Entertaining on a budget doesn’t mean the food has to taste cheap. With a little effort, you can make delicious snacks that will impress even your pickiest of friends. Here are 20 cheap snacks that taste expensive.
Bruschetta
This Italian classic is so simple to make that even the most novice cook can do it. Toasted bread topped with chopped tomatoes, garlic, basil, and olive oil. If you want to do an extra step, set out topping options like olive tapenade and artichoke hearts for a create-your-own bruschetta bar.
Baked Brie with Figs
Warm, melty cheese with sweet or savory jam is a combination made in heaven. Brie cheese is baked until melted and topped with fig jam, fresh figs, or whatever jam and fruit combination you prefer. Brie can vary in price by age and where it’s made. Make sure not to grab the pre-jammed one if you want to save money.
Caprese Skewers
Caprese skewers have cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and fresh basil leaves drizzled with a balsamic glaze. You can mix this up by adding prosciutto or make a pesto dip instead of balsamic glaze.
Stuffed Mushrooms
Stuffed mushrooms are filled with a mixture of breadcrumbs, cheese, and herbs, then baked. Anything baked feels like you went the extra mile. Mushrooms are a relatively cheap produce item, and then you can choose to get as fancy or simple as you want with your choice of cheese or any other items you would like to add in, such as Italian sausage or crab for a splurge.
Deviled Eggs
Everyone loves deviled eggs, and they can generally be made from things already in your refrigerator. Hard-boiled eggs are filled with a creamy mixture of egg yolks, mayonnaise, mustard, and spices. If you don’t like mayonnaise, switch it up with some mashed avocado. Yum!
Popcorn
Cheapism puts popcorn on their under $5 snacks. “This delicious and dirt-cheap snack is a budget standby…. Supplement with some oil for popping ($1) and a little butter and salt ($1) for a treat that goes with a casual party atmosphere.” Fancy it up with some parmesan cheese, truffle salt, or caramel sauce.
Hummus with Veggies
Creamy hummus is served with sliced vegetables like carrots and cucumbers or pita chips. Hummus feels luxurious and exotic, but it is surprisingly cheap. Just make sure to pull it out of the store container and put it in a nice dish with a drizzle of olive oil.
Pesto Pinwheels
Puff pastry is spread with pesto, rolled up, sliced, and baked until golden. These tasty treats can usually be bought in the freezer section of your local grocer if you aren’t up for playing with puff pastry.
Smoked Salmon on Cucumbers
Thinly sliced smoked salmon on cucumber rounds with cream cheese and dill. Healthy and elegant, smoked salmon is another one of those items that can be as cheap or expensive as you need them to be. For added savings, check for smoked salmon-flavored cream cheese, pipe it through a frosting tip, and voila!
Bacon-Wrapped Dates
Sweet and savory with a dash of exotic vibes. Dates wrapped in bacon and baked until crispy are super simple and inexpensive, but they always impress. Go the extra mile and fill the dates with goat cheese before wrapping them.
Garlic Shrimp
Cocktail shrimp have always been a fan favorite at parties. Mix it up a little with shrimp sautéed with garlic and olive oil, served with toothpicks for easy eating. Buying shrimp frozen will usually save a few dollars over the ones at the seafood counter.
Mini Quiches
Anything French screams expensive. These small appetizers are made with eggs, cheese, and vegetables in a pastry crust. You can make homemade pie or pastry crusts and make them in mini-cupcake pans, or buy pre-made crusts and just fill them up.
Crostini with Various Toppings
Similar to bruschetta, you can make this easy snack with thin slices of baguette toasted and topped with ingredients like goat cheese and roasted peppers, or really whatever your heart desires.
Meatballs
Homemade or store-bought meatballs glazed with a savory sauce. Store-bought meatballs can taste homemade without the added time of making them, and they are usually cheaper. Try a turkey meatball with cranberry sauce for a little play on this classic snack.
Pita Triangles with Spinach Dip
Who doesn’t love spinach dip? Whether you make it yourself or buy some at the store, it’s sure to wow. Add some warm pita triangles or veggies to dip, and watch the bowl empty as soon as it’s served.
Cheese and Crackers
We grew up on Lunchables, so it’s no wonder we all love a good cheese and cracker board. What’s great about these is that you can be as simple or fancy as you want because Ritz crackers and cheddar cheese are crowd-pleasers just as much as aged Gouda and water crackers.
Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries
Strawberries dipped in melted chocolate and chilled until set. It’s that easy, and it makes people feel romantic and fancy. You can choose whatever chocolate makes you happy, melt in a double boiler and dip it, or buy a chocolate spread for people to dip themselves.
Mini Sandwiches
Small sandwiches with fillings like cucumber, cream cheese, and smoked salmon for a high tea atmosphere. Make sure to use a delicious, high-quality bread and cut the crust off for a real “pinkies up” effect.
Arancini
These decadent balls are made from risotto (you can use leftovers, we won’t tell), cooled, filled with cheese and possibly some meat, rolled into a ball, and fried. Dip them in your favorite marinara sauce and let out a sigh.
Brie Cheese and Fruit
This one combines brie cheese with slices of juicy pear on a crisp crostini, creating a harmonious blend of flavors that tastes like a gourmet appetizer from a fancy restaurant. It’s the perfect way to enjoy a sophisticated pairing of cheese and fruit, proving that you can indulge in upscale flavors on a budget.
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