooey and addictive dip will take your potluck party to the next level. It’s the dip that everyone won’t stop talking about! Great for chips and veggie sticks, this dish allows you to infuse a delicious buffalo chicken flavor to finger foods. Using rotisserie chicken is the quickest way to make this dip. Add in garlic powder and your preferred hot sauce for a nice garlicky-spicy kick.
4. Pretzels
Pretzels are buttery and fluffy knot-shaped pastries that seem difficult to make. But this recipe will show you just how easy it is to create these soft pretzel bites. Once you get the hang of shaping them, the rest of the cooking steps will be easy. It’ll just take some boiling and baking, and you’re done. Make these pretzels extra delicious by dipping them into the buffalo chicken dip. Yum!
5. Mini-Cheese Ball Bites
These cheese ball bites are easy to enjoy and definitely cuter than your average large cheese ball. Worcestershire sauce, ground pepper, and hot sauce infuse bold flavors into the cheese mixture. After shaping the mixture into bite-sized cheese balls, they’re coated in nuts, cranberries, or green onion. A pretzel stick is also added to each cheese ball right before serving. I’m sure kids and adults alike will love these delightful treats and will keep coming back for more!
6. Homemade Ritz Crackers
Ritz crackers are a popular snack from Nabisco and are known for their disc-like shape and lightly salted taste. They’re not overly flavorful, so you can enjoy them with your favorite toppings and dips. But why make them from scratch? Nothing beats homemade delights! These crackers are ready in 25 minutes and all the ingredients are already in your pantry.
7. Taco Dip
This taco dip is far from being average because you get seven layers of taco goodness! The best part is you can customize this dip however you like. Use beans and salsa for a vegetarian version or include ground beef or chicken for meat-lovers. This seven-layer taco dip is packed with all the ingredients that make up a good taco. These include tomatoes, sour cream, cheese, lettuce, and so much more. It pairs well with homemade Ritz crackers, and of course, cheesy tortilla chips.
8. Sausage Balls
These sausage balls are another great last-minute treat for potlucks or parties. They come together in 20 minutes or less. The main ingredients are sausage and Bisquick baking mix. Shredded cheese is added into the mix, making each delightful bite meaty, cheesy, and oh-so-yummy!
9. Deviled Eggs
These upgraded deviled eggs are made with sweet cream butter. This recipe is worth keeping! These deviled eggs have a southern taste because they’re a tad sweeter than the classic version. But if you like the heat, feel free to increase the amount of paprika or Tabasco sauce. Top the deviled eggs with paprika, bacon bits, or sweet pickle slices to amp up the flavor.
10. Baked Pita Chips
Baked pita chips are a healthy alternative to a bag of Doritos or any kind of regular chips. The best part is they’re a cinch to make and take less than 30 minutes! To make these thick, crunchy, and nutritious chips, you’ll only need pita bread, olive oil, and your most favorite herbs. For a subtle flavor, Italian seasonings are your best bet.
11. Homemade Chex Mix
This Chex party mix can be easily whipped up by anyone. You’ll just have to do some mixing, tossing, and heating. The result is an appetizing bowl of Chex cereals, pretzels, crackers, and nuts evenly coated with butter mixture. This Chex mix can be made up to one week before serving, so it’s the perfect recipe if you’re preparing for a party in advance.
12. Hot Ham and Cheese Dip
Any time is a good time for a delicious ham and cheese combination. If you want this ultimate duo to star at your potluck party, you’ll need this fantastic dip recipe. You can use leftover ham, then add loads of cheese and caramelized onions for a tasty dish. When you make this dip, bring out lots of crackers because everyone will love it!
13. Buffalo Chicken Wings
This is a fool-proof recipe for buffalo chicken wings. You’ll only need a couple of pantry staples to make this finger-licking good dish and everything comes together easily. Of course, this recipe calls for a buffalo sauce that needs only three ingredients: hot sauce, unsalted butter, and sugar. Pour this incredible sauce on the crispy baked wings, serve, and enjoy with some garlic mayo.
14. Pineapple Lemonade
A punch of this pineapple lemonade will brighten up any get-together, from potlucks to summer BBQs to baby showers. So simple yet so flavorful, this drink only needs lemonade, pineapple juice, and sprite. Just mix everything together in a pitcher, chill, then serve.
15. Jalapeño Popper Dip
Diced jalapeños, cheddar cheese, and cream cheese meld together in this crazy good dip. Once topped with crispy panko breadcrumbs, it gives away a tasty bite with a nice crunch! If you’re a huge fan of cheesy dips, don’t be afraid to add more shredded cheese as a topping. Scoop with bread, crackers, or tortilla chips for a fun party appetizer.
