Healthy Appetizer Ideas | Easy Appetizers for Parties and Holidays https://wholefully.com/recipes/appetizers/ Fresh Family Meals - Made for Everyday Life Wed, 15 May 2024 19:00:09 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wholefully.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/favicon-150x150.png Healthy Appetizer Ideas | Easy Appetizers for Parties and Holidays https://wholefully.com/recipes/appetizers/ 32 32 Italian Pinwheels with Cream Cheese Spread https://wholefully.com/italian-pinwheels/ https://wholefully.com/italian-pinwheels/#respond Wed, 15 May 2024 19:00:03 +0000 https://wholefully.com/?p=72095 Italian Pinwheels with Cream Cheese Spread are a perfect lunchbox treat or game day appetizer. These easy roll-ups can be made in just minutes—even the kids can help! Serving platter of pinwheel appetizers stacked with one on top showing all the spiraled layers inside. These Italian pinwheels are an absolute family favorite recipe! Packed with flavorful meats and cheese, these pinwheels work just as well as a prep-ahead school lunch and they do as a dish to bring to a potluck—everyone loves pinwheels! Our Italian pinwheels are fun to look at and have tons of Italian flavor that kids and grown-ups alike love to eat. Let's get rolling! Read the post »]]> https://wholefully.com/italian-pinwheels/feed/ 0 Easy Coconut Pineapple Smoothie Recipe https://wholefully.com/coconut-pineapple-smoothie-recipe/ https://wholefully.com/coconut-pineapple-smoothie-recipe/#comments Tue, 30 Apr 2024 15:51:34 +0000 https://wholefully.com/?p=54621 This coconut pineapple smoothie is super sweet, creamy, and so easy to make at home. This smoothie tastes like sipping on a piña colada for breakfast! It’s not every day that you get to go on a luxurious beach vacation, but it is possible to interject a little bit of tropical flair to your everyday life with this coconut pineapple smoothie! Packed with frozen pineapple, banana, and coconut milk, this dairy-free smoothie tastes like a creamy, dreamy piña colada that is nourishing enough to have for breakfast. This smoothie is a wonderful addition to a nourishing diet, especially because of the nutritional powerhouse that is pineapple! Pineapple is loaded with nutrients plus it’s got lots of enzymes that can help aid digestion. And most importantly? Pineapple is delicious! And in this smoothie it adds a sweet, tropical flavor that can’t be beat. Finished smoothie in a glass with a glass straw and fresh fruit.

What do I need for your coconut pineapple smoothie recipe?

You only need three, maybe four, ingredients, and you may already have them all! You’ll need:
  • Frozen bananas. Bananas add a creamy sweetness to this smoothie, and because they are frozen, they also chill and thicken the drink.
  • Pineapple. You can’t have a pineapple smoothie without pineapple! Canned or fresh pineapple will both work.
  • Coconut milk. The stuff from the can is what you want here—you can often find it with the international foods or baking ingredients.
  • Honey or maple syrup. If your fruit is really sweet, you may be able to skip this one.
Read the post »]]> https://wholefully.com/coconut-pineapple-smoothie-recipe/feed/ 4 Hawaiian Roll Ham and Swiss Sliders https://wholefully.com/ham-and-swiss-sliders/ https://wholefully.com/ham-and-swiss-sliders/#respond Mon, 11 Mar 2024 06:45:00 +0000 https://wholefully.com/?p=77019 These Ham and Swiss Sliders are sure to be a hit at your next party, with their combination of sweet Hawaiian rolls, savory ham, and melted Swiss cheese.
A spatula serves up a baked slider from the center of a pan of other sliders.
Succulent ham, gooey Swiss cheese, and a hint of sweetness thanks to sweet and soft Hawaiian rolls—these baked sliders are a game-changer! These little sandwiches are baked to ooey, gooey buttery perfection and make for an easy weeknight dinner, a crowd-pleaser on game day, or a star dish at potlucks. Quick, easy, and utterly delicious, they're versatile enough to be the MVP of any occasion. Let's get cooking! Read the post »]]> https://wholefully.com/ham-and-swiss-sliders/feed/ 0 Roasted Garlic and White Bean Dip https://wholefully.com/super-simple-white-bean-dip/ https://wholefully.com/super-simple-white-bean-dip/#comments Wed, 06 Mar 2024 16:09:33 +0000 http://backtoherroots.com/?p=20709 This is a recipe that is so incredibly simple, that I almost feel guilty posting it! But the truth is, sometimes, the simplest of foods are some of the most delicious. I don't know how it does it, but this pile of mashed up beans is so much more delicious than you'd think a pile of mashed up beans could ever be. This recipe is so easy to make and so chock-full of addictive, garlicky flavor that it's been in regular rotation in our house for years. It's a workhorse recipe that we use for school lunches and easy, healthy snacks. The texture is what really sells it—white bean dip is so incredibly silky smooth and creamy after a quick trip in the food processor. Olive oil streams into a food processor that already holds white beans.

