Food Shopping and Storing Food Shopping & Storing 10 Best Store-Bought Party Appetizers Your guests will think you've been baking, marinating, and crimping pastry dough for hours. By Dawn Perry Dawn Perry Dawn is the author of Ready, Set, Cook; How to Make Good Food With What's on Hand. She served as the food director for Real Simple and has worked in the test kitchens of Everyday Food, Bon Appétit, and the meal kit delivery service Martha & Marley Spoon. Dawn is the author of Short Stack Editions' Cucumbers and her recipes and writing have been featured in the LA Times, The New York Times, and The Washington Post among other publications. She recently started Superkind Cookies, a premium cookie company shipping treats nationwide. Highlights: * Author of Ready, Set, Cook; How to Make Good Food With What's on Hand. * Former food director for Real Simple * Worked in the test kitchens of Everyday Food, Bon Appétit, and Martha & Marley Spoon * Recipes and writing have been featured in the LA Times, The New York Times, and The Washington Post Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on July 10, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Tom Schierlitz Hate leaving your guests feeling peckish? Silence the squawking with these store-bought snacks perfect for serving at your next party—Real Simple's favorites from more than 150 sampled 01 of 10 Best Spinach Pie Tom Schierlitz Whole Kitchen SpanakopitaExtra-delicate layers of phyllo and a distinct touch of dill set this Greek classic apart. Kudos for the feta-packed filling. To buy: $6.50 for 12 pieces, Whole Foods Markets. 02 of 10 Room-Temperature Snacks Tom Schierlitz Sahale Snacks Nut Blend Soledad AlmondsSave the picked-over peanuts and cashews for some other Thursday. Try this sophisticated, warmly spiced blend of almonds, dried apples, and flaxseed. To buy: $5 for a 5-ounce bag, at supermarkets. 03 of 10 Best Spread Tom Schierlitz Va-Va Home Made LutenicaAllow us to introduce you to this traditional Eastern Mediterranean relish: A sweet-and-spicy combo of red peppers, tomatoes, and carrots that's delicious on toasted baguette slices. To buy: $7 for a 19.4-ounce jar, at gourmet stores and some supermarkets. 04 of 10 Best Stuffed Olives Tom Schierlitz Divina Green Olives Stuffed With FetaMove over, pimientos. Loaded with salty feta, these meaty oversize Halkidiki olives are perfect for popping in your mouth—or martini glass. To buy: $7 for a 12-ounce jar, at supermarkets. 05 of 10 Best Marinated Vegetables Tom Schierlitz Williams-Sonoma Hand-Packed Mushrooms in Extra Virgin Olive OilGourmet mushrooms in a lively thyme-infused marinade catapult this offering, best served with toothpicks, far ahead of its soggy competition. Worth every penny. To buy: $29 for a 21-ounce jar, at select Williams-Sonoma stores and williams-sonoma.com. 06 of 10 Best Cheese Straws Tom Schierlitz Stonewall Kitchen Chipotle Cheddar Cheese StrawsLike Grandma's, but with a spicy blast of chipotle, paprika, and cayenne. Addiction factor: scarily high. To buy: $6.50 for a 5-ounce box, at gourmet stores and some supermarkets. 07 of 10 Heat-and-Serve Snacks Tom Schierlitz Nancy's Petite QuicheNancy does well by Lorraine: Think smoky bacon, Swiss cheese, fresh chives, and fluffy eggs, all tucked into a delicate crust. To buy: $4.50 for 12 pieces, at supermarkets. 08 of 10 Best Crab Bites Tom Schierlitz Goodwives Hors D'Oeuvres Crab Puff PastryPockets of tender pastry filled with a rich mixture of Atlantic crab, cream cheese, and curry. These will be pinched in no time. To buy: $9 for 10 pieces, at gourmet stores and some supermarkets. 09 of 10 Best Pigs in a Blanket Tom Schierlitz The Perfect Bite Co. Haute Dogs in a BlanketTasters went wee, wee, wee all the way back for seconds (and thirds). These bite-size sausages have that quintessential frankfurter snap. To buy: $12.50 for 10 pieces, at gourmet stores and some supermarkets. 10 of 10 Best Cheese Bites Tom Schierlitz Safeway Select Caramelized Onion & Gorgonzola Pastry PuffsThese flaky tartlets pair luscious blue cheese with sweet golden onions. Virtuous? No. Delicious? Yesss! They're mess-free, too–they bake in their own oven-safe tray. To buy: $6 for 12 pieces, Safeway and Vons. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit