Easy Cold Appetizers for Parties (Finger Foods, Dips, Skewers & More!)
If you’re looking for easy appetizers that are served cold (perfect for summer, when it’s hot as blazes outside), then you’ve found the list to bookmark! Delicious, easy cold appetizers and finger foods (plus cold dips, chilled hors d’oeuvres, etc) that are made with simple ingredients for your next party or get-together!
As you know, if you’re a regular Pizzazzerie reader, that I created this site because I love sharing entertaining ideas and party recipes with all of you! My FAVORITE party recipe category is definitely appetizers! So I’m excited to share more appetizer content with y’all this year. First up are these cold appetizers! Stay tuned for even more appetizer ideas too…
I’ve broken the cold appetizer recipes list down by Cold Dips, Cold Finger Foods, Cold Skewers/”On-A-Stick” and more cold appetizers… so there is something for every occasion from backyard barbecues to baby showers…
Cold Appetizers: Finger Foods
Serve up these cold appetizer finger foods! In many cases these can also be served room temperature in addition to cold or chilled in temperature. You’ll see everything from crostini and small toasts to pinwheels and phyllo cups.
Prosciutto Wrapped Pears with Arugula
Cold appetizers don’t have to be boring! These prosciutto wrapped pears with arugula are absolutely delicious and make an easy-prep party food.
Bite-Size Avocado Toasts
A delicious cold appetizer option sprinkled with everything bagel seasoning and chopped nuts for crunch!
Tomato Basil Bruschetta
A classic party appetizer that’s delicious served cold (or chilled) is bruschetta! You can prepare the tomato topping in advance and store in the refrigerator. Top the baguette slices when ready to serve!
Pimento Cheese Deviled Eggs
Delicious twist on the classic deviled egg, this Southern-inspired version is a delicious cold bite sized app!
Pesto Pinwheels with Sun Dried Tomatoes
A delicious and easy pinwheel recipe served cold!
Cranberry & Prosciutto Crostini
The perfect cold appetizer for the holidays, your guests will love this cranberry and prosciutto crostini!
Goat Cheese Stuffed Piquante Peppers
Stuffed peppers are a delicious appetizer and many are served cold making them a fabulous appetizer when it’s way too hot to turn on the oven!
Bourbon-Infused Cranberry & Goat-Cheese Bites
A classic phyllo cup appetizer with a holiday twist! This is a great cocktail party appetizer.
Mexican Tortilla Pinwheels
Pinwheels are ALWAYS a party hit! This Mexican-inspired pinwheel is made with cream cheese, roasted chilies, and bell peppers!
Stone Fruit Crostini
If you’re serving your cold appetizers during the summer, choose in season fruits like peaches for a delicious party crostini!
Caponata
An Italian appetizer that’s served chilled on sliced baguette, if you’ve never given caponata a try, it’s delicious and a great twist if you want an alternative to bruschetta!
Spring Rolls
Serve up a vegan cold appetizer with these delicious spring rolls! They look absolutely beautiful on a party platter!
Easy Artichoke Bruschetta
Calling all artichoke lovers, this bruschetta is for you!
Cold Appetizers: Dips & Spreads
Dips are always a crowd-pleasing party appetizer. Serve them up on a pretty tray with lots of dippable items like veggies, chips, sliced toasts, crackers, etc. For cold dips, you can keep them in an iced dip bowl (<<great gift idea) to stay chilled! I’m also including cold hummus and cold salsas here in this category too…
Easy Veggie Dip
A delicious easy veggie dip perfect for cut-up veggies, toasts, chips, etc! This is a GREAT appetizer if you like simple recipes. It’s super easy!
Goat Cheese Dip
A delicious blend of seasonings and spices along with fresh goat cheese makes a creamy and crowd-pleasing recipe that’s… you got it… ideal to serve cold!
Roasted Red Pepper Dip
Another cold dip that’s absolutely delicious and only ready in just 5 minutes!
Cold Caprese Dip
Super easy and delish, this caprese dip is made of layered creamy, herbed cheese and fresh mozzarella and tomatoes!
Layered Greek Dip
Layered dips (like the classic 7-layer dip) are always a favorite and look absolutely beautiful in a clear bowl or serving dish!
Million Dollar Dip
Bacon, cheese, green onion, garlic… are you tempted yet? This might be THE perfect cold party dip!
Smoked Tuna Dip
A gulf coast favorite along the 30A area in Florida, you’ll find a variation of this smoked tuna dip on every restaurant’s appetizer menu. Make it at home, you will LOVE it!
