Dinner Party Recipes Our 13 Favorite Recipes to Turns Snacks into Dinner By Food & Wine Editors Published on February 17, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Antonis Achilleos We love a good appetizer here at Food & Wine. And sometimes, we like to turn our favorite snacks into a full-fledged meals. We’re talking about transforming decadent dips, fun toasts, and even Classic Swiss Cheese Fondue into a snacky, relaxed meal. Take a break from longer cooking projects with a snack dinner that is perfect for movie nights, or just when you're in a grazing mood. Read on for some recipe ideas for the next time you basically want to snack for dinner. 01 of 13 Chhundo and Goat Cheese Crostini Andria Lo Chhundo, a pickled marmalade-like condiment that’s tangy and sticky-sweet, with light heat and fragrance from Kashmiri chile powder, tops these goat cheese crostini. Green mangoes are essential for this recipe — seek out large mangoes with light green skin and crisp white flesh. Get the Recipe 02 of 13 Vegan Pimiento Cheese Photo by Antonis Achilleos / Food Styling by Ruth Blackburn / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen Pimiento cheese is an iconic snack in the South, and beloved all over. For this vegan version, sweet pimientos stud a creamy and savory base made with extra-firm tofu. The pickle brine and apple cider vinegar lend an acidic brightness to the mixture, while nutritional yeast and miso provide deep umami notes that keep you coming back for more. Get the Recipe 03 of 13 The Best Cucumber Sandwich Cedric Angeles The only reason you think cucumber sandwiches are boring is because you haven't had one that is made right, says chef Vishwesh Bhatt. Benedictine, a creamy spread of cucumber and herbs; along with a spicy and herbaceous peanut pesto with serrano chile, cilantro, and citrus; and chaat masala add verve to these sandwiches. Get the Recipe 04 of 13 Nacho Snack Dinner with Sweet Potato Queso Antonis Achilleos This particular snack dinner has a bowl of warm, creamy queso at its heart — but not just any queso. This nacho dip has delicious pureed sweet potato sneaked in. The orange color is right at home, the smooth texture helps to thicken the dip, and the subtle sweetness adds more dimension. Get the Recipe 05 of 13 Classic Swiss Cheese Fondue Photo by Antonis Achilleos / Food Styling by Ruth Blackburn / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen We’ll take any excuse to make this cheese fondue. Steamed red-skinned potato chunks, toasted bread, and pear slices are all great for dipping in the melted cheese for a truly glorious dinner. Get the Recipe 06 of 13 ’Nduja Toasts with Quick-Pickled Celery Greg DuPree Store-bought ’nduja, the spicy, spreadable sausage, is transformed into a special canapé when served on toasted baguette and topped with a quick-pickled celery. Get the Recipe 07 of 13 Tahini-Tofu Dip with Chili Crunch Photo by Antonis Achilleos / Prop Styling by Christina Daley / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall This creamy, smooth dip creates layers of flavor with a short ingredient list. Roasting the garlic mellows its sharpness — together with the tahini, it brings a subtly sweet and nutty taste to the dish. Tamari provides umami, and fresh lemon juice adds brightness and acidity. Get the Recipe 08 of 13 Crudités with Carrot Dip and Romesco Sarah Crowder Think of this as a carrot dip crudité plate. Dip in cucumber, apple sticks, radishes, and any other favorite veggies you like. Get the Recipe 09 of 13 Shakshuka Deviled Eggs Jennifer Causey Shakshuka meets deviled eggs in this colorful snack. Instead of poaching eggs in a tomato-based sauce, you'll spoon a garlicky, slightly spicy tomato jam flavored with harissa and smoked paprika on top of deviled eggs. The yolks are pureed with mayo and plain yogurt for a creamy, perfectly balanced filling with a little bit of tang. Get the Recipe 10 of 13 French Onion Baked Brie Matt Taylor-Gross / Food Styling by Amelia Rampe If that first spoonful of French onion soup — with toasted bread, melted cheese, and savory caramelized onions — is your favorite, then you’ll love this appetizer, which is a decadent mash-up of French onion soup and baked Brie. Smear the cheesy snack on slices of toasted baguette, sliced veggies, and anything else your heart desires. Get the Recipe 11 of 13 Radish Tartines with Green Butter Photo by Christopher Testani / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Kathleen Cook Varner These tartines are a great way to use up radishes and turnips with their greens attached. The radish and turnip greens whipped with sweet butter, garlic, and lemon zest create a delicious, silky spread for the tartines, while the spicy, paper-thin radishes and turnips make the perfect topping. Get the Recipe 12 of 13 Dinner Hummus with Spiced Chicken and Cauliflower Victor Protasio In America, hummus has largely been designated as a snack food — a little nosh to tide you over until the next meal or to absentmindedly nibble while focusing on something else. But in this recipe, when paired with pita chips and vegetables of your choice, this hummus is the main event. Get the Recipe 13 of 13 Kashke Bademjan (Iranian Kashk and Eggplant Dip) Photo by Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Rishon Hanners / Prop Styling by Audrey Davis A little thicker and saltier than yogurt, kashk is an Iranian dairy product that gives this aromatic eggplant dip its luscious texture and tart flavor. Floral saffron, fried dried mint, and more kashk dot the top, adding beautiful color. Serve this Kashke Bademjan, inspired by Naz Riahi's love of California-based Mission Ranch Market, with fresh vegetables and toasted flatbread for dipping. Get the Recipe Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit