These 84 Appetizers Might Just Be The Best Part Of Thanksgiving

crescent dough bites filled with brie and cranberry sauce
84 Thanksgiving Appetizers PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

The biggest food holiday of the year is right around the corner, so we know you're about to be busy planning everything for the best Thanksgiving ever: the turkey, casseroles, veggies, potatoes, desserts... It can be a LOT, but we implore you to not forget one very important thing: appetizers. While you’re making sure everything is coming together perfectly for dinner, your guests need something to nosh on, something to keep them occupied, and something to get them talking to one another (family or friends can all sometimes use the encouragement). Whether you’re looking for quick and easy last-minute options or want something more elaborate, we’ve got something here for you.

If adding another thing to your Thanksgiving prep list seems overwhelming, don’t worry. We’ve got some crazy simple shortcuts that’ll keep the stress off of you while still being impressive to your guests. One of our favorites has gotta be using store-bought crescent roll dough, puff pastry, or pizza dough to make a myriad of appetizers without much effort. Check out our cranberry brie bites, our apple cheddar bundles, our cheesy green bean & mushroom tart, or our caramelized onion & goat cheese bites to see how versatile they can be.

Another one of our fallback options is, of course, cheese. No one is mad about a big hunk of brie, goat cheese, or cream cheese to snack on, so you can practically just put out a plate of some and call it a day. We do recommend making it extra special by going just a bit further with your presentation, but really, some of these recipes are practically that easy. Try our (goat cheese-stuffed) bacon-wrapped dates, our pumpkin cheese ball, our cheese ball bites, our whipped feta roasted potatoes, or our turkey cheese ball (yep, shaped like one!) to see what we mean.

Another option is to take a note from many of our favorite restaurants and ply your guests with bread before the meal. Any variety of appetizer bread will help engender hospitality (“breaking bread”) among your guests, and really, that's what Thanksgiving is all about. Try our Parmesan bread bites, our cranberry brie pull-apart bread, our antipasto roll-ups, our Mediterranean pinwheels, or our cranberry brie biscuit dip. Speaking of dip, feel free to go easy and put out some bread, veggies, and crackers with a simple homemade option, like our cranberry whipped feta dip, our caramelized onion dip, our muhammara, or our bacon spinach dip. They're sure to be beloved by all and keep everyone distracted from inquiring as to when dinner will be served too. 😉

One more thing you’re not going to want to forget? Drinks! Check out our favorite fall drinks and Thanksgiving cocktails for ideas too.


Cranberry Brie Bites

These are a fan favorite every fall. They always disappear within minutes, probably because the combo of salty, creamy brie, sweet-tart cranberry sauce, and crunchy pecans is PERFECT.

Get the Cranberry Brie Bites recipe.

crescent dough bites filled with brie and cranberry sauce
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE


Stuffed Mushrooms

To make these, we stuff baby bella mushrooms with garlicky, herby breadcrumbs and plenty of cheese. Stuff them ahead of time and bake them off when you're ready for the most Thanksgiving-friendly appetizer ever.

Get the Stuffed Mushrooms recipe.

stuffed mushrooms with breadcrumbs
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE


Potatoes Au Gratin Stacks

These cute apps make classic potatoes au gratin more fun, and infinitely poppable. The trick to getting the perfect stack? Muffin tins!

Get the Potato Gratin Stacks recipe.

sliced potato stacks with melted cheese and bacon
PHOTO: DOAA ELKADY; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON


Cheese Ball Bites

These easy bites are perfect for any Thanksgiving celebration. We love their little pretzel handles, but feel free to leave them out or even make one huge cheese ball instead!

Get the Cheese Ball Bites recipe.

cheese ball bites with pretzel sticks
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER


Baked Goat Cheese With Caramelized Onions

Goat cheese will always hold a special place in our hearts (and our appetizers!). Baked in the oven with fig jam and sweet caramelized onions, this dip is the perfect rich addition to your party spread.

