30+ Different 5 Ingredient or Less Appetizer & Side Dish Recipes

Need some ideas for fast and easy 5 ingredient or less appetizers?  How about 5 ingredient or less side dishes?

There are 30+ ideas listed here – both sweet and savory ideas!  These are great for pot luck dinners or picnics!

Savory Appetizers or side dishes:

5 Ingredient Roasted Red Pepper Bruchetta

Here is an easy bruschetta recipe to use up some fresh basil to make this delicious 5 ingredient roasted red pepper bruschetta!

Feta, Pepper & Spinach Cups

During a previous family holiday party, my mother-in-law had this wonderfully easy and yummy recipe (that she found and modified a bit from Pillsbury.com) with feta, pepper and spinach cups. This appetizer is the perfect for an upcoming football game party appetizer.

Also, if you know me by now – recipes I post have to be easy, or I honestly just flat out won’t make it.

Healthy Hummus Stuffed Peppers

Quick, easy, and totally tasty, these healthy hummus stuffed peppers are sure to be a hit at your next party! Sweet mini peppers make a perfect bite-sized snack!

Bacon Wrapped Figs with Balsamic Reduction

Bite size goodies. Never a bad time for them.

Gluten free Chips and Guacamole Bites

These gluten-free chip and guacamole bites are so fun to bring to parties and potlucks. Much more fun than showing up with just chips and guacamole! This is an easy gluten-free appetizer!

Sriracha Deviled Eggs Recipe

These Sriracha Deviled Eggs are a delicious, spicy twist on a traditional party appetizer. They’re easy to make and a hit with guests.

Sweet & Spicy Paleo Whole 30 Breakfast Cups

These paleo and whole30 breakfast cups are perfect for reluctant meal planners.

Keto Sausage & Egg Breakfast Sandwich

Who needs fast food when you can make your own low carb and keto McMuffin Sausage and Egg Breakfast Sandwich right at home. You won’t even miss the English muffin… It’s that GOOD!

Air Fryer 2 Ingredient Bagels

I love bagels but they can be so big that I would feel like I had a bowling ball in my stomach after I ate one. While on the hunt for a recipe for small bagels, I found this gem all over the internet.

I think it started with Skinnytaste and it only has two ingredients… TWO!

This recipe is quite popular with those folks following the Weight Watchers program (2-3 Smartpoints per bagel depending on how you divide the dough) and I found it yummy. Are you ready? Here it is:

Easy Creamy Chicken Party Dip

Summer time is time for outdoor cookouts and celebrations! Try this Creamy Chicken Party Dip for your next festive occasion. It’s super simple too!

Easy Vegetable and Sausage Pancake Casserole

This Easy Breakfast recipe is prepped in about 5 minutes and on the table in about 20 minutes. Enjoy this Easy Vegetable and Sausage Pancake Casserole! While this post is sponsored, all opinions and the recipe are my own.

Avocado Spread with Tabasco – for Burgers

Avocado spread is the perfect way to spice up your snack foods for a big game party. This versatile spread goes perfectly on my taco sliders below or you can add it to hot dogs, tacos, and more.

Your football party will be so tasty! Grab the simple ingredients at your local store and give this recipe a try soon!

2 Ingredient Mexican Salsa Dip

This 2 Ingredient Mexican Salsa Dip is so super simple to throw together for a last minute appetizer. You simply mix your favorite flavorful salsa with softened cream cheese and then refrigerate. So easy!

Creamy Broccoli in the Slow-Cooker

I brought this Creamy Broccoli to the church picnic. It was a hit! Before I bringing it to the church picnic, I tried it at home.

My husband and sons just raved about it. That gave me to courage (yes, it takes courage) to bring it to the church potluck. I got tons of sweet compliments, several recipe requests, and it was gone before I got my plate.

I think the fact that it was eaten before I got up there was the greatest compliment. But the best part is just how easy this super popular recipe really is.

Best Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe

This easy slow cooker (crockpot) Buffalo Chicken Dip – real chicken recipe – is the best. I love it when I find a simple recipe that offers complex flavors.

In this cream cheese chicken dip recipe, the melding of cheese, dressing, hot sauce, and chicken does something wonderful in your mouth that is almost irresistible.

Roasted Carrots with Thyme

If I’d left them alone I would have gotten more of the nice caramelization on them. They were great as a side to roasted chicken, and I’ll be making them again for Thanksgiving. Thank you so much to Deidre C. for sharing her recipe!

Pizza Rolls

Pizza Rolls are soft and buttery crescent rolls filled with gooey melted cheese and pepperoni slices. Add some pizza dipping sauce on the side and you have a tasty appetizer kids (and adults) love!

3 Ingredient Low Carb Crepes

Enjoy these healthy low carb crepes with sweet or savory fillings. They are grain free, gluten free, pliable and made with only 3 ingredients.

Ham Salad Recipe

Who remembers that tasty ham salad from when you were a kid? Man, was it good. This is the recipe your mom used to make with all that leftover holiday ham!

Simple to make, eat it between bread as a sandwich, in a cut tomato or lettuce boat, on crackers, or by itself. It is all so good!

Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Jalapenos

You can whip up a batch of these bacon wrapped stuffed jalapeños for any party that you are throwing. This spicy and cheesy combo is perfect for those that may be tailgating or homegating this football season.

Invite everyone you know over for the big game and whip up an extra large batch of these delicious appetizers. You will not be disappointed!

Broccoli and Cheese Baked Potato Casserole

This broccoli and cheese baked potato casserole is a super easy dinner with just 5 ingredients plus spices! Vegetarian, gluten-free.

Easy Stuffed Mushrooms

Naturally vegetarian, these stuffed mushrooms are also gluten-free, nut-free, egg-free. I have never tried the recipe with vegan alternatives, but you could give it a go if you need a vegan version.

