Okay, real talk, make-ahead party snacks are the only reason I still have friends. Last month I decided to throw a “small” Halloween thing in my stupidly tiny Brooklyn apartment, because apparently I hate myself, and by 6 p.m. the day-of I was crying into a bag of shredded cheese while my dog stared at me like I was the biggest disappointment in his life. So yeah, I’ve learned the hard way that if it can’t be made at least 24 hours before people walk through the door, it’s not going in my mouth, I mean on my table.
Why Make-Ahead Party Snacks Are My Therapy (And Probably Should Be Yours)
Look, I love hosting, I swear. I love the vibes, the chaotic energy, people yelling over each other, someone always ends up crying in my bathroom, it’s great. But the second I’m trying to sear scallops while someone’s asking me where the bathroom is and another person is drunk-texting their ex in my kitchen? I’m out. Make-ahead party snacks mean I can be half a person, half a host, and still pull it off.
The Deviled Eggs That Made My Ex’s New Girlfriend Jealous (No, Seriously)
I do these neon deviled eggs now because I’m extra and also because food coloring distracts from the fact I can’t pipe to save my life. Last batch I dyed them hot pink and teal, sprinkled edible glitter like a chaotic fairy, and stuck tiny paper sombreros on them with toothpicks. People lost their minds. Recipe is literally just this one from Bon Appétit but I add a splash of pickle juice because I’m gross and it slaps. Make them two days ahead, they actually taste better.
Mini Cheeseburger Sliders That People Fight Over (I Hide Extras in My Bedroom)
Do yourself a favor and use King’s Hawaiian rolls. Brown a ton of ground beef with onion and Worcestershire, slap it on the rolls with cheese, brush the tops with that garlic-butter situation, wrap in foil, and throw in the fridge. An hour before people come, bake them for 20 minutes and act like you’re a professional. Here’s the exact recipe I’m obsessed with → Damn Delicious Hawaiian Roll Sliders. I make two trays, one for the people, one I hide in my closet like a raccoon. Make-ahead party snacks
The Dip Strategy That Stopped Me From Having a Breakdown at My Last Party
I do three dips, always. One hot (because people expect it), one cold, one weird. Current lineup:
- Hot: Buffalo chicken dip I make the day before and just reheat in the crockpot I stole from my mom in 2019
- Cold: That viral feta-tomato thing everyone lost their mind over last summer, still undefeated
- Weird: Trader Joe’s everything bagel seasoning mixed into cream cheese with a little hot honey drizzled on top, don’t ask questions, just eat it
Make them all 48 hours ahead. I’m not kidding. The flavors get better and I don’t have to talk to anyone while I’m assembling them.
The One Mistake I Still Make Even Though I Know Better Make-ahead party snacks
I always, always underestimate how much booze people drink and overestimate how much food they eat. So now I just make double the make-ahead party snacks and pray. Last time I had 47 deviled eggs left and ate them for breakfast for four days straight. No regrets.
Anyway. Make-ahead party snacks are the only reason I’m still allowed to have people over. Do yourself a favor, prep everything two days early, hide half of it for yourself, and lie to everyone about how “easy” it was.
What’s your go-to make-ahead savior? Drop it below because I’m hosting again in two weeks and I’m already sweating.