Get the Baked Goat Cheese With Caramelized Onions recipe.

baked goat cheese with caramelized onions
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE


Green Bean Casserole Bundles

These are the perfect fall appetizer—they've got everything you love from green bean casserole, but are SO much easier to make. Hot tip: Make extra, these go fast!

Get the Green Bean Casserole Bundles recipe.

green bean casserole bundles
Parker Feierbach


Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkins are pretty amazing. One of their best (and often overlooked) attributes is their seeds! They're great prepared super simply, roasted with salt and melted butter, but the variations are completely endless. We love ranch seasoning, taco seasoning, or cinnamon sugar for an added pop of flavor.

Get the Roasted Pumpkin Seeds recipe.

seasoned roasted pumpkin seeds with flaky sea salt
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE


Turkey Cheese Ball

Even if you're not serving turkey this Thanksgiving doesn't mean you can't get in on the theme. Enter: this adorable cheeseball. We used carrots, pecans, pretzels, and bell peppers to create the iconic look, but feel free to sub out for different ingredients for what you have on hand. Serve it with crackers and use the decorations as dippers too!

Get the Turkey Cheeseball recipe.

turkey cheeseball
Parker Feierbach


Apple Cheddar Bundles

Think this sounds like a strange combo? You've gotta trust us on this one. If the aroma of toasted puff pastry, roasted apples, and nutty cheddar cheese doesn’t wake up your spirit… we're not sure what will.

Get the Apple Cheddar Bundles recipe.

apple cheddar bundles with puff pastry honey pecans and thyme
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON


Parmesan Tortellini Bites

As far as stuffed pasta goes, tortellini is highly versatile, convenient, and—the best part—filled with cheese. You may have heard of toasted ravioli, but these crispy Parmesan tortellini bites will soon become your new favorite appetizer.

Get the Parmesan Tortellini Bites recipe.

fried bites of tortellini topped with parmesan and served with marinara sauce
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON


Crispy Hot Honey Cauliflower Nuggets

Coated with toasty bread crumbs and drizzled in a ridiculously craveable hot honey sauce, these crispy cauliflower nuggets are the tasty plant-based app everyone (and we mean EVERYONE) can get behind.

Get the Crispy Hot Honey Cauliflower Nuggets recipe.

crispy hot honey cauliflower nuggets on white parchment paper with one being dipped into sauce
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON


Memaw's Sausage Bundles

Looking for a quick and easy appetizer to serve at your next gathering? It doesn’t get any easier than these little bundles of deliciousness. With only three ingredients, they come together pretty fast, and believe us, that’s a great thing because the sooner they’re ready to be devoured, the better.

Get the Memaw's Sausage Bundles recipe.

crescent roll bundles filled with a sausage mixture
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE


Cranberry Whipped Feta Dip

This cranberry-topped whipped feta dip is here to save your holiday appetizer planning. Fresh feta cheese is combined with herbs, garlic, and cream cheese, whipped until super-smooth, then topped with tart homemade cranberry sauce, toasted pistachios, and honey. The result is a salty, creamy, sweet, tart, and absolutely irresistible dip.

Get the Cranberry Whipped Feta Dip recipe.

whipped garlic and herb feta, topped with fresh cranberry sauce, pistachios, and honey
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: SIMON ANDREWS


Upside-Down Cream Of Mushroom Tartlets

This beginner-friendly pastry hack transforms store-bought puff pastry into a beautiful bite-sized snack. We’ve seen videos using sliced apples, tomatoes, and even caramelized onions, but our version leans heavily into savory territory with a cream of mushroom soup-inspired filling.

Get the Upside-Down Cream Of Mushroom Tartlets recipe.

individual puff pastry squares topped with a cheesy mushroom duxelles, slices of roasted mushrooms, and fresh thyme
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON


Whipped Feta Roasted Potatoes

This recipe is the perfect example of a super satisfying texture combo: Hot, crispy potatoes are spooned onto a billowy cloud of whipped feta, then showered with lemon zest and fresh herbs. It doesn’t get much better than that.

