One of the biggest culprits of a boring salad is texture. Use these roasted, candied pecans to add a wonderful crunch to a massive variety of salads.
Method: stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
Appetizers and Snacks

Appetizers can be a casual snack, the center of attention at a cocktail party, or the precursor to an entree.
Find something for any occasion - from simple finger food to elegant hors d'oeuvres - dips, salsa, stuffed mushrooms, hot bites and cold nibbles, chicken wings and so many more tasty tidbits!
jump to the recipes
Crunchy-Sweet Pecan Salad Topping
Italian Caponata With Basil
A traditional Italian recipe of diced vegetables simmered in a vinegar mixture. Served as a side dish to fish or as an appetizer.
Method: stovetop
Time: 2-5 hours
Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Hummus
Made with olive oil, garbanzo beans, sun-dried tomato pesto, tahini, garlic
Time: under 30 minutes
Pickled Sausage
Made with smoked beef sausage, water, salt, white vinegar, red food coloring
Time: over 5 hours
London Broil Appetizer
Not all party food needs to be fancy. Marinated flank steak is broiled (or grilled) and served with garlic bread for a hearty (and easy) appetizer.
Method: oven
Time: over 5 hours
Every day we send out a featured recipe and our editor's favorite picks. Don't miss out!
Smoked Almonds
These smoked almonds are made in the oven, but the lovely flavor might convince you to get a smoker. The recipe is great as is, or you can add a little sugar and cinnamon for a sweet...
Method: oven
Time: over 5 hours
Spicy Peanuts
A quick and spicy snack made with peanuts, garlic, red pepper flakes, paprika and chili powder
Method: stovetop, oven
Time: under 30 minutes
Spicy Pretzels
Miniature pretzels are coated with ranch salad dressing mix, garlic salt, cayenne pepper, and vegetable oil and then baked to soak in the flavors.
Method: oven
Time: 2-5 hours
Red Cabbage Relish
Red cabbage relish, bursting with color, is a great way to add a sweet crunch to all manner of meals. Use it to top brats, throw it on tacos. And if you want to add some heat to it...
Method: stovetop
Time: over 5 hours
Corned Beef Canapes
These delicious corned beef canapes are perfect for your next party. The cheesy, meaty topping is irresistible. Your guests will love these bite-sized snacks.
Method: oven
Time: under 30 minutes
Mexican Pick Up Sticks Snack Mix
This is one of our favorite snack mixes because of its unique blend of flavors with French fried onions, potato sticks, Spanish peanuts, and taco seasoning.
Method: oven
Time: 30-60 minutes
Simple Chocolate-Covered Pretzels
Anybody know what genius first decided to cover pretzels in chocolate? This ultra-easy recipe makes a great homemade version of the classic sweet and salty morsel.
Method: stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
Copycat Chili's Skillet Queso
The easiest, cheesiest dip you could imagine. Ground beef, tomatoes, with chiles and Velveeta cheese make up a meaty and substantial queso that's perfect on game day with...
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Spicy Refried Bean Dip
Picture this: creamy, spiced bean dip that's just begging to pair up with your favorite tortilla chips. Ready to dive into a crowd-pleaser?
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Baked Crab-Stuffed Mushroom
Made with Swiss cheese, mushrooms, crab meat, mayonnaise
Method: oven
Time: under 30 minutes
Egg Salad Dip
Up your snack game with this egg salad dip recipe. Using the simple goodness of hard-boiled eggs, this dip is enriched with the creaminess of mayonnaise and a kick of horseradish.
Time: under 30 minutes
Hot Vidalia Onion Dip
This addicting dip is made with only three ingredients: mayonnaise, Swiss cheese, and onions.
Method: oven
Time: 30-60 minutes
Copycat Chili's Tortilla Crunch Chicken Fingers
These crispy, crunchy chicken fingers aren't on the menu anymore at Chili's but you can still make them at home!
Method: oven
Time: under 30 minutes
Jiaozi - Chinese Dumplings
For a work-intensive recipe like scratch-made dumplings, you'll want to make a big batch. This recipe serves 60, so whether you're serving these to a crowd or freezing them...
Method: stovetop
Time: 1-2 hours
Tuna Tartare
Skip overpriced restaurant tuna tartare and make it at home. Tuna, avocado, and jalapeno, flavored with a kick of wasabi and served on wonton crisps makes an absolutely killer appetizer.
Time: 1-2 hours
Orange and Chipotle Slow Cooker Braised Chicken or Pork Filling for Quesadillas
The knockout pair of orange zest and chipotle gives a superb, citrusy heat to chicken or pork destined for quesadillas.
Method: stovetop, crock pot
Time: 2-5 hours
Mushrooms Stuffed With Crab And Gruyere
Craving something special? These mushrooms stuffed with crab and topped with Gruyere bring restaurant vibes straight to your kitchen. It's fancy but totally...
Method: stovetop, oven
Time: 30-60 minutes
Five-Spice Candied Pecans
The addition of five-spice powder in this Asian-inspired candied pecan recipe provides all five flavors: sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and umami.
Time: under 30 minutes
Crunchy Granola
An easy blend of oats, maple syrup, and assorted nuts and seeds turns out deliciously crunchy oven-baked granola.
Method: oven
Time: 30-60 minutes
Beefy Antipasto-On-A-Stick
These skewers are no wimps! They are beefed up literally with your favorite beef, tomatoes, provolone and the ever-so-tangy artichoke. Drizzle with Italian dressing and you...
