Don’t let your guests go hungry while waiting for the turkey! Serve these appetizers first to keep their mouths and bellies happy. The turkey may be the highlight of the meal, but these appetizers are just as holiday-worthy. They’re easy to throw together, so adding them to your menu won’t be a hassle. You can even make them in advance so there’s one less thing to worry about come Thanksgiving day. This Thanksgiving, give your guests more things to be thankful for! These appetizers are certified crowd favorites.
30 Easy Thanksgiving Appetizer Recipes We Adore
1. Parmesan Chive Crisps
Starting off are these ridiculously crispy, cheesy, and addictive crisps! They’re so good, you won’t believe they’re a breeze to make. All you’ll need are two ingredients – parmesan cheese and chives, and some optional dash of pepper for some heat. In about 8-10 minutes in the oven, your crisps are done! I promised you easy recipes, didn’t I?
2. Potato Galette
Thin slices of potatoes are flavored with olive oil, garlic, butter, and herbs and baked until soft and golden. That’s what a galette is all about. The spuds are crispy on the outside and tender and creamy on the inside – a lovely contrast of textures, indeed. As for the flavor, well, you really can’t go wrong with garlic and butter. Those two alone are already delicious. Throw in the herbs and garlic, and you’ll have a phenomenal treat.
3. Spinach and Artichoke Dip
This spinach and artichoke dip is outrageously addictive! Seriously, I can eat it all day. Forget the chips and the crackers! Just give me a spoon, and I’m all set. By themselves, artichoke hearts and spinach aren’t exactly anyone’s favorites. Throw them in with mayo, sour cream, parmesan, and garlic-herb cheese spread, and it becomes everyone’s go-to dip.
4. Deviled Eggs
I once thought that deviled eggs were such an elaborate appetizer to make. For some reason, I associate them with fancy parties and soirees. When I found out how simple they are, I made it a point to serve them at every party I’m hosting. They’re so creamy, heavenly, and worthy of any special occasion! Serve this for Thanksgiving, and your friends and family will surely be impressed.
5. Buffalo Chicken Dip
Here’s another fantastic dip that I don’t mind eating by itself with a spoon. I mean, this dip has actual chicken in it! It really is like eating buffalo chicken but without the bones. A mix of cheddar cheese, cream cheese, bleu cheese dressing, hot sauce, and shredded rotisserie chicken, this creamy and spicy dip has no chance of lasting 5 minutes.
6. Pigs in a Blanket
First of all, how adorable are these pigs in a blanket? They’re not just oozing with cuteness, though, but with cheese, as well. Yup, these piggies are extra special because they’re stuffed with melty cheese. With puffy crescent rolls for their blanket, these guys have the perfect combination of flavor and texture. I’ll bet you can’t stop at one!
7. Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
Regular hummus is great, but this roasted red pepper hummus is 10 times greater. Adding roasted sweet red bell peppers to mashed chickpeas and tahini is pure genius! The sweetness, smokiness, and mild spice of the peppers pair so well with hummus. And while you can also get this kind of hummus from your local grocery store, it’s far better when homemade.
8. Cheesy Everything Monkey Bread
This cheesy monkey bread means serious business! Its pull-apart attribute means it’s for sharing, but I don’t mind keeping it all to myself. Don’t judge me. It’s really that tasty It’s so good, it’s surprising that it’s made of refrigerated biscuit dough. Kudos to Everything Bagel seasoning, cheese, butter, and garlic for transforming mediocre dough into heavenly bread.
9. Apple, Brie, and Caramelized Onion Tart
This tart is incredibly flaky and buttery and loaded with sweet caramelized onions, crisp apples, ooey-gooey brie cheese, and sweet and tart pomegranate molasses. Wow! Sure, caramelizing onions takes a while to make, but man, it’s worth it for sure. The flavor they add to this tart is unparalleled. Topped with pomegranate seeds, this tart is both Insta- and holiday-worthy.
