With Thanksgiving right around the corner, here is a list of 30 Thanksgiving appetizer recipes that will amaze your guests including bacon deviled eggs, artichoke dip and cranberry meatballs.
Start your Thanksgiving off right with appetizer recipes so good that you’ll almost forget about dinner!
Whether you are hosting a holiday feast this year or you just want to bring something special, don’t forget the appetizers. There is nothing better than the smell of turkey in the oven and an amazing snack at your fingertips. For everybody watching a game or chatting in the kitchen, a bowl of something to munch on is a must. Since we’re celebrating on this day, I also offer some festive jello shots for the adults!
I have gathered up the best list of Thanksgiving snack recipes that will delight friends and family. I love hearty appetizers that are loaded with melty cheese, savory and the perfect way to get your guests ready for the main meal. There are plenty of options like cheese bombs, garlic knots, fried mushrooms and pigs in a blanket.
When oven and stove space is scarce, cold snacks are fantastic. They tend to be a little on the lighter side, and many of them are make-ahead which is always important when you’re planning a big meal! Try some cold recipes with minimal ingredients like pesto dip, cheese ball bites and the classic bacon deviled eggs. Pair your snacks with some Thanksgiving punch for ultimate enjoyment!
Whatever you do, don’t forget the homemade Chex mix. I am always astonished how good that crispy, savory snack can be.
Don’t let the holiday appetizer be an afterthought, pick some of these amazing snacks now. Have fun with your munchies and try something new. Sometimes I think appetizers are the best part of the whole meal! Need more help with your Thanksgiving menu? Be sure to check out my guide on how to cook a turkey. You can also try some of my favorite side dishes such as roasted butternut squash, homemade cranberry sauce, mashed sweet potatoes and pumpkin soup. As a bonus, I’m including an extra recipe at the end for the most quick and easy Thanksgiving appetizer platter!
30 Thanksgiving Appetizer Recipes
Antipasto Skewers
These antipasto skewers are a variety of italian meats, cheeses, olives and vegetables threaded onto sticks. An easy yet elegant appetizer.
This artichoke dip recipe is a blend of three types of cheese, artichoke hearts, garlic and herbs, all baked together to golden brown perfection. A quick and easy appetizer idea that always gets rave reviews!
These easy bacon deviled eggs are a classic recipe dressed up with the addition of bacon bits and chives. Plus learn my tricks for the best deviled eggs ever!
These bacon wrapped dates are stuffed with goat cheese, covered in bacon, then brushed with maple syrup before they go into the oven to bake to perfection. A super easy and unique 5 ingredient appetizer!
These ultra creamy cheese ball bites are made with three types of cheese and rolled in assorted toppings. An easy make ahead party snack that always gets rave reviews!
These bacon wrapped smokies are cocktail sausages wrapped in bacon, then coated in brown sugar and spices and baked to perfection. An easy appetizer option that's great for feeding a large crowd.
This baked brie is topped with raspberry jam, fresh raspberries and candied pecans, then is wrapped in puff pastry and baked to golden brown perfection. A quick and easy appetizer option that is sure to impress your family and friends.
This cheese ball recipe is made with cream cheese, white cheddar cheese and spices, all blended together and rolled in chopped pecans. A classic appetizer that's easy to make and always a hit at parties.
A guide to creating the best cheese board with a variety of different cheeses, crackers, fruit and accompaniments. An easy and impressive appetizer for any gathering, and this one always gets rave reviews!
These cheese bombs are biscuit dough wrapped around cheddar cheese, then topped with garlic herb butter and parmesan and baked to perfection. An easy snack or side dish that’s perfect for all the cheese lovers in your life.
These crab stuffed mushrooms are mushroom caps filled with flaked crab and three types of cheese, then baked to golden brown perfection. An easy and elegant appetizer that can be assembled ahead of time!
These fried mushrooms are coated in a light and crispy seasoned beer batter, then deep fried to golden brown perfection. The ultimate party snack that's always a huge hit!
