12 Last-Minute Appetizers from the Pantry

Last-minute guests? Turn pantry and fridge staples into quick company-worthy snacks.

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Photo By: Renee Comet ©Renee Comet

Photo By: Renee Comet

Photo By: Renee Comet ©Renee Comet

Ingredient: Jarred or Canned Olives

Appetizer: Marinated Olives

Warm in olive oil with seasonings of your choice — try red pepper flakes and garlic, fennel seeds and coriander, or orange zest and rosemary.

Ingredient: Plain Yogurt

Appetizer: Yogurt Dip

Spike this veggie-friendly dip with lemon zest and chopped garlic or horseradish.

Ingredient: Popcorn

Appetizer: Spiced Popcorn

Skip the ho-hum salt; drizzle this no-fail snack with melted butter and a few shakes of something from the spice rack. Try seafood seasoning (Old Bay), five-spice powder, smoked paprika or herbes de Provence.

Ingredient: Pita Pockets

Appetizer: Pita Chips

Cut into triangles, toss with olive oil and grated Parmesan, then toast for homemade pita chips.

Ingredient: Packaged Hummus

Appetizer: Dressed-Up Hummus

Dress up this refrigerator staple by scooping it into a pretty bowl; drizzle it with olive oil and sprinkle with paprika or cayenne.

Ingredient: Baguette or Country Bread

Appetizer: Garlic Crostini

Slice, rub with garlic and olive oil, toast and voila! Instant crostini.

Ingredient: Goat Cheese Log

Appetizer: Herbed Goat Cheese

Roll in chopped fresh herbs — think parsley, cilantro, chives or a mix — for a quick cheese-and-cracker upgrade.

Ingredient: Tortillas

Appetizer: Quick Quesadillas

Sandwich these rounds with cheese — cheddar, mozzarella, Havarti, Swiss (almost anything melty works) — and pop under the broiler for easy quesadillas to serve in wedges. Extra points for adding pickled jalapenos, chipotles in adobo or any shredded chicken you might have on hand.

Ingredient: Jarred Roasted Red Peppers

Appetizer: Red Pepper Crostini

Slice into strips and toss with olive oil and something green — think chopped cilantro, parsley, capers or scallions — for a hearty toast topper.

Ingredient: Frozen Pizza Dough

Appetizer: Cinnamon Twists

For a sweet take on breadsticks, shape thawed dough into strips and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar before baking.

Ingredient: Nuts

Appetizer: Herbed Nuts

Take a note from hotel bartenders and serve these warmed and tossed with melted butter and coarse salt. Throw in a sprig of fresh rosemary or thyme if you're feeling fancy.