Throwing a party doesn’t have to empty your wallet—especially when it comes to the food!
You don’t need to spend a fortune to impress your guests or keep everyone happily munching away.
With the right budget-friendly appetizers, you can serve up a delicious spread without stretching your grocery bill.
If you’re anything like me, you love hosting but don’t want to stress over pricey ingredients or complicated recipes.
I want my guests to enjoy every bite, but I also want to actually enjoy the party instead of being stuck in the kitchen the whole time.
That’s why I’ve rounded up some cheap yet delicious appetizers that bring plenty of flavor and fun to the table. T
hese aren’t just fillers—they’re the kind of easy, crowd-pleasing bites that disappear fast because people keep going back for seconds (and thirds).
If you’re throwing a casual get-together, a game day party, or a holiday celebration, these budget-friendly ideas will make sure your guests are well-fed without breaking the bank.
1. Deviled Eggs
Boil a dozen eggs, peel them, and slice them in half.
Scoop out the yolks and mash them up with mayo, a squirt of mustard, a little salt, and pepper.
Spoon the filling back into the egg whites or use a plastic bag with the corner snipped off if you’re feeling fancy.
Sprinkle a little paprika on top and you’re good to go.
2. Veggie Platter With Ranch Dip
Chop up whatever veggies you’ve got—carrots, cucumbers, bell peppers, and celery work great.
Pile them onto a big plate or tray, keeping the colors mixed up so it looks fun.
Pop a bowl of ranch dressing in the middle for easy dipping.
If you want to make it look even nicer, throw in some cherry tomatoes for a pop of color.
3. Chips And Salsa
Dump a bag of tortilla chips into a big bowl.
Open a jar of salsa (or make your own with diced tomatoes, onion, cilantro, and lime juice if you’re feeling ambitious).
Put the salsa in a smaller bowl and set it beside the chips.
If you’ve got guac or sour cream lying around, add those to the table too.
4. Tortilla Roll-Ups
Spread cream cheese all over a tortilla, then layer on some deli meat and spinach or lettuce.
Roll it up tight like a burrito and slice it into little rounds.
Stick a toothpick in each one to hold them together if you want.
Arrange them on a plate and watch them disappear.
5. Popcorn
Pop a big batch of popcorn on the stove or in the microwave—whatever’s easiest.
Melt a little butter and drizzle it on top, then sprinkle on some salt.
If you want to mix things up, shake in a little garlic powder or grated Parmesan.
Pour it all into a big bowl and set it out for snacking.
6. Cheese Cubes And Crackers
Grab a block of cheese (cheddar is always a win) and cut it into bite-sized cubes.
Lay out your favorite crackers on a tray and pop a cube of cheese on each one, or just pile them up side by side.
If you’ve got pepperoni or salami slices, toss those on the tray too.
Zero cooking, all snacking!
7. Bruschetta
Dice up fresh tomatoes and mix them with a little olive oil, minced garlic, chopped basil, salt, and pepper.
Spoon that mix onto slices of toasted baguette.
If you’ve got balsamic glaze hanging around, drizzle a little on top.
It’s fresh, easy, and looks kind of fancy without much effort.
8. Mini Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Make a few grilled cheese sandwiches just like you normally would.
Once they cool for a couple of minutes, cut each one into quarters.
Stack them up on a plate and add a little bowl of tomato soup or marinara for dipping if you feel like it.
9. Pretzels With Mustard Dip
Pour a bag of mini pretzels into a big bowl.
Squirt some mustard into a small dish—yellow mustard works fine, but honey mustard is great too.
If you’ve got cheese dip, toss that out there as well.
10. Cucumber Slices With Cream Cheese
Slice a cucumber into thick rounds, about half an inch works.
Spread each slice with a little whipped cream cheese.
Sprinkle on some everything bagel seasoning or fresh dill if you’ve got it.
They’re crunchy, creamy, and super easy to make ahead.
11. Stuffed Mini Bell Peppers
Slice mini bell peppers in half and scoop out the seeds.
Fill them with a mix of cream cheese, shredded cheese, and a pinch of garlic powder.
Pop them in the oven at 375°F for about 10 minutes, just until they’re warm and melty.
12. Hummus With Pita Chips
Scoop some store-bought hummus into a bowl and drizzle a little olive oil on top.
If you’re feeling fancy, add a sprinkle of paprika or sesame seeds.
Serve it with pita chips or cut up some pita bread into triangles.