Get the Whipped Feta Roasted Potatoes recipe.

whipped feta topped with crispy roasted potatoes
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: SPENCER RICHARDS


Maple-Cranberry Baked Brie

Get your holiday parties started right with this seasonal spin on the classic appetizer. Rather than reaching for a jar of jam, prepare an easy-to-make homemade maple and cranberry jam and layer it into the buttery puff pastry-wrapped brie.

Get the Maple-Cranberry Baked Brie recipe.

wrapped baked brie topped with cranberry and maple and served with crackers
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON


Cheesy Green Bean Mushroom Tart

Green beans and mushrooms are a combo we never get tired of, and that goes double for this tart. Blanched green beans are layered onto a creamy blend of ricotta and goat cheese, topped with garlicky mushrooms and cheddar cheese, then baked on a puff pastry crust until perfectly melty.

Get the Cheesy Green Bean Mushroom Tart recipe.

cheesy green bean and mushroom tart with crispy shallots
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE


Pumpkin Cheese Ball

Part retro, part cult classic, it’s hard to go wrong with a cheese ball. This festive pumpkin rendition may not contain any actual pumpkin, but it’s full of fresh herbs, minced jalapeño, and of course, plenty of cheese (and is SO cute on a holiday cheese board!).

Get the Pumpkin Cheese Ball recipe.

pumpkin cheese ball with crackers
Photographer: Lucy Schaeffer. Food Styling: Makinze Gore


Sweet Potato Crescent Bites

Just like our famous cranberry brie bites, these little guys are hard to put down! They're the perfect amount of sweet and savory, so you can serve them before or after the big meal.

Get the Sweet Potato Crescent Bites recipe.

sweet potato crescent bites
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER


Fried Gnocchi Bites

Warning: Once you take a bite of these crispy gnocchi, you may never stop! These crunchy, little pillowy bites are absolute perfection and an excellent bite-sized appetizer to serve at any type of holiday gathering.

Get the Fried Gnocchi Bites recipe.

fried gnocchi bites in a bowl with marinara sauce on the side
PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON


Baked Feta Bites

If you’re a fan of our cranberry brie bites, we’ve got news for you: There’s a new app in town, and it’s inspired by another fan fave, baked feta pasta. These features the flavors you know and love, all nestled into bite-sized cups of golden crescent roll dough.

Get the Baked Feta Bites recipe.

puff pastry with feta rosemary and peppers
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON


Bacon Spinach Dip

The smoky bacon bits here make this baked spinach dip feel a little fancier, but you can totally skip it. This dip has so much going on with three different cheeses, that no one will miss the bacon (and vegetarians will be stoked!).

Get the Bacon Spinach Dip recipe.

bacon spinach dip
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE


Cranberry Brie Jalapeño Poppers

Cranberry brie bites are by far one of our favorite appetizers for the holidays, but jalapeño poppers also have place in our hearts too... So why not combine them? The spice of the jalapeño goes so well with the tart cranberries.

Get the Cranberry Brie Jalapeño Poppers recipe.

jalapeños stuffed with brie and wrapped with bacon, topped with cranberry sauce on a sheet tray
PHOTO: RYAN LIEBE; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON


Cranberry-Glazed Turkey Meatballs

With a sweet and tangy glaze made with cranberry sauce and thyme- and sage-speckled turkey meatballs, these are great for serving with toothpicks as an app or over fluffy mashed potatoes for a low-key Thanksgiving dinner.

Get the Cranberry-Glazed Turkey Meatballs recipe.

turkey meatballs covered in a red cranberry glaze
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON


Loaded Cheesy Corn Bites

What happens when you cross a corn muffin with a loaded baked potato—and then miniaturize it?! Bite-sized bliss. Packed with cheese, bacon, and three types of corn, these loaded cheesy corn bites will be the first app gone (so make extra!).

Get the Loaded Cheesy Corn Bites recipe.

loaded cheesy corn bites topped with sour cream, sliced scallions, and bacon
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER


Corn Dip

While some corn dip is served cold, we prefer to serve our corn dip hot, baked, and bubbling. Follow our recipe, and in 40 minutes, you’ll have a perfect warm dip to wow at your casual Thanksgiving get-together.

