A perfect Thanksgiving dinner cannot begin without appetizers. Try our 50 recipes, including easy dishes that can be made ahead such as dips, brie bites, crostini and fried balls.
When preparing the never-ending Thanksgiving dinner, one always thinks of roast turkey, casseroles, side dishes, desserts. What about appetizers? A good holiday dinner cannot begin without these! Make sure your guests are greeted with tempting appetizers so that the dinner will be memorable right away. Whether they are elaborate, make-ahead recipes or hastily whipped up at the last minute you can even served cold. Family and friends will love them, especially kids.
You don't need a lot of ingredients to make Thanksgiving appetizers that call for the magic flavors of this fall feast. Make sure you have some items on hand for shortcuts like crescent roll dough or puff pastry, you won't regret it. If you're not quite sure how to kick off the menu, check out our 50 Thanksgiving appetizer recipes.
Impress your guests with cranberry brie bites, bacon brie crescent wreath, cocktail meatballs and more. Don't forget to serve cheeses, especially brie, goat cheese, or a simple cream cheese spread on crackers. Our favorite cheese appetizer? A delicious and fun cheese ball! If you've invited lots of guests for this special late-November dinner, be sure to also serve some tasty dips to go with crackers, bread, and pretzels.
What are you waiting for? You should not starve while the turkey is in the oven! For this Thanksgiving feast, invite family and friends, and let them munch on tasty themed appetizers while sipping delicious Thanksgiving cocktails.
Cranberries are quite popular around this time of year. In the US, cranberry season stretches from September, through to January which means that fresh cranberries are abundant at Thanksgiving. Fortunately, thanks to food preservation processes, we can have cranberries right through the year in the form of cranberry sauce. In this recipe, we use it to make delicious Cranberry Pecan Brie Bites. It’s the perfect bite-sized appetizer for the holidays when you make a lot of cranberry sauce at home.
This recipe for Fried Mashed Potato Balls is an easy, bite-sized appetizer you can make with mashed potato leftovers. It's a great recipe to serve during the holidays, especially on Thanksgiving when you usually have a lot of leftovers. These Fried Mashed Potato Balls are crispy on the outside while being soft and melt-in-your-mouth on the inside.
Searching for an easy appetizer that's sure to impress your guests? Look no further than this incredible pumpkin cheese ball recipe! It's made with two types of rich, smooth, tangy cream cheese, crunchy red bell peppers, and spring onions, a splash of ranch dressing rolled in sharp cheddar cheese. Super creamy on the inside, this fantastic fall appetizer is not only delicious, it's sure to wow your guests.
When you're trying to decide on the perfect bite-sized party appetizer to serve to guests, one easy recipe that will always be a hit is bacon-wrapped dates with goat cheese.
Walnut raspberry baked brie is insanely easy to make, and tastes fabulous. It is the perfect appetizer recipe to serve during holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. All you need is a round brie, you don't even need to take the rind off before baking because it will hold the cheese shape while melting. Top the brie with some raspberry jam, a handful of walnuts and brown sugar, then bake and enjoy still hot and creamy inside.
Bacon wrapped scallops are a delicious dish you can serve as either an appetizer or main course. It's a beautiful dish you can prepare quickly, and be grilled or fried. For the best results, you'll want to pick up high-quality large scallops for this recipe, as they will get you the best flavor. The subtle sweetness of the scallop meat and maple syrup is combined with the salty savoriness of the bacon, takes this dish to the next level – it's an ideal recipe to make when you're looking for an elegant dish for a special occasion or to impress guests at a dinner party.
Pumpkins are amazing for so many recipes. You can use them to make pies, soups, casseroles, and more. But what about the seeds? Instead of letting the seeds go to waste, why not make roasted pumpkin seeds? These healthy, crunchy delicious seeds can be served as a snack or appetizer, and you can flavor them in so many mouthwatering ways.
Bacon brie crescent wreath is a very tasty recipe, an appetizer you can serve during a party with family and friends. Very easy to make and assemble, it is a cheesy, savory crescent ring perfect for holiday season like Christmas.
Looking for a clever way to use up your leftover mac and cheese? Why not try making fried mac and cheese balls? This delicious comfort food is perfect as an appetizer or snack and is always a popular bite-sized dish you can serve up over the holidays or any time you're entertaining friends and family at home.
If you're planning on having friends and family over, whether it's for a birthday party, the holidays, or other special occasions, you'll definitely want to whip up a batch of pigs in a blanket. These delicious appetizers are always a hit with young and old alike. They're wildly popular throughout the USA where they're a staple canape at get-togethers.
Fresh spinach dip is a crowd-pleasing, creamy and cheesy dip to serve as an appetizer to a crowd. Pair it with your favorite crackers, chips or veggies for an easy go-to party recipe.
Need a last-minute appetizer to serve to your guests? This gorgeous, creamy whipped feta is perfect! Whipped feta only takes about five minutes to make, so it's ideal when you need a quick yet tasty appetizer or dip for a party.
