The internet makes it easier than ever to try a new recipe, but let’s be honest: Sometimes we just want to stick with classic foods we already know like the back of our hand. And while there are certainly more original appetizers out there, plenty of old standbys still make our taste buds sing.
Here are several to consider serving at your next family dinner.
Deviled Eggs
Is there a more enduring appetizer than deviled eggs? Whether you like them with the traditional smattering of paprika or fancied up in any number of ways, there’s a reason that this classic of the ’60s and ’70s will simply never die.
Recipe: Nielsen Massey
French Onion Dip
French onion dip began its iconic existence in the 1950s as California Dip, promoted relentlessly by Lipton, maker of the onion soup that was the dip’s star ingredient. And frankly, there’s nothing else we’d rather sink our potato chips into on game day or, well, any day.
Recipe: The Pioneer Woman
Sausage Balls
Particularly popular in the South, sausage balls have been a staple on holiday tables for decades. While there are endless variations, we’re a fan of the most basic, three-ingredient version: a simple mix of sausage, cheddar cheese, and Bisquick.
Recipe: South Your Mouth
Pigs in a Blanket
There aren’t a lot of appetizers with their own national holiday, but pigs in a blanket have indeed achieved that honor (mark your calendars: It’s April 24). First popularized in the late ’50s, this kid-friendly treat is still a favorite of many grownups, too. Count us among them.
Recipe: Pillsbury
Oysters Rockefeller
Ever since it was invented in New Orleans in 1899, oysters Rockefeller has been a mouth-watering staple at white-tablecloth restaurants and a reliable way to wow family and friends. Trivia for your next dinner party: The dish owes its existence to a shortage of French snails.
Recipe: What’s Cooking America
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Pinwheels
This party-platter standby has taken many forms over the years, but one of its most dubious may have been this ham and peas mashup from the late 1940s. Today’s less-involved concoctions involve cream cheese, ranch dressing mix, cheddar, and green onions.
Recipe: Allrecipes
Swedish Meatballs
Nevermind that Swedish meatballs are actually Turkish — wherever they come from, they’ve been one of our favorite appetizers for decades, especially because they’re so easy to make and keep warm in a slow cooker. Lingonberry jam or barbecue sauce is just a bonus.
Recipe: Pillsbury
Bacon-Wrapped Dates
You may know this “minor British institution” as devils on horseback, but whatever you call bacon-wrapped dates, they’re the ultimate combination of savory and sweet. They’re a close cousin of another famous retro appetizer, rumaki, which subs the dates for chicken liver.
Recipe: Allrecipes
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Fondue
Few other appetizers can claim the cult-like following of fondue, which spawned countless ’70s house parties solely for the purpose of dipping and swirling hunks of bread in delectable melted cheese. Make it a full meal by serving meat fondue and chocolate fondue, too.
Recipe: Betty Crocker
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Clams Casino
Thought to have originated in Rhode Island, clams casino can still be found all over New England at seafood shacks, high-end Italian restaurants and steakhouses, and everything in between. The decadence of bacon, bread crumbs, and bacon make them just as tasty as they are fancy.
Recipe: Fine Cooking
Pimento Cheese
If you live in the South, you’ve probably been slathering pimento cheese on crackers and veggies for decades. A mix of cheddar, cream cheese, mayonnaise, peppers, and seasonings, this longtime favorite actually originated in — clutch those pearls — New York.
Recipe: Once Upon a Chef
Shrimp Cocktail
Sure, shrimp cocktail’s heyday may have long passed, but the appetizer has had such enduring popularity that we’re not even sure if it qualifies as “old school.” To make it as retro as possible, grab those martini glasses for a presentation that would please any ’50s or ’60s-era hostess.
Recipe: Bon Appetit
Chex Mix
A throwback to the ’50s, Chex Mix keeps popping up at family functions because it’s simple, kid-friendly, and most of all, delicious. The internet is also home to dozens of variations, both sweet and savory, but we say you can’t beat the classic version with nuts, pretzels, bagel chips, and garlic and onion powder.
Recipe: Chex
Potato Skins
Few recipes have quite made the leap from restaurant darling to family favorite as well as potato skins. TGI Friday’s claims to have pioneered the appetizer back in the ‘70s, and while you can buy them pre-made in all their cheesy, bacon-studded glory in the grocery’s freezer section, homemade is still best — isn’t it always?
Recipe: Simply Recipes
Watermelon Salad
We remember watermelon salad, made with mint, feta, and onions, showing up at practically every summer cookout. After all, it was refreshing and refreshingly easy — and it sure looked colorful on the table. Bonus points if you unearth your ancient melon baller to make it even prettier.
Recipe: Delish
Cheeseball
Ah, cheeseball. To know it is to love it, even if it looks a little bit different to everyone. This darling of mid-century parties is endlessly versatile, with dozens of both sweet and savory versions floating around the internet. Our favorite: A simple combination of cream cheese, dried beef, and green onions.
Recipe: Allrecipes
Stuffed Celery
Practically everyone is familiar with ants on a log, or slathering celery with peanut butter and raisins in an effort to get your kid to eat something — anything — green. But long before this lunchbox staple was popular, its grownup counterpart was a popular appetizer, usually featuring a mixture of cream cheese, olives, garlic, and other seasonings.
Recipe: Allrecipes
Spinach Dip in a Bread Bowl
If your time machine drops you off in the 1980s, chances are it won’t take long to find a bread bowl. It might have been filled with a chowder or bisque of some kind, but for family gatherings, putting some sort of creamy spinach dip inside was an easy way to please the masses.
Recipe: Taste of Home
Chicken Liver Paté
Liver may have fallen out of favor in recent years, but it was a mid-century staple in many homes. Impress your guests with one of the easiest, tastiest, still-impressive ways to enjoy it: paté. We just suggest steering clear of any recipes involving gelatin.
Recipe: Allrecipes
Seven-Layer Dip
This staple of Super Bowl parties and casual family cookouts has retained its popularity since exploding onto the appetizer scene in the early ’80s. And really, why not: You get to plunge your tortilla chips into layers of sour cream, refried beans, cheese, salsa, and various veggies, depending on the recipe. We think we’ll keep it around for another four decades.
Recipe: McCormick
Cheese Straws
Another Southern standby, cheese straws are particularly dangerous addition to the appetizer table because it’s easy to scarf down a half-dozen of them without even realizing it. Cheddar may still reign supreme as the most classic version of a classic recipe, but you can also try parmesan, blue cheese, or any other variety that strikes your fancy.
Recipe: Food and Wine
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