These Are Not Your Mother’s Crockpot Appetizer Recipes
With the holiday season quickly approaching, I’m guessing you have already pulled out some of your favorite appetizer recipes. You know you love those mouth-watering little treats and you know that your guests love to nibble on appetizers as they mingle.
Even when planning a big sit-down meal, your dinner guests will always make room for a few tasty bites before dinner. The trick to serving good appetizers is serving an attractive and delicious variety of dishes. This may be easier said than done when you have become so accustomed to making certain appetizers year after year.
Your crockpot has been your friend right along as you created your classic appetizers, so now it’s time to put your crockpot to work once more as you improve on your favorite appetizer recipes. Those meatballs, that cheese dip, and those little cocktail wienies are about to get bumped up a notch or two!
Cheese Dip: This appetizer is so classic I don’t think a holiday buffet is complete without a crockpot full of tasty, melted cheese. However, go one better by mixing up an Artichoke Hearts and Cheese dip to perk up your holiday table.
Add a little zest to this dip by using freshly grated Parmesan cheese. For even more of a tangy flavor use some Dijon mustard and a little Worcestershire sauce if you like. And for some “heat” sprinkle in red pepper flakes or even some Louisiana Hot Sauce. Put everything in the crockpot on low for about 2 hours or until all hot and bubbly. Put out a bowl of crackers, bread, or hearty chips to complete this appetizer tray.
Saucy Sweet Sausage: Those little Vienna Sausages have been a favorite in many households for many years. And with good reason – they’re fun and delicious. But, how would you like to surprise your guests with an even tastier sausage treat like a Sausage and Apple Appetizer. Cut up some apple smoked sausage, sweet onion, and some nice tart apples into bite size chunks and start them simmering away in a sauce created with balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, honey, and mustard. Now that’s just the ticket to whet those appetites!
If your guests were expecting the standard cocktail wienie appetizer, they’ll be pleasantly surprised when they bite into this sweet and spicy treat. Combine the ingredients in your crockpot, set it on low heat, and let cook for about 2 hours. Check to make sure the apples and onions are just cooked through but not turning to mush, then serve warm.
Meatball Bites: Those little meatballs swimming around in barbecue sauce are tasty, but are they special enough for your holiday event? Go ahead and make your mini meatballs out of your favorite recipe, but when it comes to the sauce, it’s time to do something special. Beer is the ingredient that kicks this appetizer recipe up a couple pegs. This Tangy Meatball Appetizer will have your guests wondering what makes the sauce so yummy. Start by making your favorite meatball recipe, form the mini meatballs, then brown them in a heavy skillet with cooking oil. Once they’re brown, put them in your crock pot.
In a bowl, create your sauce with beer, spicy tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and a little horseradish. Add salt, pepper, onion, garlic, hot sauce, or other seasonings you like. Pour the sauce over the meatballs and cook in your crockpot on low for about 2 to 3 hours or until the meatballs are cooked through. Now your little meatball appetizer won’t be like every other one on the block.
Pecan Snackies: Pretty bowls of nuts scattered about the tables in your home is certainly one way to serve delicious nutty snacks. But, rather than filling those bowls with the traditional mixed nuts from a jar, how about making a delicious and surprising treat? Turning pecans into sweet treats may be more expected, but that’s just why we’re turning pecans into a Nutty Cajun Treat!
Choose the spices that you would normally associate with a good Cajun dish. You’ll probably want ground onion and garlic, of course, and cayenne pepper, chili powder, oregano, basil, and thyme. Mix these together, then add to some melted butter and pecans in your crockpot. Cover your crockpot and turn it to high for about 10 minutes, then uncover and turn to low. Continue cooking on low, uncovered, for about 2 hours. Stir the contents a few times to keep the pecans coated and toasting evenly. After they’re done cooking, just cool the pecans by spreading them on a baking sheet, rack, or paper towels.
Why make the same crockpot appetizer recipes year after year after year? With just a few easy tweaks of your old recipes, you can create new versions of your favorite appetizers. Get together with your crockpot this year to surprise your holiday guests!
Simply delicious crockpot appetizer recipes will get you hooked once and for all on crockpot cooking! This holiday season is the perfect time to take advantage of all your crock pot has to offer.