Get the Corn Dip recipe.

hot creamy corn dip in a cast iron skillet with tortilla chips
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON


Air Fryer Cacio E Pepe Arancini recipe

Dishes that can transform humble leftovers into a mind-blowing appetizer will always have a place in my heart, and this cacio e pepe arancini is no different. These air-fried bites turn yesterday’s risotto into today’s crispy, cheesy, peppery snack.

Get the Air Fryer Cacio E Pepe Arancini recipe.

crispy air fried risotto stuffed with melty mozzarella cheese and topped with pecorino romano and black pepper
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON


Baked Brie In Puff Pastry

We filled ours with raspberry jam, but use your favorite spread or jelly. Drizzle it with some honey and you'll have a warm, cheesy app that feels extra fancy in no time at all.

Get the Baked Brie In Puff Pastry recipe.

baked brie in puff pastry
Andrew Bui


Brie & Green Bean Bundles

Who needs green bean casserole when you've got these bundles of joy? Perfect for last-minute potlucks, these are sure to please the brie-lovers in your life.

Get the Brie & Green Bean Bundles recipe.

brie and green bean bundles
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: FRANCESCA ZANI


Pumpkin Empanadas

Boasting a flaky, buttery crust and a jammy, spiced pumpkin filling, these bite-sized beauties will be a serious contender on any holiday app (or dessert!) table. They may be small, but they pack BIG pumpkin flavor.

Get the Pumpkin Empanadas recipe.

pumpkin empanadas piled on a platter
PHOTO: RYAN LIEBE; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON


Caramelized Onion Dip

With this recipe, we take the classic onion dip one step further by incorporating deeply caramelized onions into the mix. It takes a little longer than you might think for onions to truly caramelize, but we promise it’s worth it (and can be made ahead of time!).

Get the Caramelized Onion Dip recipe.

caramelized onion dip
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: Taylor Ann SPENCER


Caprese Bites

If you’re in need of a quick and easy appetizer, these Caprese bites are the simple solution your guests will thank you for. Focusing on three ingredients and requiring no cooking, these bites require very little effort and time—just what we want during the busy holiday season.

Get the Caprese Bites recipe.

tomato, mozzarella, and basil on little skewers drizzled with balsamic glaze
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE


Boursin-Stuffed Mushrooms

Stuffed mushrooms are THE appetizer we make for every party, and while our classic recipe is great, sometimes we like to switch it up a bit. Enter boursin cheese. It adds a little something to these that’ll have your guests coming back for more.

Get the Boursin-Stuffed Mushrooms recipe.

boursinstuffed mushrooms
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON


Caramelized Onion & Goat Cheese Bites

Little puff pastry squares get topped with caramelized onions and a little crumbled goat cheese for an easy appetizer that always wows. The final step is a light drizzle of honey for that salty sweet combination everyone will love.

Get the Caramelized Onion & Goat Cheese Bites recipe.

caramelized onion goat cheese bites
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI ; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON


French Onion Soup Bites

French onion soup is already a bowl of perfection: fortifying broth, sweetly soft onions, a few chunks of bread, and a molten layer of cheese. These little bites prove that perfection can come in many forms.

Get the French Onion Soup Bites recipe.

french onion soup bites in crescent dough
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: LENA ABRAHAM


Fondue Bites

If you thought fondue belonged in the 1970s, think again! We’ve hauled this retro party classic into the 21st century by turning it into cheesy bite-sized party snacks, perfect for any festive occasion.

Get the Fondue Bites recipe.

fondue bites
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON


Parmesan Bread Bites

If you're a fan of garlic knots, this recipe is basically the bite-sized app version, covered in gooey cheese, garlic butter, and fresh herbs. Sage and thyme are used here to add seasonal flavor, but feel free to add any herbs you prefer.

Get the Parmesan Bread Bites recipe.

parmesan bread bites topped with sage and hot honey
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE


Candied Pepitas

These candied pumpkin seeds are crispy, crunchy perfection with a dash of warm spice to make them ideal for fall snacking. If you can avoid eating all of these directly off the pan with your hands, you can also use them to top pretty much anything.

