Here are some of the easiest finger appetizers to prepare that make entertaining for parties or unexpected guests very simple. Best of all, most of these can be made in under 20 minutes, including prep time.

Fresh Vegetable Tray

A fresh vegetable tray is very simple to prepare and requires no cooking at all. All you will need are some fresh veggies and a dip which can, in a pinch, be Ranch dressing, will work or you can check out some of our dip recipes if you want to make your own.

Many vegetables don’t even need cut and more and more grocery stores are also selling pre-cut time saving foods such as celery or green peppers, which can also drastically reduce prep time.

Here are some great tasting veggies you can serve quickly:

Cherry Tomatoes
Baby Carrots
Mushrooms
Celery
Peppers
Snap Peas
Fresh String Beans

Cheese and Crackers

This is another very easy to prepare snack food that again doesn’t take more than just a few minutes to arrange on a cheese tray, especially if you get pre-cut cubed or sliced cheese from the deli section of your grocery store. Simply arrange the cheese on a platter and serve with your favorite snack crackers. For some elegant ideas, check out our Cheese Cracker Tray Ideas.

Parmesan Garlic Potatoes

This is another very easy one to make that only takes about 5 minutes to prepare and 10-15 minutes in the oven.

You will need:
4 Large Baking Potatoes
Parmesan cheese
Garlic Powder, Salt, Pepper to taste
Olive Oil

Directions:

Cut potatoes into small wedges or slices and arrange on a foil lined baking sheet. Lightly brush olive oil on potatoes and then sprinkle Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper on the potato wedges. Bake in a 350 degree preheated oven for 10-15 minutes or until potatoes are done.

Variations:

You can add many other seasonings or toppings to these, such as shredded cheese, bacon bits or crumbles, red pepper flakes, seasoned salt, or others.

Taco Biscuits

This simple recipe needs less than 5 ingredients and 10 minutes in the oven.

You Will Need:
1 Large Can Refrigerated Biscuits
1 Can Refried Beans
1 tablespoon taco sauce
1 Cup Shredded Cheddar or Colby Jack Cheese
Sour Cream

Directions:

Mix the refried beans and taco sauce together until blended. Line mini muffin pan with muffin papers and press 1 half of biscuit into the cup and press along sides. Spoon refried bean mixture and top with cheese. Bake in 350 degree oven for 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted. Garnish with small dollop of sour cream on top.

Pigs in a Blanket

You will Need:
1 package of appetizer wieners (mini Hot Dogs)
1 package of refrigerated crescent rolls
Deli Mustard

Directions:

Tear small pieces of the crescent roll dough off and wrap around miniature hot dogs. Bake in a pre-heated 350 degree oven for 10 minutes or until the dough is cooked through. Serve with deli mustard for dipping on the side.

Easy Oven Barbecue Meatballs

You Will Need:
1/2 jar barbecue sauce
1 package frozen pre-cooked meatballs

Directions:

In a large bowl, coat meatballs with barbecue sauce. (You may need to use more depending on the size of meatballs) Line the meatballs on a baking tray and bake the meatballs on a baking tray for 10 minutes in a 350 degree oven. Stick toothpicks through each meatball and serve.

Antipasto Skewers

These are delicious and take very little time to make.

You will Need:
Skewers
Pepperoni
Ham Cubes
Mozzarella Cheese
Olives
Grape Tomatoes
Italian Dressing

Directions:

On each skewer, alternate pepperoni, cheese, olives, grape tomatoes, and ham cubes. Dip each assembled skewer into Italian dressing and arrange on plate. Refrigerate for 15 minutes or longer before serving.

Do you have any other ideas for the easiest finger appetizers to prepare and make for parties or entertaining? We’d love to hear your ideas and recipes below!

Crock pot holiday appetizers recipes are great to make because they are simple and easy and can be done without your really worrying too much about how long it takes to make it or having to keep a lot of time devoted into watching it cook. All you need to do is put the ingredients in the pot and wait for it to cook – letting you focus on more important things getting ready for your holiday party besides cooking!