It’s one of those snacks that feels healthy but still tastes great.
13. Fruit Skewers
Grab whatever fruit you have—grapes, pineapple, strawberries—and chop them into bite-sized pieces if needed.
Thread them onto wooden skewers, mixing up the colors to make them look fun.
Lay them out on a platter and you’re done!
14. Nachos With Melted Cheese
Spread tortilla chips on a baking sheet and sprinkle shredded cheese over the top.
Pop them in the oven at 350°F for about 5-7 minutes, just until the cheese melts.
You can add jalapeños, olives, or salsa if you want to fancy them up a little.
Serve them hot with sour cream or guac on the side.
15. Garlic Breadsticks
Grab a can of refrigerated breadstick dough and unroll it.
Brush each piece with melted butter mixed with garlic powder and a little parsley.
Bake according to the directions on the package, usually about 10-12 minutes.
Serve them warm with a side of marinara sauce for dipping.
16. Quesadillas Cut Into Wedges
Sprinkle shredded cheese over half of a tortilla, fold it in half, and cook it in a skillet until it’s golden and melty.
Once it’s done, cut it into little wedges.
Stack them on a plate and put out some salsa or sour cream for dipping.
They’re gooey, crispy, and totally addictive.
17. Marinated Olives
Drain a jar of olives (any kind you like) and toss them in a bowl with olive oil, a little garlic, lemon zest, and a pinch of red pepper flakes.
Let them hang out for an hour or two so they soak up the flavor.
Serve them in a small dish with toothpicks.
18. Cold Pasta Salad Cups
Boil up some pasta—rotini or penne works great—then rinse it with cold water to cool it down.
Toss it with Italian dressing, cherry tomatoes, and shredded mozzarella or Parmesan.
Spoon it into little cups for easy grab-and-go servings. It’s light, tasty, and you can make it ahead of time.
19. Cheese And Pepperoni On Crackers
Lay out a bunch of crackers on a tray.
Top each one with a slice of cheese and a piece of pepperoni.
Bake them if you want a warm appetizer!
20. Ranch-Seasoned Oyster Crackers
Pour a bag of oyster crackers into a big bowl.
Toss them with a packet of ranch seasoning and a couple tablespoons of oil until they’re coated.
Spread them on a baking sheet and bake at 250°F for about 15-20 minutes.
Let them cool before serving—they’re crunchy, salty, and totally snackable.
21. Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
Chop a head of cauliflower into bite-sized pieces.
Toss them in buffalo sauce (you can buy it bottled) and bake at 400°F for about 20 minutes until they’re tender with crispy edges.
Serve them up with a little ranch or blue cheese dressing on the side.
Spicy, tangy, and totally satisfying.
22. Zucchini Fries
Slice zucchini into thin sticks.
Dip them in flour, then beaten eggs, and roll them in breadcrumbs.
Bake at 425°F for about 20 minutes until they’re golden and crispy.
Serve with marinara sauce or ranch for dunking.
23. Cheesy Garlic Knots
Grab a tube of refrigerated pizza dough and cut it into strips.
Tie each strip into a knot and brush them with melted butter mixed with garlic powder.
Bake at 400°F for about 10-12 minutes, then sprinkle with Parmesan before serving.
They’re warm, fluffy, and perfect for pulling apart.
24. Frozen Spring Rolls With Dipping Sauce
Pop frozen spring rolls onto a baking sheet and cook them according to the package instructions.
Serve them hot with sweet chili sauce or soy sauce on the side.
If you want to make them bite-sized, cut them in half after they cool for a couple of minutes.
25. Jalapeño Poppers
Slice jalapeños in half and scoop out the seeds (wear gloves if you can!).
Fill each one with cream cheese and top with shredded cheddar.
Bake at 375°F for about 15-20 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
They’ve got just the right mix of creamy and spicy.
26. Bagel Chips With Cream Cheese Spread
Pour a bag of bagel chips into a serving bowl or spread them out on a plate.
Scoop whipped cream cheese into a smaller bowl—plain works, or mix in some chives or garlic powder for extra flavor.
Set them out together and let people scoop or spread as they go.
27. Roasted Chickpeas
Drain and rinse a can of chickpeas, then pat them dry with a paper towel.
Toss them with olive oil, a pinch of salt, and whatever spices you like—paprika or garlic powder works great.
Bake at 400°F for about 30-40 minutes until they’re crispy.
Let them cool before serving so they keep that crunch.
