There’s plenty of delicious light bites to choose from here, whether you’re planning a party or just eating with the family. This list features tried-and-tested tasty classics like spanakopita, saganaki, and meze platters, alongside some new favorites like feta cups and zucchini balls. While they’re technically all appetizers, there’s no need to save these for dinner or special occasions. Serve them up for light lunches, long brunches, and any time munches. Time to get your Greek on and grab some eats!
1. Spanakopita
Spanakopita is one of my personal favorites. To try this mix of flaky pastry and creamy spinach is to love it, trust me. This classic appetizer consists of a dreamy, gooey spinach and feta filling encased in buttery phyllo pastry. It can be made in individual triangles for single servings, or (as with this recipe) cooked in a casserole dish with the pastry layered on top as a flaky crust. Simply bake until the pastry is golden brown and cut into squares. You can even make this one the night before and pop it into the oven to warm before serving to your lucky diners (please put me on the guest list).
2. Greek Meze Platter
The best Greek chefs can pull together a loaded meze platter in minutes. Full of tasty morsels like meats, cheeses, spreads, and breads, it’s a mix and match meal that hits the spot. This recipe walks you through everything you need to know to pile up your platter like the pros. From suggestions on sauces to notes on how to serve, you’ll go Greek in no time!
3. Greek Layer Dip
Dips make great apps. Not only can you make up a giant bowl with very little effort, they’re also guaranteed party pleasers. They’re ideal for game days and backyard BBQs. Next time you’re on hosting duty, serve up this to-die-for dip and everyone will go home happy. It’s made with hummus, tomatoes, cucumbers, feta cheese, and black olives. Add a drizzle of olive oil, and a sprinkle of Greek seasoning, and get dipping!
4. Feta and Greek Yogurt Pita Appetizer
This fun appetizer is what happens when two great cuisines collide and Greek pita meets Italian pizza. Soft, floury pitas are topped with a creamy mix of feta and yogurt. Add fresh mint and a touch of olive oil then bake until it turns into a melty, aromatic slice of goodness and yum.
5. Greek Stuffed Cucumber Bites
If you’re looking for a light, low-carb appetizer that delivers both taste and healthy goodness, look no further! These cucumber bites are a refreshing taste of summer that’s ready in just 15 minutes. Simply slice your cucumber lengthwise and scoop out the pulp. Load up the hollowed-out cuke with feta, olives, tomatoes, red onion, and herbs. A dash of lemon juice brings everything together and, like magic, you’ll have a vibrant, healthy app that won’t derail your diet.
6. Greek Salad Skewers
Salad skewers are what I make for summer dinner parties when I want it to look like I’ve labored over dinner (when I actually sat around all afternoon watching daytime repeats). These delicious skewers look the part, and taste the part, but they’re so easy to assemble. And with black olives, chunky cheese, cucumbers, and tomatoes, they’re the perfect mix of salty, sweet, tart, and fresh.
7. Greek Bruschetta
Bruschetta is an Italian favorite, but it gets a Greek spin here. The essential elements are the same – crusty bread, tomato-based topping – but there’s a definite Greek influence with hummus, tzatziki, and feta. Bite-sized and juicy, these scrumptious snacks will keep the party going all night long.
8. Greek Puff Pastry Appetizers With Kalamata Olives
These pillowy parcels are fluffy, buttery bits of yum. Filled with a mixture of kalamata olives, red bell pepper, fresh oregano, feta, and spinach, they’re not just irresistible, they’re also packed with healthy antioxidants. Bookmark these for your next soiree, because these elegant puff pastry bites deserve an audience.
9. Greek Meatballs
Bursting with big, bold flavors, these are not your average meatballs. Ground lamb is seasoned with lemon zest, oregano, and feta before being rolled into a ball and flash-fried until golden. Finished in the oven, these are incredibly moist and juicy. Serve them warm with a creamy, cooling tzatziki sauce, and they’ll be devoured in no time (make extra, you’ll need them!).
10. Feta Dip Phyllo Cups
I love the look of these cute pastry cups, but I love the taste even more. Flaky pastry shells are stuffed with a creamy mix of feta, tomato, onion, basil, and garlic. These may be mini, but they have plenty of mighty flavors! If you’re making them ahead of time, keep the filling and shells separate (no-one likes soggy pastry). When it’s time to serve, just spoon the filling directly into the cup and you’re good to go.