Homemade French Onion Dip
Say no to the jarred French onion dip and opt for this delicious, homemade version! Serve cold with your favorite chips!
Easy Mango Salsa
Salsa is ALWAYS a great cold appetizer idea. Prep it in advance and serve it alongside your favorite tortilla chips (and might I suggest this Frozen Mango Margarita too).
Cold Southwest Corn Dip
Corn dip is ALWAYS a party hit! Serve up this cold Southwest-inspired corn dip at your party!
Lemon Whipped Feta Dip
A citrus twist on a delicious cold dip, you’ll love this lemon whipped feta dip if you need a cold appetizer!
Avocado Tzatziki
Greek yogurt? Avocado? Garlic? YES, please! This tzatziki dip is creamy and delicious!
Everything Bagel Dip
Calling all fans of this fan-favorite seasoning, there is now a recipe for Everything Bagel Dip!!
7 Layer Dip
ALWAYS a crowd-favorite, make this 7-Layer-Dip with or without meat! If all else fails, serve a 7-layer-dip!
BLT Dip
The favorite sandwich is now a delicious cold party dip!
Avocado Hummus
Hummus is always a great solution if you’re looking for healthy cold appetizers!
Cold Appetizers: Cheese Balls & Cheese Logs
Pimento Cheese Ball
A classic southern combo, the cheese ball meets pimento cheese! If you want an easy cold appetizer that you can pull out when unexpected company arrives knocking, a cheese ball is the (delicious) answer!
Apricot Almond & Goat Cheese Log
Kick up your next party with an easy goat cheese log topped with apricots and almonds! Prep in advance, serve cold from the refrigerator and enjoy!
Jalapeno Bacon Cheese Ball
A delicious cheese ball for jalapeno & bacon lovers! You can never go wrong with a cheese ball, a delicious party appetizer recipe!
Pistachio Crusted Cheese Log
Just 6 ingredients are needed for this delicious cheese log!
Cold Appetizers On-a-Stick (Skewers)
Another delicious category of cold appetizers? Foods on a stick! Also known as skewers, we’re talking about delicious veggies, fruits and cheeses in tasty combos that guests can grab and go at your next party!
Cucumber & Prosciutto Bites
A delicious (and Whole30 approved) cold appetizer of cucumber, prosciutto, and cherry tomatoes!
Melon & Prosciutto Skewers
Melon is always a delicious idea for creating cold appetizers, and paired with prosciutto? A dynamite sweet and savory combo!
Smoked Salmon Cucumber Appetizer
Smoked salmon is a fabulous cold appetizer idea and these cucumber bites are a perfect way to serve them!
Cantaloupe Prosciutto Skewers
Another twist on the classic melon and prosciutto combination, these skewers are show-stoppers!
Antipasto Skewers
The perfect cold appetizer on a stick, these antipasto skewers are made with mozzarella, roasted peppers, salami and olives!
Watermelon Feta Skewers
Fresh watermelon and feta are the perfect cold appetizer combo!
More Easy Cold Appetizers!
Charcuterie Cups
Also sometimes called “jarcuterie” cups because they can be served in a little jar or a small cup, these individual-portioned charcuteries are absolutely fabulous. They’re a wonderful way to serve miniature versions of cheese boards, all in one cute cup. One of my favorite cold appetizer ideas!
Feta & Tomato Salad Cups
I love the idea of a miniature salad “cup” or lettuce wrap to serve as an appetizer. I have a similar idea in my book, The Southern Entertainer’s Cookbook!
Stuffed Endive Appetizer
Stuffed endive looks oh so fancy yet takes only 15 minutes to make! And… you got it… served cold! This is the perfect light appetizer for a summer party!
Mexican Shrimp Cocktail
A twist on a classic cold appetizer – Shrimp Cocktail – this Mexican-inspired version adds tons of flavor!
Burrata Caprese
Burrata, an Italian cow milk cheese made from mozzarella and cream, is a fabulous appetizer served cold (or at room temperature). Combine it with tomatoes? Perfect appetizer!
Charcuterie Boards
Serve up a seasonal charcuterie or “grazing” board. Meats, cheeses, fruits, veggies, nuts and more! In my opinion, this is one of the best appetizers because you can tailor it to seasonal produce and guests can pick their favorites.
The next time you need a cold appetizer for a cocktail party, birthday party, baby shower or summer party, check back to this list!
A few more appetizer ideas you will love!
Want more? Check out our second site devoted to ALL things Appetizers!
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