20 Appetizers That Were Basically the Reason Anyone Brought Tupperware

Some appetizers are so good, people show up with empty containers just hoping for extras. These 20 recipes didn’t just start the party—they stole the show. They’re bold, easy to share, and the kind of thing people don’t stop talking about. If you’re bringing one of these, expect it to go fast.

Spinach & Brie Dip in a casserole dish surrounded by pita wedges. — Spinach & Brie Dip. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Tomato Burrata Salad

Juicy tomatoes, creamy burrata, and fresh basil come together in under 10 minutes for a cold appetizer that’s always a crowd-pleaser. The flavor is mild yet rich, thanks to the addition of olive oil and balsamic, which lend it a subtle extra depth. Soft cheese pairs perfectly with the firm tomatoes. It’s light, easy, and gone before the main dish.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Burrata Salad

Steamed Artichokes with Spicy Peach Mango Sauce

Tender artichokes served with a spicy-sweet peach mango sauce take about an hour from start to finish. The leaves are soft with a mild flavor, while the sauce adds a hint of heat and tang. Each bite feels like a dip and a snack all in one. It’s a crowd-pleaser that keeps hands—and conversation—moving.
Get the Recipe: Steamed Artichokes with Spicy Peach Mango Sauce

Homemade Butternut Squash Ravioli

Pillowy pasta filled with roasted butternut squash and herbs takes about 90 minutes to make, but always gets cleaned out first. The flavor is sweet, nutty, and earthy with a hint of sage. It’s soft, rich, and perfect for sharing. One of those appetizers that disappears before it hits a second plate.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Butternut Squash Ravioli

Loaded Bruschetta Recipe

Two bruschetta topped with diced tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and avocado on a white square plate. — Loaded Bruschetta Recipe. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Toasted baguette slices, topped with tomatoes, mozzarella, and balsamic glaze, come together in just 20 minutes. The flavor hits all the marks—savory, tangy, and just a little creamy. Each bite is crunchy on the bottom and juicy on top. They’re easy to carry, hard to stop eating.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Bruschetta Recipe

Sweet Potato Fritters with Sweet & Spicy Sauce

Crispy sweet potato fritters, served with a kicky sauce, take about 35 minutes to prepare. The outside gets golden while the inside stays soft and naturally sweet. The dipping sauce adds a kick and complements the flavor. Everyone grabs one, then circles back for more.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Fritters with Sweet & Spicy Sauce

My Homemade Mushroom Savoury Pastries

Buttery pastry filled with mushrooms, onion, and herbs bakes up golden in about 45 minutes. The filling is earthy and savory with a hint of sweetness from caramelized onions. Each bite is flaky and satisfying without being too heavy. They disappear quickly once the lid is removed from the tray.
Get the Recipe: My Homemade Mushroom Savoury Pastries

Best Roasted Eggplant And Tomato Dip Recipe (Zaalouk)

Roasted eggplant, tomatoes, garlic, and spices blend into a warm dip that’s ready in about 40 minutes. It’s smoky, bold, and packed with flavor that spreads easily on anything. The texture is soft, with a hint of chunkiness that keeps it interesting. It’s the kind of dip that runs out before the bread does.
Get the Recipe: Best Roasted Eggplant And Tomato Dip Recipe (Zaalouk)

Baked Butternut Squash Chips

Thinly sliced butternut squash baked into crispy chips takes about 30 minutes to make. The flavor is naturally sweet, with a hint of salt and a touch of crunch. They’re lighter than a cracker but still hold up for dipping. Great for snacking while everyone waits for the next round.
Get the Recipe: Baked Butternut Squash Chips

Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers with Bacon

Jalapeño Poppers on a platter with a bowl of dipping sauce. — Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers with Bacon. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Jalapeños stuffed with cream cheese and wrapped in bacon cook up in 15 minutes in the air fryer. They’re spicy, creamy, and smoky with a crisp bite. The bacon crisps up while the cheese stays soft inside. They’re always one of the first trays to be emptied.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers with Bacon

My Favorite Vegan Tofu Stuffed Mushrooms

Button mushrooms filled with a seasoned tofu mix bake in about 30 minutes and taste anything but basic. The texture is meaty with a creamy center that soaks up the flavor. They’re plant-based, but nobody minds. Even meat-lovers grab two before asking what’s in them.
Get the Recipe: My Favorite Vegan Tofu Stuffed Mushrooms

Sweet Potato Guacamole Bacon Bites

Sweet potato bites topped with guacamole and bacon. — Sweet Potato Guacamole Bacon Bites. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Roasted sweet potato rounds, topped with guacamole and crumbled bacon, come together in just 30 minutes. Each bite is a perfect blend of sweet, salty, creamy, and crisp. The layers hit all the right notes without needing a plate. They get picked up fast—and usually don’t come back.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Guacamole Bacon Bites

Easy Vegetarian Seven Layer Dip

A person holds a chip topped with diced tomatoes, green onions, cheese, and olives, over a bowl filled with the same ingredients. The background is a light-colored countertop. — Easy Vegetarian Seven Layer Dip. Photo credit: My Mocktail Forest.

