At some point, everyone’s hosted a watch party or get-together where they’ve spent the entire time shuffling food in and out of the oven, hardly having a moment to hang out—or catch up with others. Even if you’re just feeding your immediate family or closest friends, you want to be there for the fun, right? When you want minimal work to do on the day of, dishes that don’t need to be kept warm are the MVPs. Here are 52 cold appetizers to whip up whenever you’re entertaining so you actually have time to enjoy the party. From spicy pineapple prosciutto tarts to avocado tahini dip, they’re great straight from the fridge or at room temperature, depending on the dish.
Before you start cooking, a word to the wise: The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services says to not leave perishable foods out at room temperature for more than two hours unless you’re keeping hot foods hot and cold foods cold. So, keep that in mind when you’re serving apps like deli sandwiches, cheese boards and deviled eggs. Room-temperature foods like crackers and nuts, on the other hand, can stay out longer.
