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80+ Best Potluck Recipes

Brianne Izzo
By Brianne Izzo

Looking for the best potluck food ideas for your next party? This collection of easy, crowd-pleasing recipes has you covered. From mains to sides to desserts, these potluck recipes travel well, feed the whole gang, and will impress at any gathering.

collage of macaroni and cheese, baked beans, cole slaw, pasta salad, barbecue meatballs, and chili
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Easy Potluck Food Ideas

When you’re asked to bring food to a party, it’s easy to feel stuck on what travels well, feeds a crowd, and actually gets eaten. That’s why I pulled together this roundup of my favorite potluck ideas. You’ll find everything from hearty casseroles and shareable salads to finger foods and desserts that disappear fast.

These dishes are tried-and-true potluck recipes that always deliver. They are easy to make, simple to transport, and guaranteed to be the first ones gone from the buffet table. Whether you’re headed to a holiday party, church social, cookout, or neighborhood block party, these are the potluck foods people will ask you to bring again and again.

What is a Potluck?

A potluck is any kind of dinner party or another gathering where everyone attending brings a dish to share. Sometimes it is called a covered dish party because many people bring something cooked in a casserole dish. This makes party planning easier and shares the costs amongst the group.

Potluck Tips

The best potluck recipes have to be crowd-pleasing, but there are also practical things to keep in mind:

  • Plan for variety. In theory, by everyone bringing a dish you have a full menu and a number of different things to try. But you can also end up with an impalance, so have people sign up or assign a category to each person or family attending so that you have an even distribution. Another option is for the host to provide the main dish, and everyone else brings appetizers, sides, and desserts.
  • Choose the right dish. Consider how you will pack up and transport the dish (sloppy soups are not the best option), whether it can stay at room temperature or how you’ll keep it hot or cold (keep reading for more on that), and if it will serve the number of guests expected.
  • Cook for a crowd. Depending on the size of the crowd, you might want to find recipes that are easy to double or triple.
  • Make it last. Since the food may get left out for a while, recipes that can stand at room temperature might be a good thing to consider. If you need to keep food cold, check out serving platters on ice.
  • Keep hot food hot. You can keep potluck food hot in a crockpot, and a slow cooker with a locking lid is helpful for transporting food without spilling. If the host will have warming racks, you’ll want to have your dish in foil pans to set on the rack.
  • Make serving simple. It’s also helpful to bring your own serving utensils, perhaps even disposable serving utensils so you don’t have to worry about getting them back.

80+Easy Potluck Recipes

All of the best crowd-pleasing recipes to take to a party. Easy to make, transport, and serve, these ideas for appetizers and snacks, salad, side dishes, main course, and desserts will have everyone asking for seconds (and maybe even for the recipe).

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Key to finding gluten free recipes:

GF – gluten free recipe
GFO – recipe with gluten free option

Potluck Appetizers and Snacks Everyone Loves

Food brings everyone together, especially when the party gets started with delicious apps. Dips, snack mixes, and finger foods like pinwheels and deviled eggs are some great ways to start your potluck meal. Here are some ideas:

A closeup of a Deviled Egg garnished with paprika and dill with more blurred int he background on a platter.

Greek Yogurt Deviled Eggs

A lighter version of the original that is still creamy and delicious with the same zippy flavor. GF
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Baked BBQ Turkey Meatballs

Apple Cider BBQ Turkey Meatballs

Flavor-packed baked meatballs you can keep warm in a crockpot. GFO (use gluten free breadcrumbs or conrmeal)
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Chef Salad on a Stick appetizers on a wooden platter with a bowl of honey mustard.

Chef Salad on a Stick

Turn the classic salad into an easy appetizer to serve with your favorite dressing for dipping. Plus these are gluten free and low carb. GF
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Chicken pinwheel sandwiches with veggies on a cutting board.

Mediterranean Chicken Pinwheels

Grab a rotisserie chicken from the store to make this fun finger food with fabulous Greek flavors.
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Fingers holding a chip in a baking dish of barbecue chicken dip loaded with bacon and tomatoes on top.

BBQ Chicken Dip

Loaded with chicken, cheese, and barbecue sauce, then topped with bacon and tomatoes. It’s easy, cheesy, and perfect for dipping tortilla chips, crackers, and even veggies. GF
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A bowl of hummus topped with olive oil and cilantro.

Homemade Hummus

The classic chickpea dip you can scoop up with veggies, chips, or pita. Once you make it yourself, you won't be able to resist the fresh flavor. GF
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A waffle fry being used to scoop up all of the layers of the hot dip.

