21 Easy, 3-Ingredient Appetizers That Are Perfect for Thanksgiving

When you're preparing a feast for a crowd (especially a meal like Thanksgiving, which involves complicated synchronization of oven racks and external appliances), the last things you're apt to cook are appetizers. But your guests will arrive hungry and need something to hold them over until the main meal starts. You can never go wrong with a charcuterie board, but consider elevating your spread even further with these super-simple appetizers that come together with just a handful of ingredients. You'll find options like these Mini Cranberry Meatball Bites, 3-ingredient stuffed mushrooms, creamy dips and even more.

This easy, elegant cocktail party standby works almost anywhere. Warm butternut or winter squash puree in a saucepan, then add some water to thin slightly and some heavy cream for richness. Serve in espresso, demitasse or small coffee cups with a sprinkle of fresh chives.

These flavor-packed mushrooms prove you don’t need a fridge full of ingredients to whip up a winning appetizer. We chose garlic-and-herb soft cheese as the stuffing base for its famously creamy texture and savory flavor. Panko breadcrumbs do double duty, first mixed into the filling to help absorb the flavorful mushroom juices and then as an easy coating to give the mushrooms a classic crunchy top. And using small creminis rather than larger mushrooms yields perfect two-bite flavor bombs. Be generous with the filling — there’s plenty, so mound it up slightly for melty, garlicky bliss.

The key to a smooth, creamy whipped feta lies in the oil. When slowly drizzled in while blending, the oil emulsifies the moisture in the sweet potatoes, yogurt and feta to create a cohesive, velvety smooth texture. We use feta marinated in oil here — a great two-for-one ingredient.

When it comes to crowd-pleasing party dishes, you truly can’t beat candied bacon. It’s sweet, smoky, chewy and, most importantly, it’s bacon. We’ve chosen to sprinkle ours with everything bagel seasoning, but don’t be afraid to experiment with whatever seasoning you prefer. For an extra bite, coat the bacon in coarsely ground peppercorns, or for a bit of extra crunch, try roughly chopped nuts.

Spear one or two pieces of cooked, peeled and deveined shrimp on the ends of wooden skewers, brush with hoisin sauce and broil on a foil-lined baking sheet, turning once, until warmed through and beginning to caramelize. Sprinkle with finely chopped scallions before serving.

These cocktail meatballs nestled in puff pastry are packed with seasonal flavor and come together with just three shortcut ingredients, plus black pepper. Popping squares of pastry into a mini muffin tin makes forming the bites super-easy and bakes up crisp and buttery, an elegant counterpart to the sweet, tangy meatball center glazed with cranberry sauce. These treats strike the perfect balance between ease and indulgence, impressive as a passed cocktail appetizer or pre-dinner nibble, but just as welcome when your crowd is on the sofa watching the big game.

Crystalized brown sugar coats each nut for sweet crunch in this irresistible mix scented with fresh rosemary and a hit of black pepper. We suggest using a blend of nuts but you could also go with just a single variety, like buttery cashews or earthy pecans. Ready in just 20 minutes, these morsels are perfect for cocktail hour, a festive grazing board or a pre-dinner nibble. The generous yield also makes them ideal for gifting: Tuck them into cellophane bags tied with ribbon for a homemade treat.

This three-ingredient appetizer is simply a fall version of the classic prosciutto and melon. Salty prosciutto is wrapped around slices of ripe pear, which is a delicious combination on its own. The finishing touch, a drizzle of balsamic glaze, adds both sweetness and tanginess which pairs well with the salty ham and sweet fruit.

This easy three-ingredient deviled egg recipe uses convenient store-bought Greek tzatziki — a flavorful combination of creamy yogurt, cucumber, garlic and dill — for a refreshing take on the classic mayonnaise version. A topping of finely chopped red bell pepper adds a sweet and refreshing crunch that pairs well with the tangy tzatziki.

Your favorite childhood snack just got a grown-up glow-up. Crispy smashed tater tots become the ultimate party bite when topped with sharp cheddar and a dollop of sweet-savory onion jam. They’re simple to make, endlessly snackable and guaranteed to disappear fast — so you might want to make a double batch.

These sausage rolls offer a fun change of pace from the traditional pigs in a blanket. Cooked bratwursts are wrapped in crescent dough, then baked. Slice and serve with punchy horseradish mustard for a dipping sauce with a kick.

Appetizers for a holiday meal need to feel festive but shouldn’t require too much work. Blending together smoked salmon and garlic-herb cheese spread makes a flavorful mousse from just two ingredients. Put dollops of the spread onto the ends of endive leaves for a simple yet elegant bite.

Holiday appetizers should be easy and not too heavy, considering the big meal to follow. These crispy chickpeas made in the air fryer fit the bill. They’re simply spiced with savory poultry seasoning to whet your appetite for the big bird to come.