10. Butternut Squash and Feta Tartlets
Apart from apples, butternut squash is the quintessential fall ingredient. There’s something so warming and cozy about this sweet veggie! The thought of it alone makes me smile. These charming tartlets are topped with tender diced squash and salty feta cheese, giving you that lovely medley of sweet and salty. They’re finished with red chili and thyme for some earthiness and spice.
11. Butternut Squash Soup
Here’s another appetizer that features the ever-delicious butternut squash. This butternut squash soup also features carrots and potatoes, so not only is it delicious, but it’s hearty as well. It’s smooth and creamy, and wonderfully sweet. With this rustic starter, your guests won’t mind waiting a few more minutes for the main entree.
12. Creamy Roasted Cauliflower Soup
This roasted cauliflower soup is just as rich as creamy as the classic pumpkin soup, but it’s a lot more wholesome. You won’t believe it doesn’t contain cream or cheese! The sound of cauliflower soup may not be all too appetizing, but trust me on this one. Roasting the florets beforehand makes such a big difference. Don’t be surprised if your guests ask for seconds!
13. Cranberry Brie Bites
Sweet and tart cranberry sauce and creamy and melty brie cheese rest on a puffy and flaky crust. My goodness, these tartlets are heaven in a bite! Sweet and salty, flaky and creamy, these guys really hit all the right notes. I know they’re only appetizers, but they’re so amazing they might just steal the spotlight away from the turkey.
14. Roasted Sweet Potato Bites
Sweet potatoes are another fall favorite, especially when you roast them. Roasting enhances the flavor of sweet potatoes like no other, which is why I always say it’s the best cooking method for vegetables. Coated with olive oil and seasoned with herbs, these sweet spuds are crispy, tender, and mind-blowingly delicious. Top them on any salad, stuff them in a burrito, or just serve them as-is.
15. Bisquick Sausage Balls
Sausage and cheese never disappoint. Stuff them in a biscuit, and you’ll get these epic appetizers that are guaranteed to be your new favorite. Think cheesy meatballs and muffins merged into one. That’s exactly what these balls are like. These starters are so cheesy and meaty. The tender biscuit dough is the perfect vessel for binding the cheese and sausage together.
16. Bacon-Wrapped Pickles
Sweet and tart pickles are wrapped in crisp and smoky bacon. Dip it in ranch dressing, and you’re golden! This appetizer is low in carbs and high in flavor. It only calls for three basic ingredients and 5 minutes of preparation. Easy is an understatement. Oh, it also happens to be keto-friendly. With this appetizer, anyone can dig in.
17. Loaded Mashed Potato Balls
Whether you use leftover mashed potatoes or make a new batch, it doesn’t matter. These potato balls are a smash! They’re nice and crispy on the outside, but once you sink your teeth into one, they almost melt in your mouth. This appetizer is also loaded with bacon and cheese, by the way, so expect it to be the first to disappear.
18. Sausage Stuffing Bites With Cranberry Dipping Sauce
These marvelous morsels are loaded with sausage, walnuts, cranberries, and cheddar cheese. Dunked in sweet cranberry sauce, they’re simply irresistible. Sweet, salty, tart, savory, meaty, cheesy – these bites have every delicious flavor you can ask for! The chewiness from the cranberries and the crunchiness of the walnuts also give them a wonderful textural contrast.
19. Baked Stuffed Brussels Sprouts
Brussels Sprouts aren’t the most popular vegetable, especially with kids. But you can always count on cheese and bacon to make them irresistible. With these additions, Brussels sprouts have never tasted better! It’s the best way to get your kids to change their minds about the unloved veggie.
20. Turkey Cheese Ball Thanksgiving Appetizer
Can there be more Thanksgiving-fitting dip than this? Just look how gorgeous this ball is! Even if you don’t have a single creative bone in your body, don’t worry, you’ll still pull this off. All you’ll need are a pre-made cheeseball, pretzel sticks, candy corn, edible candy eyes, and round crackers. It’s as delicious as it is festive!