Refried beans, guacamole, salsa, and cheese, stacked in layers, make a dip that takes 15 minutes to prepare and disappears even faster. The flavors blend together with every scoop, making each bite different. It’s creamy, tangy, and easy to serve with chips or veggies. You’ll be scraping the bottom before the main course starts.
Get the Recipe: Easy Vegetarian Seven Layer Dip

Vegan Eggplant Parmesan Stacks

Sliced eggplant baked with marinara and dairy-free cheese stacks up in under an hour. The texture is soft with a crisp top layer and saucy center. It’s rich, warm, and satisfying without needing any additional accompaniments. They’re perfect for passing or keeping all to yourself.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Eggplant Parmesan Stacks

Jalapeno Popper Dip With Bacon

A baked frittata in a cast iron skillet, topped with melted cheese, crispy bacon, green onions, and fresh jalapeño slices—perfect for appetizers or party snacks and easy to store in Tupperware for later. — Jalapeno Popper Dip With Bacon. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Cream cheese, jalapeños, and crispy bacon combine to create a bubbly dip that sets in just 30 minutes. It’s spicy, smoky, and creamy with a crunchy top. Each bite packs flavor that clings to chips without falling off. The dish usually goes home empty, and nobody’s surprised.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeno Popper Dip With Bacon

Green Goddess Stuffed Mushrooms

Stuffed mushrooms are topped with a creamy mixture and garnished with parsley in a square cast iron skillet on a white surface. — Green Goddess Stuffed Mushrooms. Photo credit: Keto Cooking Wins.

Mushrooms filled with a creamy green herb mix bake up in 30 minutes. The flavor is fresh and bright, with a soft texture on the inside and a savory bite on the outside. They’re small, easy to grab, and always the first to disappear. Even the kids tend to come back for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Green Goddess Stuffed Mushrooms

Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Mushrooms

A white plate with five cheesy stuffed mushrooms, perfect as appetizers, each topped with melted cheese and garnished with chopped chives. — Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Mushrooms. Photo credit: Keto Cooking Wins.

Mushrooms filled with thin-sliced steak, onions, and melted cheese take 30 minutes and bring big flavor in a small package. The taste is rich and savory with just enough crunch. It’s like the sandwich, but easier to carry. They never make it past the first round of snacks.
Get the Recipe: Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Mushrooms

Grilled Corn Guacamole

A bowl of guacamole topped with corn, cheese, and sprouts is surrounded by red and white tortilla chips on a plate—an irresistible appetizer perfect for party food platters. — Grilled Corn Guacamole. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Chunky guacamole with grilled corn, lime, and jalapeño comes together in 15 minutes. The corn adds sweetness and a slight chewiness that sets it apart. The flavor is fresh and smoky with a creamy finish. It pairs well with chips or just a spoon.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Corn Guacamole

Grilled Mango-Chipotle Chicken Wings

Plate of cooked chicken wings coated in a yellow and brown sauce, served on a white rectangular dish—perfect party snacks or appetizers for any gathering. — Grilled Mango-Chipotle Chicken Wings. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Chicken wings coated in a mango-chipotle glaze cook on the grill in under 30 minutes. They’re sweet, spicy, and sticky in all the right ways. The flavor hits hard and lingers. A napkin-worthy appetizer that doesn’t stick around long.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Mango-Chipotle Chicken Wings

Pomegranate Cheese Balls

Cream cheese, herbs, and nuts rolled in pomegranate seeds are set in the fridge for about 30 minutes. The outside is bright and tart while the center stays smooth and creamy. Each bite is rich and slightly fruity. They’re festive, flavorful, and easy to prep ahead.
Get the Recipe: Pomegranate Cheese Balls

Spinach & Brie Dip

Spinach, brie, and garlic melt into a warm dip that’s ready in 25 minutes. It’s creamy, rich, and slightly earthy, with a gooey finish. The flavor is mellow but hard to stop scooping. It’s the dip that keeps the bread bowl empty.
Get the Recipe: Spinach & Brie Dip