What do you serve with white bean dip?

Serve it up with crackers, pretzels, pita chips, carrots, cucumbers, or whatever other dippers strike your fancy! When making this for a crowd, I like to make a platter of various dippers so everyone can mix-and-match their favorites.

Great Northern Beans? Cannellini Beans? Navy Beans? What bean should you use for white bean dip?

Most major supermarkets will carry three different kinds of white beans—Great Northern beans, cannellini beans, and navy beans. For the most part, they taste very similar, with the only difference being their size. I recommend the larger beans—either Great Northern or cannellini beans, just because they create an ever-so-slightly creamier texture. You can use all three interchangeably in this recipe though, and still get good results.

Can you use dried beans to make this dip?

You definitely can make this dip from dried beans! Just follow this method for soaking and cooking the dried beans first, and then proceed with the recipe as written. Get the recipe »]]> https://wholefully.com/super-simple-white-bean-dip/feed/ 6 Veggie Pinwheels for Packed Lunches (Vegetarian) https://wholefully.com/veggie-pinwheels/ https://wholefully.com/veggie-pinwheels/#respond Mon, 19 Feb 2024 07:38:00 +0000 https://wholefully.com/?p=76828 Spice up your packed lunches with these easy-to-make veggie pinwheels. Perfect for vegetarians and anyone looking to add more veggies to their meals.
A colorful pinwheels lunch in a metal lunchbox with three sections.
Looking for a delicious and nutritious addition to your packed lunches? These veggie pinwheels are your answer! These delightful pinwheels are not only a feast for the eyes (we went with an all-orange theme here, but rainbow veggie pinwheels are super fun too!), but also a treat for your taste buds. Pack them in a lunch, take them on a picnic, or bring them to a potluck—they have so much potential! Read the post »]]> https://wholefully.com/veggie-pinwheels/feed/ 0 Dill Pickle Deviled Eggs Recipe https://wholefully.com/dill-pickle-deviled-eggs/ https://wholefully.com/dill-pickle-deviled-eggs/#respond Mon, 12 Feb 2024 07:22:00 +0000 https://wholefully.com/?p=76807 Dill pickle deviled eggs combine the creamy richness of deviled eggs with the tangy zest of dill pickles, creating a flavorful twist on a classic appetizer.
Hardboiled egg halves with creamy, seasoned yolks piped in and garnished with pickles, fresh herbs, and paprika.
Looking to add a zesty kick to your next gathering? Look no further than these irresistible dill pickle deviled eggs! Bursting with tangy flavor, creamy goodness, and a satisfying crunch, they are a crowd-pleasing twist on the classic deviled egg. Serve them as an appetizer or keep them for your own midday snack—either way, dill pickle deviled eggs are sure to be a hit! Read the post »]]> https://wholefully.com/dill-pickle-deviled-eggs/feed/ 0 15-Minute Beer Cheese Dip https://wholefully.com/beer-cheese-dip/ https://wholefully.com/beer-cheese-dip/#respond Mon, 29 Jan 2024 07:35:00 +0000 https://wholefully.com/?p=76745 This quick and easy beer cheese dip is perfect for parties or game day snacks. With just a few simple ingredients, you can have a delicious and creamy dip in just 15 minutes!
A hand dunks a pretzel into a small pot of beer cheese dip.
Are you ready to elevate your snack game? Look no further than the delightful world of beer cheese dip! This savory dip is a crowd-pleaser that brings together the rich flavors of beer and the creamy goodness of cheese. Let's dive into what makes this dip so irresistible. Read the post »]]> https://wholefully.com/beer-cheese-dip/feed/ 0 15-Minute Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip https://wholefully.com/vegan-spinach-artichoke-dip/ https://wholefully.com/vegan-spinach-artichoke-dip/#comments Wed, 13 Dec 2023 15:00:29 +0000 https://wholefully.com/?p=49518 I have such a love/hate relationship with dairy. My tastebuds love it, but my body does not. Insert sad trombone. Because of my body’s rebellion against all things cheese, I’ve made it my life’s goal to try to make really freaking good dairy-free options of some of my favorite foods. We’ve tackled Parmesan cheese, ice cream, sour cream, coffee creamer, and even eggnog! And today, I’m showing you how I made the king of the appetizer circuit—Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip—totally dairy-free, vegan, and plant-based. Vegan spinach artichoke dip in a cast iron skillet, surrounded by fresh spinach and artichokes.

