Cold and Room Temp Appetizers For All Parties and Special Events
I got a call from my best friend’s niece the other day – she NEEDED appetizer recipes. Turns out, she had THREE events coming up that she needed cold and/or room temp snacks for.
She had a potluck at work, a gift exchange Holiday party AND she was hosting a cocktail party at her house for her annual get-together with college friends. Below are the appetizer recipes I recommended.
Updated on December 13, 2024
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I don’t care what time of year it is – Christmas, Fall or Summer – cold and room temperature appetizers are a staple whenever you’re entertaining.
I keep a recipe book that has a long list that is ONLY cold appetizers and one for room temperature appetizers to I never stress out when I need to figure out what to serve.
Below are some impressive and elegant appetizers plus some really simple make ahead types of party food that are all room temp and or cold.
Many of the appetizer recipes below travel well also – however some aren’t so portable and are best to make and serve at home or your party venue.
Cold Appetizers
The party foods below are finger foods, appetizers and dips that can be served cold - many are totally ok at room temperature too!
Cucumber pinwheels, or cucumber and cream cheese sandwich rolls, are always a huge hit, no matter where or when you serve them. Great for picnics, bbqs, school or work packed lunches, afternoon tea or even a light dinner!
Muhammara is a creamy roasted red pepper and walnut dip that’s full of flavor. Serve it with pita chips or vegetables for an easy yet unexpected make-ahead appetizer.
Elegant and yummy, these strawberry bites are super simple to make and everyone LOVES them!
Marinated Cheese and Olives make a great appetizer or snack. It is so easy to throw together, but it’s perfect for serving at a party because it feels just a little fancy. Low carb and keto-friendly, too!
Charcuterie Skewers are a fun twist on charcuterie boards, are simple to prepare and even easier to serve and eat. These appetizer skewers will pair beautifully with your favorite holiday appetizers at your next party or gathering.
Swap the storebought dip for this 5-minute Cold Artichoke and Jalapeño Dip instead! It’s deliciously creamy and has a spicy and briny flavor profile that your guests will love. Serve it at parties, on game day, or enjoy it for some late night snacking!
This creamy cold artificial crab dip with mayo is easy to make in 10 minutes without breaking the bank using just a few simple ingredients.
Colorful veggies on top of creamy hummus and fluffy whipped feta cheese. Pair it with crunchy pita chips and treat yourself to an ultra-refreshing appetizer!
These Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates are a fancy finger food your guests will drool over at your next party! They're sweet, savory, creamy, crunchy...everything you want from a one bite appetizer! If you've never had a medjool date stuffed with goat cheese, you have been missing out! They're a holiday favorite and can be made in advance!
These cute and easy appetizer cups are filled with hummus, cucumber, and tomato. Perfect for easy entertaining!
I found this recipe on Pinterest while looking for something to bring to a party. I used to make a different mexi-layer dip, but this was far superior! Now when I am invited to a potluck party, this is the dish everyone requests. People just can’t stop themselves!
Strawberry Goat Cheese Bruschetta is juicy, fruity and tangy all in one bite. Toasted crostini is layered with soft goat cheese, sweet strawberries, sticky balsamic glaze and fresh basil leaves. The perfect appetizer recipe for all parties!
These Mini Cubano Sandwich Skewers are a fun bite-sized appetizer our guests will love dipping into! Best of all, they can be made in advance and can be served cold!
Room Temp Apps
So many have asked me specifically about the best ROOM TEMPERATURE appetizers to serve. So I got out my trusty party food notebook (yes, I'm old school haha!) and gathered my favorite room temp finger foods, appetizers and dips we've served over the past months of book club gatherings.
Gougères are classic French cheese puffs that make a great snack or canapé. They are essentially a savory choux pastry, with cheese added into the mixture. Then you bake them up to crisp, light deliciousness. Perfect for parties when you want some room temp finger foods to set out.
Finger sandwiches can be a wonderful room temperature finger food to add to your party food table - there's SO many recipes to choose from - mix and match the recipes for party platter that will be everyone!
Let’s make Cowgirl Caviar dip!
I know, it’s really called CowBOY Caviar or Texas Caviar, but this recipe version is LAZY easy fast and simple.
If you can open a can, you can make this simple salsa-like dip recipe in MINUTES!
Yummy EASY seasoned oyster cracker recipes – Whether you’re hosting a gathering or just need quick and easy room temperature snacks for a party, seasoned crackers like firecracker crackers or ranch oyster crackers are guaranteed hits.
Room temp party food doesn’t get any easier than adding all the antipasto toppings like olives, pickled veggies, artichokes, pepperoncini, salami, salami, prosciutto, pasta, and mozzarella balls to a big pile of lettuce for an Italian salad everyone will love.
This creamy dill pickle hummus recipe is a wonderfully tangy take on classic hummus. It has a big pickle flavor and that smooth texture you love and expect from hummus. Make it quickly and easily right in your food processor for the perfect no-cook dip to serve at room temp with pita chips.
The surprisingly delicious pasta chips are crunchy with a salty flavor that’s not too much (kinda taste like potato chips) and perfect to leave out and munch on during any get together.
Perfect in their simplicity, these lovely cucumber sandwiches are a delightful addition to any lunch or tea party. Crisp cucumber and creamy dill-flavored cream cheese sandwiched between fresh pieces of bread make you think you are dining in high society.
A quick and easy appetizer to set out, this red pepper jelly cream cheese dip takes just minutes to make! Made with whipped goat cheese, cream cheese, lemon zest and a hint of rosemary. Serve with crackers, celery or crostini.
Simple room temp charcuterie-style snack boards are not only wonderful snacks to set out at room temp, they're also really pretty!
The best seasoned crackers recipes for easy party snacks! 19 super simple homemade snack crackers with so many yummy seasonings! From everything bagel, chex mix and seasoned saltines to spicy firecracker, savory Ritz and ranch seasoned crackers recipes to make for your next get together.
Hummus bites make the perfect room temp finger food and are a healthy snack too. This appetizer recipe can be added to or changed up a bunch of different ways.
Pickle Roll Ups with ham are so easy to make in 10 minutes using just 3 ingredients. Deli ham with a layer of cream cheese, all rolled around a dill pickle is really the perfect appetizer.
These delicious Veggie Pizza Roll Ups are SO good and yep, really pretty to look at. Best of all, super easy to make!
Just assemble the few ingredients and wrap the night before, then slice and serve.
These little bite size "pickle dip cups" are bites of heaven... in a cup!
1 c plain greek yogurt
4oz cream cheese
1/4 c parmesan cheese, grated
1/4 tsp of each: garlic powder, pepper, smoked paprika
1 c dill pickles, finely chopped
1/2 c ham, chopped
Phyllo shells
Chopped chives
Preheat oven to 375°F, line a mini muffin tin with phyllo cups or a baking sheet if they don’t fit.
In a medium bowl mix together Greek yogurt, cream cheese, parmesan & seasonings until smooth.
Then add pickles & ham, mix until fully combined.
Fill each phyllo cup with a spoonful of dip, bake for 15 minutes until edges are golden brown/dip is hot. Let cool, slightly, garnish with chopped chives & enjoy!
Lots more Phyllo Cup Recipes here.
You can see this specific recipe on Instagram here:
Need cheap and easy party food ideas? Check out this BIG list of make ahead party food platters for a crowd.
All my favorite bite size party sandwiches, pinwheel roll up appetizers, charcuterie boards and fruit, veggies, cheese and cracker trays with dips on one page – YAY!
More Cold Party Food:
