The Best Appetizers That Can Be Prepared in 30 Minutes

Cheese fondue with garlic and mushrooms

Fondue can be more than just a sweet dessert. In this recipe, Marcela uses two types of mushrooms, plus fresh garlic and thyme as a flavorful base for melted cheese.

Recipe: Cheese fondue with garlic and mushrooms

Asian style pork in salad bowls

Katie uses bib lettuce leaves as the base for this appetizer. She tops them with tender rice noodles, slices of pork, and fragrant cilantro to enhance the flavor.

Recipe: Asian style pork in salad bowls

Grilled Stuffed Jalapeños

This bacon-wrapped jalapeño popper requires very few ingredients, and it's loaded with melted mozzarella.

Recipe: Grilled Stuffed Jalapeños

Nachos with roast beef in BBQ sauce

Store-bought roast beef and barbecue sauce make this appetizer from Jeff's super simple and quick. The nachos are served with a sweet and tangy concoction of sour cream, horseradish, and honey.

Recipe: Nachos with roast beef in BBQ sauce

Mini Crostini with Egg and Bacon

A familiar and beloved breakfast is transformed into a snack: crispy strips of bacon and hard-boiled eggs are laid out on rye toast.

Recipe: Mini Crostini with Egg and Bacon

Pesto and Goat Cheese Rolls

These cute rolls are made with just 3 ingredients: a tortilla base and a flavorful filling of tangy goat cheese and pesto sauce.

Recipe: Pesto and Goat Cheese Rolls

Pico de gallo sauce with shrimp

Jeff's seafood appetizer is inspired by the classic pico de gallo sauce, but uses grilled shrimp.

Recipe: Pico de gallo sauce with shrimp

Devil's eggs with avocado

It's no secret that Katie loves deviled eggs, but here she takes the classic appetizer to a whole new level. She cuts hard-boiled eggs in half, removes the yolks, and fills the halves with a smooth mixture of mayonnaise, avocado, and yolk.

Recipe: Devil's eggs with avocado

Goat cheese log with figs and pumpkin seeds

This is a true quick appetizer: all you need is a block of goat cheese. Katie tops the delicate, savory cheese with fig jam for a sweet flavor and finishes the dish with crunchy shelled pumpkin seeds.

Recipe: Goat cheese log with figs and pumpkin seeds

Fried ravioli with Italian herbs

Jeff Mauro makes this appetizer in 15 minutes, saving time by using a package of frozen ravioli. He coats the cheese slices in breadcrumbs, deep-fries them until crispy and golden brown, and serves them with marinara sauce.

Recipe: Fried ravioli with Italian herbs

Simple Guacamole Dip

Katie's dipping sauce, mixed with fresh lime juice for a bright flavor, is ready in 10 minutes. For a subtle kick, add half a serrano chili pepper.

Recipe: Simple Guacamole Dip

Zucchini rolls with goat cheese

Katie's compact vegetable appetizer highlights the zucchini flavor, while a creamy cheese filling with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil adds richness.

Recipe: Zucchini rolls with goat cheese

Cheese bread with artichoke and spinach dip

Inspired by a popular party dip, this amazing appetizer features sourdough bread topped with a hearty mixture of garlicky mayonnaise, tender canned artichokes, and chopped spinach. Cut the bread only halfway through to prevent the filling from spilling out.

Recipe: Cheese bread with artichoke and spinach dip

Quick Cheese Puffs

Sunny Anderson's Parmesan Puffs are incredibly quick to make, thanks to store-bought puff pastry. She spreads the dough with Dijon mustard, sprinkles it with cheese and fresh thyme, then cuts it into squares and bakes it until golden brown.

Recipe: Quick Cheese Puffs

Prawn fritters with gherkin sauce

These aren't just fried shrimp: Geoffrey Zakarian makes these pancakes with fresh zucchini, green onions, and jalapeños, adding a vibrant flavor. The richness of the fried dish is balanced by a vibrant, zesty dipping sauce. Geoffrey uses Dijon mustard, chopped gherkins, and fresh herbs.

Recipe: Prawn fritters with gherkin sauce

Avocado appetizer wrapped in prosciutto

Marcela's appetizer is ready in just 5 minutes: tender avocado is wrapped in slices of salty prosciutto. For a refreshing taste, the dish is dressed with lemon juice and olive oil before serving.

Recipe: Avocado appetizer wrapped in prosciutto

Caprese with tomatoes and bocconcini mozzarella

Like a traditional Caprese salad, this simple version is made with juicy, fresh tomatoes and aromatic basil. But instead of mozzarella slices, Jeffrey uses miniature mozzarella balls called bocconcini, which can be added whole to the salad.

Recipe: Caprese with tomatoes and bocconcini mozzarella

White Bean and Smoked Bacon Dip

After frying the bacon, simply add a few more ingredients to the food processor. The white beans and bacon create a contrasting texture, tender and crisp, while the shallots and vinegar infuse the sauce with vibrant flavors.

Recipe: White Bean and Smoked Bacon Dip

Asparagus and Fennel Salad

Jeffrey uses a vegetable peeler to cut very thin strips of asparagus and fennel. For an extra-crisp texture, he tosses the vegetables with walnuts, then tops the light salad with a lemon dressing and Parmesan cheese.

Recipe: Asparagus and Fennel Salad