15 party snacks ready in 15 minutes or less

Last minute Christmas planning? Thinking ahead for New Year's Eve? Or are you just entertaining over the summer? We've got you. Quick to make but full of flavour, these will solve your short-on-time problems.

Credit: Donal's Meals in Minutes

Carrot fritters

Carrot fritters Credit: Kitti Gould

This recipe from Stephanie Alexander can also be made with zucchini.

Pea and cashew pesto dip

Pea and cashew pesto dip Credit: Kitti Gould

This is made in a blender in 5 minutes. Serve with vegetable crudité or crackers (or on toast for when you need a really easy meal when life is hectic!). Find more dip inspiration here.

Whitebait fritters

Whitebait fritters Credit: Sharyn Cairns

This recipe from Food Safari Water shows that simple can be delicious!

Lemon and garlic popcorn

Cancha popped corn Credit: Brodie Nalywajko

Inspired by Ecuadorian cancha, this quick but tasty popcorn number will have everyone reaching for more, and it's ready in 10 minutes. Or equally quick buttery paprika popcorn, gruyere and nutmeg popcorn or teriyaki popcorn.

Whipped feta with semi-dried tomato, garlic sourdough toasts and rosemary nuts

Credit: Donal's Meals in Minutes

This fantastic dip and nibbles combination from Donal Skeehan is ready in about 10 minutes.

Richo’s ultimate nut mix

Richo's ultimate nut mix Credit: Richo's Bar Snacks

Adrian Richardson's spiced nut mix is super quick (10 minutes tops) and simple to make, and can be served warm. Or try quick tamari almonds or Mexican chilli-lime peanuts. If you can stretch the time budget slightly, then we highly recommend these miso maple nuts (20 minutes), these spiced maple nuts and seeds (25 minutes - and honestly, we can't stop eating these!) or the rosemary-cinnamon nuts (about 20 minutes) that are served with pan-fried camembert in this recipe.

Melted goat's cheese on sourdough (crottin chaud sur toast)

Source: SBS / SBS Food

It doesn't get much simpler (but delicious!) than Luke Nguyen's party version of cheese on toast.  This recipe can be made as a snack for two or served as an appetiser with a glass of chilled white wine, or you can multiply the quantities to please a crowd.

Oysters with native condiments

Sydney rock oysters with native condiments Credit: Kitti Gould

Add a citrus twist with native finger limes and pickled desert limes. Or for other 15 minutes or less oyster variations, try Tasmanian oysters with wasabi stem, Asian-inspired oysters with lemon aspen and saltbush or oysters Kilpatrick.

Oyster shooters

Oyster shooters Credit: Richo's Bar Snacks

Or put a different spin on oysters: This pass-around oyster shooter appetiser is spiked with sake, and jalapeño pepper gives it a hit of heat.

Quick salmon blinis

Credit: Outback Gourmet

Justine Schofield made these as part of her show Outback Gourmet, but they are equally as good whipped up indoors! The topping comes together in minutes, and is popped onto pan-warmed purchased blini.

Crostini with mackerel, olives and pine nuts

Crostini con sgombro, olive e pinoli Credit: Hardie Grant Books / Emiko Davies

Try this chiccetto (A Venetian small snack or morsel) idea from Emiko Davies, ready in 10 minutes.

Fried cheese

Fried cheese Credit: One World Kitchen

Ready in ten, here the richness of fried kefalotyri or haloumi cheese is balanced with ouzo and lemon juice. Serve hot with slices of bread. (Or try this version, using fresh pecorino).

Bacon and balsamic devilled eggs

Credit: Tribune

This one is a devilishly good retro favourite! Boil the eggs earlier in the day and then quickly bring them all together to serve. Or for another version, try 'bagels and lox' devilled eggs.

Blistered shishito peppers

Credit: Adam Liaw

Add some bite to the event with these quick grilled chillies!

Lime, coconut and mint balls

Credit: Benito Martin

Looking for an easy sweet treat to serve after your savoury snacks? These are easy to make and you can pop them in the fridge to firm up while the party unfolds.