Budget-friendly appetizers that are sure to impress
While hosting holiday festivities can be a bit stressful, they are also an excellent way to bring together family and friends. We don’t know about you, but often the appetizers are what take the spotlight for us. After all, they set the tone for the entire meal and allow people to mingle, chat and eat while the main meal is being lovingly prepared. While appetizers are essential, they don’t have to break the bank to be memorable. We have collected some of our favorite budget-friendly appetizers for you to share with family and friends this holiday season.
Honey & Butter Glazed Pretzel Bites
If you’ve ever visited the busy streets of New York City, you know that they take a couple of things very seriously; street food is one of them. There is no food more quintessentially New York than pretzels. This appetizer recipe takes the classic New York pretzel and makes it classy by creating bite-sized appetizers that can be customized in any number of ways. They are a super budget-friendly appetizer, too. Not only do the bites utilize what is generally stocked in your pantry anyway, but any ingredients you are missing are usually cheap and easily accessible.
The garbanzo bean, sometimes called chickpeas, are all the rage lately. Not only are they super-healthy and easily accessible, but they can be utilized in a variety of different ways. For a budget-friendly appetizer, drizzle the canned beans with olive oil and spices and let them roast away in the oven. The result is a snack mix that your guests will go crazy over. A can of the garbanzo beans can often be purchased for under $1, but if you are feeding a crowd, you’ll want multiple cans. Even if you are feeding a large group you’ll be able to produce a heavy dose of these appetizers for under $5.
Mini pizzas are always a hit because everyone loves pizza. To make these acceptable as an appetizer, you can create mini pizza balls that utilize store-bought pizza dough (or you can make your own) and whatever leftover toppings you have in your fridge. You can throw in peppers, onions, fresh tomatoes, and your choice of grated cheese. Fully customizable, and relatively cheap, your guests, both young and old, will love these budget-friendly appetizers.
There is nothing not to like about shredded potatoes and onion that is fried to a golden-brown color. You can turn these into budget-friendly appetizers by frying them up into mini, bite-sized flavor bombs. Traditionally they should be served straight out of the oil, but you can keep them warm in the oven to keep them crispy. Serve them with applesauce or sour cream for dipping. These appetizers are particularly budget-friendly because they utilize ingredients that you are very likely to have on hand.
There is a reason that this staple appetizer has stuck around for so many years. They are cheap, easy to prepare in advance and delicious. Deviled eggs can be made creative by swapping in different spices if you are feeling adventurous, but the traditional deviled egg is always a big hit at family gatherings. For under $5 you can make enough deviled eggs to feed a family. For most groups, a dozen eggs, however, will do the trick.
If you are feeding a crowd, there is no more cost-effective way to do it than a dip. Buffalo chicken dip is a hardy recipe that will please even the pickiest of eaters, and it can all be prepared in an Instant Pot or a Crockpot. The dip is relatively cheap to make, too, considering how much you get when all is said and done.
Now that you have some fantastic, budget-friendly appetizers to make for your holiday meal, it is time to get planning and shopping. Remember, to maximize your savings, plan ahead, make a list of the items you’ll need, and avoid overcooking and over shopping. We hope you enjoy your holiday with these great budget-friendly appetizers!
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