Get the Candied Pepitas recipe.

candied pepitas with brown sugar and cardamom
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR-ANN SPENCER


Skordalia

Skordalia is a creamy, garlicky Greek dip we love to serve at parties, including Thanksgiving. Made from potatoes and walnuts, this dip is smooth and creamy and always a surprise hit. Serve it with toasted pita or veggies for a new favorite!

Get the Skordalia recipe.

skordalia
Emily Hlavac Green


Crispy Feta Pockets

Baked brie fans, you’ve got to try our newest baked cheese recipe: crispy baked feta. Saltier and more tangy than brie, feta is irresistible wrapped in a crunchy, Greek-inspired phyllo dough shell with a nice drizzle of honey for sweetness.

Get the Crispy Feta Pockets recipe.

crispy feta pockets drizzled with honey
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE


Sweet Potato Bites

Sweet potato casserole is always a favorite at our Thanksgiving celebrations, so we thought we'd turn it into an appetizer too. These bites will go fast, so make extra!

Get the Sweet Potato Bites recipe.

Dish, Food, Cuisine, Sweet Rolls, Ingredient, Oyaki, Baked goods, Dessert, Bun, Finger food,
Parker Feierbach


Fried Mashed Potato Balls

Filled with creamy potatoes, crispy bacon, cheese, chives, and herbs, we think these bombs of savory flavor are perfect all on their own, but feel free to pair them with something extra. They'd be great with sour cream, ranch dressing or even our sriracha butter.

Get the Fried Mashed Potato Balls recipe.

fried mashed potato balls
Parker Feierbach


Antipasto Bites

Fresh tortellini make these the hearty bite-size appetizer of our dreams. Feel free to swap in and out your favorite ingredients (these are a great way to serve leftover Thanksgiving recipe odds and ends too!).

Get the Antipasto Bites recipe.

antipasto skewers
Hearst Owned


Pimento Cheese

Affectionately known as the “caviar of the South,” pimento cheese has been a Southern party staple since the early 1900s. This soft, creamy spread loaded with shredded cheddar cheese and spiked with diced pimento peppers and hot sauce can be served hot or cold (so make it ahead of time!).

Get the Pimento Cheese recipe.

pimento cheese
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: FRANCESCA ZANI


Pepper Jelly & Cream Cheese Bites

If you're a big fan of a block of cream cheese served alongside a jar of pepper jelly, this is the app for you. It's a slightly elevated spin that doesn't take too much extra effort, thanks to store-bought puff pastry.

Get the Pepper Jelly & Cream Cheese Bites recipe.

pepper jelly and cream cheese bites
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE


Turkey Feta Meatballs

Not making a big Thanksgiving turkey this year? Serve these turkey meatballs as an app instead. We like these atop our lemon-yogurt spread, but feel free to get creative—meatball subs, spaghetti & meatballs, whatever you like.

Get the Turkey Feta Meatballs recipe.

turkey feta meatballs
ANDREW BUI


Bacon-Wrapped Scallops

Bacon-wrapped scallops are one of those dishes that wow guests but secretly are so easy to make (only 5 ingredients!). For best results, use big sea scallops and thin-cut, conventional bacon, but feel free to swap out the herbs for whatever you like

Get the Bacon-Wrapped Scallops recipe.

bacon wrapped scallops
Photographer: Lucy Schaeffer. Food Styling: Brooke Caison.


Muhammara

Looking for a last-minute app? Add this sweet and tangy roasted red pepper dip to your next dinner party menu. Muhammara comes together in just a few minutes using jarred roasted red peppers and a food processor.

Get the Muhammara recipe.

muhammara dip garnished with herbs and pomegranates with crudites
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: LENA ABRAHAM


Cranberry Brie Pull-Apart Bread

Pull-apart bread reaches a whole new level, thanks to brie and cranberry sauce. Use your favorite homemade sauce recipes, but store-bought works too if you're short for time.