Brussels sprouts sliders are an easy, bite-sized, keto appetizer recipe where you use Brussels sprouts instead of bread buns for making sliders. Brussels Sprouts get a lot of bad publicity, but unfairly so. They look like little cabbages and are from the same family as purple and green cabbage. They can be steamed, roasted, or boiled. But in this recipe, we decided to get creative.
Richly creamy, cheesy, and baked to golden, bubbly perfection, homemade spinach artichoke dip is so delicious you'll find any excuse to whip up a batch. It's a super simple to make warm party appetizer that everyone loves, whether you're serving it over the holidays, for game day, at birthday parties, or just because.
If you're looking for a super simple yet elegant appetizer to serve this Christmas, you'll love this delicious baked Brie in puff pastry recipe. It's an easy yet crowd-pleasing appetizer you can make with little effort.
Caramelized onion dip is the perfect party dip to serve anytime you're hosting a get-together with friends and family. This simple dip recipe is made with mouthwatering caramelized onions, sour cream, cream cheese, and wine, and is a million times tastier than anything you'll buy from a store – including Trader Joe's!
This Turkey Fruit Platter is an easy and fun recipe to serve as an appetizer for kids. It’s fun, healthy, and also kid-friendly! You can use any fruits you have on hand, or ones you can easily find in a store near you. Use the fruits to create a “turkey shape”.
Make the most of seasonal autumn produce with this phenomenally delicious butternut squash soup. It's an easy-to-make vegan soup with a luscious creamy, velvety texture that's perfect for warming you up during chilly fall and winter evenings.
Southern pimento cheese is a quick, easy dipping sauce recipe that is very popular in Southern homes. Enjoy it during a barbecue with crunchy appetizers like chips, tortillas, vegetable sticks, or as a spread for grilled sandwiches or meat.
This perfect little appetizer or snack is filled with three types of cheese making layers of delicious flavors which melt in your mouth. This specific recipe for cheese balls comes from a Greek background and are also called Tirokroketes. They are a very common appetizer in Greek pubs and we can see why- they are irresistible! So forget about mozzarella sticks or regular French fries, give this cheese ball recipe a try and you will not be disappointed!
This easy, creamy buffalo chicken dip has it all. Perfectly spicy, a little tangy, and cheesy, with tender, juicy pieces of shredded chicken throughout, it's a fantastic dish to serve up on game day or anytime you're hosting a party.
Sweet, luscious figs and tangy, salty goat cheese have always paired well together. This fig and goat cheese tart combines both flavors as well as lemon and thyme, and they are placed on a yeasted pastry base before being cooked in the oven.
Cheese straws are an easy Southern recipe everyone will love. Super delicious, the savory, cheesy flavors and peppery hint balance each bite perfectly, making this dish the ultimate appetizer or party hand-held snack.
Fried okra is a quick and easy Southern recipe. Enjoy it as a summery side dish packed with fiber. These fried okra nuggets are super crispy and golden brown, enough to be known as southern popcorn just because they pop in your mouth. To make fried okra, simply soak the sliced okra pods in egg and coat with a mixture of cornmeal, salt, pepper, or your favorite seasoning mix. Then, pan fry okra until golden brown. Serve fried okra as you want together with your favorite main dish, such as braised brisket, BBQ ribs, or Southern fried chicken.
Apple brie crostini are an easy, fragrant and tasty appetizer, perfect to open a dinner or to share during an aperitif with friends. As unusual as the apples-cheese pairing may appear, this recipe is delicious and well-balanced. The intense flavor of the brie cheese and its creamy texture pairs perfectly with the crunchiness and tartness of thinly sliced fresh apples. The sweet note of acacia honey and the aromatic flavor of fresh oregano complete the whole recipe.
If you're a fan of traditional hummus, get ready to fall in love with roasted red pepper hummus. With its sweet, smoky flavor and richly creamy, smooth texture, homemade roasted red pepper hummus is the perfect party dip, especially when you need something to wow your guests and are short on time.
If you've ever visited St. Louis, Missouri, you've probably heard of toasted ravioli. This mouthwatering, easy-to-make appetizer is one of St. Louis' most famous dishes, and with good reason.
The bruschettas with sausage ham and stracchino cheese are a delicious appetizer typical of Italian cuisine. Their preparation is extremely simple and the final result strictly depends on the quality of the selected and used raw materials; first of all a very good bread with a slightly acidic taste and preferably without salt; some sausages (preferably ham) and a creamy and very fresh stracchino cheese. Very quick to prepare, these bruschettas are ideal to serve as an appetizer or a standing buffet, or when, after returning from the office late, you don't want to give up something satisfying and nutritious. You can also enjoy them as a quick meal, completing with some fresh or sautéed vegetables. So let’s find out how to prepare them in just a few steps.
Preparing hummus is always a good idea, so what about adding a roasted pumpkin? Pumpkin hummus is an easy, vegan recipe you can enjoy as savory appetizer or even as dipping sauce. The result will be the perfect seasonal dish you can not longer do without thanks to its fall flavors and bright orange color.