Layered Bacon Cheeseburger Dip

A hot, cheesy appetizer loaded with burger toppings. Serve with veggies, toasted burger buns, or even waffle fries. GF
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Sheet pan chicken nachos with bowls of toppings on the side

Sheet Pan Chicken Nachos

Start with super simple slow cooker Mexican chicken, then add layers of chips, toppings, and plenty of cheese. Pop it in the oven, then top it all off with salsa, sour cream, and even a delicious Avocado Lime Crema! GF
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A white serving dish of Italian stuffed mushrooms topped with melted mozzarella cheese on a red and white cloth napkin.

Italian Stuffed Mushrooms

Filled with meaty sauce and topped with mozzarella and parmesan, no breadcrumbs needed. GF
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A small spreader starting to scoop up some melty baked brie topped with honey-glazed walnuts and pecans.

Honey Nut Baked Brie

Impress everyone with this ooey gooey and elegant appetizer with only four ingredients. GF
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Close up of a gluten-free ham and cheese slider on a green plate.

Ham and Cheese Sliders

These cheesy sammies are always a favorite. You'll love the buttery little buns with tangy glavors. GFO (use gluten free slider rolls)
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A ham pineapple cheeseball on top of a red, white, and green plaid cloth napkin with a small spreader knife laying next to it.

Pineapple Ham Cheese Ball

Sweet and salty, cheesy flavors, and creamy texture with the perfect amount of crunch from its pecan coating. GF
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A bowl of parmesan white bean dip with veggies and chips.

Parmesan White Bean Dip

Only five ingredients in this cheesy, veggie-packed twist on the same old hummus. GF
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A square white bowl is full of colorful mango avocado salsa.

Mango Avocado Salsa

Sweet and tangy, with just a hint of spice, and no raw onions or jalapenos, making it totally a kid-friendly dip. GF
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A row of buffalo deviled eggs on a green rectangular plate.

Buffalo Deviled Eggs

Add an extra kick to this appetizer classic with hot sauce and tangy blue cheese. GF
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More Appetizers and Snacks

  • Maple Nut Party Mix | The easiest party mix with perfectly balanced sweet and salty flavors. GFO (use Corn or Rice Chex)
  • Pepperoni Bread | Refrigerated pizza dough, pepperoni, and provolone cheese rolled up to make one heck of an appetizer. Remember the marinara for dunking.
  • Italian Hoagie Dip | Your favorite sub sandwich fixings chopped and served dip-style with crusty bread slices. GF
  • Jalapeno Popper Cheese Bread | The perfect blend of spice and creaminess topped with crunchy bacon.
  • Sausage Pinwheels Recipe | Just a few simple flavors combine to create an addictively good party bite.

Potluck Salads to Share

Sometimes you want some cold dishes at your get-togethers. While this might mean a traditional green salad, dishes like potato salad, pasta or macaroni salad, fruit salad, and coleslaw are popular potluck ideas.

bowl of healthy coleslaw with a spoon next to it

Apple Coleslaw

Made with Greek yogurt, this is a healthy version of the classic picnic salad with a sweet and savory twist. GF
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Three bean salad in a blue bowl with a wooden spoon.

Three Bean Salad

This picnic staple features a hearty medley of beans with a zesty vinaigrette. GF
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Avocados and lime slices top a bowl of Mexican quinoa salad.

Mexican Quinoa Salad

Not only is this salad loaded with amazing colors, textures, and flavors, but it also holds up well even at room temperature.
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Broccoli apple salad in a serving bowl.

Broccoli Apple Salad

Made with Greek yogurt plus walnuts and cheddar cheese, you get an extra burst of flavors, protein, and crunch. GF
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A closeup of a bowl of creamy fruit salad.

Creamy Winter Fruit Salad

A sweet and juicy mixture of fresh fruits lightly coated with a honey Greek yogurt dressing and toasted walnuts for crunch. GF
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Ranch potato salad topped with bacon is served in a grey bowl.

Ranch Potato Salad

This recipe packs in all of your favorite flavors, and you don’t even need a Ranch dressing seasoning packet. GF
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zoodles caprese salad in a serving bowl on a wooden tabletop next to a red plaid napkin

Caprese Zoodles Salad

The classic summer salad of tomatoes and fresh mozzarella gets a literal twist by tossing them with spiralized zucchini noodles and balsamic dressing. GF
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Hawaiian Coleslaw with pineapple in a yellow bowl on a polka dot and orange cloth napkins.

