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  4. 20 Make-Ahead Appetizers So Good, You'll Want to Eat Them for Dinner

20 Make-Ahead Appetizers So Good, You'll Want to Eat Them for Dinner

Leah Goggins headshot
Leah Goggins April 14, 2022
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Baked Broccoli-Cheddar Quinoa Bites
Credit: Photography / Fred Hardy, Styling / Jennifer Wendorf / Kay Clarke

Whether you put these recipes together weeks in advance, like with our baked cheese puffs, or let them sit overnight for more intense flavor, like with our delicious dips, these appetizers are hard to resist. Pick a couple and enjoy a spread of tasty bites for dinner tonight. Pair up some roasted chickpeas and a nutty cheese ball, or pull together a fresh and citrusy ceviche with a spicy black bean dip. Recipes like our Baked Broccoli-Cheddar Quinoa Bites and Easy Scallion-Salmon Dip are perfect picks for a decadent night at home.

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Baked Broccoli-Cheddar Quinoa Bites

Baked Broccoli-Cheddar Quinoa Bites
Credit: Photography / Fred Hardy, Styling / Jennifer Wendorf / Kay Clarke
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These savory muffin-like quinoa bites are low in carbs and a good source of protein--plus we love their cheesy flavor.

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Loaded Black Bean Dip

loaded black bean dip in a white bowl served with tortilla chips
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This is 7-layer black bean dip simplified: just heat and season refried beans, then top with fresh vegetables for a texturally exciting dip.

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Garlic Hummus

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This classic hummus recipe couldn't be easier--just toss a few ingredients in the food processor and whir away! Aquafaba (the liquid from a can of chickpeas) makes this healthy dip extra smooth and creamy. Serve with veggie chips, pita chips or crudités.

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Easy Scallion-Salmon Dip

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Inspired by the classic combination of smoked salmon and cream cheese, this spread is perfect for slathering on a bagel or serving as a dip with bagel chips. This salmon dip recipe is a great way to use up leftovers from Miso-Maple Salmon (see Associated Recipes).

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Black Sea Bass Ceviche with Rhubarb Pico de Gallo

Black Sea Bass Ceviche with Rhubarb Pico de Gallo
Credit: Photography / Nico Schinco, Food Styling / Frances Boswell, Prop Stylist / Paige Hicks
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Historically a mid-Atlantic species ranging from the Carolinas to southern New England, black sea bass have been gradually expanding their range northward as waters warm. Nowadays these plump, turquoise-tinted beauties can be found all the way up in Maine waters. Serve this with crackers or tortilla chips.

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Herb & Cheddar Gougères

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Don't let the fancy French name for these cheese puffs mislead you--this is an easy appetizer recipe. They're traditionally made with Gruyère or Comté; we couldn't resist turning to our Vermont roots and using good old Cheddar instead.

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Pimiento Cheese-Stuffed Mini Bell Peppers

Pimiento Cheese-Stuffed Mini Bell Peppers
Credit: Ted & Chelsea Cavanaugh
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A quick spread of pimiento cheese stuffs these mini bell peppers for an easy, three-ingredient appetizer.

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3-Ingredient Kalamata-Olive Hummus

3-Ingredient jazzed up hummus
Credit: Photo by: Jamie Vespa, M.S., R.D.
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Who doesn't like hummus? It's an easy snack or appetizer as is, but jazzing it up with simple toppings can make it feel like a special starter. Here we top store-bought hummus with Kalamata olives and olive oil (a staple ingredient that doesn't count toward our three!) and serve it with crunchy pita chips.

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Everything Bagel Cheese Ball

Everything Bagel Cheese Ball
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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.

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Cauliflower Hummus

Cauliflower Hummus
Credit: Casey Barber
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Is there anything cauliflower can't do? This versatile ingredient subs for chickpeas in a lightened-up version of hummus that's just as flavorful and zingy as the original.