16. Strawberry Shortcake Dip
A strawberry dip is somewhat typical. But what about strawberry shortcake dip? It’s unique and bound to become your new favorite! Using strawberry puree, whipped cream, cream cheese, and a little bit of sugar, you’ll have a decadent dip to pair with some shortbread cookies. For a lovely presentation, top this delicious dip with chopped strawberries.
17. Velveeta Sausage Dip
Having fun making dips? This recipe is something worth keeping even when you’re not in the mood for parties. Easy, versatile, and tasty, this Velveeta sausage dip is a family favorite. Cooked in 10 minutes, this three-ingredient dish won’t last long. It combines flavorful sausage bits, rich Velveeta cheese, and canned tomatoes and chilis. Devour it in a traditional way by serving with tortilla chips or mix it with cooked pasta for an indulgent light dinner.
18. Party Pinwheels
Smoky and cheesy with a hint of spiciness, bacon jalapeño pinwheels are always a hit at potluck parties. These bite-sized goodies are also easy to make. Mix everything in a bowl, spread the mixture on tortillas, roll, and slice. Make a huge batch of these pinwheels because they’re always the first ones to go!
19. Baked Potato Skins
These baked potato skins are loaded with cheese, bacon, and green onions. If you’re a fan of potato dishes, you’ll fall in love with this recipe. Perfectly crisp and oozing with garlicky and cheesy flavors, these potato skins are simply irresistible. While this recipe calls for bacon and cheese as the main toppings, you can swap them out with your favorite ingredients. For a hearty variation, I like filling mine with seasoned ground beef.
20. Qdoba Queso
Qdoba, a Mexican-style restaurant, is famous for its rich, creamy, and 100% delicious queso dip for crusty bread, chips, and veggies. The good news is you don’t have to go out every time you’re craving this yummy dip. You can make it at home without any trouble, using a slow cooker. This copycat recipe will show you a quick way to recreate Qdoba queso. It calls for American, Monterey Jack, and cheddar cheeses, creating a creamy meld of cheesy delight!
21. Stuffed Mini-Peppers
Stuffed peppers have always been my favorite. When they’re loaded with bacon and cheese, I just can’t resist them! For this recipe, everything gets better when you add the Worcestershire sauce, green onions, and garlic powder. Meanwhile, the peppers bring a mild, sweet taste that complements the rest of the ingredients. Done in less than 30 minutes, you’ll have a flavor-packed party appetizer without breaking a sweat!
22. Pizza Crostini
These mini-pizzas are made with loaves of French bread and simple toppings. It’s a dish that pizza lovers are waiting for! Pizza crostini are often topped with veggies, meat, and of course, cheese. You can be as creative as you like and mix and match the ingredients you love. If you want to be as simple as possible, prepare your crostini with garlic and Parmesan cheese. The baking time only takes 10 minutes. You’ll know it’s done once the cheese melts.
23. Hormel Chili Dip
Cheesy and spicy are the flavors that I like the most for my dips. This Hormel chili dip ticks all the boxes! This recipe gets bonus points since it requires only 5 minutes of prep time. It combines cream cheese, melted cheese, and chili. Because of its epic flavor, you’ll turn your bag of plain chips into the ultimate comfort food! Tip: For maximum taste, you can add ground beef, salsa, olives, avocados to your dip. Oh, and double the batch because it’ll be seriously addictive.
24. Sweet Iced Tea
A southern sweet tea that will keep the guests refreshed is always welcome. This recipe is so much better than the bottled version and is super easy to make, too! All you’ll have to do is steep the tea, add sugar to your liking, and squeeze in some lemons to the pitcher. Pour over ice and enjoy while it’s chilled. This recipe can be altered if you’re looking for a lightly sweet alcoholic drink. Just add a shot of your favorite liquor and you’re done.
25. Coleslaw
Bring the taste of KFC right into your kitchen with this KFC coleslaw copycat recipe. Another good thing is you can whip this up in 10 minutes! This dish tastes so close to the original, you might skip ordering out. It’s crunchy, zesty, and super creamy — the best appetizer to bring for a summer potluck. If you want to use this coleslaw as a side dish, I won’t be surprised. It’s that good! It pairs well with meaty mains like pulled pork and fried chicken.
26. Melon and Serrano Ham Bites
Last but not the least, meet the appetizer with contrasting flavors from salty ham and sweet honeydew melon. Melon and Serrano ham bites are what you’ll need when you’re running out of time to make potluck appetizers. All you’ll have to do is chop up the melon into cubes and wrap each with ham slices. The toothpicks should hold the ham in place. See? There’s no cooking required, but you’ll get a flavorful bite! Click on a star to rate it!
Average rating 5 / 5. Vote count: 5 No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.
Share on social media: Let us improve this post!