Hawaiian Pineapple Coleslaw

Put a sweet and savory tropical twist on the same old slaw. GF
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A white bowl of Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad on a table with red cloth napkins.

Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad

A light and fresh salad tossed in a simple dressing of olive oil, lemon juice, and oregano. GF
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Overhead image of mango berry fruit salad.

Mango Berry Fruit Salad

So bright and fresh with a sweet and slightly tangy honey-lime dressing to pull it all together.
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A bowl of Greek salad.

Easy Greek Salad

Bursting with fresh cherry tomatoes, juicy cucumber slices, tangy feta cheese and more, then it's mixed with a zesty garlic lemon dressing that will have everyone reaching for seconds. GF
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striped napkin on a white picnic table with a blue bowl of mexican macaroni salad

Mexican Pasta Salad

Not your basic macaroni salad recipe, it's made with egular or gluten free noodles, black beans, corn, tomatoes, and a zesty Greek yogurt dressing make this hearty but still light and healthy. GFO (use gluten free pasta)
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A glass dish of apple candy bar salad with a spoon leaning against it.

Creamy Apple Salad

A healthy twist on the classic Snicker Salad recipe with the sweet and creamy deliciousness and Snickers flavors from Greek yogurt, honey, dark chocolate, and peanuts. GF
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More Salad Recipes

  • Chopped Asian Salad | Made with shredded green cabbage, celery, carrots, green onion, cilantro, crunchy chow mein noodles, chicken and the best dressing, this is always a hit.
  • Creamy Delicatessen Fruit Salad | A creamy and luscious fruit salad that is perfect for parties. GF
  • Classic Italian Pasta Salad | A colorful and reliable, go-to pasta salad recipe with meats, cheeses, and veggies. GFO (use gluten free pasta)
  • Mediterranean Couscous Salad | A quick and easy side dish that is so versatile it can be eaten warm, room temperature or even cold.
  • Rainbow Farro Salad | This salad is the perfect combination of delicious vegetables and hearty farro with a dressing that has just the right amount of tang to it so it tastes light and fresh.
  • Italian Chopped Salad with Tortellini | Three kinds of meats, cheeses, veggies, and pasta make this delicious, filling and rather unforgettable.
  • Ambrosia Salad | An easy salad with a variety of colorful fruit with marshmallows and coconut tossed in a light and creamy dressing. GF
  • Creamy Pea Salad | This dish requires very little cooking with just a little bit of chopping and mixing – it could easily be a no-cook recipe if you buy precooked bacon. GF
  • BLT Pasta Salad | A tasty pasta salad with an all-time favorite flavor combination.
  • Pressure Cooker Amish Macaroni Salad | You can make this classic old-fashioned side dish in your Instant Pot

Side Dishes That Travel Well

For a side dish to feed a crowd, potatoes, baked beans, and other veggie casseroles are great potluck recipes. These hot sides are true crowd-pleasers.

A spoonful of semi homemade baked beans scooped out of a white corningware dish

Semi-Homemade Baked Beans

All of the flavors of slow-cooked beans, but none of the effort, and it is so easy and tasty because it starts with canned baked beans. GF
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Gluten-free green bean casserole in a large white baking dish.

Green Bean Casserole

This recipe features fresh green beans cooked until tender-crisp in a creamy mushroom sauce and topped off with a crunchy topping. GF
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Butternut squash macaroni and cheese is spooned out of a baking dish

Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

The classic comfort food dish with added veggies, but all the cheesy goodness you love. GFO (see gluten free pasta)
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A spoon scooping up some corn pudding out of a glass baking dish.

Corn Pudding

A family-favorite side dish that is creamy, savory, and sweet, and so easy to prepare. GF
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A bowl of mashed potatoes with bacon and cheddar cheese on a striped placemat with a serving spoon next to it.

Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

A fast and easy side dish with only five ingredients and lightened up with Greek yogurt, but plenty of cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon to make them irresistible. GF
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Scooping up cheesy sweet potato casserole

Scalloped Sweet Potatoes and Apples

For a change to the classic scalloped potatoes or potatoes au gratin, add a sweet element to this savory and cheesy side dish casserole. GF
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Browned Butter Peas and Carrots on a serving dish with a serving spoon on a striped placemat.

