You’ve got the ultimate turkey recipe, plenty of amazing side dishes, maybe a couple of go-to desserts for the end of the feast, and now, it’s time to pick out a few easy appetizers that are guaranteed to impress. I picked out 20 easy Thanksgiving appetizers that are perfect for your own Thanksgiving menu OR bringing as a guest!
No boring, store-bought veggie platters here. I’ve got unique, fun crostini recipes with a mix of sweet and savory flavors, insanely delicious homemade dips for crackers and veggies, plus exciting handhelds and apps to serve with toothpicks that will elevate any holiday table.
Charcuterie boards and grazing tables are great for feeding a crowd, but I really think people get MORE excited about little bites made with seasonal ingredients and unique, crave-able flavors. I recommend picking out at least 2 appetizers to share or doubling one recipe to feed more people. Trust me, these will go FAST! I’ve labeled each recipe as gluten-free, vegan, or vegetarian so that you can pick recipes that work for lots of different eaters. Whip these up for the holidays and watch guests devour!
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GF = gluten-free
VT = vegetarian
V = vegan
Unique crostini creations
Apple & Brie Crostini with Hot Honey
Incredible apple and brie crostini with prosciutto, fresh arugula and a drizzle of homemade hot honey. These easy brie crostini are the perfect combination of sweet, savory and spicy.
Parmesan Crusted Crostini with Pear, Walnuts & Hot Honey VT
Simple and delicious parmesan crusted crostini with pear, walnuts, and a drizzle of hot honey. These easy parmesan pear crostini come together in just 20 minutes for a beautiful appetizer.
Ricotta and Pear Crostini with Salty Pumpkin Seed Pistachio Crunch
Gorgeous ricotta and pear crostini with savory prosciutto, fresh arugula, and a salty pumpkin seed pistachio crunch mixture. This easy appetizer is the perfect mix of sweet, savory, creamy, and crunchy and is guaranteed to impress guests! Top with honey and a sprinkle of sea salt for the ultimate flavor combo.
White Cheddar Brussels Sprouts & Pistachio Crostini with Hot Honey VT
Delicious white cheddar brussels sprouts crostini with toasty pistachios and a drizzle of hot honey. These sweet & savory brussels sprouts crostini are easy to make, filled with flavor, and the perfect appetizer for the holidays! Enjoy as-is or add crispy bacon to make them extra special.
Roasted Grape & Brie Crostini with Honey + Sea Salt VT
Beautiful roasted grape and brie crostini topped with a drizzle of honey and a sprinkle of sea salt. This easy, delicious grape & brie crostini is the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and sophisticated!
Delicious handhelds
Pear, Walnut & Cheddar Puff Pastry Tart VT
Gorgeous pear puff pastry tart with spicy cheddar cheese, toasted walnuts, and a drizzle of honey. This delicious, easy pear tart recipe makes the perfect appetizer for impressing friends & family and takes just 15 minutes to prepare! Serve warm or at room temp and watch guests devour.
Salty, savory, melty olive cheese bread with two types of olives and a kick of heat from chili paste. This fun twist on standard garlic bread is the perfect appetizer for the holidays or game day that comes together in 30 minutes! Sprinkle fresh herbs, slice it up, and watch your loved ones devour.
Apple Cheddar Galette with Crispy Herb Cheddar Crust VT
Sweet and savory apple cheddar galette with a crispy herb cheddar pie crust. Top with flaky sea salt, a drizzle of honey, and fresh thyme for a fun way to use up fall apples in an appetizer, snack, or easy brunch recipe.
Delicious jalapeño popper stuffed mushrooms baked to perfection for the best holiday appetizer or game day snack! These easy, cheesy jalapeño mushroom bites come together with just a handful of simple ingredients and are guaranteed crowd-pleasers.
Fig & Goat Cheese Puff Pastry Bites
The cutest fig and goat cheese puff pastry bites topped with crunchy nuts, fresh herbs, and flaky sea salt. These easy puff pastry bites come together in just over 30 minutes for a delicious appetizer that can serve a whole party! Prep them ahead and save time during the busy holiday season.
The Best Garlic Bread You’ll Ever Eat VT
This is the BEST homemade garlic bread you’ll ever make. It has fresh herbs, tons of flavorful roasted garlic, and is perfectly toasted. This easy garlic bread recipe is delicious served with your fav pasta dishes & comfort foods.
Crispy Smashed Potatoes VT, GF
The most delicious crispy smashed potatoes with perfectly golden edges and simple seasoning. You’ll love these easy smashed potatoes as a wonderful appetizer or side dish! Serve with our creamy garlic feta sauce or any dipping sauce your heart desires.
Tortilla chip-crusted baked jalapeño poppers that are fun, delicious, and better than the fried version! This easy jalapeño poppers recipe is the perfect appetizer for holidays and game days and is ready in around 30 minutes.
Cheesy, crispy cacio e pepe potato stacks made with super simple ingredients for a fun, unique potato side dish! These easy potato stacks get roasted to golden perfection and are such a great way to surprise and delight guests this holiday season.
