You’re going to love this collection of the best cheesy appetizer recipes, from some of my favorite food bloggers.
Whenever I’m planning a party, I know one thing for sure: if cheese is involved, the appetizers are going to disappear fast!
There’s just something irresistible about bite-sized, gooey, cheesy snacks that makes everyone’s eyes light up.
That’s why I’ve pulled together this collection of truly terrific cheese appetizer recipes. These easy small bites are perfect for everything from casual gatherings to game day parties and elegant celebrations.
They’re fun to make, delicious to eat, and guaranteed to bring people together around the table!
What to Serve with Cheesy Small Bites
These are some of my favorite dips and sauces that complement cheese hors d’oeuvres:
Marinara Sauce – A classic pairing for mozzarella sticks or fried cheese bites, the acidity of the tomatoes balances the richness of the cheese. Pizza sauce is good, too.
Ranch Dressing – Cool, creamy, and herby—perfect with cheesy potato skins, jalapeño popper wontons, or cheese-stuffed pretzels.
Honey Mustard – Sweet and tangy, this sauce complements fried or baked cheesy bites like cheese curds or cheese-stuffed chicken tenders.
Spicy Sriracha Dipping Sauce – A creamy kick of heat that’s great with cheesy egg rolls, nachos, or quesadillas.
Garlic Aioli – This rich, flavorful sauce is great for dipping cheese croquettes, cheesy breadsticks, or baked cheese crackers.
Balsamic Reduction – A drizzle or dip of balsamic glaze adds sweet and tangy depth to baked brie bites, grilled cheese skewers, or cheesy flatbreads.
Mini Cheese Balls on Pretzel Sticks – Happy Simple Living
These mini cheese ball bites with pretzels offer the perfect combination of sweet, savory, and salty. This easy appetizer recipe takes mini cheese balls to a whole new level and covers them with different nuts, fruits, and savory flavors.
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Tater Tot Appetizers with Bacon and Cheese – BENSA Bacon Lovers Society
Made with a layer of melted cheese, crispy tater tots, and crispy bacon, these appetizer bites are bursting with flavor and are super easy to make for the party.
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Tomato and Mozzarella Skewers – Grits and Gouda
Inspired by Caprese salad, this simple appetizer features cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls and basil on skewers. Fresh and easy to make!
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Grilled Cheese Appetizer – Next Level Baker
You may not think of grilled cheese as an appetizer, but it's a delicious and fun one! Cut the gooey grilled cheese sandwiches into halves or fourths and serve them with a dipping sauce for guests to enjoy.
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Chicken Quesadilla Ring – Good Grief Cook
The best game day appetizer is this easy spicy-and-sweet chicken quesadilla ring with a creamy dipping sauce.
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Artichoke Cheese Wonton Wrappers – Happy Simple Living
These crispy wonton cups are filled with a cheesy artichoke filling that guests will love. You can skip the cheesy artichoke dip and chips and serve these cups to give you the same bite sized experience.
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Fried Cheese Bites – Maria’s Mixing Bowl
Fontina and parmesan cheeses get coated with a mix of seasonings and are baked until golden brown and crispy. These bites are easy, delicious, and fun to eat.
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Fried Manchego Cheese – Appetizer Addiction
Fried Manchego cheese tapas. A simple Spanish appetizer that can be prepped ahead of time and fried right before serving! Let guests enjoy the cheesy bites with a flavorful dipping sauce.
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Jalapeno Popper Wontons with Bacon – BENSA Bacon Lovers Society
Inside these crispy wontons you'll find a combination of crispy bacon and cheddar cheese for a delicious appetizer that's satisfying and easy to make.
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Cheesy Feta Puffs – What To Have For Dinner Tonight
With only 4 ingredients needed, these cheesy feta puffs are an appetizer guests won't be able to forget. They come together in just 35 minutes to give you a quick and easy appetizer.
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Garlic and Herb Marinated Bocconcini – Craving Something Healthy
Mini mozzarella cheese balls marinated in olive oil infused with garlic and herbs are cheesy appetizers that your party guests will love. Serve the cheese balls with toothpicks so guests can grab and go.
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Homemade Cheez It Crackers – Happy Simple Living
Bake your own delicious cheese crackers with this easy copycat Cheez It recipe. Oven baked with no additives or preservatives.
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The Best Salsa Cheese Ball Pops – Good Grief Cook
A flavorful mango pineapple salsa mixed with creamy cheese and coated in crunchy tortillas pieces turns into a cheesy appetizer guests won't be able to get enough of.