Before I get to my recipes below though, I have to say probably one of the best things you can do is get yourself a really good recipe book for slow cooker recipes, because you can end up spending hours online searching for stuff, never really finding what you’re looking for, and it gets frustrating! The Better Homes and Gardens Ultimate Slow Cooker Book is one of the best for anyone to start with if you don’t already have a great arsenal of crock-pot recipe books. (Though I’m assuming if you did, you wouldn’t be here visiting my website, would you?) It’s really reasonably priced, too – for less than $15 you’ll have over 400 tasty crock-pot recipes, everything from cherry cobbler to chipotle chicken and more. Not to mention, it has over 45 pages dedicated exclusively to appetizers!

You can get a sneak peak of the inside and all of the recipes included here.

So, use these recipes below for now – but if you love using your slow cooker as much as I do, it is certainly worth it to invest in a good cookbook.

Here’s some of my favorite easy slow cooker recipes for holiday parties:

Chicken Barbecue Bites:

You will need:
2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into cubes
Your favorite BBQ Sauce
Water as needed
Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions:

Season the chicken to taste with salt and pepper. Combine with sauce in the crock pot – the chicken should be entirely submersed. Cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours. (Cooking times will vary depending on the model of slow cooker you are using). Chicken should be an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Serve with toothpicks.

Bacon Wrapped Kielbasa

You Will Need:
1 pound of bacon, strips cut into thirds
2 pounds of kielbasa, sliced into 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch thick pieces
Brown Sugar

Directions:

Wrap the bacon around the kielbasa and arrange them in the crockpot so they are all evenly lining the bottom for the first row. Cover with brown sugar generously. Then stack more on top for the next rows, covering each row with brown sugar. Simmer on low for 4-5 hours.

Buffalo Chicken Dip

You Will Need:
1 pound of cooked chicken, cut up into very small pieces
1 package of cream cheese, softened
8 ounces of shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup Ranch dressing
1/2 cup of red hot pepper sauce

Directions:

Combine ranch dressing, cream cheese, and hot pepper sauce together and stir in chicken in the slow cooker. (Canned chicken can also work for this, but that’s not nearly as good!). Cover with shredded cheddar cheese and allow to simmer on the low setting until the dip is hot and bubbly. Serve with tortilla chips and celery.

Really Yummy Crock Pot Mushrooms

You Will Need:
2 pounds of medium sized white mushrooms
1 stick of butter
1 tablespoon of minced garlic
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 cup chicken broth

Directions:

Combine all of the ingredients into the slow cooker and allow to simmer for 4-5 hours on low heat or 2-3 hours on high heat.

All of these easy slow cooker recipes are perfect for the holidays or casual get-togethers with family and friends. Using very simple and basic ingredients, you can enjoy these easy crock-pot holiday appetizer recipes any time you want a simple and easy-to-make dish!

If you’d like 400 more recipes for your slow cooker, don’t forget to check out Better Homes and Gardens Ultimate Slow Cooker Book – it’s seriously well worth it if you’ve been searching online for hours trying to find the right recipe!

Hummus is a nutritional, dairy free, gluten free, and vegetarian cold appetizer dip perfect for late night snacks or entertaining. Made with mashed chick peas, it is flavorful and easy to make.

Number of Servings: 6
Prep Time: 10 minutes

Recipe Ingredients

2 cans of chickpeas/garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
1/3 cup tahini (sesame seed paste)
1/2-3/4 cup roasted red peppers (you can find them in a jar or roast them yourself)
Juice from 2 lemons (somewhere around 1/3 cup or so)
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons of minced garlic

Recipe Directions:

To make the hummus dip, place all ingredients in a food processor and process until smooth. This recipe is easy to adjust for your own individual tastes – add more garlic or tahini or red peppers to your taste.

Variations & Alternative Recipes

There are also a number of variations and alternative recipes you can do for hummus – listed below.

