Appetizer dips are a great way to serve a variety of flavors to your guests. There are hundreds of dip recipes to choose from, many of which can be customized to suit your preferences. Cold, hot, layered, and sweet dips are some of the most common types of appetizer dips. A perfect hors d’oeuvres spread can be made by combining several different appetizer dips with a large selection of vegetables, breads, and fruits.
Cold dips are popular because they are easy to make and take little time to prepare. These dips can be dressed up for an elegant soiree or down for a tailgating party or a casual dinner. Salsa, a Mexican dip made from chopped tomatoes, onions, and spices that is great with tortilla chips, is a casual cold appetizer dip. Ranch and onion dips, which are made with a creamy base and herbs, are also great for snacking with potato chips or vegetable crudites.
Elegant cold dips can be beautifully arranged with lovely serving dishes and upmarket dipping selections, drawing inspiration from a variety of culinary traditions. Hummus is a hearty appetizer dip made from pureed garbanzo beans, lemon juice, and sesame seed paste, and it goes well with pita bread and vegetables. Lobster dip is a delicacy made with lobster meat, cream cheese, and onions that is commonly served with water crackers. A buffet spread of wontons, spring rolls, and other Asian delicacies would be enhanced by an Asian-inspired sweet and sour dip. Raita, an Indian cooling yogurt dip, is a great complement to a rich appetizer spread because the tangy yogurt adds a clean acidity to the palate.
Hot appetizer dips require a little more effort to prepare, but they are well worth it. Cheese fondue, a melted concoction of cheeses and spices that goes well with cooked meat, bread, vegetables, and tart apples, is one of the most popular types of hot dip. Spinach and artichoke dip, which combines the two main ingredients with cheese and garlic, is a delicious hot appetizer dip that can help kids get excited about spinach.
Layered dips have the advantage of appearing far more complicated than their preparation time suggests. Taco or seven-layer dip is one of the most popular and delicious types of layered dip, in which beans, cheese, salsa, guacamole, sour cream, and other taco ingredients are layered in a baking dish and baked until the cheese melts. Serving taco dip or other layered appetizer dips in a clear glass serving dish or bowl helps to highlight the delineated layers.
Sweet appetizer dips can add a touch of dessert to your appetizer platter without the high calorie content of other desserts. Chocolate fondue is always a hit, especially when accompanied by fresh fruit, cookies, and marshmallows. A caramel dip surrounded by apples and clean Popsicle sticks is a great option for a Halloween party, allowing guests to dip their own caramel apple.