11. Greek Bread
It’s not actually the bread that’s Greek in this oh-so-good recipe. It’s the flavors. Crusty French bread is topped with a Greek-style layer of green onions, olives, garlic, mushrooms, and mozzarella. Baked until the cheese turns melty and golden, this app is incredibly delicious and addictive. It’s so addictive in fact, that you might want to limit the servings in case your guests gobble down seconds and ruin their appetite for the main course.
12. Greek Appetizers on a Stick
These healthy skewers aren’t just great for parties or summer picnics, they’re also kid-friendly and great for lunch boxes. Tomato, cucumbers, and chunks of creamy feta are skewered together then drizzled with a lemony oregano dressing. Flavorful appetizers don’t get much easier than this!
13. Saganaki
Whoever first thought of frying cheese was a visionary genius. A visionary genius with great taste in appetizers. Saganaki is a very traditional Greek recipe, its origins lost to time, so we may never know who to thank for it. If you have cheese, olive oil, flour, and 10 minutes, you can definitely enjoy their brilliance. Use a medium-hard nutty cheese for this pan-fried app, as others won’t hold up under searing. If you can’t get your hands on a Greek cheese, try halloumi or thick slices of provolone. Coat your cheese in a dusting of flour then fry in olive oil. With a quick fry, it’ll develop a delicious crunchy coating but still stay soft and melty inside. Just be quick and serve it immediately, as the longer it sits, the more it’ll turn rubbery and hard.
14. Tzatziki Greek Garlic Yogurt Dip
You can dip practically anything in this creamy sauce – carrot sticks, celery, bell peppers, spoons, or even your fingers. It’s a classic tzatziki, made with thick yogurt, lots of garlic, cucumber, fresh dill, and a dash of lemon. If you want tzatziki the way the Greeks make it, this is the dip for you!
15. Grilled Calamari
Calamari is particularly popular in the Greek islands, which are known for their fresh seafood. When you’re enjoying your squid straight from the sea, it doesn’t need a lot of work. But if you can’t get your hands on fresh seafood, that’s okay, too. This recipe includes a tenderizing marinade so that even the toughest squid turns perfectly soft and juicy.
16. Olive Tapenade
Black olives are rich in iron, healthy fats, and vitamin E so treat your body (and belly) with this delicious dip made almost entirely from pureed olives. Salty and savory, it’s a powerfully pungent mix of olives, capers, anchovies, and garlic. Pro tip – roast the garlic. It takes a little extra prep but unleashes so much more flavor from the aromatic bulb. This chunky appetizer is perfect for meze platters, or simply served with crusty bread.
17. Marinated Olives With Rosemary, Garlic, and Lemon
You can’t explore Greek cuisine without bumping into lots of olives along the way. The antioxidant-rich superfood is a staple in the islands and used in dips, sauces, salads, and more. This recipe keeps things simple, serving the olives solo but elevating their delicious briny flavor with fresh herbs and zingy lemon. Just seven ingredients, only 10 minutes of prep, and you’ll have an impressive appetizer – because sometimes you don’t need to overthink these things.
18. Easy Feta Dip
You can take this tempting dip anywhere. Potlucks, game day, tailgating parties – you name it, this feta dip is welcome. Chunky, thick, and creamy, it’s a bright blend of fresh tomatoes, snappy onions, and tangy feta. Hoover this one up with tortilla chips, pita slices, or crusty baguette. Don’t worry if it gets a little messy, that’s half the fun!
19. Traditional Greek Tahini Dip
Tzatziki may be Greek’s most well-known dip, but hummus comes a close second. And every good hummus needs a generous dollop of tahini sauce. This tantalising recipe is a smooth and nutty sauce, made with sesame paste, lemon, and garlic. It’s heart-healthy, belly-friendly, and almost too good to share.
20. Greek Zucchini Balls (Kolokithokeftedes)
Vegetables you can fry are my kind of vegetables. Here, grated zucchini is mixed into a thick dough along with crumbly feta and fresh mint. Fried until golden, they’re wonderfully crispy and fluffy. Serve them with a creamy dip like tzatziki and set a few aside for yourself, because these will be devoured faster than you can say ‘kolokithokeftedes.’ Click on a star to rate it!
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