3 Minute Easy Appetizers

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Van’s Foods. The opinions and text are all mine.

Let’s get real friends. When I’m getting ready to have a party I have a gazillion other things to do other than spend hours in the kitchen on hors d’oeuvres, am I right? I’m running around straightening up, stashing things in the closet (did I just say that out loud?), getting dressed, etc. So therefore, I’m all about easy appetizers.

Apps that take 5 minutes or less are my happy place.

I’ve gathered up easy appetizers over the years that do not sacrifice taste or presentation and they also won’t sacrifice your precious time.

You with me? Good, I thought so. 😉

The easy appetizers I’m sharing today all start with Van’s Dry Goods Lots of Everything Crackers. Where are my everything bagel fans? These are for you! Even if you’re not an everything bagel fan, these are for you too! Every bite sized cracker packs an amazing burst of flavor that is so satisfying, with an appetizer recipe or just on their own. They’re made from fresh simple ingredients, whole grains, are gluten free and very nutrient-dense so they make a perfect snack.

Hopefully it goes without saying that they are delightful served with any kind of cheese (the yin to crackers’ yang) so these are some of my favorite pairings when I want to go beyond cheese and crackers.

Italian Party Mix

Ingredients

1 box Van’s Dry Goods Lots of Everything Crackers
¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon dried basil

Directions

Add all ingredients to large bowl; toss together and serve.

Cream Cheese & Hot Pepper Jelly Spread

Ingredients

1 package cream cheese
½ jar hot pepper jelly
Van’s Dry Goods Lots of Everything Crackers

Directions

Spread cream cheese into a bowl, creating an even layer.
Spoon hot pepper jelly on top of cream cheese.

Serve with crackers.

Everything Party Mix

Ingredients

½ cup Van’s Dry Goods Lots of Everything Crackers
½ cup rice cereal
½ cup pretzels
½ cup honey roasted peanuts

Directions

Toss all ingredients together and serve.

Caprese Bites

Ingredients

Fresh mozzarella
Small basil leaves
Cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
Van’s Dry Goods Lots of Everything Crackers

Directions

Cut fresh mozzarella into small cubes and place on crackers
Pick the small basil leaves from the top of a basil plant and lay on top of mozzarella.
Slice cherry tomatoes in half and place half on top of basil.