Get Ready For Holiday Parties With These Make Ahead Appetizers

As we launch into fall, the party invitations start rolling in. From Halloween gatherings, to Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving, to the inevitable December holiday parties, our calendars are already filling up with fun get togethers. But like any good guest, we know that we can't show up empty handed--so how can you get your stuff together now to make it easier to arrive with a tempting treat?

We pulled some of our favorite make-in-advance ideas that you can prep now and keep yourself on the must-invite guest list all through the rest of the year. And don't worry, you don't have to be a kitchen genius or a domestic deity to pull these off, they are all as easy as pie--and in fact, pie is on the list!

1. Spice Blends

One of our favorite kitchen hacks involves a jar of mixed spices, a stick of butter, and a few sleeves of plain old saltine crackers. It's a great way to use up spices that are just about empty, too! Grab your favorite spices and blend them into a clean, dry, empty jar. Some of our favorite blends are thyme, marjoram, celery seed, lemon pepper, and dried parsley. When you're ready, line a cookie sheet in wax paper and top with rows of saltine crackers. Brush them with melted butter and top with the spice mix. Bake at 325 for about six minutes and behold, you've magically transformed ordinary crackers into herbed delicacies that are delicious on their own or liven up a tub of humus. Allow them to cool and then bag--they'll be fine in your cupboard for up to two weeks. Get creative with spice blends and try a mix of sweet and savory, like sesame seeds, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger!

2. Ready to Bake Pie Fillings

How impressive does it look to show up with a pipping hot fresh pie and a quart of ice cream? Be a party hero with an easy to make pie filling, spiked with your favorite liqueur. I always keep a can of apple and cherry on hand, which are shelf-stable for up to a year. Simply pop the can open and stir over medium heat, adding two shots of your favorite liqueur and spices for an unforgettable dessert. We love adding two shots of good bourbon, a teaspoon of cinnamon, and a dash of vanilla extract to cherry pie filling for a rich, heady pie. Once it's warmed, spoon into a pre-made pie crust (or mini-crusts in a muffin tin) and bake as directed. If apple is more your speed, add two shots of Butterscotch Schnapps, a touch of smoked salt, and a dash of nutmeg for a unique take on an American classic.

3. Cookie Dough To Go

Did you know that cookie dough is easily freezable? One of our favorite time saving hacks is making double batches of sugar cookie dough and freezing one, tightly wrapped in plastic and freezer bagged for a future baking session. This versatile dough can transform into so many delicious treats, from cookie ice cream sandwiches to chocolate dipped delights. Simply thaw, modify, and bake as you normally would. One of our favorite takes is defrosting the cookie dough, rolling into balls, tossing in cinnamon and sugar, and baking for a hybrid between a cookie and a donut hole. Bring along some caramel sauce for dipping and you've upped your party game! Other doughs, such as chocolate chip, pumpkin spice, and dutch cocoa also freeze beautifully and can make an eye catching cookie platter suitable for any gathering.

4. Meatball Free For All

This requires just a touch of prep, but can leave you set up for parties for at least a month. We love blending 2 pounds of quality hamburger with Worcestershire, dried onions, garlic, smoked salt, black pepper, and celery salt, rolling into meatballs, and baking at 350 for fifteen to twenty minutes. Allow them to cool and then wrap in plastic and place into a freezer bag--they'll keep for at least a month and can be defrosted for meatball biscuits (with ready made dough), meatball appetizers in barbecue sauce, a delicious topping for a pre-made pizza, or even as a quick and easy sub sandwich filling. They're so versatile and delicious that you'll never want your freezer to be without at least one batch!

5. Just Wing It

Like the meatballs, chicken wings can be marinated, cooked, and frozen for at least a month and make your hosts think you slaved away all day. Grab a few pounds of chicken wings and marinate in a variety of sauces. We love honey mustard, sweet and sour, and Szechuan barbecue, all of which can be made in five minutes or less. This gives you a variety of flavors to keep things exciting, and allows you to pair with different sides, like celery, peanut sauce, or Thai noodles. Simply defrost frozen wings and reheat in the oven, brushing with a bit more sauce to keep them moist.