How do you make spinach artichoke dip vegan?

Regular hot spinach artichoke dip is typically made with tons of cheese (both shredded and cream cheese) and heavy cream or milk and sometimes even sour cream. But in my version, I use a garlicky, plant-based cashew cream sauce that thickens up to a gooey, creamy, can’t-believe-it’s-not-cheese dip that you’re going to love! There are two secret ingredients that give this vegan version its cheesy flavor and texture:
  • Nutritional Yeast: If you’ve been around the dairy-free or vegan world for awhile, you probably have nutritional yeast (or “nooch” as some folks call it) in your pantry. This all-natural, plant-based yeast has a slightly cheesy, nutty flavor that can help add some depth of flavor to vegan cheese sauces. You can buy it online, or most major supermarkets carry it with the spices.
  • Tapioca Starch: To get the thick, fatty texture of a cheese sauce without any dairy, this dip uses tapioca starch. This gluten-free, grain-free thickener is available online and at most major supermarkets with their gluten-free flours. It’s also sometimes called “Tapioca Flour.” It’s great to have on hand for grain-free recipes like pizza crusts and chocolate chip cookies.
Read the post »]]> https://wholefully.com/vegan-spinach-artichoke-dip/feed/ 2 How to Make an Awesome Cheese Board in Minutes https://wholefully.com/awesome-cheese-board-minutes/ https://wholefully.com/awesome-cheese-board-minutes/#comments Tue, 12 Dec 2023 15:00:00 +0000 https://wholefully.com/?p=28393 Cheese boards are always crowd-pleasers! Learn how to make a cheese board in just a few minutes with our no-fuss tutorial.
Slate cutting board with 5 wedges of cheese, each with a cheese knife. Various crackers, nuts, dried apricots, olives, condiments, and charcuterie are around the cheese. The board is garnished with fresh rosemary.
Cheese boards are my JAM for holiday entertaining. They are delicious. They are impressive. And they are crazy easy to put together. I'm a big fan of dishes that have a high oooh-and-ahhh to elbow grease ratio. And cheese boards are the epitome of a great return on investment. They take just a few minutes to put together, and man, do they ever look sharp. So much so, that when you bring one out, more often than not, one of your guests will say, "Oh, you didn't have to go to that much hassle for me!" To which you will then laugh and tell them it took you like three seconds to put together. Or you'll let them continue to feel impressed. Depending on how much you like your houseguest. Now, there are a lot of cheese board ideas out there. So let me tell you why mine is different—it isn't ridiculous. Some of the cheese boards you see that are making the rounds on Instagram have hundreds of dollars worth of ingredients put into them, tons of food styling time, and so many moving parts, it seems almost impossible to wrap your brain around. That isn't my cheese board. I'm so not that kind of girl. Read the post »]]> https://wholefully.com/awesome-cheese-board-minutes/feed/ 38 Fried Goat Cheese Balls https://wholefully.com/fried-goat-cheese/ https://wholefully.com/fried-goat-cheese/#respond Thu, 07 Dec 2023 07:45:00 +0000 https://wholefully.com/?p=76446 Crispy exterior, creamy interior—fried goat cheese delights with a perfect blend of textures and a rich, tangy flavor.
Overhead of an easy goat cheese appetizer platter served on a wooden tray with goat cheese balls, forks, honey, and jam.
Do you ever crave that perfect combination of crispy and creamy? Look no further than fried goat cheese balls, a delightful dish that brings together the rich, tangy flavor of goat cheese with a satisfyingly crunchy exterior. Fried goat cheese balls have the ability to elevate any occasion. Whether you're hosting a dinner party, a game night, or just treating yourself to a culinary adventure at home, these little morsels are sure to steal the spotlight. Their bite-sized nature also makes them a fantastic addition to grazing boards, bringing a touch of gourmet flair to casual gatherings. Read the post »]]> https://wholefully.com/fried-goat-cheese/feed/ 0