Black Bean Hummus

If you like black beans, this is a great dip and variation on traditional hummus that goes well with tortilla chips.

Ingredients You Will Need:

1 Can of Black Beans, rinsed and drained
1 Can of Chickpeas/Garbanzo Beans, rinsed and drained
1/3 cup tahini (sesame seed paste)
Juice from 1 lemon
Juice from 1 lime
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions:

Combine all of the ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth and reaches desired consistency. Again, you can play around with the ingredients to suit your individual tastes – add more garlic, more lemon juice or more tahini if you like!

Tomato Basil Hummus

For those who like a little bit of an Italian flare to their hummus, you can’t go wrong with this tomato basil recipe!

Ingredients Needed:

1 can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
3 roma tomatoes, peeled and diced
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon tahini (sesame seed paste)
1 tablespoon of basil chopped
2 teaspoons grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

Combine all ingredients together in a food processor until blended smooth. Again, feel free to experiment with the different ingredients to get the right flavor your want – some people like a lot of garlic, others like a lot of basil.

I hope you enjoy these hummus recipes! They make a great dip, or you can also make many appetizers out of them by spreading it on your favorite crackers, toast, or pita bread and topping with toppings such as shredded cheese, olives, and tomatoes. Enjoy!

Now, to go with that yummy cranberry dip, why not have your friends and family also crunch on some tasty oven roasted pecans?

Oven Roasted Pecans

Pecans are another traditional Thanksgiving favorite for everyone. Since we like to make pecan pies, it’s no trouble to make these the same time the night before our big feast.

1 egg white
1 tablespoon of butter, melted
1 teaspoon of vanilla
2 cups pecans (or more, if you happen to have lots, you just may need to make a little bit more of the mix)
1/3 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon brown sugar firmly packed
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon of cinnamon

Directions:

Combine sugar, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon in a plastic zipper bag and set aside.

Melt the butter and then add in the vanilla and egg white and beat until all ingredients are blended together. Stir in the pecans, making sure each one is well coated with the liquid mixture. Then, transfer the pecans into the plastic bag with the dry ingredients and shake, shake, shake until they are all nicely coated with it.

Place on a lined baking pan (I use foil or parchment paper, both work just as well and help make it easier to clean up) and bake in a 350 degree oven for 4-5 minutes, then turn over and bake another 4-5 minutes until nice and roasted.

Other Thanksgiving Favorites:

Sausage Cheese Balls: A holiday favorite, made with sausage, cheese, and biscuit mix.

Stuffed Mushrooms: What’s Thanksgiving without the stuffing? You’ll love these stuffed mushrooms!

Simple Corn Fritters: Celebrate the first plant grown by the pilgrims with these easy corn fritters!

Appetizer Meatballs: These easy appetizer meatballs will be sure to disappear fast!

Do you have a favorite Thanksgiving appetizer recipe to share? Tell us about it in the comments below. Happy Thanksgiving everybody!

When you’re thinking of ideas for different types of things to make ahead of time the best things to do is to think of things that can be served cold or stored easily. For example, a simple party snack mix that can be stored in an air tight containers is a great example. You’ll also find some great ideas in our cold appetizers section which has everything from 7 Layer Mexican Dip to Marinated Shrimp. Dips are also great for this because you can easily make them the day before as well. (You can find all of our dips & spreads here).

Here are all of our best make ahead appetizers that you can make the night or day before and serve minutes before your guests arrive:

Marinated Shrimp: Marinated Shrimp is an elegant recipe. Since the dish is delicious served cold, you can easily cook and arrange it all on a platter and keep refrigerated until the time to serve it.

7 Layer Mexican Dip: This seven layer Mexican dip is very easy to make and can easily be made the night before. The most important thing is to make sure you allow the ground meat to cool completely so your lettuce doesn’t become soggy.

Antipasto Platter: Who doesn’t love a platter of olives, Italian meats, cheeses, and more? This is an easy way to put together some tasty snacks.

