Easy 3-Ingredient Appetizers

mini appetizer bites lined up on a white surface

Hosting is easy as 1…2…3 with these crowd-pleasing bites. These recipes for easy appetizers use three ingredients or fewer (not counting oil, salt and pepper) for a simple, stress-free gathering. Buttery store-bought puff pastry is a tasty shortcut ingredient in our Goat Cheese & Fig Puff Pastry Roll recipe. Everything Bagel seasoning is the secret ingredient that adds a lot of flavor in our Everything Bagel Cheese Ball. Try these ideas and more for your next party.

01 of 14

Baked Brie with Blackberry Jam

Baked Brie with Blackberry Jam
Jamie Vespa, M.S., R.D.

Baked Brie is a classic, crowd-pleasing party appetizer, whether it's wrapped up in a pastry, in bite-size form or covered in a fruity jam, like in this recipe. In this easy 3-ingredient appetizer, we top a wheel of Brie with blackberry jam, bake for 10 minutes and serve with crisp apple slices (or crackers). It's so simple yet so delicious, you'll wonder why you don't make it more often!

02 of 14

Goat Cheese & Fig Puff Pastry Roll

Fig & Goat Cheese Puff Pastry Roll
Jamie Vespa, M.S., R.D.

Buttery puff pastry is a tasty shortcut ingredient that can be used in many delicious ways. Here we roll out a pastry sheet and cover it with fig jam and crumbled goat cheese, then roll it up into a log and bake it. The end result is a sweet-and-savory appetizer that looks and tastes impressive, especially considering it has just three ingredients.

03 of 14

Apricot, Prosciutto & Parmesan Bites

Apricot, Prosciutto & Parmesan Bites
Jamie Vespa, M.S., R.D.

These 3-ingredient apricot, Parmesan and prosciutto bites are as simple to make as they look, and they taste even better. Simply layer each ingredient on top of the other and secure with a toothpick for an easy bite-size starter.

04 of 14

3-Ingredient Egg & Mushroom Puff Pastry Rolls

3-ingredient mushroom & egg puff pastry rolls
Carolyn Hodges

Heat-and-go breakfasts get an upgrade with these 3-ingredient savory puff pastries filled with scrambled eggs and mushrooms. A sheet of store-bought puff pastry makes assembly a snap. These are rich and flavorful on their own, but feel free to top the scrambled eggs with shredded cheese before rolling up the dough.

05 of 14

3-Ingredient Cranberry-Brie Bites

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Baked Brie is a perennially popular appetizer. Here, we complement the Brie with tart cranberry sauce and bake it in pretty individual tartlets using premade pie crust for an ultra-easy crowd-pleasing appetizer.

06 of 14

3-Ingredient Apple & Rotisserie Chicken Brie Bites

3-Ingredient Apple Brie Bites
Carolyn Hodges

This easy appetizer is the perfect balance of sweet and savory. Crisp, sweet-tart apples, like Granny Smith or Pink Lady, work best.

07 of 14

Fig & Brie Puff Pastry Roll

Fig & Brie Puff Pastry Roll
Carolyn Hodges

You need just three ingredients to make this easy, yet impressive, appetizer. Using store-bought puff pastry results in a flaky, buttery crust but without the hassle of making it yourself. Fig jam and Brie cheese top the pastry to create a stunning recipe.

08 of 14

Caprese Skewers

Tomato-Basil Skewers
Photographer / Jen Causey, Food Stylist / Emily Nabors Hall

We take all the ingredients of a classic caprese salad and layer them onto skewers for a quick appetizer. These tomato-mozzarella-basil skewers are easy to assemble and perfect for a party.

09 of 14

3-Ingredient Blue Cheese & Fig Bites

3-ingredient blue cheese & fig bites

Salty-tangy blue cheese pairs beautifully with sweet fig jam in these easy appetizers, which are perfect for a holiday party. The optional minced chives add a nice pop of color, but these are just as tasty without herbs. Keep the ingredients on hand and you can whip these up for impromptu holiday cocktail parties.

10 of 14

3-Ingredient Cheddar & Apple Bites

3-ingredient Cheddar Apple Bites

Creamy apple butter and sharp Cheddar cheese are a perfect match in these easy party hors d'oeuvres. This recipe calls for prepared pie crust, which is pressed into mini muffin tins to make little tart shells, so it's super easy to make as well. Add slices of apple for extra crunch, if you'd like, or keep these bites simple. Either way, consider making a double batch—they'll go quickly.

11 of 14

Blackberry & Goat Cheese Puff Pastry Roll

Blackberry & Goat Cheese Puff Pastry Roll
Carolyn Hodges

Make this three-ingredient recipe when you want an easy, yet stunning, appetizer. Blackberry jam provides sweetness while goat cheese adds a slight tang to create a sweet-and-savory appetizer. Be sure the goat cheese is cold before you use it, so it's easier to crumble.

12 of 14

3-Ingredient Pesto Stuffed Mushrooms

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This finger food is the perfect healthy appetizer to get your party going. Three ingredients are all it takes to make this elegant hors d'oeuvre—no one will ever guess how easy they were to make! Want to keep things plant-based? Use vegan pesto in the breadcrumb stuffing. You can also swap the whole-wheat breadcrumbs for gluten-free.

13 of 14

3-Ingredient Everything Bagel Cheese Ball

Everything Bagel Cheese Ball

This is not your grandma's cheese ball. It has all the flavor of an everything bagel without all the carbs and with just 3 ingredients! Want to emphasize the bagel taste? Serve it with bagel chips and some raw veggies for dipping to keep things healthy.

14 of 14

3-Ingredient Roasted Pears with Prosciutto

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This 3-ingredient finger food is the perfect classy appetizer for your next party. It's so simple to make yet so elegant and delicious. Finishing with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar makes the flavors pop and takes this easy app to the next level.

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