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Ultimate Party Appetizer Platter: Cheese Ball Bites, Glazed Sausages & Cucumber Boats

This is the ultimate guide to creating a stunning and varied party appetizer spread. It features three crowd-pleasing recipes: make-ahead savory cheese ball bites, hot and sticky sweet & spicy glazed sausage bites, and fresh Mediterranean cucumber boats. Designed for stress-free hosting, this platter offers a perfect balance of flavors, textures, and temperatures to delight every guest.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 8
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American, Mediterranean
Calories: 280
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar, divided
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/3 cup tahini
  • 2 lemon s
  • 1 baguette, sliced and toasted
  • 1 box assorted crackers water crackers, seeded crisps
  • 1 package mini fillo shells
  • 1 English cucumber
  • Endive leaves or sturdy romaine hearts
  • Pretzel crisps or pita chips
  • 1 lb large raw shrimp 21/25 count
  • 1/2 lb thinly sliced prosciutto or salami
  • 8 oz mozzarella balls ciliegine
  • Fresh dill, chives, and parsley
  • 1/2 cup pepper jelly or apricot preserves
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Smoked paprika
  • Onion powder
  • Everything bagel seasoning
  • Olive oil
  • Soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce
  • Sal t
  • Black pepper

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Hand mixer or sturdy spoon
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Small cookie scoop or teaspoon
  • Saucepan
  • Whisk
  • Knife
  • Cutting board
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Toothpicks for serving

Method
 

  1. For the Ultimate Cheese Ball Bites: In a bowl, combine softened cream cheese, 3/4 cup shredded cheddar, Parmesan, 1/2 cup sour cream, a pinch of garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Mix until smooth.
  2. Fold in 1/4 cup finely chopped chives and parsley. Cover and chill for 30 minutes.
  3. Using a small scoop, roll mixture into 1-inch balls. Place on a parchment-lined sheet.
  4. Roll half the balls in the remaining cheddar and the other half in everything bagel seasoning. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours until firm.
  5. For the Sweet & Spicy Glazed Sausage Bites: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with foil.
  6. Arrange sausages in a single layer and bake for 12-15 minutes until browned.
  7. Meanwhile, combine 1/2 cup pepper jelly, 2 tbsp honey, and 1 tbsp soy sauce in a saucepan. Whisk over medium heat until melted and simmer for 2-3 minutes to thicken.
  8. Toss baked sausages in the glaze, return to the sheet, and bake for another 5 minutes.
  9. For the Mediterranean Cucumber Boats: Slice cucumber into 1/2-inch rounds. Scoop a shallow well in each to create a 'boat'.
  10. In a bowl, mix chickpeas, tahini, juice of 1 lemon, 2 tbsp olive oil, and salt. Mash lightly until chunky.
  11. Top each cucumber round with the chickpea mixture. Garnish with a mozzarella ball, a small slice of prosciutto, and fresh dill.
  12. Drizzle with olive oil and crack black pepper over top.
  13. To Serve: Arrange all components on platters with toasted baguette slices, crackers, endive leaves, and pretzel crisps. Serve cheese balls cold, sausages warm, and cucumber boats fresh.

Notes

For a stress-free party, make the cheese ball bites up to 2 days ahead. The sausage glaze can be made 3 days in advance and reheated. Assemble cucumber boats within an hour of serving to prevent sogginess. To thin a dip, use lemon juice or milk instead of water to preserve flavor. For presentation, use cake stands and fresh herbs to create height and visual appeal. Keep frozen pastry puffs or meatballs on hand as a last-minute backup.