If you are looking for unforgettable Norwegian appetizers you have come to the right place. We have rounded up 11 Norwegian appetizer recipes that you are gonna love.
Norway has a delightful cuisine that features mutton, lamb, pork, and lots of seafood.
Today, we are going to discuss the delicious snacks and appetizers that originated in Norway and became their traditional dishes.
Honestly, we got the best hot and cold finger-licking snacks and appetizers that will jazz up your parties, lunches, and dinners.
Therefore, we have come up with the best 11 Norwegians’ popular snacks and appetizers that will prepare your taste buds for the tantalizing food experience.
Spoiler Alert!
You are going to find a lot of recipes for seafood and especially the popular Norwegian fish, like the Fiskesuppe (Norwegian Cod & Root Vegetable Chowder) and Smoked Salmon Wrap (Lefserull Med Røkelaks).
So if you are a big fan of fish, then this list of Norwegian appetizers is going to make you very happy.
So why wait?
Let us discover the world of Norwegian cuisine and amaze your guests with the new dishes!

1. Gravlax
Gravlax is a Canapé style made with cured salmon.
This Norwegian appetizer has a crusty bread base topped with cured salmon and herbs.
We love how simple the recipe is, and you literally need just a few ingredients to compile Gravlax.
You just need 2 to 3 days to cure the salmon fish with sugar, salt, and herbs; otherwise, it is a quick appetizer to assemble.
We have this traditional recipe of the Gravlax that is quick and easy without any extra topping, but you can always jazz it up according to your palate.
No doubt, it will become very popular among your guests as a snack and appetizer.
2. Norwegian Fish Cakes
The Norwegian Fish Cakes are the perfect finger food, snack, and appetizer.
They are made with any type of Norwegian white fish and just need no more than 6 ingredients, including seasonings and a binder as well.
We have found this recipe very easy and pleasing, and it is a hearty snack option since it is packed with protein.
Another thing that we love about the recipe is how quickly they can be pan-fried, and the crust over the cakes goes so well with the flaky fish inside.
Just serve it with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy the mild taste and texture of the cakes.
3. Beetroot Salmon
Beetroot Salmon or Rødbetgravet laks is a traditional dish served during the Christmas season.
The recipe calls for a beautiful salmon dressed and marinated with beetroot, sugar, salt, aquavit, citrus peels, and dill, making it one of the most flavorful fish of all time.
It is very pleasing to the eyes since the fish takes on the reddish-pink color of the beetroot, and surprisingly it tastes both sweet and salty.
The traditional way of eating the fish is to serve the thin slices of it with flatbreads and their special horseradish sour cream.
But it can be made into canape as well for your party and gatherings.
4. Fiskesuppe (Norwegian Cod & Root Vegetable Chowder)
If you are looking for a warm and hearty appetizer that is not too heavy on the stomach, then this chowder is for you.
The main ingredients of the Fiskesuppe recipe are boneless codfish, root vegetables, and cream.
The creamy chowder with succulent fish and the rich vegetables has a great texture.
No doubt, we have found the dish perfect for winter, and it can be served with bread and crackers for extra oomph!
5. Lutefisk (Dried Cod Treated With Lye)
Dried Cod with Lye is one of the most popular dishes and a tricky one too.
The main idea behind the dish is to preserve the Cod fish with the help of lye which gives the fish a unique gelatinous texture.
But when it is cooked or baked in a salt bath.
The recipe is very straightforward and served with a creamy dipping sauce if you are willing to serve it as an appetizer, or it can be made into a fancy entrée with vegetables as well.
Delicious and fancy!
6. Norwegian Marinated Edam Cheese (Mariners Edamerost)
Norwegian Marinated Edam Cheese is more like a pickle jar that has cubes of cheese, garlic, red peppers, seasonings, herbs, and oil for marination.
The recipe is easy and straightforward, but you might have to wait for 2 to 3 weeks for the cheese to marinate into this deliciously creamy and herby concoction.
But once it is done, you can eat it over crackers or bread.
