Frozen appetizers are a host’s BFF. They’re genuinely delicious, relatively inexpensive, and require little more than a spin in the oven (or air fryer) before they’re ready for prime time. I can’t be the only one grabbing a bag or two from the freezer aisle during a last-minute trip to the grocery store during the holidays.
Don’t believe me? Just ask chefs! And if you don’t have any chefs on speed dial, don’t worry about it: I asked three of my chef friends to share their favorite frozen holiday appetizers (and how they serve them), and their answers did not disappoint. Let’s take a look.
1. Just Bare Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Chunks, $22.38 for 64 ounces
“I first tried these Just Bare Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Chunks from Costco when I heard they were a Chick-Fil-A dupe years ago, and they’ve been on my shopping list ever since,” says Lisa Thiraporn from Peppermint in South Florida. She loves them as quick, easy weeknight meals, but especially finds them useful as a last-minute appetizer. “I throw them in some sweet Thai chili sauce and put them on little wooden sticks!”
Buy: Just Bare Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Chunks, $22.38 for 64 ounces at Costco
2. Kroger Homestyle Frozen Meatballs, $3.29 for 16 ounces
3. Alexia Frozen Crispy Onion Rings, $5.49 for 13.5 ounces
For Freya Hatch-Surisook, line chef at Dinner Party Brooklyn, a go-to frozen appetizer is a bag of onion rings. “They’re far superior to fries, and frozen varieties are just as good — and much easier to throw together — than homemade.” And while you might roll your eyes at the idea of serving them as an appetizer at a dinner party, pair with some aioli or other specialty sauces (like these new ones popping up on shelves) and watch the crowd go wild!
Buy: Alexia Frozen Crispy Onion Rings, $4.99 (on sale!) for 13.5 ounces at Instacart
Do you agree with these chefs? Tell us about it in the comments below.