35 Cheesy Appetizers That Are Cheesier Than Your Uncle’s Jokes

Nothing starts a party faster than cheesy appetizers. Whether it's a cheese twists, a big bowl of queso, pull-apart cheesy bread, or mozzarella sticks, we can't get enough. Here are 35 to put out at your next shindig.
Photo by Chelsie Craig, styling by Judy Mancini3/35Crispy Cheese Twists
Store-bought puff pastry + shredded cheese = the easiest, flakiest, most irresistible dinner party snack of all time.

Annabel Mehran5/35Roasted-Jalapeño Pimiento Cheese Toasts
Pretty much everyone in the South fights about who’s got the best pimiento cheese recipe. Put the debate to rest.
Laura Murray6/35Bob Armstrong Chile con Queso
A legendary layered dip from Matt’s El Rancho in Austin, Texas, of taco meat, queso, guacamole, sour cream, and pico de gallo.
Alex Lau7/35Cacio e Pepe Chips
Cacio e pepe works on so many things, this chips recipe is just our latest obsession with using the whole flavor combination.
Alex Lau8/35Ham and Cheese Toasties in a Bread Basket
Getting the bread out of the crust is a little tricky for this recipe, but once you do, you’ll be wondering what else you can stuff in there.
Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott9/35Baked Three-Cheese Onion Dip With Chive and Peperoncini
When great dips get together, it’s magic. This recipe boasts all the beauty of a creamy onion dip with the irresistible appeal of queso.
Photo by Laura Murray10/35Savory Palmiers with Parmesan and Black Pepper
These cheesy bites puff in the oven and taste like gougères, aka fancy French cheese puffs, but this recipe makes them way easier.
Alex Lau11/35Mozzarella Sticks
The prep work for this recipe for homemade mozzarella sticks can be done in advance; plus the cook time’s short, making them great for game day—or anytime.
Alex Lau12/35Blue Cheese and Bacon Lettuce Boats
Think of this recipe as your favorite bacony wedge salad reimagined as an additive party snack.
Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott13/35Cheesy Sesame Phyllo Bites
Not feeling the squares in this phyllo bites recipe? Use a pizza cutter to cut crackers into any shape you like!
Danny Kim14/35Everything Spice–Coated Cheddar Cheese Ball
If you have leftover "everything" spice, stir it into Greek yogurt drizzled with olive oil for a savory breakfast.
Peden + Munk15/35Cheese Fondue with Beer and Bourbon
Ah, Babybel cheese, the fancy French chef’s secret weapon for fondue—it keeps the molten mixture from separating, and its unassuming flavor lets the Gruyère shine.
Peden + Munk16/35Marinated Feta with Roasted Lemon
Try this with white beans on toast, in salads, or puréed and spread on pita.
Laura Murray17/35Juicy Lucy Sliders
Magical mini versions of Juicy Lucys, cheese-filled burgers that hail from Minnesota.
Alex Lau18/35Fully Loaded Black Bean Nachos with Red and Green Salsas
You might have more of the salsas than you need; serve them on the side for dipping. This is part of BA's Best, a collection of our essential recipes.

Jake Stangel20/35Pull-Apart Cheesy Garlic Loaf
It can get tricky to hold the bread together when making the second set of cuts. Just do your best and plop any loose pieces back into place.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Pearl Jones, Prop Styling by Dayna Seman21/35Spinach Artichoke Dip
Always a winner.
Dan Monick22/35Halloumi with Cured Olives and Thyme
Halloumi has a firm, squeaky texture and high melting point and tastes like a mild feta cheese. If you can’t find it, look for queso blanco, “grilling cheese,” or bread cheese instead.
Alex Lau25/35Blue Cheese–Pecan Scones
Use a blue cheese that you like to eat and serve these with butter and jam to play up the salty and sweet pairing.
Danny Kim26/35Green Goddess, Pistachio, and Goat Cheese Ball
You want all of your ingredients at room temperature to make sure the mixture is smooth and homogenous.
Oddur Thorisson27/35Gougères
These delicate cheese puffs always impress. Once you get the hang of the dough, you’ll serve them at every opportunity.
Peden + Munk28/35Queso Fundido
If you can find Chihuahua cheese for this, use it! If not, Monterey Jack can be subbed. Not the same, but still crazy good!
Danny Kim29/35Pine Nut and Feta Cheese Ball
Let your cheese ball hang out in the fridge until firm. It will be easier to roll in the nuts.

Alex Lau31/35Grilled Zucchini and Ricotta Flatbread
The only way to make flatbread even better? Grill it.
Hirsheimer & Hamilton32/35Peach and Blue Cheese Toasts
The best blue cheese for this is salty but creamy, not too sharp or funky.
Ben Dewey33/35Green Goddess Whipped Feta Dip
You can replace some of the cilantro or parsley with other tender herbs—basil, dill, chives. Just make sure to include the tarragon; it gives the dip an anise-y, bittersweet punch.
Eva Kolenko34/35Cheese-Stuffed Olives
Pre-dinner snacks serve two purposes: They should be salty enough to encourage cocktail drinking but have enough heft to temper the alcohol’s effects. These deliver on both fronts.
Photo by Alex Lau, Styling by Sue Li35/35Beet and Ricotta Hummus
This bright pink and super creamy hummus is a party showstopper.



