23 Potluck Recipes That Got All the Praise

Some potluck dishes don’t just show up—they get remembered. These 23 recipes are the ones people ask about before you’ve even finished setting them down. They’re reliable, easy to serve, and always end up being the first to disappear. If you want to bring something that gets all the praise, start here.

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

Glazed Strawberry Brownies with Frozen Strawberries

The image showcases moist pink dessert bars topped with a creamy glaze and fresh strawberry slices, arranged on a cooling rack with scattered strawberries. — Glazed Strawberry Brownies with Frozen Strawberries. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Fudgy chocolate brownies get a fruity upgrade with frozen strawberries and a simple glaze over the top. They take 45 minutes to make and taste rich, chewy, and bright. The glaze adds a little sweetness without being too much. Glazed Strawberry Brownies always get cleaned out of the tray.
Get the Recipe: Glazed Strawberry Brownies with Frozen Strawberries

Cranberry Orange Poppy Seed Bread

Tart cranberries and orange zest add zing to a moist loaf with poppy seeds throughout. It takes about 1 hour and tastes citrusy, soft, and balanced. The cranberries keep it from being overly sweet. Cranberry Orange Poppy Seed Bread still gets talked about after the last slice is gone.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Orange Poppy Seed Bread

Streusel Topped Blueberry Muffins

Blueberry muffins in a basket, wrapped in a white and blue towel. — Streusel Topped Blueberry Muffins. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Blueberries bake into soft muffins topped with a cinnamon-sugar streusel for a little extra crunch. They take 35 minutes and taste fruity, buttery, and just sweet enough. The topping adds texture without being heavy. Streusel Topped Blueberry Muffins always disappear before anything else.
Get the Recipe: Streusel Topped Blueberry Muffins

Zucchini Noodle Salad

Spiralized zucchini is tossed with herbs, crunchy vegetables, and a light vinaigrette. It comes together in 20 minutes and tastes fresh, crisp, and zesty. The noodles stay firm and soak up the dressing well. Zucchini Noodle Salad gets praise for being both light and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Noodle Salad

Sugared Cranberries

Whole cranberries get coated in syrup and sugar until crisp and sparkly. They take about 1 hour to make and taste tart, sweet, and refreshing. The texture pops with every bite. Sugared Cranberries tend to disappear faster than expected.
Get the Recipe: Sugared Cranberries

Veggie Couscous Salad

Fluffy couscous is mixed with roasted vegetables and fresh herbs for a dish that feels hearty without being heavy. It’s ready in 25 minutes and tastes bright, savory, and balanced. The texture stays light but filling. Veggie Couscous Salad always comes back with an empty bowl.
Get the Recipe: Veggie Couscous Salad

Air Fryer Pumpkin Donuts

Pumpkin dough is shaped into rings, air fried until golden, and dusted with cinnamon sugar. They’re done in 30 minutes and taste soft, warm, and lightly spiced. The air fryer keeps them crisp without being greasy. Air Fryer Pumpkin Donuts always have someone asking for the recipe.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pumpkin Donuts

Overnight Breakfast Casserole with Hash Browns

An overhead shot of breakfast casserole next to a single serving and a toppings bar. — Overnight Breakfast Casserole with Hash Browns. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Layers of eggs, cheese, and hash browns bake into a savory dish that’s ready to serve hot or warm. It takes 1 hour to bake and tastes cheesy, filling, and comforting. The hash browns hold their texture and add some crunch. Overnight Breakfast Casserole gets second helpings without hesitation.
Get the Recipe: Overnight Breakfast Casserole with Hash Browns

Greek Quinoa Salad

Quinoa salad in a brown bowl, garnished with pita bread. — Greek Quinoa Salad. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Cooked quinoa is tossed with cucumbers, olives, tomatoes, and feta in a lemony dressing. It takes 30 minutes and tastes fresh, tangy, and savory. The feta brings richness without making it heavy. Greek Quinoa Salad always holds its own on the potluck table.
Get the Recipe: Greek Quinoa Salad

Strawberry Shortcake with Brown Sugar Biscuits

Juicy strawberries are layered with whipped cream and soft brown sugar biscuits. It takes 45 minutes and tastes sweet, buttery, and full of berry flavor. The biscuit gives it a solid base that still feels light. Strawberry Shortcake with Brown Sugar Biscuits always runs out early.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Shortcake with Brown Sugar Biscuits

Butterscotch Peach Crisp with Fresh Peaches

Ripe peaches bake under a butterscotch oat topping that gets crisp and golden in the oven. It takes 1 hour and tastes sweet, rich, and just a little nutty. The peaches stay soft without falling apart. Butterscotch Peach Crisp always leaves the pan empty.
Get the Recipe: Butterscotch Peach Crisp with Fresh Peaches

Rubbed Kale Salad with Parmesan

Kale gets massaged with lemon and olive oil, then tossed with shaved parmesan and breadcrumbs. It’s ready in 20 minutes and tastes bright, salty, and crisp. The oil softens the greens just enough. Rubbed Kale Salad gets compliments even from non-salad fans.
Get the Recipe: Rubbed Kale Salad with Parmesan

Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions

Crisp green beans are tossed with garlic and topped with crunchy fried onions. They take 30 minutes and taste savory, sharp, and satisfying. The onions bring texture and salt to every bite. Garlicky Green Beans always get finished first.
Get the Recipe: Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions

Loaded Bruschetta Recipe

Toasted bread is topped with tomatoes, olives, mozzarella, and basil for a dish that works as a side or a meal. It’s ready in 25 minutes and tastes juicy, tangy, and a little salty. The bread holds up without getting soggy. Loaded Bruschetta always disappears fast.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Bruschetta Recipe

Mini Apple Pies

Spiced apple filling is wrapped in individual flaky crusts for a dessert that’s easy to serve. They take 50 minutes and taste warm, buttery, and full of cinnamon. Each one feels like its own treat. Mini Apple Pies always get scooped up before dessert officially starts.
Get the Recipe: Mini Apple Pies

Honey Garlic Carrots

Carrot slices roast in a glaze of honey and garlic until soft with caramelized edges. They take 35 minutes and taste sweet, savory, and just a little bold. The glaze clings to every bite. Honey Garlic Carrots always have someone going back for more.
Get the Recipe: Honey Garlic Carrots

Screaming Skillet Green Beans

Green beans are blistered in a skillet with garlic and chili flakes until smoky and spicy. They take 20 minutes and taste sharp, slightly sweet, and hot. The char adds flavor without overcooking the beans. Screaming Skillet Green Beans still get comments from across the room.
Get the Recipe: Screaming Skillet Green Beans

Peach Crumble Bars

Crumbly crust and topping surround a soft peach layer in a bar that cuts clean but stays tender. It takes 1 hour to make and tastes sweet, buttery, and gently spiced. The fruit holds together and keeps each bite balanced. Peach Crumble Bars always make people ask what’s in them.
Get the Recipe: Peach Crumble Bars

Veggie Omelet

Eggs wrap around sautéed vegetables like onions, peppers, and mushrooms for a filling, protein-packed dish. It’s ready in 20 minutes and tastes hearty, savory, and fresh. The eggs stay light while holding everything together. Veggie Omelet still holds attention even next to meat-heavy plates.
Get the Recipe: Veggie Omelet

Apple Bacon Beer Bread

Apples and bacon bake into a quick bread with a beer base that adds depth and richness. It takes 1 hour and tastes smoky, sweet, and hearty. The texture stays moist with a crisp top. Apple Bacon Beer Bread always gets asked about after the first bite.
Get the Recipe: Apple Bacon Beer Bread

Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots

Red, yellow, and orange honey glazed carrots on a slate board. — Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Carrots roast in the oven with honey until lightly caramelized and golden. They take 40 minutes and taste sweet, earthy, and warm. The glaze brings out their natural flavor without overpowering it. Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots always clear out of the bowl.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots

Banana Bread Muffins

Mashed bananas give moisture and flavor to soft muffins that feel like breakfast or dessert. They take 30 minutes and taste sweet, light, and just a little toasty. The texture stays fluffy even after cooling. Banana Bread Muffins always go quick.
Get the Recipe: Banana Bread Muffins

Wild Blackberry Muffins

Blackberry muffins drizzled with lemon glaze sitting on a gray cooling rack on a dark background. — Wild Blackberry Muffins. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Wild blackberries fold into soft muffin batter and bake with just a hint of lemon. They take 30 minutes and taste sweet, tart, and full of fruit. The berries break down enough to stay juicy without getting soggy. Wild Blackberry Muffins still come up in conversation days later.
Get the Recipe: Wild Blackberry Muffins