Get the Cranberry Brie Pull-Apart Bread recipe.

pull apart bread with cheese and cranberry sauce
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE


Dill Dip

Your veggie platter deserves more than a sad store-bought dip. This easy dill dip comes together in mere minutes and is bright and fresh and makes every veggie sing. Serve it alongside this ultimate chips and dip platter for the best party spread ever.

Get the Dill Dip recipe.

dill dip
Emily Hlavac Green


Stuffed Brussels Sprouts

Just like a stuffed mushroom, this finger food has a delicious filling of bread crumbs, Parmesan, and minced garlic. Yum!

Get the Stuffed Brussels Sprouts recipe.

stuffed brussels sprouts
Ethan Calabrese


Bacon Brie Crescent Wreath

Looking for an appetizer that doubles at a centerpiece? This cheesy, savory crescent ring is perfect for your holiday gathering. And if it's a vegetarian app you're after, we'd suggest subbing in sautéed mushrooms for the bacon.

Get the Bacon Brie Crescent Wreath recipe.

bacon brie crescent wreath
Joel Goldberg


Cheese Straws

These are studded with cheddar, green onions, and sesame seeds for the most flavor-packed cheese straws we've ever had. Using store-bought puff pastry makes them extremely easy to pull together for last-minute Thanksgiving too.

Get the Cheese Straws recipe.

cheese straws
Emily Hlavac Green


Fried Okra

Frying okra is the best way to enjoy the intimidating vegetable. Dredging it in buttermilk and cornmeal, then frying in a small amount of oil achieves that extra crispy and golden crust. It's a Southern staple that is the perfect appetizer for a soul food-inspired Thanksgiving.

Get the Fried Okra recipe.

fried okra
TARA DONNE


Mediterranean Pinwheels

Inspired by spanakopita, a Greek spinach pie, we stuff these pinwheels with an unbeatable combination of cheeses, chopped spinach, dill, and lemon zest. Then we added chopped artichoke hearts and roasted peppers to give the filling a tangy, slightly briny zing. Bonus: they're gorgeous.

Get the Mediterranean Pinwheels recipe.

mediterranean pinwheels with feta, olives, and red peppers
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: LENA ABRAHAM


Fried Goat Cheese Bites

Attention cheese boards everywhere: Fried goat cheese bites are coming to steal your thunder. Coated in crispy herby bread crumbs and drizzled with honey, these creamy, melt-in-your-mouth morsels will capture the hearts of all your party guests.

Get the Fried Goat Cheese Bites recipe.

fried goat cheese bites
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: ERIKA JOYCE


Antipasto Roll-Ups

Your favorite antipasto just got even better—it’s now wrapped in buttery puff pastry. A couple bites in, and everyone will be going back for another. And another. And another!

Get the Antipasto Roll-Ups recipe.

antipasto rollups
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLIST: BARRETT WASHBURNE


Baked Brie Wreath

Honey-glazed melted brie plus herby crispy pizza dough is an equation for true happiness this holiday season. Make your own pizza dough, buy it from the market, or grab some from your favorite pizza shop (all you have to do is ask).

Get the Baked Brie Wreath recipe.

baked brie wreath
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: ERIKA JOYCE


Cranberry Brie Biscuit Dip

Not only is this dip perfect for fall parties of any kind, it's the best way to use up any extra homemade cranberry sauce! If you don't have any, canned works too. Just make sure you use whole berry—not jellied—canned cranberry sauce.

Get the Cranberry Brie Biscuit Dip recipe.

brie dip in a cast iron skillet swirled with cranberry sauce and surrounded by herby biscuits
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE


Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms

In the world of fancy bite-size appetizers, the crab-stuffed mushroom reigns supreme. These are also great with chopped, cooked lobster or shrimp meat, but try to avoid imitation crab if you can—it gets a little stringy, and you and your Thanksgiving guests deserve the best.

