Crostini with mozzarella cheese, chopped tomato and basil.
The best appetizers to make are easy to make a few days before the party, hold the flavor or enhance the flavor, and pair with the rest of the food you’re serving. Any snack that can be stored in the fridge a day or two before eating is an ideal make-ahead snack. Sauces will develop flavor as they cool, for example. Some snacks, like mini quiches or other baked goods, can be made ahead of time and then cooked the same day. The make-ahead appetizer should require a lot less work on the day of the event than it does ahead of time.
Shrimp appetizers.
Consider the food you’ll be serving at the party when deciding on the best make-ahead appetizer. If you’re serving a formal meal, a casual make-ahead appetizer like salsa and chips might not work well. Small sandwiches or crudités may work best. You can make the sandwiches ahead of time if you’re not using bread-soaking ingredients. Raw vegetables can be sliced a day in advance and stored tightly wrapped in the refrigerator.
Salmon canapés with crème fraîche, caviar and dill.
Chips and dip are a great appetizer for a casual party like a football party or a child’s birthday. You can make the sauce a day or two in advance, chill in the fridge to allow flavors to meld and serve cold, or bake or heat the sauce the day of the party. Ideally, heating the plate on the day of the event should require little time and effort on your part. You want to be able to put it in the oven or on the stove while you do other things to get ready for the party.
A plate of prepared antipasti.
Avoid making appetizers that will become mushy, dry, or lose flavor if they are prepared too far in advance. If you want to serve cheese as an appetizer, consider molding a soft cheese, such as goat or cream cheese, into a log and topping it with nuts or dried fruit. Hard cheeses like cheddar will dry out if you cut them too soon. Breads and other baked goods that are made too soon can also become stale and dry.
Tapenade served with a slice of bread. It’s usually best to make tapenade ahead of time so the flavors meld.
If you plan to serve baked goods as appetizers, prepare the dough ahead of time and bake in the oven the next day. You can portion the cookie dough a few days ahead of time and freeze it on the baking sheets. Add a few minutes to the cooking time of the day of the party.