Tortilla Cream Cheese Pinwheels: Pinwheels are a great appetizer and are actually a lot easier to make than you would think! Since they require refrigeration time anyway, you can easily put them together before hand.

Buffalo Chicken Dip: Whether you choose our cold or hot version, both taste great and can easily be made ahead of time.

Fruit Tray: A fruit tray is delicious and sweet and you can make our Yogurt Fruit Dip as a great accompaniment. For best results, choose fruits which hold up well after being sliced, such as oranges, grapes, strawberries, watermelon, and cantaloupe. Fruits such as apples and bananas if they are a must have, should be sliced and added immediately before serving because they have a tendency to discolor.

Spinach & Artichoke Dip: This is a classic dip for any party and relatively easy to prepare. It tends to hold well for about a day before serving.

Cold Crab Dip: This cold crab dip recipe is always a huge hit that has everybody raving for the recipe and again can be refrigerated before serving.

Bruschetta: You can easily make Bruschetta ahead of time. If you’re worried about having time to make the toasted bread, you can always take a short cut and buy the pre-made toasted bread typically available around or near the deli counter or cracker aisle of your local grocery store.

These are just some of the great examples of things you can easily make the day before and not worry about having to put a lot of time or effort into them. Make ahead appetizers are the best type because it doesn’t matter how busy or crazy your schedule might be, you can always make a delicious dish in no time! You can make them the night or day before and serve them with little prep time – which means less time worrying about cooking before having company or guests over and more time enjoying the people with you.

Do you have a favorite make ahead appetizer you’d like to share? Leave it in the comments section below!

If you have kids, they’ll love these mini corn dogs recipes – and even adults will like it as well too! They’re especially a game day favorite for football games and other events. And believe it or not, they’re actually quite easy to make too!

Number of Servings: 12
Prep Time: 10
Cooking Time: 15

Recipe Ingredients

1 package of mini sized hot dogs or kielbasa (usually found in the grocery aisle that also has regular sized hot dogs and kielbasa)
1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup yellow cornmeal
1/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups of milk
1/4 cup of vegetable oil
1 egg

Recipe Directions:

To get started, you will first want to combine the flour, corn meal, sugar, salt, and baking powder together. Once these ingredients are sifted together, the next step is to stir in your egg until mixed through. Then add the milk and the vegetable oil and stir until the mixture is smooth. If need be, you may want to add a little more corn meal if the recipe seems to be too runny – if it seems too thick, add a tablespoon of milk at a time until desired consistency is achieved.

Next, you will want to line a shallow baking pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Since the corn dogs are a little bit drippy in the next step, this will help make clean up much easier!

Once your pan is ready, take each mini hot dog and dip it into the corn bread mixture and then place it on the pan. You can space each mini corn dog pretty close together, but if need be you can also always go onto a second pan if you start to run out of space.

You’ll want to bake these items in a pre-heated oven at 350 degrees for around 15-20 minutes, or until the muffin mix has baked through. (Oven temperatures and times will likely vary)

Recipe Notes

If you’re in a really big hurry, a quick way to make this is to instead use your favorite corn bread muffin mix and prepare as directed on the package instructions. You may need 1-2 packages depending on the size of the package and how many mini corn dogs you plan on making.

Serving Suggestions

Now that you’re mini corn dog recipe is complete, the only other thing to consider is what condiments to serve with them! Some popular favorites include honey, Dijon mustard, BBQ sauce, and ketchup. If you want your corn dogs to be spicy or have a kick to the recipe (likely not for kids then however!) a fun thing to add into the corn bread mix is either 1/4 cup of diced jalapenos or green chilies. Salsa also makes a great dipper for these, whether you go with the regular or the spicy variety.

If you are looking for a more traditional fried recipe, instead of baking you can instead try deep frying them in a pan of hot canola oil. We prefer them baked, but they’re still good either way

Hope you enjoy our mini corn dog recipe!

Learning how to make chocolate tuxedo strawberries will enable you to create a tasty and visually appealing snack for any party or event you may be hosting. If you can melt chocolate and dip a strawberry into it, you are on your way to creating a fantastic and impressive gourmet treat for you and your guests!