These grape jelly meatballs are homemade meatballs tossed in a two ingredient sauce and slow cooked to perfection in the crock pot. A quick and easy appetizer or dinner option that always gets rave reviews!
Your search for the perfect homemade Chex mix ends here – this from scratch Chex mix is made with cereal, crackers, pretzels and nuts, and is SO much better than the recipe on the box!
This homemade ranch dip is full of all of the familiar herbs and spices, but has no preservatives like the store bought version. The homemade ranch powder is easy to make and keeps in the fridge for months!
These little smokies are cocktail sausages simmered in the crockpot in a sweet and savory barbecue sauce. A super easy slow cooker appetizer that takes just minutes to put together and always gets rave reviews.
This mini quiche recipe is bite sized pastries filled with eggs, cheese, meat and vegetables. An elegant appetizer or brunch option that can be customized in so many different ways to suit your tastes.
This pesto dip is a blend of mayonnaise, sour cream, basil pesto and seasonings that are combined to create a rich and creamy dip in just minutes. The easiest last minute appetizer option that pairs well with bread, veggies or can even be used on a sandwich or as a salad dressing.
Pigs in a blanket is a classic party snack made with cocktail wieners wrapped in crescent dough, which are baked to golden brown perfection. An easy appetizer option that can be doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
This recipe for potato skins is Russet potato halves topped with cheese and bacon, then baked to crispy perfection and finished with sour cream and green onions. A classic appetizer that's easy to make and always a crowd pleaser!
This prosciutto wrapped asparagus is fresh asparagus stalks flavored with savory prosciutto, then broiled to crispy perfection. A 4 ingredient appetizer or side dish that's easy, yet elegant and always gets rave reviews.
This light and fluffy pumpkin dip is made with pumpkin puree, warm spices, cream cheese and whipped topping. It’s the perfect dessert or appetizer for any fall gathering and takes just 5 minutes to make.
These sausage stuffed mushrooms are mushroom caps filled with Italian sausage, herbs and three kinds of cheese, then baked to golden brown perfection. An easy and elegant party snack that can be assembled ahead of time!
This Thanksgiving charcuterie board is a display of meats, cheeses, nuts, crackers, fall fruit and seasonal treats. A super easy yet impressive appetizer offering that is sure to be a hit at your Thanksgiving gathering.
This homemade veggie tray is an assortment of colorful vegetables paired with a variety of flavorful dips. A crudite platter is a must-have for any party or gathering, it's always a big hit with both kids and adults alike!
These beer brat bites are juicy bratwurst sausages that are grilled to perfection, then sliced and tossed in a beer glaze. An easy appetizer that’s sure to be the hit of any holiday party!
Looking for the easiest party snack of them all? Make a Thanksgiving appetizer platter! You can make it as big or as small as you need, and best of all, there’s absolutely no cooking involved. Simply head to your favorite grocery store and grab some cured meats, cheese, crackers, fruit, nuts, olives and pickled items such as peppers. It’s even more fun and festive if you can find fall themed items. Arrange everything on a tray to your liking, then serve and enjoy. You can even prepare your appetizer tray up to 8 hours before you plan to serve it. Just store it covered in the fridge until you’re ready to eat.
Surprise your friends and family with some new appetizers that will set the stage for an amazing Thanksgiving dinner! Give these snacks a try, and maybe make a little extra for yourself. I won’t tell.
This Thanksgiving appetizer platter is the ultimate easy Thanksgiving recipe. Make it with cured meats, cheeses, fruit, nuts and crackers for a fun and festive snack.
Time
Prep Time20 minutesminutes
Total Time20 minutesminutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Serves 10
Ingredients
1 1/4poundscured meatssuch as salami and prosciutto
1 1/2poundscheeseI use brie, dill havarti, manchego and aged cheddar.
