Are you here to look for appetizers for chili? You’ve landed on the right page! Unlock our 13 best chili appetizers—all of which can get your chili party started.
Homemade chili is genuinely divine—beans (right? Beans in or out? We are a “beans in” crew), spices, meat, onions, and other flavorful ingredients—what’s not to love about this rich, robust dish?
But one bowl of chili made from scratch is never enough, especially when you have a huge crowd.
And if you are asking yourself hmmm, what goes good to serve before the chili, well we are here for you.
That’s where these tasty chili starters come in. Some unique, some traditional, you may even say “oh, why didn’t I think of that!”
We took the pressure off and did the thinking for you.
From Stuffed Mini Peppers to Vidalia Onion Cornbread, you’ll go back to these chili appetizers again and again.
And oh…brace yourself because your friends will beg you for the recipes.
Add burrito recipe #12 to your cookbook—you’ll love it!
1. Stuffed Mini Peppers
These bite-sized stuffed mini peppers are incredibly scrumptious, with three different kinds of cheeses topped with smoky bacon.
Add toppings such as pine nuts or sunflower seeds to give the entire dish a bit of texture.
Simple to make, this sweet and spicy appetizer comes together in just 20 minutes.
2. Maple Roasted Carrots
These maple roasted carrots are great as a Thanksgiving side dish, but you can also serve the recipe as an appetizer for chili.
Every bite of these roasted carrots has a hint of maple syrup and sea salt, as well as the tanginess of mustard.
To make, simply wash and slice the carrots, make the glaze, toss everything, and roast!
3. Toasted Ravioli
When it comes to chili party appetizers, nothing beats this incredibly crispy appetizer made from cheese ravioli.
The ravioli are fried until golden brown and then topped with parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.
Want to make it extraordinary? Serve the toasted ravioli with a marinara sauce for dipping!
4. Chicken And Waffle Sliders
Satisfy hungry guests with these sweet and savory sliders stuffed with chicken fingers and drizzled with maple syrup or served with homemade coleslaw.
They’re so good!
Serving the sliders with coleslaw will make the bottom of the waffle soggy over time, so it’s best to eat them immediately after they’re made.
5. Pulled Pork Quesadilla
Make this sweet and savory appetizer at your next party with friends and family.
Behold, pulled pork quesadilla!
The addition of pulled pork and caramelized onions add a juicy, flavorful, and sweet nuance that keeps everyone satiated until the chili meal is already ready, while the BBQ sauce lends a bit of tanginess.
Or you can top it with a white sauce made from sour cream, mayo, red onion, and garlic.
6. Whipped Ricotta
Everyone loves creamy and fresh ricotta, and when you serve it with a nice and toasty baguette or crostini? Now we’re talking!
This whipped ricotta recipe features honey, lemon, and herbs—an ultra-flavorful combination indeed.
And did I mention that you can put the dish together in just 10 minutes? You heard it correctly!
7. Ribeye Steak Crostini
Ribeye steak as a chili appetizer? Why not!
This tender and crowd-pleasing dish recipes slices of succulent ribeye placed on top of crostini and then crowned with creamy and cheesy horseradish sauce.
It can be made up to a day ahead of your party. Don’t forget to pair it with a glass of wine, beer, or a cocktail of your choice.
🍸 Check out our collection of 21 creative prosecco cocktails here. 🍸
8. Grilled Avocado Caprese Crostini
This grilled avocado Caprese crostini may be big in flavor, but it won’t spoil your appetite for your chili.
The golden brown and crispy mini toasts are infused with olive oil and garlic, then layered with Caprese and finished with balsamic glaze—every devour can give you that W-O-W effect.
9. Parmesan Cookies
These savory parmesan cookies have a short prep time of just 20 minutes, yet they’re truly tasty, especially with your favorite stew or soup.
Top the cookies with chopped herbs such as rosemary, oregano, thyme, parsley, or tarragon for more flavors.
If you are planning ahead, make the recipe and freeze it completely in zip-top plastic freezer bags for up to 3 months.
10. Grilled Corn
This recipe isn’t your average grilled corn; it features tons of umami punch-up, coming from mushroom butter made from mushrooms, miso, and parmesan.
To create, prepare the mushroom butter, grill the corn, combine grilled corn and mushroom butter, sprinkle with parmesan and crushed red pepper, then pat yourself on the back.
11. Cheesy Garlic Pull-Apart Bread
Everything’s great with smoky bacon and this next appetizer is no exception!
It’s best when partnered with pizza, cheese dipping sauces, or as is.
The best part?
Just six ingredients are needed to create this cheesy pull-apart bread: store-bought pizza dough, cheddar, Monterey jack, garlic, cooked bacon, and butter!
12. Chicken Avocado Salad Roll-Ups
Shredded chicken, avocado, and Greek yogurt come together to create these burritos packed with flavor in every bite.
Plus, they take 15 minutes to whip up, from start to finish!
And depending on how many guests you’re having, you may need to double or triple the dish.
13. Vidalia Onion Cornbread
This delicious cornbread may sound fancy but it’s a shortcut recipe that starts with a cornbread mix.
Aside from the mix, you probably already have the ingredients for this cornbread on hand in your kitchen such as sweet onions, eggs, milk, and butter.
Pro tip: Spoon dollops of batter first then spreading it helps keep the onion fans in place.
🧅🥓 So Good: Grilled Whole Onions Wrapped In Bacon 🧅🥓
The bottom line
The sole proof of a delicious starter is an empty appetizer table, so try a few of these top-notch party dishes to satisfy everyone.
For the easiest chili appetizer, choose the recipes with a short ingredient list like the grilled corn or stuffed mini peppers.
But a gathering won’t be a gathering without a good dip so don’t miss out on trying the creamy and fresh ricotta #6!
🌶️🌶️ 19 Must-Try Sides For Your Chili!🌶️🌶️
13 Chili Appetizers
Chili starters, everyone? Unlock all of our 13 best chili appetizers—all of which can get your chili party started.
Ingredients
- Stuffed Mini Peppers
- Maple Roasted Carrots
- Toasted Ravioli
- Chicken And Waffle Sliders
- Pulled Pork Quesadilla
- Whipped Ricotta
- Ribeye Steak Crostini
- Grilled Avocado Caprese Crostini
- Parmesan Cookies
- Grilled Corn
- Cheesy Garlic Pull-Apart Bread
- Chicken Avocado Salad Roll-Ups
- Vidalia Onion Cornbread
Instructions
- Choose one or more options from our list of 13 chili appetizers here!
- Create your new favorite appetizer!
- Pat yourself on the back for making food at home for you to enjoy!
- Share and comment! Did you make any tweaks so it’s all your own?