Recipe Ingredients

2 pounds of giant strawberries

1 eight ounce bar semi-sweet chocolate, broken into pieces (you can also alternatively use one bag of semi-sweet chocolate chip morsels)

1 eight ounce white chocolate bar, broken into pieces (again, you can alternatively use two bags of white chocolate chip morsels)

Toothpick for the fine details

Wax Paper for setting them down

Recipe Directions:

1. Prepare Your Strawberries:

Wash the strawberries carefully, being sure not to smash or bruise them. You will basically just want to rinse them off a little. Then, pat them dry because if they have water on them the chocolate is not going to set as well. Some people have asked me if the strawberries should be cold or room temperature. I like working with them when they are cold and slightly firm better, but it doesn’t really matter – if they’re at room temperature it will be okay.

2. Heat the White Chocolate:

Now you will want to heat up the chocolate. There are a lot of different ways you can do this. Some people will just nuke it in the microwave, because that’s convenient and easy for them. You have to be careful with the microwave though, because you can actually burn the chocolate if you’re not careful. The same goes with heating it up in a saucepan on a burner of your stove. If you want to be super careful, I recommend using a double boiler to heat up the white chocolate. The bottom pan with water will prevent the chocolate from scalding. We’re going to do just the white chocolate part first because if you melt the regular semi-sweet chips at the same time, it might harden before you’re ready for it, making you pretty much just repeat a lot of work and extra steps you don’t need to. Once the chocolate is melted enough that it can be stirred, you are ready for the next step.

3. Dip the Strawberries:

For this part you will want to dip the strawberry into the melted white chocolate, so that all of the berry is covered except for the very edge and the top. Place them on the wax paper for the chocolate to cool and harden.

4. Melt the Semi-Sweet Chocolate:

Now you will want to melt the semi-sweet chocolate. Again, it doesn’t really matter how you do this, though I do suggest using a double boiler to ensure it doesn’t scald or burn.

5. Dip the Strawberries Again:

Now we will dip the strawberries into the chocolate mixture, but this time we will be careful to only dip each side so that it leaves a “V” shape for the neck of the jacket of the tuxedo.

6. Add the decorative Touches:

The final step is to add the decorative touches of the buttons and the bow tie. You can do this by dipping a toothpick into the melted semi-sweet chocolate and then drawing it on, or some will use a cake decorating bag with a fine tip to do this. The choice is entirely up to you – whatever is the most comfortable for you is fine.

Have any tips for making chocolate tuxedo strawberries? Share them in the comments section below!

These simple corn fritters recipes are a unique thing to serve as an appetizer or side dish – and they also make for a tasty snack as well. Now, if you’ve had these before then you know they are quite tasty.

Number of Servings: 6
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes

If you’ve never heard of them before however then I know what you are thinking: What is a fritter?

Basically a fritter is any kind of food that is dipped into batter and deep fried. More popular than corn fritters are apple fritters, another tasty snack to try sometime. So, basically a corn fritter is a deep fried snack made by mixing ingredients together and then deep frying it.

In the recipes given below, feel free to make any substitutions that seem to be appropriate. For example, you may want to use fresh corn off the cob and between 1/2 cup to 1 cup of milk instead of using a can of creamed corn. Instead of using the baking powder and flour you can also use a biscuit baking mix such as Bisquick.

Here are a few simple corn fritters recipes for you to try:

Old Fashioned Style

1 egg beaten
1 can of creamed corn
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 tablespoon melted butter
1 1/3 cup of all purpose flour
Salt and Pepper to Taste

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together and then form into either crescents or patties depending on whichever shape you prefer for serving. The mixture should be firm and easy to shape – not too runny or not too thick (it shouldn’t feel dry or hard). If is it not thick enough, add flour – if it is too thick then add a tablespoon of milk until the desired consistency is reached. Drop into a deep fryer and fry for about 5 minutes or until they are a nice golden brown color and begin floating in the oil of the deep fryer. Serve hot with maple syrup as a dipping sauce.

