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  5. 13 Make-Ahead Hors d'Oeuvres for Stress-Free Entertaining

13 Make-Ahead Hors d'Oeuvres for Stress-Free Entertaining

By Kate Merker,  Sara Quessenberry and Kimberly Holland Updated May 06, 2022
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Bacon-Wrapped Apricots With Sage
Credit: Con Poulos

The best hors d'oeuvres ideas don't require hours of prep work and sweating away in a kitchen while your guests enjoy each other's company. In fact, our favorite hors d'oeuvres recipes are ones you make ahead, pack away, and bring out just in time to plate and serve.

Make-ahead hors d'oeuvres not only help you plan, strategize, and work in advance, they let you really enjoy the event you've worked so hard to bring together. Here, we assembled some quick and easy dishes, so you can pick and choose what fits your palate and preferences.

These hors d'oeuvres ideas are centered around very specific entertaining dilemmas, like having no time to decorate or wanting to avoid doing a lot of dishes. (These one-pot recipes can also help you in the dishes department.) Get inspired to save time and wow your guests.

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Creamy Smoked Fish Dip

Smoked Fish Dip
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Make this hors d'oeuvre if you're short on time. In fact, you'll only need around 10 minutes to prepare this satisfying party dip. 

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Chicken Pot Pie Empanadas

Chicken Potpie Empanadas
Credit: Antonis Achilleos
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Skip the last-minute fussing with these ridiculously addictive stuffed pockets that can go from oven to serving platter with no additional day-of prep needed. All you need to do is prepare the empanadas the day before your party and store them in the fridge until you're ready to bake. 

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Bacon-Wrapped Apricots With Sage

Bacon-Wrapped Apricots With Sage
Credit: Con Poulos
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Talk about convenient―apricots swathed in bacon can be assembled days in advance, then cooked straight from the freezer.

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Caramelized Onion Tarts With Apples

Caramelized Onion Tarts With Apples
Credit: Con Poulos
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Want to look like a pro? Here, frozen puff pastry dough is spread with tangy crème fraîche and topped with a sweet and savory mix of onions and apples. There is minimal prep time because the recipe uses a pre-made puff pastry and just the right amount of toppings to make this dish quick and tasty. 

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Goat Cheese Spread

Goat cheese spread
Credit: Dana Gallagher
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Some spreads (like this goat cheese spread) actually taste better when they've had a few days to sit and "meld." So feel encouraged that you should be making this recipe ahead and not on the day of the party. 

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Rosemary Pecans

Rosemary Pecans
Credit: Beatriz da Costa
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You can cook this nut mix up to a week in advance and keep it from-the-oven fresh in an airtight container stored at room temperature.

 

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Double Tomato Crostini

double tomato crostini
Credit: Christopher Baker
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When entertaining a large crowd, sometimes simple is better (and faster). Crostini, a cocktail-party classic, gets an upgrade with a flavorful double tomato combination.

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Mini Grilled Cheese Sandwiches With Chutney

Mini Grilled Cheese Sandwiches With Chutney
Credit: Con Poulos
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Add a surprising twist to a familiar favorite with this gooey grilled cheese that is refreshed with a dollop of fruit chutney. Fortunately, you can make this hors d'oeuvre in minutes during a casual get together. 

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Orange-Chili Shrimp Cocktail

Orange-Chili Shrimp Cocktail
Credit: David Prince
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Want to let the sauce shine? For an easy make-ahead hors d'oeuvres, thaw a few pounds of cooked peeled and deveined shrimp and partner the crowd-pleasing seafood bites with a stand-out orange-chili topping that can be made earlier in the day.

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Eggplant, Feta, and Lemon Tart

Eggplant, Feta, and Lemon Tart Recipe
Credit: Greg DuPree
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Remember, not everything needs to be served hot or cold to be delicious. Room-temp hors d'oeuvres that are baked in advance make the last-minute rush to assemble a non-factor. This tart can be cut into bite-sized pieces and served warm or at room temperature (and still be delicious either way). 

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Chimichurri-Yogurt Dip

Chimichurri Yogurt Dip
Credit: Victor Protasio
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Aside from stirring in yogurt, herbs, and a few other ingredients, the magic of this dip is in the chimichurri. There's no need to waste time baking here. Just mix together the ingredients and serve with a side of lettuce and radishes. 

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Caprese Skewers With Balsamic Glaze

caprese-skewers
Credit: Getty Images
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Vegetable and cheese trays can be assembled in advance—but try a classic flavor combination on a skewer for a playful twist.

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Chickpea and Mint Crostini

Chickpea and Mint Crostini
Credit: Mikkel Vang
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To save time on this recipe, toast baguette slices in advance and store. Then mix the topping ingredients and set aside. The best part about this hors d'oeuvre idea is that you don't need to spend time topping the crostini. Leave the topping in a serving bowl for your guests to serve themselves. 

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By Kate Merker,  Sara Quessenberry and Kimberly Holland

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    Everything in This Slideshow

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    1 of 13 Creamy Smoked Fish Dip
    2 of 13 Chicken Pot Pie Empanadas
    3 of 13 Bacon-Wrapped Apricots With Sage
    4 of 13 Caramelized Onion Tarts With Apples
    5 of 13 Goat Cheese Spread
    6 of 13 Rosemary Pecans
    7 of 13 Double Tomato Crostini
    8 of 13 Mini Grilled Cheese Sandwiches With Chutney
    9 of 13 Orange-Chili Shrimp Cocktail
    10 of 13 Eggplant, Feta, and Lemon Tart
    11 of 13 Chimichurri-Yogurt Dip
    12 of 13 Caprese Skewers With Balsamic Glaze
    13 of 13 Chickpea and Mint Crostini

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