What’s the one appetizer that everyone loves? Cheese. Melted. Cubed. Shredded. It doesn’t matter how you serve it; people love it. But if you want to go beyond the usual crackers and cheese, I have 15 easy cheese appetizers that everyone will love at your next gathering.
15 Easy Cheese Appetizers for Every Party and Gathering
1. Mini Bacon Ranch Cheeseballs
These bite-sized cheeseballs will easily become a crowd-favorite, and you only need four ingredients to make them: cream cheese, ranch seasoning, shredded cheddar cheese and cooked crumbled bacon.
Just mix all of the ingredients together, minus the bacon, shape into a ball, and roll each one into the crumbled bacon.
Prep these a little bit ahead of time because they’ll need to chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
I like to add a pretzel stick to each cheeseball, so they’re easy to grab and eat.
2. Easy Baked Cheddar Cheese Bites
These cheese bites are divine, and they’re really easy to make. It’s just a mix of melted butter, flour and cheddar cheese with some spices.
But what makes them so delightful is the fact that they’re baked to perfection until they’re crispy.
Just mix the simple dough, shape it into bite-sized pieces and pop them in the oven for 10-12 minutes.
You can serve these immediately or prep them a day ahead. Just be sure to store them in an airtight container so that they maintain their crunchiness.
Related: 25 Mouthwatering Cheese Appetizers That Will Steal the Show
3. Ham and Cheese Sticks
A tasty twist on classic ham and cheese appetizers. Instead of the usual hot sandwiches, you’ll roll slices of deli ham and your favorite cheese inside crescent dough.
Brush the dough with melted butter before baking and enjoy!
I like to add Dijon mustard into the mix. The recipe also calls for Worcestershire sauce, but I normally skip it (keep it if you want a richer, savory flavor).
Once you’ve rolled up your cheese sticks, you can roll them in poppy and sesame seeds.
4. Cowboy Queso
This recipe takes traditional queso to the next level with a modified version that includes delicious chorizo, ground beef, corn, black beans and tomatoes.
Rich, creamy and spicy, this is one appetizer that’s easy to make and will be devoured in no time.
You’ll love the addition of pepper jack cheese, which adds a bit of heat and flavor. Velveeta cheese will add the smooth and creamy texture you crave.
Want a vegetarian version of this dip? You can just omit the beef and chorizo and add more black beans or a variety of beans.
You can also use canned green chilis instead of jalapenos if you want a milder spice.
Be sure to serve these with sturdy tortilla chips for dipping.
5. Easy Cheese Straw Cookies
These cheese straw cookies are the perfect crowd-pleasing appetizer. You’re sure to shock your guests when they find out that these aren’t the usual sweet cookies (they look like shortbread).
To make these delightful bite-sized appetizers, you’ll need a block of sharp cheddar cheese, butter, garlic powder, cayenne, flour and salt.
Yes, you’ll want to grate your own cheese for this recipe (it really makes a difference). Grated cheese has ingredients like cellulose and cornstarch that will keep the cheese from blending into the dough properly.
Apart from shredding the cheese, the rest is easy. Use a blender to mix the butter and cheese together until it’s smooth. Add your spices, and gradually add the flour. Scoop the dough onto a cookie sheet, bake and enjoy.
6. Apple and Brie Puff Pastry Bites
Apple and brie are a perfect pair in this tasty appetizer recipe, which adds flaky puff pastry dough into the mix.
It takes 30 minutes or less to make this dish, so you won’t have to spend hours in the kitchen before your guests arrive.
Just roll out your puff pastry dough, cut into small squares, layer each square with Brie cheese and apple slices, drizzle with honey and bake.
I prefer to serve these warm and on the same day they’re baked. You could make them ahead of time, but they lose some of their flakiness the next day.
7. Ham and Swiss Cracker Melts
Forget the usual plain crackers and cheese. Make these melts, which stack layers of crackers with cheese, Dijon mustard and slices of deli ham and bake them until they’re melty and gooey.
I prefer to use Ritz crackers because they’re buttery and delicious. You can use any cheese you want, but Swiss and cheddar are great options.
Once they’re done baking, top each melt with poppy seeds and minced onion.
8. Candied Bacon Cheese Crackers
These salty and cheesy crackers are a hit at any party, and they’re surprisingly simple to make. Grab some club crackers and stack a slice of Parmesan cheese and then bacon, brown sugar and crushed red pepper on top.
Bake for 40 minutes to cook the bacon and serve warm.
These are extra-crispy and so addicting that you’ll wish you’d made more.
If you can’t find a block of Parmesan cheese, you can use cheddar instead. I recommend aged white cheddar.
Related: The 20 Best Hot Appetizers – From Melty Dips to Crispy Bites
9. Super Easy Olive Cheese Bread
Cheese appetizers like these are always a crowd favorite, but what you’ll love most about this recipe is that it’s easy to prepare.
