If you’re not already planning a fête for Oktoberfest, get on it! The folk festival runs this year from September 21-October 6 and is headquartered in Munich, Germany, but it’s easy to get in on the fun by throwing a beer-themed party in the comfort of your own home.
One of the easiest ways to make your Oktoberfest party feel festive and on-theme is to serve an array of beer-filled snacks (alongside actual beer). Turns out, there are tons of creative ways to cook and bake with beer, so you won’t be short on options. The recipes below are a mixture of savory and sweet. Some make great appetizers or snacks, others work as a main dish, and still others are perfectly sweet desserts. When you’re shopping for your party, go ahead and buy a little more beer than you think you need, so that you have plenty to cook with.
Easy beer cheese dip
Every party needs some queso. During Oktoberfest, make sure yours is spiked with beer.
Chocolate stout cupcakes
For a little something sweet, bake these malty chocolate cupcakes, which are adorably garnished with pretzels.
Bacon jalapeño cheddar beer bread
Beer bread is a classic for a reason. There are fewer ingredients than regular bread, and no risk that yeast won’t rise.
Beer, bacon, and potato chip cookie bars
If you’re a fan of savory sweets, these dense, salty cookie bars are for you.
Beer-braised pot roast
If you’re feeding a crowd, this simple pot roast (braised in Belgian ale) is perfect alongside some bread or potatoes.
Beer-braised carnitas
Tacos might not be the most obvious Oktoberfest choice, but this beer-braised pork is pretty on-theme.
Beer-braised short ribs
Short ribs are a pricier cut of meat, so this beer-braised recipe is better for smaller parties.
Loaded sweet potato nachos with beer-braised short ribs
If you want a truly impressive centerpiece for your snack spread, these loaded sweet potato “nachos” are full of flavor, and very colorful.
Glazed honey-garlic beer can chicken
Beer can chicken is great on the grill, but also works in your oven.
Soft beer pretzel nuggets
Soft pretzels are a standby at Oktoberfest. These beer pretzel nuggets deliver the same fun and flavor, without as much hassle.
Blue Moon orange-glazed breakfast beer bread
If you don’t want to drink beer for breakfast, you can eat beer for breakfast with this sweet, pretty orange-glazed beer bread.
Beer bread muffins
Cook up a big batch of chili, then serve these cute beer bread muffins alongside.
Spent grain beer crackers
These crunchy, simple crackers are made with beer, flour, and spent grain or wheat germ. (Pro tip: They’re great with beer cheese.)
Caramelized onion beer dip
This cool, creamy onion dip is perfect with potato chips, pretzels, or even veggie sticks.
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