Tired of the same old, boring green bean recipes? Then why not try these Fried Green Beans! You’ll love them. It’s is an easy recipe to enjoy green beans in a tastier way. The recipe has a delicious green bean flavor, while the batter adds a delicious crunch. They’re crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. They can be served as a side dish, or as an easy appetizer. Serve with a dipping sauce like hummus or ranch dressing, and see your guests coming back for more! This will become your new favorite way of serving up this humble vegetable!
The broccoli, ham and cheese rolls are delicious and very simple to prepare, ideal to be served hot as an appetizer to your friends, at a dinner or party buffet. Also tasty at room temperature, they can be put in the picnic basket and enjoyed during a trip to the park or a walk by the sea. Once you have the dough, just stuff it with your favorite cold cuts and cheeses, roll it up, cut it in small rolls and then bake everything in the oven. The final result is a soft and greedy dish, with a super stringy heart. So let’s find out how to make these rolls by following our recipe step by step.
Classic Cocktail Meatballs are a crowd-pleasing favorite. Who doesn’t love a sweet, spicy meatball? It’s easy to prepare ahead of time and is quick enough so that you can make a large batch for your next cocktail hour or party. Unlike other cocktail meatball recipes, this meatballs have a meaty flavor mixed with a rich, sweet and spicy. They are baked until golden brown but are still moist (thanks to the sauce!). You need high-quality ground beef, eggs, and seasonings. To make the sweet and spicy sauce (which can also be served on the side), you only need a handful of ingredients: ketchup, water, sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Serve these at your next party, and your guest will leave super happy!
Classic deviled eggs are one of the most popular party appetizers out there. Take this traditional recipe to the next level by adding bacon – we promise that bacon deviled eggs will be a big hit whenever you make them. Bacon deviled eggs are a fantastic quick, easy recipe you can have ready in no-time. You don't need many ingredients – eggs, of course, a little mustard, mayo, relish, and bacon. Season with a bit of salt and pepper, or a dash of paprika if you like, and a generous sprinkling of fresh chives. When serving up this delicious appetizer, serve many eggs on a plate to give a sense of abundance. Don't be surprised if this becomes one of your go-to recipes for entertaining.
Olive tapenade is a tasty Provençal spread that's perfect for parties. This beautiful savory, salty, garlicky dip has a gorgeous, saturated green color thanks to ingredients like green Castelvetrano olives and flat-leaf parsley.
Baked camembert is a delicious and tasty appetizer with a stringy center. Like for baked brie, you can serve this camembert recipe with toasted bread, croutons, aromatic herbs, jams and honey.
It’s pumpkin season! And while we love all things flavored with pumpkin, the season tends to be tough for the waistline. So you’ll be happy to know that this pumpkin soup is made without cream. It's low in calories, and is full of vitamins. It’s perfect for the fall season and holidays such as Thanksgiving, but because it’s so healthy, you don’t have to feel guilty if you’re having a second helping.
Mozzarella sticks is a quick, easy French recipe you can serve as tasty, vegetarian appetizer or finger food for a party. Choose a string cheese or dry, compact mozzarella cheese, then cut it into thin slices, coat it in the egg and the breadcrumbs, then fry it in boiling peanut seed oil until golden brown. These tasty treats will be crispy on the outside and stringy, melty cheese on the inside.
Cinnamon apple chips are very quick and easy to make. Fragrant and flavorful, you can also serve these homemade apple chips as a healthy snack to children. You only need a few ingredients to make this effortless recipe in no time — just as if you had a dehydrator.
For a tasty, fast, simple party appetizer you can use to feed a large group, there's nothing like a charcuterie and cheese board. It's an easy way to make a beautiful appetizer that takes minimal effort on your part.
No barbecue or potluck is complete without a side of homemade skillet cornbread. With its light, fluffy texture and a sweet yet savory flavor, skillet cornbread is a versatile side dish that goes with just about anything. It's great with grilled chicken, baby back ribs, pulled pork, grilled sausage, and more. It's a classic Southern side dish that's perfect for summer, but don't be surprised if you make this easy skillet cornbread all year round.
If you are looking for the perfect appetizer or something easy and delicious to pass around at a party, then look to further- this recipe is for you! These small sausage balls are addictively delicious and you can whip them up in a matter of minutes. Pancake mix, cheese, spices and sausage is all it takes and you are on your way to having the perfect little treat! As there are many gluten free pancake mixes available, this treat can also be made for those with gluten dietary restrictions without sacrificing flavor- a true crowd pleaser! So get out your measuring cups and mixing bowl and get ready to make an easy tasty treat.
The goat cheese mousse with vegetables is a delicious, colorful and irresistible appetizer. The basic ingredient of this recipe is goat cheese which, when mixed delicately with whipped cream, creates a fresh mousse with a creamy and enveloping consistency. Perfect for dipping lots of crunchy vegetable sticks, but also for spreading on slices of toasted bread, it can be served in elegant single-portion bowls at a buffet on the terrace or garden.
Looking for great vegetarian comfort food? Then you have to try this delicious Greek Spinach Pie, also known as Spanakopita. Layers of crispy, flaky phyllo dough are filled with a creamy, flavorful spinach mixture. Baked until golden, you have crunch in every bite!
You would not find snack recipes as simple and as easy as this very exotic looking cranberry walnut baked brie preparation!