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These days, Thanksgiving is a fun day of many activities: an early-morning Turkey Trot 5K, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade on TV (or live if you’re in NYC), the big turkey dinner with all the sides, and of course, the series of NFL Football Games. Thanksgiving Appetizers help keep everyone’s energy up (especially yours) so they can start early and stay late, with so much eating and drinking in between all these fun activities. So whether you do a Thanksgiving lunch, brunch or dinner, keep the fam in fine fitness with a variety of Thanksgiving appetizers to keep their strength up in between naps, too.
Have you been running out of ideas for Thanksgiving appetizers? Is it the same ol’, same ol’ every year? There’s only so many yellow cheese cubes, baby carrots, and ranch dip we can stand. I’ve curated some tried-and-true and some can’t-wait-to-try Thanksgiving Appetizers recipes!
Most have a short-list of ingredients with a powerful wow factor, and others are a little more complicated that will add some unique and tasteful elegance to your appetizer table. I’ve learned that skewers are easy Thanksgiving appetizers you must try that will leave your guests in awe. Put anything on a sharp stick and it screams FANCY. Hot or cold, food threaded on a stick levels up its quaint quotient.
Save time and effort (and oven space and counter space, and head space) with Thanksgiving appetizers make ahead. It’s incredible how much time just prepping some vegetables in advance can save you.
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Ornament Cheese Ball
This ornament cheese ball is a festive showstopper centerpiece for your Christmas party table! Something that I love about this recipe is that it travels well, making it perfect for Holiday potlucks or any Christmas party you are attending and need a simple appetizer.
Owl Crackers
Round crackers (like Ritz), baby cucumber slices, salami (or other lunchmeat of your choice) and cheese are all you need to plate these cuties. Assemble these owl crackers on a wide white platter so the green, orange, and deep pink really pop! Perfect for the kids’ table; and it’s ok to use other deli meat instead of salami.
Thanksgiving Turkey Oreo Cookies
Here’s an adorable Thanksgiving Turkey Cookie recipe that starts with a simple package of Oreos + pretzel sticks that even the littles can help with! Turns out fun snacks with Oreos really do make everything better, and the sweet-and-salty combination make for a festive snack!
Bacon Deviled Eggs
What makes these deviled eggs? Bacon. I mean, isn’t it always bacon? For this recipe, you’ll have to boil your eggs, separate the cooked yolks from the egg whites, and mix the mashed yolks with cheese, mayo, mustard, parsley, and sour cream Afterward, fry up some bacon and chop it, then add it to your deviled eggs before serving.
Nothing beats warm and friendly gatherings that you impress with more bacon.
😋 Hitting the road? Take some easy potluck options with you. 😋
Zucchini Fritters
Whether it’s Thanksgiving or snack time, this Zucchini Fritter won’t disappoint. It’s a no-fuss recipe because preparations and cooking can only take about 21 minutes of your day. Plus, you get to enjoy crispy, cheesified, fritters.
Want something unique and carb-friendly? Try our Crispy Chicken Garlic Butter Balls!
🍗🍗 Make it easy with these 25 Thanksgiving Casseroles 🦃🦃
Cranberry Brie Bites
We love serving these amazing cranberry brie bites during holiday parties! The sweet creaminess of the brie works beautifully with the tangy cranberries, so your guests might be fighting over each cup!
Pecan Crusted Goat Cheese Log
This pecan-crusted goat cheese log is a party pleaser every single time. The best part is that I don’t need to cook anything, AND it only has four ingredients.
Baked Prosciutto Cups With Whipped Goat Cheese
Looking for a fun and eye-popping fall appetizer? Well, it doesn’t get more impressive than these prosciutto and cheese party appetizers, with cups made of deliciously salty prosciutto and filled with lightly sweet goat cheese.
Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus
Every now and again, you might get a hankering for a fancy appetizer and this Easy Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus is just the ticket. This amazing and quick appetizer brings together the salty flavors of prosciutto perfectly with the subtle sweetness of roasted asparagus, and puts them in little snackable bundles that ticks all the boxes for “perfect finger food”.
Bacon Jalapeño Cheese Ball
Imagine this with us: creamy cheese, smoky bacon, and spicy jalapeño. This recipe is really easy to make and will impress and delight your friends and family when you serve it to them.
Sausage Balls
Sausage balls make a great simple breakfast, brunch additions, appetizers, even GIFTS. They are easy to make, forgiving, tasty, freeze well, and easy to reheat.