1 cupfall fruitsuch as pears, pomegranate, figs or dried fruit
12ouncesassorted crackers or breadsticks
3/4cupnuts
1/2cupolives
6ouncesThanksgiving sweetsharvest chocolates, maple candy or any other fall themed cookies or candy you find
1jarjam or honey
fresh herbs for garnishsuch as rosemary
Instructions
Place the larger sized ingredients on a big platter, such as the cheeses, jar of honey and the bowl of olives.
Next add crackers, fresh and dried fruit to the board.
Add the fall treats and meats to the platter.
Fill in any gaps with nuts.
Garnish with fresh herbs, then serve or refrigerate covered for up to 8 hours.
Notes
Don’t worry about finding the exact items in the photo! Do your best and look for things that fit the fall theme and that you think your friends and family will enjoy.
You may need to go to more than one store to find everything you need. This board is primarily made up from items at Trader Joe’s.
Wow, really love the way this page is laid out! Ive read through many blog posts where its difficult to follow a link to a particular site for the recipe and there is always an entire page of story before you get to the good stuff. Well done, this is going to help out my Thanksgiving Day preparations.
I make several appetizers when hosting guests for Thanksgiving and this year I really wanted to come up with a few new ones. This list is exactly what I needed! Now to narrow down the options.
This is such an amazing list! I love to go all out with the appetizers, and so many of these would be amazing for our Thanksgiving! Those cranberry feta pinwheels sound so incredible! Yum!
Oh yummy! These all look so good! I haven’t planned out our Thanksgiving dinner yet, so I may pick one hot and one cold appetizer from your list. Thanks for sharing!
You have so many great ideas here. I am going away for thanksgiving, but having a small pre-thanksgiving get together beforehand, so these are perfect.
Wow, really love the way this page is laid out! Ive read through many blog posts where its difficult to follow a link to a particular site for the recipe and there is always an entire page of story before you get to the good stuff. Well done, this is going to help out my Thanksgiving Day preparations.
What a fantastic list of appetizers. They all look so good. I need to start preparing now because my family is going to want all of these.
A wonderful list of so many great recipes. I like to snack on dips and little smokies! Bring on the holidays!
This is a fantastic collection of appetizers! I never know what to do for Thanksgiving appetizers so I’m bookmarking this for inspiration.
Oh wow, so much amazing choice. Those cranberry meatballs sound amazing.
Oh my gosh, I am drooling just scrolling thru all these tasty bites! These are all such great picks – it’s so hard to choose a favorite.
I love a good dip appetizer before a meal. Thanks for sharing such an amazing selection to choose from!
This is a fabulous list! Would love to add some of these to our holiday menu!
I’m saving this post. We’re going to host Thanksgiving party this year and will try some of these recipes. Awesome share!
I make several appetizers when hosting guests for Thanksgiving and this year I really wanted to come up with a few new ones. This list is exactly what I needed! Now to narrow down the options.
I am always looking for new recipes to try. I will have to start with the Cheddar and Chive Pumpkin Cheeseball. I am sure it will be a big hit.
My mouth is watering right now. These all look like such great ideas!
I don’t think we ever actually serve appetizers for Thanksgiving. That needs to change.
This is such an amazing list! I love to go all out with the appetizers, and so many of these would be amazing for our Thanksgiving! Those cranberry feta pinwheels sound so incredible! Yum!
I need to try doing a few new appetizers this year. The Pigs in Puff Pastry Blankets might be fun and I know I’d like the cranberry meatballs.
I want to try the pumpkin cheesecake ball, it sounds different and interesting. I am sure it will be a hit at the Thanksgiving gathering!
Oh yummy! These all look so good! I haven’t planned out our Thanksgiving dinner yet, so I may pick one hot and one cold appetizer from your list. Thanks for sharing!
This is absolutely amazing! There is so much Thanksgiving deliciousness here! I can’t wait to put out a ton of appetizers this year.
You have so many great ideas here. I am going away for thanksgiving, but having a small pre-thanksgiving get together beforehand, so these are perfect.