21. Cheesy Bacon Spinach Dip
Spinach, cheese, and bacon – these three things are all you’ll really need to make a party-worthy dip. The result, though, is pretty epic. Rich and cheesy? Absolutely. Salty and smoky? You bet. Contains greens so you won’t feel too guilty about devouring it? For sure!
22. Soft Pretzels and Beer Cheese
I know I said I’m only featuring simple recipes on this list, but you have to give me this one. Believe me, you’ll want this on your Thanksgiving menu. The pretzels are insanely soft and pillowy, and the beer cheese dip is earth-shatteringly amazing. Besides, you can make them up to 3 days in advance. Just refrigerate and warm them up on the day.
23. Pumpkin Pie Dip
The sweetness of this pumpkin pie dip is a nice break from all those cheesy and savory dips we’ve talked about so far. If you’re looking for a dip for apple slices, graham crackers, and gingersnaps, this one’s for you. It’s an appetizer and dessert in one, so it’s perfect for people like me who don’t mind eating sweets all day.
24. Spinach Spanakopita
How does adding a Greek twist to the American holiday sound? No one can say no to a slice of spanakopita! It’s a savory pie with layers of phyllo crust and a spinach and feta filling. The combo of crispy and flaky plus creamy and cheesy is simply amazing.
25. Cranberry Baked Brie
This 15-minute starter is beautiful, fragrant, and mouth-watering. It’s a feast for the senses, indeed! This dip has layers of spiced cranberry sauce and brie cheese and is delicious but topped with chopped nuts for good measure. Serve it with crackers and chips, and your appetizer is ready to go.
26. Caramel Apple Cheese Ball
I can’t get over how amazing this caramel apple cheese ball is. Not once did it ever occur to me to combine cheese and caramel apple! When I tried it, it did not disappoint. This ball has cream cheese, sharp cheddar – so far, nothing odd… but wait for it. It also green apple, nutmeg, and caramel. It sounds like a strange combo, but man, the flavors work wonderfully well. Savory, creamy, sweet, and salty – how spectacular.
27. Turkey Veggie Tray
Raw vegetables don’t exactly sound like the most appetizing appetizer, but one look at this veggie tray will surely change your mind. I mean, how awesome is this turkey-looking platter? Who would’ve thought that sliced bell peppers, carrots, broccoli, snap peas, and cucumbers can be formed into a colorful turkey? Served with the dip of your choice, this veggie tray will surely disappear in minutes.
28. Crab Stuffed Mushrooms
Years ago, I was allergic to crab. But it didn’t stop me from eating these tasty crustaceans. Thankfully, my constant consumption eventually got me immune to it! Now, I can enjoy as many of these sublime crab-stuffed mushrooms worry-free. Shredded crab meat is mixed with cream cheese, parmesan, mayo, panko crumbs, garlic, and green onions. This already tells you this appetizer is delicious on a different level. Topped on white mushroom caps, these starters are definitely appetizing wildly addictive!
29. Shrimp Cocktail
When it comes to appetizers, you can never go wrong with shrimp. I see these plump, tender, and sweet crustaceans, and my mouth instantly starts to water. Shrimp is fantastic even on its own, so you don’t really need a lot to flavor it. For this appetizer, you’ll pair roasted shrimp with a refreshing cocktail sauce. And that’s it! With this simple pairing, the delectable flavor of the shrimp really shines through.
30. Sweet Potato Fries
Let’s end this list with a well-loved classic, shall we? They’re the less popular version of the classic fries, but they’re just as delicious. In fact, I think they’re better. These fries are coated with olive oil, seasoned with Italian seasoning, and baked until tender. If you’re a sucker for salty snacks with a sweet contrast, sweet potato fries are for you. Click on a star to rate it!
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