You’ll top slices of tasty French bread with a cheesy, buttery, herbed olive mixture and bake until melted and gooey. Don’t skip the last step of broiling it for 1-2 minutes to make sure the cheese is extra dark golden brown.
Pro tip: Shred your own block of Monterey Jack cheese. It’s so worth the little extra effort because the cheese is so much gooier.
Can’t find Monterey Jack cheese? Use cheddar or pepper jack instead.
10. Cheesy Thumbprint Appetizers with Hot Pepper Jelly
These thumbprint cheese cookies are a unique appetizer to serve at your next party. It’s a savory take on the classic thumbprint cookies. But with this recipe, we’re making a cheesy dough that bakes to crispy perfection.
Each little bite is topped with hot pepper jelly and then baked for 13-15 minutes.
Allow this to cool before serving so that it crisps up even more.
11. Jalapeno Cheese Squares
Cheesy squares with a spicy kick. This recipe mixes cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, crumbled bacon and pickled jalapenos with flour, milk and eggs to make a tasty appetizer that everyone will adore.
Preparing it is as simple as mixing the dry ingredients with the wet and baking until golden brown.
12. Beer Cheese Dip
Creamy cheese is delish and almost always served with soft pretzels. You can make this crowd-pleaser with butter, all-purpose flour, cheddar cheese, milk, light beer, garlic salt, paprika and cayenne pepper (if you want to add a pinch of spiciness to your dip).
Melt butter in a medium-sized sauce pan, whisk in your flour and continue until the flour cooks off in about a minute or so. While whisking, add in your milk until it’s smooth and allow it to thicken before adding your seasoning.
Stir in your beer and shredded cheese and let it melt together until it’s a creamy texture. That’s it.
13. Marinated Cheese Appetizer with Salami & Green Olives
It doesn’t get easier than this recipe, which requires you to arrange a few ingredients on a wooden tray. You’ll need salami, pepperoni, green olives (pitted or stuffed) and a few different cheeses, such as mozzarella, cheddar, goat cheese or feta.
You’ll also make a marinade out of black pepper, garlic, oregano, olive oil and a vinegar of your choosing. Red wine vinegar is always a safe bet.
For the marinade, you’ll drizzle it on top of your ingredients and allow it to sit for at least four hours before serving. But if you’re in a hurry, you can skip the wait because meats and cheeses always taste great.
14. Pimento Cheese Bites
Creamy, delicious pimento cheese is one of my all-time favorite foods, and it’s so addicting. For this recipe, you’ll buy pre-made crispy pastry cups that you’ll fill with a mixture of mayo, cream cheese, paprika, garlic powder, Old Bay seasoning, pimentos, grated yellow onion and sharp cheddar cheese.
Add salt and pepper to taste.
The hardest part? Spooning the mixture into your phyllo cups before baking.
15. Crispy Homemade Mozzarella Sticks
Delicious homemade mozzarella sticks take longer to make than the frozen variety, but they’re so much better.
And all you’ll need is:
- All-purpose flour
- Salt and pepper
- Garlic powder
- Eggs
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Italian seasoning
- Mozzarella cheese
- Homemade marinara sauce
- Vegetable oil
Start by mixing your flour, garlic powder, salt and pepper into a bowl. Mix your eggs in a separate bowl and then combine your Italian seasoning and breadcrumbs in a third bowl.
Dip your mozzarella in the flour, egg and then breadcrumbs before transferring to the freezer for 30 minutes. Deep fry for 30 seconds per side, drain on paper towels and serve with a side of marinara sauce.
Related: 21+ Puff Pastry Appetizers That Look Fancy But Are So Easy
16. Creamy Baked Brie with Fig Jam
I’m obsessed with creamy baked brie with fig jam. It looks like one of those fancy appetizers you’d find at a restaurant, but honestly, it’s super simple and kind of budget friendly. There are so many good brie options out there, and once you add your favorite toppings, it turns into the dreamiest appetizer. A little honey, a handful of nuts, warm gooey cheese… yeah, it’s perfection.
If you ever need a no-fail holiday appetizer or something impressive for a dinner party, this one’s it.
Here’s what you need:
- Brie cheese (1 small round)
- Fig jam
- Honey
- Dried figs
- Fresh rosemary
- Pecans
- Pumpkin seeds
- Sea salt
- Toasted bread or crackers
17. Cheesy Texas Toast
Texas toast cheese appetizers are common in the South. Thick bread. Cheesy goodness. It’s the perfect way to keep guests satiated while they’re waiting for the main course. And it’s delicious, too.
Preheat your oven to 375℉ and then start lining your baking sheet with foil. While the oven is heating up, combine the following ingredients in a small bowl:
- Softened butter
- Minced garlic
- Salt
Spread the well-combined mixture on both sides of your Texas toast and place them on the baking sheet. Sprinkle some mozzarella and/or cheddar cheese on each slice and bake for 10 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly.