Thus, making it the perfect dish for snack time, especially with the wine, and a good choice of appetizer to warm up those taste buds.
7. Fårikål (Norwegian Mutton and Cabbage Stew)
Norwegian Mutton and Cabbage Stew is considered a national dish of Norway.
The recipe just needs 5 ingredients that include mutton or lamb, cabbage, water, salt, and whole peppercorns.
The best thing about the recipe is that it is slowly cooked for 2 hours, making the meat super tender so that it melts in your mouth.
This stew is super light and bursting with the fatty and succulent morsels of meat and cabbage.
It is very hearty and comforting.
8. Sodd
Sodd is another traditional Norwegian dish you will find around the holiday season.
It is one of those dishes that are often served as an appetizer and main course as well due to the selection of rich ingredients like meat and vegetables.
The recipe calls for cooking meatballs in the broth along with root vegetables like potatoes and carrots.
It is one of the most versatile dishes we have found since it can be eaten like stew, or you can dry out the stew making it a steak and vegetable-styled dinner for the family as well.
It is a hearty and must-try on our list.
9. Lefse (Potato Flatbread)
If you ever eat at a Norwegian restaurant, you will find Lefse or potato flatbread served with almost every meal.
It is more like a tortilla made from potatoes that can be eaten with literally anything or alone as a delicious and light appetizer with few fillings.
The texture is like a buttery crepe with the earthiness of the potatoes.
We love this recipe, especially for the winters when you can dunk them in warm stew and eat your way to the warmth!
10. Smoked Salmon Wrap (Lefserull Med Røkelaks)
Smoked Salmon wraps or roll-ups are delicious finger snacks and appetizers for any time of the year.
The base of the dish is the Lefse which is stuffed with various savory as well as sweet fillings.
The traditional recipe we have for you has cream cheese and smoked salmon filling, and no doubt it is so refreshing, especially for summer pool parties.
Thus, the recipe is extremely easy and one of the best ones if you want to keep the kids busy making snacks.
The variation of the dish is endless, so feel free to try the original one first and add more ingredients to give it your flair.
11. Baseball (Potato Dumpling)
We all have tried the Asian dumplings, but these Norwegian dumplings are one of a kind.
The Potet Klub or potato dumplings are one of the most celebrated and loved snacks in Norway.
It is made with grated potatoes and eggs and further filled with pork or meat of choice.
After then, all you have to do is boil them into these chewy yet soft dumplings.
We love to eat them with dipping sauce on the side, but traditionally you can just eat them as they are with just garnish with fresh herbs.
Indeed, a good appetizer choice for lunch and dinner with the family.
The bottom line
Norwegian cuisine is full of hearty and delicious dishes and recipes.
But what fascinates us is the collection of both warm and cold appetizers.
From Canape-styled appetizers to stews, there are so many options to try.
Therefore, we have come up with 11 traditional yet utterly delicious recipes for you.
Of course, these appetizers will win the hearts of your guests, family, and friends.
And they are not that difficult to make as well! So, good luck trying them!
Looking for more Norwegian food options, we’ve compiled a list of 27 Popular Norwegian Meal Ideas that you should definitely check out.

Top 11 BEST Norwegian Appetizers 🍴
We’ve come up with the best 11 Norwegian appetizers that will prepare your taste buds for the tantalizing food experience.
Ingredients
- Gravlax
- Norwegian Fish Cakes
- Beetroot Salmon
- Fiskesuppe (Norwegian Cod & Root Vegetable Chowder)
- Lutefisk (Dried Cod Treated With Lye)
- Norwegian Marinated Edam Cheese (Mariners Edamerost)
- Fårikål (Norwegian Mutton and Cabbage Stew)
- Sodd
- Lefse (Potato Flatbread)
- Smoked Salmon Wrap (Lefserull Med Røkelaks)
- Baseball (Potato Dumpling)
Instructions
- Take a look at our Norwegian Appetizers list!
- Bring the ingredients to create a new favorite dish.
- Woohoo! You created a home-cooked meal!
- Comment your thoughts on our Facebook page!