Great appetizers don’t have to cost a lot of money. When you’re asked to bring an appetizer or hors d’oeuvres to a get-together, or when you’re throwing a party yourself, it’s good to have some cheap appetizer recipes up your sleeve.

Here are 50.

50 Ultra Cheap Appetizer Recipes (less than $1 per serving!)

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50+ Ultra Cheap Appetizer Recipes

Each of the recipes below cost less than $1.00 per serving. Some are less than $1.00 for the entire recipe.

And just for good measure, most of these recipes are easy appetizer recipes using simple ingredients that are easy to find at the grocery store. Like delicious dips made with sour cream, cream cheese, beans or artichoke hearts, served with affordable tortilla chips, crackers, or fresh veggies.

With a little planning and creativity, your next gathering will be one to remember; full of delicious and cheap appetizers to please every guest on your list.

I’ve noted the price per serving on some of the recipes below. If this isn’t the biggest collection of insanely cheap appetizer recipes you’ve ever seen, I would be surprised. I hope you enjoy!

Warm Appetizers

If you’re hosting a party at your home, you can bake or heat these appetizers at the last minute so they are fresh when your guests arrive.

If you are bringing a party appetizer to someone else’s home, you may need to use a slow cooker to keep them warm, or ask the host if you can use their oven or microwave to heat the apps.

Hot dog wontons from Cheap Recipe Blog

Homemade mini pizzas with a garlic bread crust. Perfect little appetizers! Repin to save.

Garlic bread pizzas (using frozen garlic bread as a crust)

Cold Appetizers

Bringing a cold app to a holiday gathering, family reunion or potluck gathering is a great idea – because you don’t have to worry about keeping them warm. 

Most of these cold appetizers transport well, making them ideal to bring to a party outside of your home.

Chipotle hummus made with tahini (sesame paste)

Cheap Appetizer Pizzas

Who doesn’t love pizza? These pizza recipes make great party appetizers because they are smaller/individual-sized. While you certainly can make or order a whole pizza, these recipes are ideally picked for parties.

Muffin tin pizza recipe, just 50 cents each! Repin to save.

Homemade Crackers, Chips, and Dippers

If you’re making any dips for your party (which you totally should do) you’re going to need plenty of dippers such as chips, crackers, and veggie sticks. Here are a few recipes to get you started:

Homemade flour tortillas. Just 5 cents each! Repin to save.

Wonton crackers recipe from Cheap Recipe Blog

Dips and Salsas

Every party needs a dip – and ideally, several dips. Aim for a variety including a cheesy dip, creamy dip, warm dip, and fresh dip. And be sure to have plenty of dippers including tortilla chips, crackers, etc.

Spicy banana salsa recipe

Snacky Appetizers

Carrot fries recipe

Cheap Appetizer Platters

If you’re in charge of planning your next get-together and need to feed a crowd, consider putting together a budget-friendly appetizer platter. They’re easy to assemble and don’t have to cost a lot of money.

Cheap appetizers for a party - The $10 appetizer spread

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Frequently Asked Questions About Cheap Appetizers

Many of you have asked questions about entertaining on a budget and cheap appetizers:

Can I throw a great party with great food – without spending a lot of money?

Absolutely. You do not have to spend a lot of money to make great food for your party. The key is to pick cheap recipes that call for affordable and simple ingredients like beans, sour cream, cheddar cheese, potatoes, sweet potatoes, bell peppers, ground beef, ground sausage, etc. These basic ingredients can be used as the starting point for all sorts of party appetizers.

What are some creative ways to save money on appetizers and party food?

Some out-of-the-box ideas for saving money on party food include using what you already have on hand (dig deep in your fridge, freezer and cupboards for food items that could be turned into a cheap appetizer); focusing on making only affordable appetizers and drinks, and turning your party into a potluck and asking guests to bring a food item to share.

What is the cheapest food to make for a party?

If you haven’t already read the list of 50+ cheap appetizer recipes, above, do that. Aside from that, some of the cheapest party food recipes are homemade pretzel bites, homemade hummus with pita chips, tortilla pizzas, pasta recipes, French bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, egg bites, and dips with tortilla chips.

How do I feed 50 people on a budget?

If you want to feed 50 people without spending a lot of money, keep your menu simple with 2 to 3 cheap appetizers – or choose one appetizer and one heartier food items to avoid added cost. A simple menu of sliders and pasta salad can be a great option if you’re looking to save money.

How do I feed a crowd cheaply and simply? 

If you’re looking to save money and simplify your menu, consider setting up a DIY food bar, such as a nacho bar with lots of toppings, a chili bar or a baked potato bar. Simply prepare your base recipe (chili, baked potatoes, etc.) and place toppings in individual serving bowls.

Where should I shop to save money on groceries?

Where you shop matters if you’re preparing cheap appetizers for your next party. Buy the bulk of your ingredients at discount grocery stores like ALDI, or consider shopping at a salvage grocery store which sells heavily discounted food items that may be nearing expiration or may come in dented packaging.

What are some ingredients I should avoid if I want to make a cheap appetizer spread?

You’ll want to build your money on affordable grocery items. Generally, you’ll want to avoid specialty ingredients, gourmet cheese, expensive deli meats, olives from the olive bar, and overpriced deli items that are ready-made.