28. Canned Tuna On Crackers
Mix a can of tuna with a spoonful of mayo and a squeeze of mustard if you’ve got it.
Spoon little dollops onto your favorite crackers.
Top with a slice of cucumber or a sprinkle of pepper if you want to dress them up.
29. Cheese-Stuffed Celery Sticks
Slice celery sticks into 3-4 inch pieces.
Fill the groove with cream cheese—whipped cream cheese makes it super easy to spread.
Sprinkle on some everything bagel seasoning or chopped green onions.
It’s a crunchy, creamy snack that’s done in minutes.
30. Apple Slices With Peanut Butter
Slice up a few apples and arrange them on a plate.
Serve with a small bowl of peanut butter for dipping, or spread the peanut butter directly onto the slices if you prefer.
Sprinkle a little cinnamon on top if you’re feeling fancy.
More Cheap Appetizer Ideas
We’re not done!
Here are some more cheap appetizer ideas that are quick to throw together, super budget-friendly, and perfect for feeding a crowd without a lot of effort.
- Grilled Veggie Skewers: Thread chunks of zucchini, bell peppers, and mushrooms onto skewers, brush with olive oil, and grill until tender.
- Mashed Potato Balls: Roll leftover mashed potatoes into balls, coat in breadcrumbs, and bake at 400°F until crispy.
- Spinach And Artichoke Dip With Crackers: Mix frozen spinach, canned artichokes, cream cheese, and Parmesan, then bake until hot and bubbly—serve with crackers or bread.
- Mini Flatbread Pizzas: Top naan or pita bread with marinara and shredded mozzarella, then bake at 375°F for 10 minutes and cut into small slices.
- Roasted Potatoes On Skewers: Toss baby potatoes in olive oil and seasoning, roast until crispy, and thread them onto skewers for easy serving.
- Soft Pretzel Bites: Cut refrigerated pizza dough into bite-sized pieces, boil briefly in baking soda water, then bake until golden and serve with mustard.
- Chicken Nuggets With Dipping Sauce: Bake a batch of frozen chicken nuggets and serve them with ranch, BBQ sauce, or honey mustard.
- Cream Cheese And Jelly Dip With Crackers: Spread cream cheese on a plate, pour over your favorite jelly or pepper jelly, and serve with crackers.
- Cranberry Cream Cheese Pinwheels: Spread cream cheese on tortillas, sprinkle with dried cranberries and chopped spinach, roll up tightly, and slice into pinwheels.
- Frozen Mozzarella Sticks: Bake frozen mozzarella sticks according to the package and serve them hot with marinara sauce.
- Sweet Potato Fries: Slice sweet potatoes into thin strips, toss with oil and seasoning, and bake at 425°F until crispy.
- Apple And Cheese Slices: Arrange slices of crisp apples and cheddar cheese on a plate for a sweet and savory combo.
- Ham And Cheese Sliders: Layer ham and Swiss on mini buns, brush with melted butter and mustard, then bake at 350°F for 10-15 minutes.
- Turkey Pinwheels: Spread cream cheese on tortillas, layer with turkey slices and spinach, roll them up, and slice into pinwheels.
- Canned Bean Salad: Toss canned beans (rinsed and drained) with olive oil, vinegar, diced peppers, and onions for a quick salad.
- Pickle Roll-Ups: Spread cream cheese on slices of ham, wrap them around pickles, and slice into bite-sized rounds.
- Cucumber Sandwiches: Spread cream cheese on slices of bread, top with thin cucumber slices, and cut off the crusts before slicing into quarters.
- Grape And Cheese Skewers: Thread grapes and cubes of cheddar cheese onto toothpicks for a simple grab-and-go snack.
- Carrot Sticks With Hummus: Cut carrots into sticks and serve them with a bowl of hummus for dipping.
- Chocolate-Covered Pretzels: Dip pretzel rods into melted chocolate, lay them on parchment paper to set, and sprinkle with crushed nuts or sprinkles if you like.
You really don’t have to get fancy to put together a party spread that everyone loves. A few simple ingredients and a little time are all it takes to pull off some seriously tasty appetizers!
Easy, Cheap Appetizers That Keep the Party Going
You don’t need a fancy menu or a big budget to throw a fun get-together.
These easy and affordable appetizers are proof that simple can still be seriously tasty.
Whether you’re feeding a crowd or keeping it casual with a few friends, these snacks are quick to make and easy to love.
Grab your favorite picks from the list, and you’ll be party-ready in no time!
