The days are *finally* starting to get a bit longer, and the prospect of spring is more than just a hopeful glimmer in our gloomy winter day. This time of year, your schedule is bound to be jam-packed with spring events (like pastel baby showers and outdoor dinner parties galore) where fresh and seasonal appetizers are a must. After you’ve prepared your dinner party menu with some easy spring recipes, it’s time to grill a batch of fresh peaches wrapped in bacon or bake a dozen savory thumbprint cookies. These 14 appetizers will have you covered, no matter what kind of spring party you’re going to or throwing.
1. Asparagus and Goat Cheese Galette: Spring is the absolute best time to buy asparagus. Artfully arranging them on flaky pie dough and topping with goat cheese makes for a beautiful app that could double as lunch the next day. For an even quicker version, swap out the homemade crust for frozen puff pastry. (via Simple Bites)
2. Sautéed Artichokes With Bacon and Garlic: If you’re hosting a dinner party and are looking for a fancy first course, look no further. These tender artichokes are simply flavored with bacon and garlic — you can’t go wrong with that flavor combo. Your guests will all wonder when you snuck off to culinary school. (via Philos Kitchen)
3. Baked Butternut Squash Fries With Sage and Anchovy Aioli: Soaking the butternut squash makes all the difference in ensuring you get the crispiest fry possible. Before you try to pass on that sage and anchovy aioli — DON’T. We promise you’ll love it. (via Feed Me Phoebe)
4. Bacon Wrapped Grilled Peaches With Balsamic Glaze: Spring is the best time to dust off the grill and start cooking outside. This recipe takes the first peaches of the season and grills them with salty bacon. Topped with a drizzle of balsamic glaze, they’re a delectably sweet and salty appetizer that everyone will go crazy for. (via Foodie Crush)
5. Honey Porter Glazed Chicken Skewers: Beer lovers, rejoice! These chicken skewers are marinated in stout, honey, dijon and red pepper flakes, then grilled to sticky perfection. These have to be on the menu at your next barbecue. (via Beeroness)
6. Lightened Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes: If you’re still sticking to your New Year’s resolution to eat healthier, try swapping out the cheddar and bacon in your usual baked potato with kale and mushrooms. Once you taste these lightened-up spuds, you’ll never go back. (via Runaway Chef)
7. Mini Pimento Mac & Cheese Bites: Pimento cheese is a southern staple at many spring parties, so it only makes sense to take it a step further and mix it into mac and cheese. You don’t need a fork to eat this mac; after it’s baked, it’s chilled, so it can be sliced into adorable appetizer cubes. (via Vegetarian Ventures)
8. Quinoa + Zucchini Pizza Fritters: Gardens tend to go crazy with loads of zucchini in the spring. This means that you’ll need tons of unique recipes to use up the bounty. What better way than these easy waffle fritters with fun pizza fillings? (via Kelly’s Ambitious Kitchen)
9. Baked Salmon Meatballs With Creamy Avocado Sauce: You’ll never think of salmon the same way after making these meatballs. The texture is perfectly light and fluffy, the flavor is on point and that creamy avo sauce adds a bright and springy element that goes perfectly with your new favorite fish. (via Cookin’ Canuck)
10. Salt and Pepper Squid: Fried squid is the best appetizer for spring fish fries and crab boils (or just a random Tuesday). Top with some extra sliced hot green peppers and serve with plenty of lemon for squeezing on top for that fresh burst of citrus flavor. (via The Woks of Life)
11. Cheesy Thumbprint Cookies With Bourbon Tomato Jam: Yes, these are savory thumbprint cookies, and yes, you need to make them immediately. They’re perfect on their own or dunked in a creamy cheese dip. You can even save some of the jam for a lunchtime panini spread. (via The Flavor Blender)
12. Baked Southwestern Egg Rolls: These egg rolls are jam-packed with shredded chicken, jalapeños, corn and black beans. They’re baked at a high temp so they’re still crispy, but with no oil and no babysitting, making them great for feeding a crowd. (via Drool Worthy Daily)
13. Szechuan Baked Pork Belly: These crispy pork belly bites get tons of rich flavor from Chinese five-spice and ground ginger, with addictive sweet stickiness from brown sugar and soy sauce. Your party guests are going to inhale this… guaranteed! (via Kevin Is Cooking)
14. Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps: In a rush? These lettuce wraps take only 15 minutes from start to finish, and give you SO much bang for your buck. If you’re traveling, pre-make the filling and bring the head of lettuce separately to assemble at the party. (via Jo Cooks)
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