This list of hot appetizers has something for just about everyone- puff pastry, chicken wings, crispy potatoes, nachos, low-carb, vegetarian and gluten-free. It’s a great list to review before your next party!
Before we jump into hot appetizers, you may want to know what are the various types of appetizers.
What are the 7 types of appetizers?
- cocktails
- hors d’oeuvres
- canape
- relishes/crudite
- salads
- soup and consomme
- chips and dips
I’m going to focus on the hors d’oeuvres in this round up post.
Hot Party Appetizers
Who doesn’t like hot butlered hors d’ oeuvres? Well, you can’t always get the beautiful, well-mannered butler but, you can make and serve hot hors d’oeuvres to your hungry guests. You can please your craving for yummy hot appetizers anytime.
Also, they make great late-night snacks or party appetizers for game day.
What is hot hors d’oeuvres or hot appetizer?
This may be a “duh” moment but, here’s some background for those who never gave it much thought like me. Appetizers are small dishes served before a meal. Alternatively, some are served cold while others are served hot.
Appetizers may be served at the dinner table as part of the meal or before being seated, such as at a cocktail party or reception. Although this concept is practiced nearly worldwide, American versions of appetizers first stemmed from Europe.
Buffalo wings are from the town of Buffalo in the great state of New York. They’re not made from buffalo meat.
Appetizers are widely served at cocktail parties. Did someone say cocktail party? I’m there and I’ll bring the cocktails.
What are the different types of hot appetizers?
Popular American hot appetizers include only some of the items below:
- chicken wings
- Mexican nachos
- soup
- various dips and chips
- French fries or potato skins
- mini quiches
- stuffed mushrooms
- cheese fondue
Brie Prosciutto & Fig Jam Appetizer
This collection of hot appetizers includes some, what I call “high class” appetizers, and some bar food appetizers. I consider puff pastry somewhat “high class.”
They may not be high class enough to be served at The Plaza in New York City but, then again, I’ve never been there to know. It’s on my bucket list.
This delicious hot appetizer list includes:
- three chicken wings recipes
- four puff pastry appetizers
- chorizo sausage nachos
- three air fryer potato recipes
- air fryer pierogies
- Asian kabob bites
- low-carb fritata bites
- low-carb stuffed mushrooms
Why Make Your Own Appetizers?
There are many reasons to make your own hot appetizers rather than buying them from a nearby restaurant, grocery store chain or fast food joint.
You have the ability to control:
- the quality of the ingredients
- the freshness of the ingredients
- the amount of sodium
- added preservatives
Cooking your own food is always better than buying frozen appetizers from the grocery store. Although, I do understand lack of time is problem too.
Game Day Appetizers
Any of these hot appetizers can be made for game day depending upon the time you have. Some are faster to make than others. You can prep the puff pastry appetizers earlier in the day and just bake them before serving them.
If you’re looking for game day appetizers, you’ll DEFINITELY want to check out my Slow Cooker Chili Recipe with Corn + VIDEO and Cornbread with Whole Kernel Corn.
15 Tasty Hot Appetizers
Appetizers with Puff Pastry
NOTE: The puff pastry appetizers below are filling in and of themselves. Therefore, you won’t need a lot of other apps if you decide to make one of these recipes depending upon how many people you’re serving.
Puff Pastry Pesto Chicken Bites Appetizer
I get head nods and happy faces when I serve Pesto Chicken Bites. Puff Pastry Pesto Chicken Bites are a flavorful hot appetizer you and your guests are sure to love!
They are filled with chicken, cream cheese, pesto, mozzarella cheese and sun dried tomatoes. They’re ready ready in only 30 min! Easy and delicious is just what the hostess ordered.
Brie, Prosciutto and Fig Jam Appetizer
These tasty Brie, Prosciutto and Fig Jam appetizers are a great combination of savory, sweet and salty. The rich flavor of the puff pastry, with the creamy brie cheese and salty prosciutto topped with a little sweetness of fig jam makes this a great flavor combination. They’re made with just 4 ingredients plus garnish!
Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Bites with Puff Pastry
These little pepperoni pizza bites are perfect for game day! It only takes 30 minutes to prepare with only 7 ingredients! SCORE!!
