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13 Microwave Holiday Appetizers

News 13 Microwave Holiday Appetizers for Stress-Free Entertaining

It's that time of year when the kitchen is at capacity: Your stove is brimming with loaded cookie sheets and the stove has too many pots bubbling away. But what do you do when you're tight on space or time? Fear not, because we've got a magical solution for you that’s probably already in your kitchen: the microwave! Prep a few of these simple, fast, and elegant appetizers in Anyday microwave dishes and stop stressing.

Still anxious? We've got some tips up our sleeves to make your holiday party prep a breeze. First and foremost, save precious time by prepping ahead.

Make-ahead appetizer ideas

When it comes to holiday parties, smart preparation is your best friend, and the microwave is your right-hand man. You want to be the fun party host, not the one stuck in the kitchen all night. Our best advice? Lean on the microwave to help you get appetizers on the table and out of the kitchen!

Here are some prep-ahead tips to make sure you can enjoy the party as much as your guests:

Room temp is best: Plan some appetizers that can be served at room temperature. This not only adds variety to your spread, but gives you a breather while waiting for that second round of pastry puffs to emerge from the oven. Try our Bacon and Onion Jam Dip with crackers, or fancy Fingerling Potatoes for a simple (yet impressive) snack to start.
Prepare dips: Spreads like hummus can be prepared up to 3 days in advance. Keep them covered in the fridge until you're ready to serve. Want to serve a hot dip, like spinach-artichoke dip? Prep the recipe in advance and portion into our 1/2-cup Anytime Trays. When it's time to serve, simply transfer a portion into an Anyday dish, microwave for 1-2 minutes, give it a stir, and voilà – you've got a warm, gooey dip ready to impress your guests.
Upgrade your olives and nuts: Marinating olives and toasting nuts can be done well in advance. Infuse those olives with your favorite flavors a day or two ahead of time. Toast a big batch of mixed nuts in the microwave, season them to perfection, and store them in airtight containers. These make for excellent snacks that can be readily set out for your guests.
Chop veggies and garnishes: Don't wait until the last minute to chop vegetables and garnishes for your appetizers! Dice up colorful bell peppers, cucumber slices, or carrots and store them in the fridge. They'll be ready to arrange when it's time to plate.

Lean on the microwave

So, as you embark on your holiday party planning journey, remember the microwave is your trusty sidekick. Embrace the convenience, and let your Anyday dishes work their magic. Your guests will be in awe of your culinary prowess, and you can savor the joy of the holidays, one microwave-cooked appetizer at a time.

Read on for stress-free holiday appetizers, sweets, and snacks, all made in the microwave:

Holiday appetizer recipes

Shrimp Cocktail

Shrimp Cocktail

Juicy, succulent shrimp are ready in under the time it takes you to peel a plate’s worth. Once cooled, pair them with spicy cocktail sauce for a retro appetizer. Be prepared to win cocktail party fun fact of the night if you tell your guests you cooked shrimp in the microwave.

Easy "Baked" Brie

Easy "Baked" Brie

This festive, crowd-pleasing appetizer is ready in less than 5 minutes with the help of the microwave! Anyday’s silicone-lined lid creates the perfect melt on this ‘baked’ brie, no pre-heating required. Top with your favorite seasonal jam, or see our serving suggestions below.

Bacon-Wrapped Walnut Dates

Bacon-Wrapped Walnut Dates

Impress your guests with this fancy 3-ingredient appetizer! Sweet dates are stuffed with walnuts and wrapped in savory bacon for a satisfying bite. Prepare the dates ahead of time and pop them in the microwave for an easy appetizer in minutes — now thats a time-saver worth celebrating!

Warm Marinated Olives

Warm Marinated Olives

This is the recipe to reach for when you have guests due any minute and nothing to welcome them with (though they work just as well paired with a cocktail on a lazy night in). Orange peel, garlic, and spices turn the olives into a citrusy, aromatic appetizer. Infuse the oil with any herb and spice combo you like to up the elegance.

Spinach Artichoke Dip

Spinach Artichoke Dip

The best part about making dip in the Anyday dish is how easy it is to reheat. Simply cover with the lid, pop it back in the microwave for a minute or two, and it’s good as new! Plus, if you have any leftover dip, the lid makes for easy storage or you can use Anytime Trays to portion out frozen spinach dip for later.

Bacon & Onion Jam

Bacon & Onion Jam

This sweet-and-salty spread is a party favorite! The onions caramelize in the microwave with bacon, brown sugar, and balsamic vinegar to make a craveable, jammy spread. Pair with Easy "Baked" Brie for a festive appetizer spread in minutes.

Candied Nuts

Usually candied nuts involve hot sugar on the stovetop — and have a tendency to burn. Our method is 10x easier and yields glossy, delicious results without needing to babysit! You can use any type of nuts you’d like — walnuts, pecans, cashews, and almonds are all great. We like to add pumpkin spice, but you can use another warm spice or none at all if you prefer.

Toasted Nuts

Easy and fast, these toasted nuts are a great addition to your pantry. Feel free to use any type of nuts — walnuts, pecans, cashews, and almonds are all great choices. Use them to top oats, sprinkle on veggies, garnish soups and salads — use your imagination!

Chocolate Ganache

Chocolate Ganache

You don’t have to be a master pastry chef to whip up a perfectly decadent chocolate ganache! With the help of the microwave, this two-ingredient sauce comes together in just under two minutes. Use this sauce to decorate cakes, ice cream sundaes, or allow the sauce to set in an Anytime tray for a hot cocoa stick— perfect for gifting!

Microwave Cheesecake Bites

Microwave Cheesecake Bites

Looking for a fuss-free dessert that'll impress every time? Dive into our ultra-creamy, silky-smooth cheesecake — no oven needed! Pack individual servings in our 1/2 Cup Anytime Freezer Trays for desserts on demand. Whether you're prepping for picnics, parties, or just a sweet treat for yourself, these are a hit. Elevate each serving with fresh fruit, jams, whipped cream, or a tempting caramel drizzle. Perfect for sharing... or not!

Beet Hummus

Adding beets to hummus brightens both the flavor and color of this Mediterranean staple (not to mention packs a nutritional punch). Garlicky, tangy, and full of spice, this healthy spread goes perfectly with pita chips or veggies.

Fingerling Potatoes with Yuzu Kosho Mayo

Fingerling Potatoes with Yuzu Kosho Mayo

Potatoes take notoriously long to boil, which seems unreasonable given their simple, clean taste. No need to watch the pot with this recipe — under 10 minutes in the microwave steam the potatoes to perfection. Chef Dave Chang pairs his potatoes with yuzu kosho mayo, a punchy dip made from yuzu (a fragrant Japanese citrus fruit), chiles, and salt.

Mini Pumpkin Pies

Mini Pumpkin Pies

These delicious pumpkin pie bites are the ultimate make-ahead dessert, designed to be prepared in advance and conveniently refrigerated until serving time. Thanks to Anytime Freezer Trays, you can achieve perfectly portioned servings, allowing you to cool, cover with the lid, and stow them away with ease. Elevate your holiday planning with this time-saving treat that rivals the original!