Bacon Cheese Corn Fritters

Everything goes good with bacon and cheese, and chances are you will like these too!

You will need:
1 egg beaten
1 can of creamed corn
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 tablespoon melted butter
1 1/3 cup of all purpose flour
Salt and Pepper to Taste
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 strips of bacon, cooked and finely chopped

Directions:

Heat the deep fryer and mix all of the ingredients saving the bacon and cheese for last. Form into patties, drops, or crescents and drop into the hot oil. Allow to cook for about 5 minutes or until golden (time will depend on your deep fryer). Allow to drain on a paper towel and serve.

Spicy Corn Fritters

1 egg beaten
1 can of creamed corn
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 tablespoon melted butter
1 1/3 cup of all purpose flour
1 green onion, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
2 tablespoons of chopped green chiles
1/2 teaspoon chopped cilantro
Little dash of hot pepper sauce (optional – for those who really like it hot!)
Salt and Pepper to Taste

Directions:

Combine all of the above ingredients to form the dough, which should be in between too thick and too runny – similar to dumpling consistency. (If it is too thick, add a few teaspoons of milk at a time until the desired consistency is reached). In a skillet, heat up 1/2 cup of oil and then drop in spoonfuls of the dough. (You can optionally form them into patties or crescent shapes first if presentation will be important.) Fry for about two to three minutes and then flip over to fry for another 2-3 minutes. Drain on a paper towel and serve with your favorite salsa.

These are just a few examples of the many different recipes for corn fritters out there. I hope you enjoy them and if you have any comments, questions, or suggestions feel free to leave it in the comments section below. You’re also welcome to share any tips or favorite recipes of your own!

Gourmet seafood appetizers are always a hit and often make any occasion seem more special or elegant. You can make them from a variety of different types of seafood, such as crab, shrimp, clams, or salmon.

Below are a few of our favorite gourmet seafood appetizers:

Ahi Tuna

Ahi Tuna is a type of tuna steak that is cooked rare in the center and seared on the outside. Sometimes also known as yellow fin tuna, it is important to select high quality foods since it is served pretty much practically raw. You will notice a big difference in taste and flavor if you do not choose a type of tuna that is high quality. You can serve it with baked pita bread, rice, lettuce, or anything else you think compliments the unique flavor and taste.

You Will Need:
4 ahi tuna steaks, about 3/4 inch thick and 8 ounces each
1 tablespoon ginger
1 clove garlic, minced
2 teaspoons lime juice
1/4 cup soy sauce
Salt & Pepper

Directions:

Mix ginger, garlic, green onions, lime juice, soy sauce, and salt & pepper to taste together. Coat the tuna steaks with this mixture and allow to marinate for up to 1 hour before cooking. Heat your skillet to a high heat. (If cooking indoors, be sure to have your exhaust fan running!) Place each steak on the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until the outside is slightly blackened but the inside is not fully cooked. Serve with crackers, pita bread, rice, or on a bed of lettuce.

Shrimp Cocktail

Shrimp cocktail is another popular gourmet seafood appetizer that is made very easily.

You Will Need:
2 pounds of cooked frozen shrimp, thawed
Lemon Slices
Parsley
Martini Glasses
Cocktail Sauce

Directions:

There is no cooking involved in this easy shrimp appetizer recipe. The trick to giving it a special flair is all in the manner of presentation. In each martini glass, place a small amount of cocktail sauce on the bottom. Carefully cut a small slice across the shrimp middle, making sure you do not cut all the way through. Arrange the shrimp so that the slit goes on the lip of the glass edge and the tails are pointing out. Garnish with lemon wedge slices and parsley.

Do you have any gourmet seafood appetizer recipes you would like to share? We’d love to hear them in the comments section below.

