Are you ready for the Final Four? Let’s get ready to ruuuumble!
Okay, I must admit: I’m not all that into basketball. But I am into any excuse for game-day food. I’m also not into toiling away in the kitchen while everyone else snacks happily in front of the TV. But I am into sitting in front of the TV with my friends and chowing down alongside them. Not into: prepping for hours and hours right before a party. Into: make-ahead, easy-peasy appetizers.
This is why I love dips. Dips are the quintessential make-ahead party food, and people not only love them, they sort of expect them. Plus, they’re oh-so perfect for making ahead of time.
Here are a few dip ideas and pointers that’ll help keep you happily hanging with your friends instead of sad and banished in the kitchen.
Make it hours – or in some cases, even days – ahead of time, then just pull it out of the fridge and serve with chips and veggies. Done!
So many refrigerated dips taste so much better when they’ve hung out in the fridge for a few hours. So not only can you make them ahead of time, they taste much better too. Win, win!
Try Kopanisti (Greek feta pepperoncini spread) or garlicky Greek yogurt ranch dip (recipe below).
Assemble everything ahead of time, refrigerate, and then just pop it in the oven once everyone shows up. The only time you’ll spend in the kitchen is moving it in and out of the oven. Try this recipe for cheesy Mexican corn dip, which can actually be served hot or cold.
Ah, the wondrous slow cooker, the make-ahead workhorse of the kitchen. How I love it so. Whip up your dip in the morning, or if you have a Crock Pot with a removable insert, assemble the ingredients the night before and refrigerate overnight. Try keeping a big batch of easy caramel apple dip in the Crock Pot on the “warm” setting for a dessert dip that’ll have them clamoring for more.
This post is part of BlogHer’s March Madness Game Day Eats editorial series, made possible by Kettle Brand Chips.