13 Bite-Sized Trader Joe's Appetizers That Are Perfect for Holiday Hosting
I don't know about you, but hors d'oeuvres and small bites are my favorite part of any holiday gathering. Luckily, Trader Joe's has endless options that are easy to grab and devour without everyone getting their paws all over them. From classic finger foods like pigs in a blanket and mac & cheese balls, to vegetarian options like vegetable samosas and green bean casserole bites, Trader Joe's (as always) has something for everyone.
For the past few years, I've been incorporating some of these frozen appetizers into our holiday celebrations because they truly make hosting so much easier and it allows me to focus on the main course and side dishes. We put together a list of some of our favorites that can be served safely while also satisfying every palette.
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1 Beef En Croute Bites
Beef en croûte typically takes hours to make, but these bites require nothing more than 12-14 minutes in the oven and still taste exactly like a classic Beef Wellington. For these bite-sized wonders, perfectly cooked pieces of beef are paired with slow-cooked diced mushrooms, shallots, herbs, and wine. Then, the whole thing is wrapped in a flaky puff pastry that practically melts in your mouth. If you're looking for an elevated app, this is the way to go.
2 Fried Olive Bites
Olive fans beware: It's impossible to have just one of these savory bites. They're made with a mixture of green Castelvetrano olives from Italy and dark purple Kalamatas from Greece, which are pitted, finely chopped, and bound and mixed together. That olive "dough" is then wrapped around a rich blend of mascarpone, Roquefort, and cream cheeses, and rolled in panko breadcrumbs.
3 Green Bean Casserole Bites
If you don't feel like cooking an entire casserole, grab some of these equally tasty bites to pass around and call it a day. The bite-sized phyllo dough cups are filled with a familiar mixture of green beans, mushrooms, heavy cream, and Cheddar cheese. Then, because no casserole worth eating is complete without a crunchy touch, there are crispy fried onions sprinkled on top.
4 Scallops Wrapped in Uncured Bacon
If you're intimidated to cook scallops, stock this app in your freezer and pull out a box (or two) when your holiday guests arrive. Each sweet sea scallop is wrapped with uncured bacon, speared with an oven- friendly wooden skewer, and generously drizzled with a sweet brown sugar glaze. The result is a perfectly cooked piece of fish with notes of smoky bacon and caramelized brown sugar.
5 Mini Vegetable Samosas
Your vegetarian guests will likely breathe a sigh of relief when they see these triangular stuffed pastries. They've got a crispy exterior thanks to a special phyllo-type dough, and are packed corner-to-corner with a curry-like mixture of peas, carrots, potatoes, lentils, onions, and Indian spices. Are you drooling yet?
6 Spicy Shrimp Appetizer Duo
Why serve just one shrimp appetizer when you can serve a duo? Your family and friends will go crazy for crispy Kung Pao shrimp spring rolls and tasty lemongrass shrimp wontons. With two incredible options, I guarantee it will be nearly impossible for them to choose a favorite.
7 Parmesan Pastry Pups
No holiday gathering is complete without a tray of pigs in a blanket, and TJ's version is next-level delicious. The combination of savory beef franks with flaky puff pastry and sprinkled parmesan is *chef's kiss*. Just make sure to buy a few boxes because they're insanely addicting.
8 Crispy Vegetable Pouches
Whether your guests are vegetarian or not, these crispy veggie wontons are an absolute no-brainer. They're packed with a variety of vegetables like jicama, taro, cabbage, carrots, onions, shiitake mushrooms, and accented with flavors of garlic, soy sauce, ginger, sesame oil, and red chili. Talk about a little flavor bomb.
9 Hold the Corn!
Warning: these little corn cones will be gone seconds after you put them down on the table. They're hand-packed with delicious ingredients like sweet corn, water chestnuts, green onions, and wood ear mushrooms. And I kid you not, they look and taste homemade. If you don't want to tell your guests they're from TJ's, your secret is safe with us.
10 Mac & Cheese Bites
TJ's Mac & Cheese Bites have been around since 2010 and it's no wonder why: they're still one of the most popular frozen appetizers. The ooey-gooey cheesy blend of cheddar, havarti, Swiss, and Gouda are so delicious and comforting, you'll probably want to stash a box in the freezer for late-night munchies.
11 Crispy Rice Salmon Bites
If you're looking to serve your guests something a little less traditional, these Crispy Rice Salmon Bites are just the thing. They're savory and salty and come with a creamy, spicy dipping sauce. Think of them as bite-sized fish and chips but with Atlantic salmon instead of a flaky white fish. My mouth is watering just thinking about the flavor combos.
12 French Onion Soup Bites
Every party needs a fun appetizer, and these French Onion Soup Bites are it. Perfect for a chilly evening or wintry holiday, your guests will get cozy with these spoon-less soupy apps. They're made with savory caramelized onions, rich and creamy Swiss cheese, and seasoned with a savory vegetable broth base.
13 Pastry Bites With Feta Cheese & Caramelized Onions
A sweet and savory mix of tangy feta, jammy caramelized onions, and puffed pastry, these little guys are so good, it's impossible to stop at just one. (I've even been known to eat them as a meal on occasion—shh, don't tell anyone.) Pro tip: Pop them out of the plastic container they're packed in and bake them in a mini-muffin pan instead for a perfectly crisp shell.