Serve with toothpicks
Bacon Wrapped Dark Chocolate + Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates GF **
Sweet and savory bacon wrapped dark chocolate & goat cheese stuffed dates make a fun, delicious appetizer to serve a crowd. These easy bacon wrapped dates have hints of dark chocolate, creamy goat cheese, and crispy bacon.
Sweet & Spicy Bacon-Wrapped Plantains GF
Bacon wrapped plantains with a hint of sweetness from pure maple syrup and a little spicy thanks to a kick of cayenne pepper. Everyone will be raving over this unique, easy appetizer!
Delicious and easy buffalo chicken meatballs served with a creamy bleu cheese dip for the perfect party appetizer! These healthy buffalo chicken meatballs are made with lean ground chicken, simple mix-ins, and your fav buffalo sauce. Options to make them mild or spicy for guests, and easy to double for a larger crowd!
Slow Cooker Sweet & Spicy BBQ Cranberry Turkey Meatballs
Incredible sweet & spicy BBQ cranberry turkey meatballs made right in your slow cooker! This delicious slow cooker meatball recipe has a seasonal twist with homemade, naturally sweetened cranberry sauce to make the perfect party appetizer for the holiday season.
Savory dips
Garlic Herb Cheese Dip with Honey & Chili Crisp
Flavorful garlic herb cheese dip with a drizzle of honey, dollops of chili crisp, and a sprinkle of crunchy pistachios. This easy chili crisp honey cheese dip is ready in just 10 minutes for the perfect appetizer that’s just as delicious as it is beautiful. Dip your favorite crackers or spread it on crostini!
Bubbly hot pepperoni pizza dip layered up with 3 types of cheese, fresh basil, and a drizzle of hot honey. This easy pizza dip recipe has the perfect blend of seasonings and is delicious with toasty bread, pita, crackers and more.
Roasted Garlic Whipped Feta Dip VT, GF
Creamy garlic feta dip made with a whole head of roasted garlic, protein-packed Greek yogurt, fresh lemon juice, and feta cheese. You’ll love the savory, salty, tangy flavors whipped together in this easy garlic feta dip! Top with fresh herbs and serve with veggies, crackers, and more.
Deliciously creamy jalapeño spinach artichoke dip made with protein-packed greek yogurt and three types of cheese. This easy, fun & spicy twist on traditional spinach artichoke dip is perfect for entertaining and is guaranteed to impress friends and family. Serve with tortilla chips, veggies, crackers and more!
Amazing vegan butternut squash queso filled with incredible flavor from roasted butternut squash, jalapeño, your fav salsa and tons of warming spices. This fall-inspired vegan queso recipe is the perfect way to use up extra butternut squash.
Vegetarian Three Cheese White Bean Buffalo Dip VT, GF
Delicious vegetarian white bean buffalo dip baked to perfection with fiber and protein-packed white beans, three types of cheeses and your favorite buffalo sauce for the ultimate holiday or game day appetizer!
Bubbly Hot Chicken Enchilada Bean Dip GF
Bubbly hot, cheesy enchilada bean dip made with two types of beans, shredded chicken and your fav enchilada sauce for an amazing appetizer. This easy chicken enchilada dip is packed with protein and easy to make vegetarian or extra spicy.
How to Make Super Creamy Hummus (+5 different flavor variations!) V, GF
Learn exactly how to make hummus from scratch in just 15 minutes with 5 basic ingredients, then try one of our 5 different flavors: curry, roasted sweet potato, roasted garlic, cilantro pistachio pesto, or roasted beet. Great options for serving plant-based guests this holiday season!
Roasted Garlic Tahini Carrot Dip VT, GF
Easy roasted carrot dip made filled with wonderful cozy flavors from cinnamon, turmeric, and cumin. Top with roasted pistachios, feta, fresh parsley, and a drizzle of honey or pomegranate molasses for the most delicious sweet and savory appetizer or snack!
Garlic Olive Oil Dip V, GF
Delicious garlic olive oil dip made with 5 core ingredients for the best easy appetizer! This simple olive oil dip is filled with savory, salty flavors and a kick of heat for dipping your favorite bread like focaccia or a sliced baguette. Elevate your appetizer table with this incredible restaurant-style dip!
Whipped Feta Yogurt Dip with Hot Honey, Basil & Toasted Almonds VT, GF
Creamy whipped feta yogurt dip made with simple ingredients and topped with a drizzle of hot honey, fresh basil, and crunchy toasted almonds. This easy feta dip is the perfect balance of tangy, sweet and savory, and packs a wonderful boost of protein thanks to yogurt.
If you make any of these appetizers be sure to leave a comment and a rating on the recipe so I know how you liked it!Â
All your recipes sound wonderful!
Everything looks delicious…!!!
I borrowed your new recipe book from the library. It is the best recipe book I have ever found. I want to make every recipe!! I’ve made two already which were excellent! I asked for the book for Christmas. Thank you for sharing so much of your life in the book. I also like all your tips! Congratulations on such a successful book!
Amazing!! So happy to hear that 🙂 Thank you for your support!