21 Graduation Party Appetizers the Whole Crew Will Enjoy

Congrats, grads! You've worked so hard, and now it's time to party! While it's important to have some A+ main courses, sides, and desserts, there's no better place to start than with appetizers. Summery small bites, delicious salads, and warm-weather dips are all on display here. Take, for example, Ree's citrus-flavored toasts. She puts a sweet, summery spin on bruschetta by topping each piece with fresh blueberries and lemony ricotta. It's a burst of flavor in each (delicious) bite!

Move over, deviled eggs! These light and elegant smoked salmon appetizers are perfect for a graduation party — and only take 15 minutes to make! With a refreshing crunch from cucumbers and a creamy filling with a hint of tang, they offer a twist on classic flavors. Plus, they’re a budget-friendly way to enjoy the rich taste of smoked salmon — just 1 ounce goes a long way here.

Buttery popovers bake up with cubes of cheese folded right into the batter then get split and filled with cured meat and a tangy cornichon while still warm. It's a playful, bite sized way to bring charcuterie board flavors to your next gathering with a side of Dijon for dipping.

It doesn't get better than creamy burrata with fresh summer tomatoes! Valerie drizzles a garlic-basil oil over the entire dish for a rich pop of flavor.

Guy Fieri's signature Donkey Sauce does double duty in this app: It's used as a binder for the crab cakes and as a dipping sauce. With plenty of flavor, your guests will be asking for seconds!

Yes, these small bites are a labor of love. However, they're also an elegant appetizer that's more than worth the effort. Don't skip Jeff's homemade horseradish sauce — it makes all the difference!

Kardea's expert hack makes quick work of these simple bites. She turns store-bought pizza dough into soft, chewy pretzel bites that are irresistable when dipped in cheese. Trust us, these will disappear off the table in minutes!

Slices of ham and caramelized onions give these piggies a fun twist. Add creamy Brie, fresh thyme and a croissant-dough "blanket," and you have an easy crowd pleaser for your grad's special day.

These impressive appetizers are easy to prep thanks to frozen broccoli and store-bought puff pastry. Tucked inside each golden packet is a delicious mixture of vegetables, melty mozzarella, creamy ricotta and fragrant dill. A sprinkle of sesame seeds is the perfect finishing touch.

Store-bought puff pastry is a savior when you’re entertaining, especially when you're cooking for a crowd. Ree's fruit-filled bites are sweet, not savory, so they make for a welcome change of pace among salty or meaty appetizers.

Is any appetizer display complete without deviled eggs?! Michael doubles up on the mustard by adding it to his filling and topping each egg with pickled mustard seeds, which he refers to as "Cleveland caviar." Each bite is creamy, crunchy, and utterly delicious!

Widely enjoyed throughout the Middle East and other parts of the world, kofta are made from ground meat mixed with aromatic spices. Serve these browned bites with cocktail sticks and labneh dip for an appetizer that's truly delightful.

The beauty of gazpacho is that it's meant to be served chilled, which means you can prepare it ahead of time and set it out right before the party. Tyler adds a pop of freshness with juicy watermelon, which he blends into the soup and uses as a topping. Serve the gazpacho in small glasses or bowls to feed a larger crowd!

Kardea says, "Hummus is one of those crowd-pleasing dips that I love to serve as a healthy option. My recipe is Low Country-ified, of course, with black-eyed peas instead of the traditional chickpeas. I like to save a handful of black-eyed peas to garnish the top for a pretty presentation."

This fun twist on pigs in blankets wraps prosciutto, Brie, roasted pineapple and pineapple preserves in flaky puff pastry for a sweet-savory party bite. A sprinkling of everything bagel seasoning adds crunch and flavor. An air fryer is the perfect way to cook these snacks since it heats up quickly and the circulation of hot air helps the puff pastry bake up perfectly crisp and light.

Molly loves these because it’s a salad you can eat with your hands! They’re cupcake sized tortilla shells filled with a saucy beefy filling and loads of bright and fresh taco fixings. Grad party guests will gobble these up!

It doesn't get easier than Bobby's grilled halloumi. Brush each slice with olive oil and pop it on the grill for just a few minutes — and that's it!

Creamy goat cheese, smoky grilled asparagus and fresh cherry tomatoes add a variety of flavors and texture to this crave-worthy crostini.

Molly's salad makes a refreshing addition to any table. She takes a shortcut by using frozen riced cauliflower, which she mixes with lemon juice, radishes, Persian cucumbers and more for bright, tangy flavor.

Katie's elegant appetizer is the perfect mix of salty, cheesy, creamy, and sweet. Serve with toasted baguette slices for a sensational, crowd-pleasing appetizer.