4 Easy-Peasy Slow Cooker Appetizer Recipes For Your Next Holiday Gathering

It's my favorite season of the year — when holiday cards arrive in the mail, the neighborhoods are decked out in festive lights and radio stations play Christmas music all day. But for me, the best part is gathering with friends and family at potluck parties and seeing the dizzying array of delicious foods arranged on the banquet table. As much fun as it is to sample all the homemade goodies at a potluck, it's often a challenge for busy cooks to come up with quick and easy recipes to please everyone at a party. This is where a slow cooker comes in handy, offering a versatile and inspiring solution. Most slow cooker recipes are dump-and-go dishes, but they provide warm, tasty appetizers that are a perfect canvas for your creativity at any potluck party. From savory meatballs to creamy dips, the possibilities are endless. Even better — the food can be made ahead of time and kept on the "warm" setting in the slow cooker for several hours to avoid becoming cold and congealed.

These popular, hassle-free appetizers are designed to save you time and space in the kitchen, making them perfect for any holiday occasion. With these quick and easy recipes, you can spend less time cooking and more time enjoying the party. They're guaranteed to please a crowd, making them a win-win for any potluck gathering.


Honey Garlic Party Meatballs

I can't imagine a holiday party without these delicious cocktail meatballs on the menu. They're so tasty, it's impossible to eat just one!

Makes roughly 25-30 meatballs

28-ounce bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce

1/3 cup honey

3 tablespoons minced garlic

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

32-ounce bag of frozen meatballs

Grease the slow cooker and add the first 5 ingredients. Mix well, then add meatballs. Toss gently to coat. Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 2 hours.


Slow Cooker Shrimp (or Crab) Artichoke Dip

Dips are always a good choice for a party because they're easy to make and can feed a crowd. This recipe from Food.com can be made with either shrimp, crab or a mix of both!

24 servings

1 cup lump crabmeat (or small shrimp)

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

1 small onion, chopped, mixed with 1 teaspoon of olive oil and cooked in the microwave for 1 minute

2 (6-ounce) jars of marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped

2/3 cup frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained well

1 (8-ounce) package of cream cheese, cubed

1/2 red bell pepper, chopped

1/2 cup Monterey jack cheese, shredded

4 ounces of black olives, drained and chopped

Salt and pepper to taste

1 teaspoon lemon juice

Grease slow cooker. Add all ingredients to the slow cooker, mix well and cover. Cook on low for 1-2 hours. Stir until well blended, cover again and leave on warm. Serve with pita wedges, cocktail rye or sliced crusty bread.


Bourbon-Glazed Lil' Smokies

This classic recipe was a popular staple at parties when I was growing up. Now it's one of my favorite go-to appetizers for potluck parties.

15 servings

24 ounces (2 packages) little smokies

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup ketchup

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

3 ounces Bourbon whiskey

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

In a greased slow cooker, mix all ingredients until well-coated. Cover and cook on high for 2 hours.


Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip

I'm a huge fan of Ree Drummond's food because her recipes are easy, no-fail dishes designed to please every palate. This recipe from her Pioneer Woman site is great for holiday parties or football game nights.

14-16 servings

4 cups shredded, cooked chicken (about 1 large rotisserie chicken)

8 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese

8 ounces shredded pepper jack cheese

2 (8-ounce) packages of cream cheese, softened

1 cup buffalo sauce, plus more for the topping

2/3 cup ranch dressing

2/3 cup blue cheese crumbles, plus extra for the topping

Chopped chives for topping

Serve with carrots, celery sticks and tortilla chips

In a 6-quart slow cooker, stir together all ingredients (except chives) until well blended. Cover and cook on low for 2-4 hours, stirring occasionally. To serve, garnish with extra blue cheese crumbles, extra buffalo sauce and chopped chives on top. Keep the slow cooker setting on warm for 2 hours and serve with veggies and chips.


What's YOUR favorite appetizer to make over the holidays? Let us know in the comments below.