Buffalo Chicken dip recipes are a great tasting and spicy dip for many occasions, such as game nights or football parties as well as picnics and family gatherings. It is a nice spin-off from traditional buffalo chicken wings and is sure to be a party favorite where you will be asked for the recipe a few times.

Recipe Ingredients

1 pound of cooked chicken
1 package of cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1 cup Ranch or Blue Cheese salad dressing (depends on your preferences – for a thicker dip, use less dressing)
1 cup red hot pepper sauce (such as Franks Red Hot)
1 cup shredded cheddar or colby jack cheese
1/4 cup chopped green onions
Recipe Directions

1. Prepare the Chicken:

First you will need to prepare the cooked chicken. Everyone has different opinions on the way you can do this – you can either buy canned chicken which is either shredded or cubed already or you can buy it pre-cooked either frozen or fresh and pre-diced in your grocer’s freezer or refrigerator aisle. It is up to your individual preferences whether you want to have the chicken cubed or if you will shred it with a fork or food processor. Whatever type of chicken you decide to use, you’ll want to first combine it with the hot sauce in a large sauce pan over medium heat until it comes to a simmer.

2. Stir In Cream Cheese & Dressing:

Once you have the chicken and hot sauce heated, you’ll want to add the cream cheese and salad dressing of your choice. I personally prefer the blue cheese, though it is a little stronger in flavor and so many people like the ranch dressing much better. Be sure you stir often so it does not all burn onto the bottom of your sauce pan. Once this mixture is thoroughly blended and the cream cheese is melted you are ready for the next step.

3. Pour Into Baking/Serving Dish:

Pour everything into a glass baking/serving dish and sprinkle with the 1 cup of cheddar or colby jack cheese. Bake in a pre-heated oven of 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes or just until the cheese is melted.

Recipe Variations

Below we share two of our favorite variation recipes for buffalo chicken dip. One is served cold, meaning no cooking required, and the other is served hot, depending on your own individual likes and tastes. You of course can feel free to experiment with each of these, since both allow for room for customization, such as adding additional spices or less hot sauce for different levels of spice and flavor. Once you see a couple different varieties of dip you’ll have some ideas for making your own unique recipe!

Cold Ranch Buffalo Chicken Dip

You Will Need:
1 can cooked chunk chicken, drained
1 package of cream cheese, softened
1/2 package of Ranch Dip Mix
3/4 cup hot pepper sauce (IE: Frank’s Red Hot)
1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar or Colby Jack cheese

Directions:

Mix cream cheese and ranch dip mix together until blended evenly. Stir in hot pepper sauce until smooth and add chicken. Top with shredded cheese. Optional: Microwave on High for one minute or until cheese is melted.

Blue Cheese Buffalo Dip

This is a slight variation to the one above – the main difference being this one is cooked.

Directions:

1 can chunk chicken, drained
1 package of cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup blue cheese salad dressing
1/2 cup hot pepper sauce (ie: Frank’s Red Hot)
1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese or shredded Cheddar or Mozzarella cheese

Directions:

Combine cream cheese, salad dressing, and pepper sauce. Stir in chicken and cheese crumbles. Cook in a 350 degree oven for 20 minutes, or microwave on high, stirring often for about 5-8 minutes until heated through. Serve with celery, tortilla chips, or crackers.

There are many different variations on these two recipes. You may use any hot sauce that you like, and using different cheeses or substituting ranch and blue cheese dressing will also give you many different tasting combinations.

Serving Suggestions & Ideas:

There are many different ways to serve your buffalo chicken dip. Many enjoy serving it in a bread bowl and using the bread for dipping or spreading. Freshly cut celery sticks make for another nice addition, since celery is quite popular with buffalo chicken wings. Serving with tortilla chips or crackers is probably the most common variation of ways to serve this delicious spread. Breadsticks are also a nice addition as well. It is also good with other vegetables such as red and green bell pepper slices, carrots, and cherry tomatoes.

Do you have a favorite buffalo chicken dip recipe you’d like to share? Have any suggestions or reviews of the above recipes? We’d love to hear from you and your feedback in the comments below.