4 Last-minute appetizers for tonight’s dinner

Whether you need a quick appetizer to keep your hungry family happy before dinner is ready or because unexpected guests have arrived, here are four that are quick and easy to make with ingredients you probably already have on hand. In a pinch, substitute ingredients and create your own version of these delicious last-minute appetizers.

Bacon-cheddar pinwheels

Serving size 16

Ingredients:

• 1 can Pillsbury refrigerated crescent dinner rolls or 1 can crescent recipe creations refrigerated seamless dough sheet
• 2 tablespoons ranch dressing
• 1/4 cup cooked real bacon pieces or 4 slices bacon, crisply cooked, crumbled
• 1/2 cup finely shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions (4 medium)

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. If using crescent rolls: Unroll dough; press each into 12 x 8-inch rectangle, firmly pressing perforations to seal. If using dough sheet: Unroll dough; press each into 12 x 8-inch rectangle.
3. Spread dressing over each rectangle to edges. Sprinkle each with bacon, cheddar cheese and onions.
4. Starting with one short side, roll up each rectangle; press edge to seal. With serrated knife, cut each roll into 8 slices; place cut side down on ungreased cookie sheet.
5. Bake 12 to 17 minutes or until edges are deep golden brown. Immediately remove from cookie sheet. Serve warm.

Parmesan biscuits

Serving size 8

Ingredients:

• 1 package refrigerated biscuits
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1 clove garlic, minced (or 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt)
• 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 425 degrees F.
2. Melt butter and mix in garlic.
3. Open biscuits and split each in half and place on cookie sheet. Drizzle butter/garlic mixture on each biscuit.
4. Sprinkle cheese in the center of each biscuit.
5. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until lightly browned. Serve warm.

Baked herb tomato appetizer

Serving size 8 to 10

Ingredients:

• 4 large ripe tomatoes
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon oregano (can substitute basil or rosemary)
• 1 package refrigerator biscuits or crescents (optional)

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 425 degrees F.
2. Slice each tomato into 3 to 4 horizontal thick slices.
3. Place on baking sheet (vegetable spray or oil first), sprinkle Parmesan cheese on each tomato slice the sprinkle oregano on top. You can also cook the biscuits or crescent triangles — not rolled up — at the same time.
4. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes. Once done, place tomato slices on the biscuits and serve. May also be served on pieces of crisp French bread.

Ham and cheese crescent snacks

Serving size 8 to 12

Ingredients:

• 1 package refrigerated crescent rolls
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon honey mustard
• Thin Ham slices
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Open crescent roll can and separate and place triangles out on cookie sheet.
3. Mix softened butter and honey mustard then spread lightly on tops of crescent rolls.
4. Fold ham slices to fit and lay on crescent rolls. Sprinkle Cheddar cheese in center of ham.
5. Carefully roll up crescent roll thick end to small end.
6. Bake 15 to 18 minutes, until lightly browned. You can serve as is or cut in halves or thirds.

More quick meal ideas

Main course recipes using four ingredients
Sneaky ways to reuse leftovers
5 Fresh takes on breads and spreads