Get the Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms recipe.

crab stuffed mushrooms
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON


Bacon-Wrapped Dates

If you're unfamiliar with dates, it's time to familiarize yourself! The date's sweetness is the PERFECT counterpoint to crisp, salty bacon and creamy goat cheese. We guarantee these will fly off the platter when your guests have barely begun to arrive, so make extra.

Get the Bacon-Wrapped Dates recipe.

bacon wrapped dates
Emily Hlavac Green


Fancy Christmas Cheese Ball

Need an easy app everyone will love? Look no further than the humble cheese ball. This one is our winter holiday masterpiece that works just as well for fall, thanks to being filled with three different types of cheese and studded with gorgeous pomegranate seeds.

Get the Fancy Christmas Cheese Ball recipe.

fancy christmas cheese ball covered in pomegranate seeds
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI ; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON


Spiced Candied Pecans

These particular pecans are our #1: SUPER spiced, crunchy, sweet, and salty. They're great eaten by the handful, as an accompaniment to a cheese board, or even sprinkled over salads during the main course this Thanksgiving.

Get the Spiced Candied Pecans recipe.

candied pecans, coated with crackly sugar and powdered spices
Lucy schaeffer


Tomato Feta Pinwheels

These little puff pastry pinwheels are the perfect last minute appetizer—they bake in just 20 minutes and you might already have the ingredients at home. Feel free to get creative with the fillings—we bet crumbly goat cheese or ricotta and roasted red peppers would be great too.

Get the Tomato Feta Pinwheels recipe.

tomato feta pinwheels
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: Taylor Ann SPENCER


Cheese Puffs

These cheese puffs (aka gougères) are a triple threat: easy to make, impressive looking, and wildly delicious. And the good news is you probably already have most (or all) of the ingredients.

Get the Cheese Puffs recipe.

cheese puffs
Joel Goldberg


Thanksgiving Ring

Having multiple Thanksgivings this year? Want to transform your leftovers from one into something incredible for the next? Look no further than this stuffed bread ring—it's gorgeous and super easy, thanks to store-bought crescent roll dough.

Get the Thanksgiving Ring recipe.

a ring of crescent dough surrounding traditional thanksgiving leftover ingredients like cranberry sauce and stuffing
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON


Spinach Puffs

If you love baked spinach dip, you'll love these baked puff pastry puffs. They're filled with a mixture of sautéed onion, garlic, spinach, and cream cheese and baked inside little puff pastry cups in a muffin tin. Bet you can't eat just one!

Get the Spinach Puffs recipe.

spinach puffs
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: JUSTIN SULLIVAN


Mac & Cheese Balls

We kept this fairly easy for you by utilizing box mac & cheese here. If you'd like to go full homemade, though, our best-ever mac is a great place to start.

Get the Mac & Cheese Balls recipe.

mac and cheese bombs
Jonathan Boulton


Ham & Cheese Pinwheels

These ham and cheese pinwheels are made easy using store-bought crescent roll dough. They are chock-full of melty cheese and savory-sweet ham, topped with fresh parsley and toasty poppy seeds for texture and flavor you and your guests will love.

Get the Ham & Cheese Pinwheels recipe.

close up of ham and cheese pinwheels topped with poppy seeds
Joel goldberg


Brussels Sprouts Sliders

Brussels sprouts make the CUTEST slider buns. We used brie here, but feel free to sub for fresh mozzarella or whatever you like.

Get the Brussels Sprouts Sliders recipe.

food, dish, ingredient, cuisine, vegetable, leaf vegetable, produce, appetizer, pincho, vegetarian food,
CHELSEA LUPKIN


Cocktail Meatballs

Cranberry sauce, BBQ sauce, sweet chili sauce, and Worcestershire sauce combine to make the incredible sauce for these meatballs. It's sweet, smoky, and salty, and your Thanksgiving party guests won't be able to stop eating them.

Get the Cocktail Meatballs recipe.

cocktail meatballs
Charlie Gillette


Pigs In A Blanket

There's something very classic about the crescent roll dough flavor, so we tend to gravitate toward it, but puff pastry or even biscuit dough both should work here too.

