Too Cold To Leave The House? 9 Party Appetizers That Use What You Already Have In The Pantry

Dinner is organized, you've stocked up on wine and sparkling water, and even baked dessert. What's left to do for your holiday shindig? The appetizers and snacks, of course.

The first bites at a cocktail or dinner party can often end up at the bottom of our to-do list, resulting in a sad, sparse cheese plate and not much else. But don't worry, we've got you covered.

You can stretch one big sweet potato or a couple of medium-sized ones into a big plate of oven-baked fries in a pinch. Toss with oil, salt, and spices and bake until golden. Serve with your favorite condiments and dips—we're partial to guacamole or a creamy garlic yogurt dip (see recipe below).

Make a dip that's simple, full of good-for-your-gut probiotics, and tastes as good as a decadent sour cream or crème fraîche–based version.

Preparation

Drain a can of chickpeas and get them as dry as you can with a paper or dish towel. Toss with olive oil and spices and roast.

If you have some unpopped kernels, you're halfway to a gourmet treat. Pop those babies up on the stovetop and add parmesan (or nutritional yeast!), olive oil, and rosemary; honey and cinnamon; or smoked paprika and cumin to the mix. If a flavor combination sounds delicious to you—it'll most likely be a hit on popcorn, too.

Got a jar of roasted red peppers kicking around the cabinet? Combine its contents with a little garlic and smoked paprika (pimenton) and you've got a romesco sauce that's great with crudites, roasted vegetables, and crackers.

Preparation

Drain the peppers and combine with toasted cashews or almonds, garlic, smoked paprika, cayenne, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper in a food processor and puree until smooth-ish.

These insanely easy gluten-free crackers are made with simply almond flour, egg, and seasoning.

Maybe this falls more into the dessert category, but it isn't a bad idea to have sweet snack on the menu, either.