Brown Butter Peas and Carrots

Give the veggies a simple but delicious upgrade by tossing them in browned butter and nobody will be able to resist them, plus it is so easy to double or triple the recipe. GF
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More Side Dish Recipes

  • Funeral Potatoes | It doesn’t get any better than potatoes mixed with sour cream, butter, white sauce, and tons of cheddar cheese, then baked to perfection with a crunchy corn flake topping.
  • Cheese Broccoli Casserole | This tasty casserole has broccoli roasted in a cheesy and creamy sauce then topped with a crunchy topping.
  • Caribbean Confetti Rice | A fragrant coconut rice recipe loaded with chiles, sweet peppers, pineapple, cilantro, and spices that is easy to make and so delicious. GF

Mains that Feed a Crowd

Crowd-pleasing dishes that feed a lot of people, from meats you roast in the oven or cook in a slow cooker like pulled pork or chicken, and even baked ham, prime rib, or turkey to pasta dishes and hearty casseroles and more.

A slice of lasagna being lifted out of pan

World’s Best Lasagna Recipe

This classic dish includes layers of noodles, hearty meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey mozzarella cheese. GF (use gluten free lasagna noodles)
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Pineapple Rings covering the outside of a baked ham

Brown Sugar Glazed Ham

With a sweet and tangy glaze and pineapple, this classic baked ham is the tru centerpiece of any meal. GF
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A large spoon scooping a serving of Shepherd's Pie out of a casserole dish.

Easy Shepherd’s Pie

Hearty beef and veggies are topped with fluffy mashed potatoes and cheese for a fast and delicious dish everyone loves. GF
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A shredded chicken sandwich on a bun.

Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken Sandwiches

Chicken simmers all day in your crockpot with apple cider, apple slices, and onions that you can pile on bread or rolls and top with cheddar cheese for yummy sandwiches. GFO (serve on gluten free rolls)
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A slice of gluten free baked ziti is lifted from a casserole dish.

Baked Ziti

This classic pasta dish is so quick and simple to assemble, but makes plenty to feed a crowd, especially since it is easy to double too. GFO (use gluten free pasta)
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A spoon drizzles gravy over slices of turkey on a plate.

Air Fryer Turkey Breast

Save space in the oven and cook a juicy and flavorful turkey breast in the air fryers. GF
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A fork is ready to dig into a portion of Itlian noodle casserole on a white plate.

Italian Noodle Casserole

A healthier version of an old-fashioned baked pasta dish with creamy noodles, meaty sauce, and bubbly cheese. GFO (use gluten free noodles)
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A Pulled Pork Sandwich with Onions on a White Serving Platter

Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork

Fall-apart tender and melt-in-your-mouth delicious! Flavored with garlic powder, smoked paprika, brown sugar, barbecue sauce and more, the sweet and savory goodness is out of this world. GF
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Crockpot barbecue beef in a white bowl garnished with fresh parsley.

Crockpot BBQ Beef

Savor the flavor of tender shredded beef in a tangy homemade BBQ sauce, perfect for family meals and potlucks, with Instant Pot instructions included for those in a hurry. GF
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More Main Dish Recipes

  • Crock Pot Pizza Casserole | A slow cooker pasta casserole that you can customize with your favorite pizza toppings.
  • Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sliders | Easy and flavor-packed pork you can toss in your crockpot the night before to make sandwiches the next day.
  • Crockpot BBQ Chicken | Everything just goes into the slow cooker without any special prep to make fall-apart tender, juicy and delicious chicken to put on rolls with our coleslaw and pickles. GFO (serve with gluten free rolls)
  • Instant Pot Honey Baked Ham | Spiral sliced ham is steamed to perfection with a sweet honey sauce, keeping this ham full of flavor and moisture. GF

Crowd-Pleasing Dessert Ideas

Desserts that you bring to a party also need to feed a crowd. That’s why things like cookies and brownies and bars are great because one batch makes a ton, and you can pick one up to eat. But icebox cakes, lush and dream desserts, and other large-batch desserts are also always a hit.

Monster Cookie Bars on a small white plate with one leaning on the other with more of the monster bars on a sheet of parchment paper.

Monster Cookie Bars

Turn a fully-loaded cookie with peanut butter, oats, chocolate chips, and M&M candies into a dessert that you can make with less than 15 minutes of work and in only one bowl. GF
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Scooping up caramel apple dip with an apple slice.

Caramel Apple Dip

Delicious dips aren't just for appetizers. Pile a platter with apple slices, graham crackers, and more to scoop up this gooey and creamy treat.
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Three stacked Peanut Butter Cup Brownies on a blue and white striped napkin with a glass of milk.

Fudgy Peanut Butter Brownies

Rich, fudgy homemade brownies are swirled with peanut butter and dotted with chunks of Reese’s peanut butter cups for a decadent chocolaty dessert nobody can resist. GF
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Overhead image of a creamsicle jello mold on a cake stand.