Get the Pigs In A Blanket recipe.

pigs in a blanket with a mustard dippings sauce
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON


Brussels Sprout Chips

Not only are are Brussels our favorite veggie side, they're now our favorite salty, crunchy snack! We love this garlic-Parm variety dipped in Caesar dressing, but ranch wouldn't be a bad idea either.

Get the Brussels Sprout Chips recipe.

air fryer brussels sprouts chips
Park Feierbach


Sausage Balls

Many of you might be thinking: "Wait, what even is a sausage ball?!" The answer: super poppable bites of cooked pork sausage, cheddar, and Bisquick that will be the most popular appetizer at your Thanksgiving get-together.

Get the Sausage Balls recipe.

sausage balls
Ethan Calabrese


Butternut Squash Potstickers

These seasonal potstickers are a great alternative to classic Thanksgiving appetizers. Crimping takes a little practice, but the good news is that even if they look a little wonky they will still taste great!

Get the Butternut Squash Potstickers recipe.

butternut squash potstickers
Suzanne Clements


Spinach Spanakopita

Spanakopita is a popular savory Greek spinach pie frequently served as cut pieces from a whole slab pie, but we made individual pockets to save you the waiting time between baking, cooling, then slicing.

Get the Spanakopita Spinach Pies recipe.

spanakopita
Parker Feierbach


Sweet Potato Chips

Sure, no one can resist a bowl of potato chips, but they can be a little boring. Switch things up by making these delicious and absolutely gorgeous sweet potato chips. The natural, earthy sweetness of the potatoes add an another dimension of flavor everyone will love.

Get the Sweet Potato Chips recipe.

baked falafel bites with spicy tahini dip
PARKER FEIERBACH


Veggie Dip

Start off with something light before the heavier main event (hello, mashed potatoes!). This dip is so easy to make and comes together in minutes. Serve it with all of your favorite veggies, good bread, or crackers.

Get the Veggie Dip recipe.

veggie dip
Park Feierbach


Air Fryer Tempura-Inspired Green Beans

Here, we set out to make crispy delicious green beans, minus the deep frying. Our solve? Panko breadcrumbs and your air fryer, which give the benefit of tempura's delicious crunch, without the need for a pot of hot, spattering oil.

Get the Air Fryer Tempura-Inspired Green Beans recipe.

air fryer tempura inspired green beans
PHOTO: JOEL GOLDBERG; FOOD STYLING: MICAH MORTON


Crockpot Spinach Artichoke Dip

If spinach artichoke dip is one of those things you love, but you feel like it takes too much effort to make at home, this slow-cooker version is for you. Don’t bother turning on the oven (especially when you have other appetizers to bake—cranberry brie bites, perhaps?).

Get the Crockpot Spinach Artichoke Dip recipe.

crockpot spinach artichoke dip
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: JUSTIN SULLIVAN


Bacon-Wrapped Sweet Potato Fries

You only need 4 ingredients to throw together these easy appetizers—perfect for when the main meal is taking just a bit longer than you expected to get to the table. Serve them with BBQ sauce, ranch dressing, or whatever you like.

Get the Bacon-Wrapped Sweet Potato Fries recipe.

bacon wrapped sweet potato fries recipe
Ethan Calabrese


Pumpkin Hummus

We kind of love how well this hummus really walks the line between sweet and savory. It tastes just as good with cinnamon-sugar pita chips as it does with bell peppers.

Get the Pumpkin Hummus recipe.

pumpkin hummus
Brad Holland


Candied Walnut Brussels Sprout Bites

The candied walnuts are good enough to eat on their own. But on a roasted Brussels sprout half that's topped with brie, these walnuts are NEXT LEVEL.

Get the Candied Walnut Brussels Sprout Bites recipe.

candied walnuts brussels sprouts bites
Brad Holland


Crudite Turkey

Just putting out veggies and dip this year? We support it! Make them more festive by forming them into the shape of a turkey. Your guests will love it (and it might just get the kids table to eat more veggies 😉).

Get the Crudite Turkey recipe.

crudite turkey vertical
Jonathan Boulton

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