Ham, Egg and Gouda Muffins (also for breakfast/brunch)
Ham Egg & Gouda Breakfast Muffins are a delicious and irresistible appetizer for anytime as they resemble quiche. They’re really “Gouda!” They’re perfect for Mother’s Day Brunch or any brunch and, are a wonderful eggy snack!
Low Carb Appetizers
Easy Bacon and Blue Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms ( low-carb and gluten-free)
Bacon and Blue Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms are not only tasty, they’re low-carb and gluten-free. This classic appetizer checks off two boxes for friends who have diet needs for your next party. Vegetarian option-use Vegan bacon.
Low-carb Sausage and Mushroom Frittata Bites (low-carb, gluten-free)
Low-Carb Sausage & Mushroom Frittata Bites are full of flavorful goodness. They’re packed with flavor and you wouldn’t even realize they’re low-carb/Keto and gluten free! They perfect for brunch too. They’re ready in 25 minutes!
We all know someone doing a low-carb or Keto diet so, these delicious little bites are perfect for parties!
Sausage Mushroom Frittata Bites
Grilled Asian Hoisin Beef Kabob Bites (low-carb)
Beef kabobs offer a nice variation to chicken and other apps. You won’t have to buy a lot of beef cubes because they’re made with mini skewers and are also filled with veggies. Are you looking for big ways to save on buying meat? Read this.
Bar Food Appetizers
Bars seem to have great-tasting appetizers, even the dive bars. Right?
But, making your own bar-food appetizers is healthier because you aren’t using low quality ingredients filled with preservatives that you can’t pronounce.
Your food will be fresh, not cooked with low quality ingredients and then frozen for months or weeks at best.
Here’s my list of better than bar food appetizers:
Chicken Wing Appetizers
Crispy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings (low-carb)
They’re seasoned with garlic and then fried and topped with grated Parmesan cheese. Delicious! You can make them ahead and reheat them before serving.
Air Fryer Honey Teriyaki Chicken Wings
Featured in Parade.com, these finger-licking chicken wings are baked in an air fryer with a yummy honey-garlic teriyaki wing sauce. Yes, they’re that GOOD! Plus, they’re gluten-free.
Asian Sticky Chicken Wings are a sticky delicious hot appetizer made with honey and Asian Hoisin sauce. Gluten-free option.
These sticky wings are baked to perfection. They still have the little crispy edges, like fried wings and, the wing sauce is incredible!
Air Fried Potatoes
Air Fryer Parmesan Rosemary Roasted Potatoes + VIDEO
They’re golden brown, flavorful and crispy and that’s why they’re a great appetizer (or side dish.)
Crispy Parmesan Rosemary Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes are made with just 6 ingredients. Conventional oven instructions are included. This recipe has been shared 47K+ times on social media and is my most shared recipe.
Air Fryer Crispy Garlic Parmesan Potatoes + VIDEO
Make crispy Garlic Parmesan Potatoes with little crunchy Parmesan bits in your air fryer with only 5 ingredients using this simple recipe. They too can be made in a conventional oven. Vegetarian and gluten-free.
Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Sweet Potato Fries
This easy, 5-ingredient recipe for Garlic Parmesan Sweet Potato Fries is perfect for a healthy appetizer, quick snack or side dish. The recipe includes conventional oven instructions too. Low calorie, low fat, vegetarian and gluten-free.
Other Bar Food Appetizers
Ground Sausage Chorizo Loaded Sheet Pan Nachos are a flavorful spin on traditional beef or chicken nachos. They’re loaded with black beans, fire roasted corn, cheddar cheese, homemade taco seasonings and topped with your favorite nacho toppings!
Make pierogi in your air fryer in a snap! They’re a quick and easy appetizer or main dish. Now, you won’t find pierogi in all parts of America but, I was introduced to these mashed potato filled pasta pockets by my Polish friends. They’re a carb-filled delight!
You can eat them cooked in butter, oil or fried. I’ve seen them served as an appetizer or side dish at festivals and in restaurant bars.
Check out my other delicious pierogi recipe: Kielbasa, Pierogi & Fried Cabbage Recipe.
In conclusion, that’s my list of 15 Tasty Hot Appetizers! I hope you’ve enjoyed these mouth-watering options and are making your list right now.
As I mentioned above, they’re a mix of puff pastry, chicken wings, gluten-free and low-carb apps perfect for any occasion and game day!
See more APPETIZERS.