10 Last Minute Appetizers

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Last Minute Appetizers

‘Tis the season for appetizers and charcuterie! Whether you’re heading to a friend’s party, office gathering, or family celebration, appetizers are a must. While it’s wonderful to make something special (see our appetizer recipes here), it’s not always feasible. Busy schedule? No problem! Here are a number of last-minute appetizers that are quick and easy, but sure to please.

1. Local cheddar & honey butter

This easy combo is a co-op staffer favorite. The secret is local, Minnesota-made Velvet Bees honey butter.

  • Take local Milton Creamery’s Prairie Breeze white cheddar and let it come to room temperature.
  • Add honey butter to a ramekin with a butter or cheese knife for shmearing.
  • Include your favorite non-flavored crackers.

Encourage people to top their cracker with a slice of white cheddar and a dollop of honey butter for a sweet-salty-crunchy combo that’s incredibly easy and absolutely scrumptious!

2. Shrimp cocktail

Cooked Shrimp on a Wooden Plate with Cocktail Sauce

The meat and seafood department has cooked, tail-on shrimp available in the freezer and in the service case. If you’re short on time (or don’t like thawing shrimp), ask about their shrimp at the seafood counter and pick up some of their packaged cocktail sauce, too!

3. Gooey brie & jam

Baked Brie Topped with Fig Jam Alongside Crackers

Top your favorite brie with sliced or slivered almonds and bake in the oven at 350° for about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven, move to a serving platter, spread with fig jam, and serve with crackers.

4. Delicious deli spreads

Deli Hummus, Dips, and Crackers

The Lakewinds delis have a variety of scratch-made dips and spreads for you to use as bases for your last-minute appetizers. Selections vary by store, but you’ll find spreads such as hummus, spinach dip, cheese balls, and more. Just grab veggies, crackers, pita chips, or naan, and your appetizer is ready!

5. Fresh veggie tray

If you want to bring a veggie tray but are short on time, we can help.

  • Stop by the produce department for some pre-cut carrots and celery sticks.
  • Next, swing through the refrigerated section and pick out a Baba’s hummus. For extra flavor, you can grab an olive tapenade from the deli or Matiz olivada oil spread from the grocery aisle and mix it into hummus before serving for extra flavor and texture.
  • Pick up some pita bread or Baba’s mini pita puffs and you’re good to go!

If you know a few days prior that you’ll be short on time, you can order a veggie tray from the Lakewinds deli. Call the location where you shop and ask to speak to the deli to order a small or large veggie tray, or any of the other platters made by the deli catering team.

6. Creamy brie bites

Baked Brie Bites in a Muffin Tin

Have a bit more time? This easy appetizer is one of our most popular recipes, using puff pastry, Brie, pecans, and pears, which you’ll slice and cook in brown sugar. It’s a delicious, warm, creamy, flaky appetizer, in perfect bite-size portions. See the recipe for Caramelized Pear and Brie Bites.

7. The ultimate cheese board

Cheese Board with Crackers, Prosciutto, Honey Butter, and More

It takes less time than you think to create a full charcuterie board. Cheese is the star of this show, and it’s fun to have a few different types (shoot for three to five).

  • One or two hard cheeses, such as a local cheddar, local Marieke gouda, a Manchego, or a sweet caramel-like cheese, like Ski Queen Norwegian-style cheese.
  • One or two soft cheeses, such as local Redhead Creamery Little Lucy Brie or Mitica Wooly Wooly sheep cheese.
  • An unexpected cheese, like a St. Pete’s blue or herby cheese such as local LaClare’s garlic and herb chevre.

Add in ramekins with olives, nuts, or the beforementioned honey butter; some salami or other sliced, cured meat; pears or sliced fruit if you like; and crackers of different shapes. See our step-by-step cheese board tips.

8. Toasted, topped baguette

Baguette Slices Topped with Chevre, Honey, and Topped Pistachios

Slice your favorite baguette and heat in an oven at 350° for about 5 minutes, longer if it’s only parbaked. Top with a shmear of chevre, drizzle with honey, and add crushed pistachios or maple pecans for color and crunch.

9. Easy frozen aisle options

Peruse the frozen aisle for appetizers to take and bake or saute. Does the group like global flavors? Buy local Hoya sambusas, which come in packs of 5 in both beef and lentil flavors, or egg rolls and a dipping sauce. You could also pick out dumplings, which are easy to steam and serve. Just follow the directions on the package!

10. Flatbread shortcut

Pizza Topped with Roasted Garlic, Spinach, and Mozzarella Cheese

Everyone loves pizza or flatbread. The Lakewinds deli has pizzas ready to take and bake — slice them into small squares for a quick appetizer. If you’re feeling more hands-on, you could buy scratch-made deli pizza dough and make your own flatbread. Let the dough come to room temperature so it’s easier to roll out, then top with a sauce and your favorite cheese and toppings, such as:

  • Rotisserie chicken, pepperoni, artichokes, and olives.
  • Prosciutto and goat cheese or gorgonzola, garnished with a drizzle of hot honey and topped with fresh arugula.
  • Roasted garlic, spinach, and pine nuts – there are endless possible combos!

 

Gathering with friends, neighbors, and family can be the highlight of the holiday season. When you’re asked to bring an appetizer, it’s great to know there are a plethora of options, including many that are quick and easy.

See more appetizer recipes that are perfect for the holiday when you have a little more time for cooking and prep!