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Everything-Bagel Crispy Chickpeas

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Crispy, salty and packed with everything-bagel goodness, these crispy chickpeas are a delicious, healthy snack that can be enjoyed on their own or tossed into a salad for added crunch. Removing the skins from the chickpeas helps achieve a better crisp. Look for "everything bagel seasoning" in the spice aisle; it's now available in most supermarkets.

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Lemon-Thyme Whipped Ricotta

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This stunning yet easy appetizer recipe infuses creamy ricotta with fresh herbs and lemon. Serve with whole-grain crackers and cut-up vegetables or use as a spread for sandwiches or sauce for pasta.

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Easy Black Bean Dip

Easy Black Bean Dip
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This creamy bean dip is great for a party or picnic. Smoked paprika and ground chipotles add a robust, earthy flavor, but you can also use regular paprika and cayenne if you don't have the other spices on hand.

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Pressure-Cooker Hummus

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Cooking chickpeas from scratch is the best way to make your own hummus, but it can take hours to soak and cook them yourself. Enter the pressure cooker. Even without an overnight soak, your beans can be done in less than an hour, making this the ultimate last-minute appetizer option.

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Air-Fryer Crispy Chickpeas

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Air-fried chickpea snacks are intensely flavored and incredibly crunchy. Drying the chickpeas is essential to a good crunch, so don't skip this step. If you have time, leave them out on the counter to dry for an hour or two before frying.

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Air-Fryer Sweet Potato Chips

air-fryer sweet potato chips
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Thinly sliced sweet potatoes fry to a crispy crunch in the air fryer. These homemade chips also use much less oil, which cuts down on calories and fat. They're a naturally sweet side for sandwiches, burgers, wraps and more.

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Easter Deviled Eggs

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This easy deviled egg recipe is perfect for your Easter brunch spread--and a great use for all those extra hard-boiled eggs you decorated. Our classic take on deviled eggs calls for just five ingredients (and you probably already have most of them in your pantry). Make the recipe your own by dialing the hot sauce up or down and choosing dill or sweet pickle relish. Fresh chives add a pop of springtime color and a bright flavor.

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Roasted Buffalo Chickpeas

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Soaking chickpeas in vinegary hot sauce gives them a mouthwatering tang before they crisp up in the oven. The result? An addictively crunchy snack that's actually good for you.

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Black Bean Hummus

Black Bean Hummus
Credit: Casey Barber
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For a slightly Southwestern spin on hummus, swap in black beans for the traditional chickpeas. It's just as fiber-rich and filling, but with a taste that pairs well with tortilla chips and crisp bell peppers.

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Pear-Pecan Cheese Ball

Pear-Pecan Cheese Ball
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Sweet pear, salty Cheddar cheese and crunchy nuts make this healthy cheese ball recipe an alluring holiday treat. Serve with an array of crudités and crisp party crackers.

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By Leah Goggins

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    1 of 20 Baked Broccoli-Cheddar Quinoa Bites
    2 of 20 Loaded Black Bean Dip
    3 of 20 Garlic Hummus
    4 of 20 Easy Scallion-Salmon Dip
    5 of 20 Black Sea Bass Ceviche with Rhubarb Pico de Gallo
    6 of 20 Herb & Cheddar Gougères
    7 of 20 Pimiento Cheese-Stuffed Mini Bell Peppers
    8 of 20 3-Ingredient Kalamata-Olive Hummus
    9 of 20 Everything Bagel Cheese Ball
    10 of 20 Cauliflower Hummus
    11 of 20 Everything-Bagel Crispy Chickpeas
    12 of 20 Lemon-Thyme Whipped Ricotta
    13 of 20 Easy Black Bean Dip
    14 of 20 Pressure-Cooker Hummus
    15 of 20 Air-Fryer Crispy Chickpeas
    16 of 20 Air-Fryer Sweet Potato Chips
    17 of 20 Easter Deviled Eggs
    18 of 20 Roasted Buffalo Chickpeas
    19 of 20 Black Bean Hummus
    20 of 20 Pear-Pecan Cheese Ball

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    20 Make-Ahead Appetizers So Good, You'll Want to Eat Them for Dinner
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