Creamsicle Jello Mold

This fun and gorgeous dessert is a taste of childhood in a showstopper treat made with real orange juice and ice cream. GF
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A stack of 7 layer bars.

7-Layer Bars

These chewy, gooey bars with all kinds of textures and flavors on a buttery crust are a party classic. GFO (use gluten free graham crackers for the crust)
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Gluten-free rice krispies treats on a wooden platter.

Rice Krispie Treats

Everyone's favorite cereal treats with extra marshmallowy pockets is always one of the first sweets to disappear from the dessert table. GFO (use gluten free brands of ingredients)
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A stack of gluten free lemon bars on a rectangular platter with lemons in the background.

Easy Gluten Free Lemon Bars

Tender and citrusy, these are an easy dessert made with a thick layer of creamy lemon filling on top of a zesty gluten-free crust.
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A piece of chocolate cake with peanut butter whipped topping and chopped reese's on a white plate with a fork.

Reese’s Poke Cake

The ultimate flavor combination comes together in this chocolate sheet cake with chocolate frosting and whipped peanut butter topping plus plenty of Reese's. GFO (use a gluten free choclate cake recipe or mix)
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slice of strawberries and cream cake

Strawberry Whipped Cream Cake

Layers of white cake with strawberry filling and whipped cream come together for a totally heavenly dessert recipe that is simple and perfect. GFO (make this Gluten Free Strawberry Cake instead)
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Butter Pecan M&M’s Magic Bars Recipe

M&M’s and toasted pecans in a gooey layer atop a buttery graham cracker crust makes this the best magic bars recipe you’ll ever taste.
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A stack of gluten free white chocolate chip cookies on top of a piece of burlap with more cookies on a green platter and a chevron striped cup in the background.

Gluten Free White Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies with Toffee and Almonds

Add some new flavors to the classic cookie recipe for a buttery, nutty, sweet treat. GF
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Reese's-topped peanut butter cookies on a blue plate in top of a white napkin.

Flourless Reese’s Peanut Butter Cookies

Double the peanut butter goodness because unlike classic peanut blossoms recipe, these have Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups on top instead of just plain chocolate. GF
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Looking down at Almond Joy Puppy Chow overfilling three stacked bowls.

Almond Joy Puppy Chow

A sweet no-bake snack mix that tastes just like an Almond Joy with Chex cereal and almonds covered in almond butter, chocolate, and coconut. GF
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A Lucky Charm cupcake in a pink liner is shown on a cupcake stand surrounded by Lucky Charms.

Lucky Charms Cupcakes

Yummy cupcakes made with cereal milk and Lucky Charms Marshmallows and frosted with a marshmallow-studded buttercream.
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Three Flourless Turtle Cheesecake Brownies stacked on a plate with some on a cake stand in the background.

Flourless Turtle Cheesecake Brownies

Rich, fudgy brownies swirled with cheesecake and caramel then topped with pecans. GF
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More Potluck Dessert Recipes

  • S’mores Cookie Bars | Start with a graham cracker crust topped with chocolate chip cookie dough that is full of lots of chocolate and marshmallows, then add Hershey bars for a twist on the classic treat that you can enjoy any day of the year, no campfire required.
  • Old Fashioned Cocoa Fudge Cake | There is nothing better than a moist, tender cake baked in a pan big enough for a crowd, then iced with the creamiest cocoa buttercream frosting.
  • S’mores Lasagna | A fun icebox cake with layers of graham cracker, chocolate whipped cream, toasted marshmallow mousse, and pudding, topped with more toasted marshmallows.
  • Super Moist Chocolate Cupcakes | These super moist chocolate cupcakes pack tons of chocolate flavor in each cupcake wrapper and are made from simple everyday ingredients. They taste completely over-the-top with chocolate buttercream.
  • Banana Chocolate Chip Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting | A luscious banana cake studded with mini chocolate chips and topped with a smooth and creamy cream cheese frosting.
  • Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars | Soft and buttery cookie bars have a chocolate chip cookie dough recipe with no mixer and no chilling baked in a pan to make them super quick and easy.
  • No-Bake Mint Chip Lush | A layered no-bake chocolate and mint dessert with crushed cookies, mint chip cheesecake, and chocolate pudding.
  • Lemon Lush | A light and fresh dessert with a shortbread crust, cream cheese, lemon pudding, and fresh whipped cream.
  • Pineapple Dream | A light and fluffy pineapple dessert with cream cheese, pineapple, whipped cream and graham crackers.

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