Time: 2-5 hours
Onion Squares
These onion squares are somewhere between a pizza and a quiche, but they're tasty however you slice them. The flavor of caramelized onions goes well with pretty much anything.
Method: stovetop, oven
Time: 30-60 minutes
Classic Slow Cooker Reuben Dip
Made with Thousand Island salad dressing, corned beef, sauerkraut, cream cheese, Swiss cheese
Method: crock pot
Time: 2-5 hours
Chili Powder Salsa
Fresh, homemade salsa with a kick is good for so much more than just tortilla chip dipping. Add to breakfast tacos, spread on quesadillas, or use as a burger topping.
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Bacon-Wrapped Pickles
If you've ever thought that pickles could use a little more flair, this bacon-wrapped recipe might just change your snacking game forever.
Method: oven
Time: under 30 minutes
Wine Bar Nut Mix
Perfect for munching while having cocktails. Goes great with wine, beer, and mixed drinks.
Method: oven
Time: under 30 minutes
Roasted Red Pepper, Feta And White Bean Dip
A more redeemable option to balance out all those quesos and buffalo chicken dips. It's packed with protein from the cannellini beans and full of flavor...
Time: under 30 minutes
Mexican Cocktail Sauce
You'd better bet a Mexican sauce has jalapeno and lime in it. This cocktail sauce gives shrimp a south-of-the-border kick. Add the splash of tequila for the full experience.
Time: under 30 minutes
Crab Cakes With Roasted Red Pepper Coulis
These bell pepper and breadcrumb crab cakes are pretty amazing, but it's the roasted red pepper sauce that pulls the whole thing together.
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Smoked Salmon Pate
This smoked salmon pate is not only delicious but also super easy to whip up. With a creamy texture and a kick from horseradish, it's perfect on crackers for your next get-together.
Time: under 30 minutes
Pina Colada Fruit Dip
Simple, refreshing, and packed with flavor, this pina colada fruit dip is the perfect accompaniment to your favorite fresh fruits.
Time: 1-2 hours
Margarita Guacamole
Splashes of tequila and triple sec or Cointreau add an eye-opening pop to some guac, which is already zesty thanks to fresh jalapeno and cilantro.
Time: under 30 minutes
Copycat Red Lobster's Smoked Salmon Canapes
Red Lobster's smoked salmon canapes are an easy-to-make appetizer that is perfect for any party or gathering. They can be made ahead of time, making them a...
Time: under 30 minutes
Gluten Free Onion Rings
Cornmeal and gluten-free baking mix make up a batter that gives these rings a satisfying crunch without the wheat.
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Sugar Free Candied Nuts
This sugar-free treat is made up of three kinds of nuts that are mixed with a sweet cinnamon coating.
Method: oven
Time: 30-60 minutes
Baked Mexican Dip
This baked cheesy Mexican-flavored dip is always a party hit. It is easy to make, and can be tailored to your liking (try ground turkey for a healthier option).
Method: stovetop, oven
Time: 30-60 minutes
Asian Beef Hors D'oeuvres
Tiny bites of tender beef are cooked in a blend of hoisin and duck sauce. Serve with cocktail picks.
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Baileys Irish Cream Fruit Dip
Make fresh fruit a festive affair with this Baileys Irish cream fruit dip. It's where sophistication meets sweetness in a bowl, no cocktail attire required!
Time: under 30 minutes
Cold Veggie Pizza
The pizza crust is made from refrigerated crescent roll dough. It's topped with a sauce of cream cheese, mayo, ranch salad dressing mix and lots of veggies.
Method: oven
Time: 30-60 minutes
Texas Caviar With Black-Eyed Peas And Corn
Made with shoepeg corn, olive oil, diced green chilies, scallions, celery, cider vinegar, lime, Rotel tomatoes, fresh cilantro, Tabasco or cayenne
Time: 2-5 hours
Old-Fashioned Spicy Deviled Eggs
These tasty deviled eggs are made by mixing hard-boiled egg yolks with mayonnaise, spices, and a variety of other ingredients that add lots of flavor and texture.
Time: under 30 minutes
Imitation Crabmeat Rangoon
Crab rangoons are a staple in many Chinese restaurants. They are surprisingly easy to make at home with wonton wrappers, imitation crab meat, and cream cheese.
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Chex Muddy Buddies
Made with powdered sugar, Chex cereal, semisweet chocolate chips, peanut butter, margarine, vanilla extract
Method: microwave
Time: under 30 minutes
Mini Pepperoni Rolls
These make great finger food for parties or just as a snack. Slices of pepperoni and cheese are rolled up inside crescent roll dough and baked until golden brown and the cheese is...
Method: oven
Time: under 30 minutes
Smoked Salmon Dip
If you're a fan of bagels with cream cheese and lox (and who isn't) you'll go crazy for this dip. It makes a perfect party snack on crackers.
Time: under 30 minutes
Cocktail Wraps
Quick and easy appetizers made with miniature smoked cocktail hot dogs and refrigerated crescent roll dough.
Method: oven
Time: under 30 minutes
Ah, the unassuming envelope of onion soup mix. It's more than just for onion soup (or dip). It adds tremendous flavor (and convenience) in all these recipes.
Got leftovers? We've got recipes. 18 delicious recipes using cooked chicken (plus 9 bonus recipes!)
This Italian cheese is so versatile that it can be used in both sweet and savory recipes from cheesecakes to lasagnas.





































