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Sausage & Cream Cheese Stuffed Mini Bell Peppers – Poppy Trail Table
With the perfect balance of creamy, savory, and sweet flavors in every bite, these stuffed mini bell peppers are a party favorite. The peppers are made with a cheesy sausage filling guests will love.
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Mini Pumpkin Cheese Balls – Happy Simple Living
Cute as a button, these mini pumpkin cheese balls are easy to make for the party. The mini appetizers are made with a cream cheese base, sharp cheddar cheese, green onions, and mix of seasonings.
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Mini Mozzarella Sticks with Jalapeno Ranch Dip – Foodess
Super easy to make, these fried bites of cheesy goodness are perfect for your next party. You can serve them on their own or with a creamy jalapeno ranch dip for guests to enjoy them with.
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Crispy Air Fryer Mac and Cheese Bites – The Air Frying Diva
Breaded macaroni and cheese bites get cooked in the air fryer to make them extra crispy. These bites are a cheesy pasta appetizer that'll go great with your party.
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Mini Quesadillas with Bacon and Jalapeños – BENSA Bacon Lovers Society
The spicy flavors from the jalapenos paired with the gooey cheese and salty bacon turns into a fun and flavorful appetizer you can serve friends and family at the party.
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Jalapeno Cream Cheese Pinwheels – The Sassy Foodie
Soft flour tortillas get stuffed and rolled tight with a savory, cheesy filling packed with briny jalapeños, crisp bell peppers, and crunchy scallions to make a bite size appetizer guests won't be able to get enough of.
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Celery Stuffed with Whipped Feta Spread – Little Nomad’s Recipes
With a whipped feta cheese filling, these celery sticks get a burst of flavor for a quick and easy appetizer you can make for guests to enjoy.
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Bacon Cheddar Mini Quiches – BENSA Bacon Lovers Society
With a flaky phyllo shell and a filling that features crumbled bacon, cheddar cheese and eggs, these mini quiches are bite sized goodies that your party guests will devour. Great for brunch, too!
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Honey Goat Cheese Crostini with Walnuts – The Forked Spoon
Toasted crusty bread gets spread with creamy goat cheese, sweet honey, toasted walnuts, and ruby red pomegranate arils to give you the perfect balance of salty, sweet, and tangy. It comes together in just 15 minutes!
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Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tarts – The Unlikely Baker
Creamy, sweet and savory, these little bites are filled with a 4 cheese filling that's delicious. The crowd-pleasing, buttery tarts are sure to be a hit at your next gathering.
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Bacon Wrapped Halloumi Cheese – Like Hot Keto
Bacon wrapped halloumi cheese is an easy to make appetizer that's crunchy, cheesy, salty and smoky. With delicious flavor in every bite, your party guests will love these!
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Cake Pop Maker Savory Pizza Bites – In The Kitch
Stuffed with your favorite cheesy pizza toppings, these pizza bites are made like cake pops to give you a fun and flavorful party appetizer. Experiment with lots of cheese and your favorite pizza toppings.
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Cheesy Pull Apart Bread – Dutch Oven Daddy
This favorite recipe features dough balls from frozen dinner rolls, creamy Alfredo sauce, garlic butter, and plenty of cheese baked into a luscious, gooey appetizer for your next celebration. Separate the bread bites beforehand or let guests pull the cheesy bread apart and enjoy.
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Bacon Jalapeno Poppers Air Fryer Recipe – BENSA Bacon Lovers Society
This easy appetizer bacon jalapeño poppers feature jalapeno peppers stuffed with cream cheese, cheddar and bacon bits. They're the perfect bite sized appetizer for guests to enjoy and they're made in the air fryer for a quick and easy appetizer.
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Prosciutto-Wrapped Dates with Blue Cheese and Honey – Maple Vine Kitchen
Sweet, salty, and creamy, these prosciutto wrapped dates are filled with a blue cheese mixture and drizzled with honey. The 20 minute appetizer is a delicious addition to any celebration.
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Spicy Southern Cheese Straws – My Cooking Journey
Spicy and fun, these cheese straws are a quick appetizer you can put together. You'll love the blend of Mexican cheese, crushed red peppers, and Italian seasoning.
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Ham Cheese Puff Pastry Pinwheels – The Feathered Nester
Make easy and delicious ham cheese puff pastry pinwheels with flaky pastry, melty cheese, and savory ham. Perfect for parties or holiday gatherings!
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Eliza Cross is the creator of Happy Simple Living, where she shares ideas to help busy people simplify cooking, gardening, holidays, home, and money. She is also the award-winning author of 17 cookbooks, including Small Bites and 101 Things To Do With Bacon.