Stuffed mushrooms are always a crowd pleaser, so you can be sure that these will be a hit no matter what dietary restrictions your guests have.

Bacon and Eggs Cups

Every morning needs a little protein and these Bacon and Egg Cups are a fun solution! Whether you are making this gluten-free breakfast as a Valentine’s Day or Christmas morning treat, they are perfect for anyone who wants an easy but fancy looking first meal of the day.

Easy Chunky Homemade Guacamole Recipe

This homemade guacamole recipe is seriously the BEST. I’ve copied what I’ve seen done at Mexican restaurants where I have loved their guacamole, with great success!

Slow Cooker Cheesy Potatoes

Holidays can be such a busy and crazy time of year. Add in kids and it becomes an insane time of year. Now add in needing to make something to take for family dinner and you’re probably ready to pull your hair out.

With this recipe for Slow Cooker Cheesy Potatoes though you can easily throw a yummy, hot, side dish together in almost no time!

Beer Bread Recipe

If you have never tried Beer Bread you just HAVE to. It is the easiest bread recipe EVER – only 3 ingredients which makes it the perfect bread to make when you are short on time.

You also likely have the ingredients on hand and it is simple enough to let the kids help you out. I have two fresh loaves of this sitting on top of my stove right now! YUMMMMM!!

5 Ingredient Breakfast Sausage Skillet

Looking for a healthy meal ready in 30 minutes or less? This 5 ingredient skillet is packed with veggies and tasty breakfast sausage. Eat it for any meal!

5 Ingredient Easy Spaghetti Squash Skillet

Need a zero hassle dinner in a flash? This super easy spaghetti squash skillet is ready in 20 minutes and you only need five ingredients! Paleo Friendly, Gluten Free, Low Carb

Air Fryer: Breakfast Puffed Egg Tarts

These Air Fryer Breakfast Puffed Egg Tarts are made with delicious shredded cheese, puff pastry, and eggs. Simplicity reigns in these elegant, but still easy, egg tarts. Puff pastry cooks up and around each egg, forming a perfect nest.

Sweet Appetizers or side dishes:

Pistachio Cool Whip Marshmallow Salad

Here is one of my favorite side dishes to bring to a summer pot-luck – Pistachio Pudding Cool Whip Salad! It is also perfect to have for an Easter Sunday side dish!

Creamy Chia Seed Fruit Salad Dressing Recipe

This recipe for Creamy Chia Seed Fruit Salad Dressing is one that came from my mom.

Growing up whenever we had a fresh fruit in the summer time, my mom always dressed it with this creamy and sweet dressing. She would use poppy seeds instead of Chia Seeds, but since I had Chia Seeds on hand,

I decided to try it with those instead. You may think that sour cream and fruit don’t go together, but after you try it, you’ll realize that it tastes like cheesecake mixed with fresh fruit.

3 Ingredient Pressure Cooker Strawberry Jam (NO pectin)

I ate more strawberries than I should have and I took home almost more than I could bear. So I cleaned them, popped off those tops and threw them in the freezer for a rainy day.

It may not be a rainy day, but I can tell you that you’ll be so happy that you came across this pressure cooker strawberry jam recipe!

Peanut Butter Granola

The recipe has few ingredients, which I really like. Sometimes granola can be expensive to make, not so with this recipe. You probably have everything you need to make it right now.

The peanut butter flavor isn’t over powering, it’s subtle and blends well with the honey, cinnamon and vanilla in the recipe. Eat the granola out of the jar or use it for toppings for healthy snacks for your family. You’ll love it, Enjoy!

Barely Porridge with Blueberries

Barley porridge with blueberries is a tasty and wholesome breakfast topped with nutrient rich berries, walnuts, dates and a drizzle of honey. This is sure to give you a healthy and happy start to take on the challenges of the day!!

Applesauce Salad:  The Jell-o Side Dish Kids Love

Do you have a picky eater? The kind that at holiday gatherings won’t eat anything except maybe a roll? Our family is full of those kids, and my brother and I were no different. That was until my mother started bringing applesauce salad to our family functions.

Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges With Maple and Cinnamon

These roasted sweet potato wedges with maple and cinnamon are perfect as a side item, appetizer, or a sweet treat. (Naturally gluten-free)

Instant Pot Apple Cinnamon Steel Cut Oats

It doesn’t get easier than this recipe! Do you love steel cut oats but don’t like standing and stirring FOREVER while they cook? If so, this recipe for Instant Pot Apple Cinnamon Steel Cut Oats is for you!

Pressure Cooker Bhapa Doi {Steamed Yogurt Pudding}

Instant Pot Bhapa Doi is a delicious Indian two ingredient cheesecake. Enjoyed warm, it has the texture of flan. Perfect dessert for unexpected company..

Easy No Bake Energy Balls

We love to make energy and protein balls for a quick grab and go snack. These peanut butter energy balls are one of our favorites, as well as chocolate peanut butter protein balls, almond joy no-bake energy bites and lemon coconut energy balls. So yummy!

Carrot Craisin Salad

This is seriously the easiest salad recipe ever. Three ingredients, and five minutes of your time (unless you have to shred the carrots by hand with a grater, and then it might be closer to 10 minutes), and you’ve got a delicious side dish.

Easy Instant Pot Coconut Milk Yogurt

This Instant Pot Coconut Milk Yogurt is a perfect dairy-free alternative for those of us who can’t have cow’s milk. It’s smooth and tangy, yet you control the amount of sweetness added. This is a simple recipe that can be enjoyed in a myriad of ways!

Need more appetizer ideas?  Check out 15+ Easy Party Snacks & Appetizers Ideas!