Dinner Who? These 17 Appetizers Are More Than Enough

Sometimes dinner just feels like too much. The cleanup, the planning, the pretending you’re not going to eat standing over the counter anyway. That’s where these appetizers come in. They bring the flavor and comfort of a real meal without all the formality.

From crispy wings to cheesy arepas, and spicy bites that make you forget what you were even planning to cook, these 17 appetizers hold their own. Make one, make three, or turn the whole spread into dinner. No one’s going to miss the main course.

A plate of white rice topped with battered shrimp in a creamy orange sauce, garnished with chopped tomatoes and green onions, with chopsticks on the side.

Bang Bang Shrimp

Sweet, spicy, and creamy all at once, Bang Bang Shrimp is one of those appetizers that disappears fast. Crispy shrimp are tossed in a tangy mayo-chile sauce that clings to every bite. It’s the kind of dish that turns “just a snack” into dinner before you even realize it.
Get the Recipe: Bang Bang Shrimp

Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers

These Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers have everything going for them—crispy bacon, creamy filling, and just enough heat to keep things interesting. They’re the kind of snack that people keep circling back to. Good luck making enough for everyone.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers

Bacon wrapped jalapenos on a white plate. — Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Chicken 65

Bold, spicy, and deeply satisfying, Chicken 65 is one of those dishes that wakes up the table. The chicken is fried until crisp, then tossed in a fiery mix of chiles, curry leaves, and garlic. It’s fast, flavorful, and exactly what you want when you’re skipping dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chicken 65

Air Fryer BBQ Wings

Sticky, smoky, and perfectly crisp, these Air Fryer BBQ Wings are the definition of easy satisfaction. The air fryer makes the skin shatteringly crisp while keeping the meat juicy. Toss them in your favorite BBQ sauce and call it dinner—you won’t hear complaints.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer BBQ Wings

Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings

These Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings deliver that addictive crunch and hit of heat you usually only get from your favorite takeout spot. Garlic, chiles, and a quick toss of salt bring big flavor with minimal effort. It’s impossible to stop at one.
Get the Recipe: Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings

Basket of fried chicken with chilies and garlic. — Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Chicken Karaage

Japanese-style fried chicken at its best—crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and seasoned just right. Chicken Karaage is pure comfort food, made for snacking with cold beer or piling onto a platter for friends who refuse to leave.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Karaage

Overhead shot of karaage chicken with noodles on the side. — Chicken Karaage. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Samosas

Crispy pastry wrapped around spiced potatoes and peas—Samosas are the definition of a satisfying bite. They’re as good straight from the fryer as they are at room temperature, which makes them perfect for sharing (or hoarding).
Get the Recipe: Samosas

Low angle shot of a samosa cut in half so that you can see the potato filling inside. — Samosas. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Air Fryer Empanadas

Flaky, golden, and stuffed with savory filling, these Air Fryer Empanadas come out crisp without ever touching oil. They’re portable, satisfying, and guaranteed to disappear faster than you can say “second batch.”
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Empanadas

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A hand holding a n empanada that is broken open so you can see the inside filling. — Air Fryer Empanadas. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Thai Fish Cakes

Fragrant, crispy Thai Fish Cakes bring a punch of lemongrass, curry paste, and fresh herbs in every bite. They’re quick to make and even quicker to vanish—especially with a side of spicy dipping sauce.
Get the Recipe: Thai Fish Cakes

Har Gow

Har Gow are delicate shrimp dumplings with translucent wrappers that hide a burst of flavor inside. They’re a little work to make but completely worth it—and far fresher than anything you’ll find in a takeout box.
Get the Recipe: Har Gow

Instant Pot Spare Ribs

Tender, sticky, and glazed with hoisin, these Instant Pot Spare Ribs taste like they came from a restaurant kitchen. The pressure cooker does all the work, and you get all the credit.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Spare Ribs

Low angle, closeup shot of spare ribs with hoisin glaze. — Instant Pot Spare Ribs. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Fried Pork and Shrimp Wontons

Crunchy on the outside, rich on the inside, Fried Pork and Shrimp Wontons are the ultimate party food. Each bite hits with savory filling and that satisfying crunch that keeps you reaching for one more.
Get the Recipe: Fried Pork and Shrimp Wontons

Fried wontons on a black plate with dipping sauce. — Fried Pork and Shrimp Wontons. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Arepas con Queso

Cheesy, crispy-edged, and soft in the middle, Arepas con Queso are as comforting as food gets. They’re easy to customize and even easier to love—whether you eat them plain or stuffed with more cheese.
Get the Recipe: Arepas con Queso

Close up shot of an arepa con queso split open to show the cheesy filling. — Arepas con Queso. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Whipped Feta Spread

Whipped Feta Spread takes about five minutes to make and somehow tastes like you tried much harder. It’s creamy, salty, and pairs with everything from bread to roasted veggies. A guaranteed hit on any snack table.
Get the Recipe: Whipped Feta Spread

Guacamole

Simple, fresh, and always the first to go, Guacamole is the ultimate low-effort crowd favorite. A ripe avocado, a squeeze of lime, a handful of cilantro, and you’ve got something that can easily pass for dinner.
Get the Recipe: Guacamole

Instant Pot Hummus

Homemade hummus that’s smoother than store-bought and ready with almost no effort. The Instant Pot takes care of the chickpeas, leaving you with the creamiest dip imaginable.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Hummus