Grape Jelly Meatballs
Meatballs are the perfect set it and forget it dish for a party or quick gathering. Next time friends are headed to your house, set out some toothpicks and these meatballs and everyone will be begging you for more.
Cranberry Sauce BBQ Meatballs
It’s easy to get stuck in a rut with appetizers. These Cranberry BBQ Meatballs are pretty stellar; definitely the best easy meatball recipe in my house.
Spinach Artichoke Dip
Spinach artichoke dip is such a classic recipe. It is the perfect appetizer to serve at a party or a delicious snack for binging Netflix on a Friday night.
Beer Cheese Dip
This beer cheese dip recipe is the perfect appetizer for any gathering! Serve it with crackers, pretzels, or bread chunks for a delicious and easy snack.
Caprese Salad Skewers
This caprese salad skewers recipe is destined to be a huge hit at your next dinner party. Fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and balsamic just go really well together.
Ham And Cheese Pinwheels
Here’s a hearty party appetizer that’s a real crowd-pleaser! Pull out that box of frozen puff pastry to thaw and add a few cheese and ham slices, and you’ve got crisp, warm and melty Ham & Cheese Pinwheel snacks in no time!
Turkey Cranberry Sliders
If you’ve got Thanksgiving leftovers that you want to stretch into lunch for a crowd, these Thanksgiving leftover sliders transform soft Hawaiian rolls into something yummy. These baked turkey cranberry sandwiches are as practical as they are festive—an easy way to stretch the flavors of the holiday table into the next day.
Bacon Crackers
An effortless and delicious Thanksgiving appetizer, blending sweet and savory with a bacon and brown sugar topping on buttery crackers. It’s a crowd-pleaser that’s quick to prepare, making it perfect for the holiday’s diverse tastes and a great starter for the festive meal. With their addictive flavor and crunch, these crackers are sure to disappear quickly from the appetizer table.
Spiced Walnuts
This simple spiced walnuts recipe is so addicting! Generally, I eat regular walnuts but when there is a party coming up or guests are coming over, I like to cook up some spiced walnuts as a snack.
Smokey Honey-Roasted Peanuts
If you want a unique flavor for your peanuts, give this smokey, honey-roasted peanuts recipe a try. These peanuts are crunchy and have a serious honey flavor with the perfect amount of smokey and spice to boot.
Maple Bacon Butter
Nothing says “holiday season” quite like the delicious combination of sweet maple syrup and salty, crispy bacon—oh, and butter! This Maple Bacon Compound Butter recipe is the perfect balance of flavors that spreads deliciously onto our Pumpkin Biscuits (among other baked goods). Includes instructions for making a big batch to give as gifts.
Crisp Chicken Garlic Butter Balls
Here’s a unique hot appetizer that will remind you of chicken Kiev—garlic butter filling in a ground chicken meatball then rolled in panko and lightly fried. Crisp, buttery, herb-savory and finally something different than those little bbq sausages.
Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board
This Christmas tree-shaped charcuterie board will surely be the star of your holiday party or the perfect addition to your next Christmas movie night with the family. This charcuterie board uses brie, salami, ham slices, pretzels, white chocolate, and a few other cheeses and veggies.
Grinch Christmas Charcuterie Board
This fun Grinch charcuterie board, which is surprisingly easy to prepare, will steal the show at your Christmas party. It is playful and full of delicious goodies that add a whimsical wonder and flavor to your holiday snack table.
The bottom line
I love doing a surprise hot appetizer and then walking them around to guests and family.
My sister and family friend are coming to town and my brain is somewhere in between IMPRESS WITH COOKING SKILLS and DON’T DIE FROM EXHAUSTION.
Speaking of Goat Cheese, these little Goat Cheese Stuffed Cherry Tomato gems are such a flavor roller coaster that I recommend them YEAR ROUND.
Make three times more of these than you think you will need. If you have even one left, I’ll be surprised.
I bet you’re excited to try these delicious Thanksgiving appetizers.
They’re mostly quick appetizers to make, which means you’ll have more time to prepare your other dishes for your Thanksgiving spread.
Whether you are having family in, have to bring something to Friendsgiving, or spending it alone, treat yourself to something simple, delicious, and fun.
Even if it’s the Bacon Deviled Eggs, spear ‘em with a toothpick, cuz you’re fanceh.
But if you want to try some gluten-free recipes during this season, I have a list of Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Recipes just for you!
