83 Thanksgiving Appetizers That Are Sure to Impress
Whether you’re hosting friends or gathering with family, it never hurts to have a few pre-dinner bites to keep hunger at bay. That’s why we’ve rounded up our best ideas—from dips and deviled eggs to cheese logs and crostini.
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Our Best Thanksgiving Appetizer Ideas
Hosting Thanksgiving dinner is no small task. You’ve got to perfectly roast a turkey, cook up everyone’s favorite sides, make a pumpkin pie for dessert—and find the ideal wine to pair with your feast. Add to that the multitude of friends and family arriving at your house all afternoon, peeking their heads into the kitchen to see how the meal is coming along and you’ve got more than enough to keep yourself busy! That’s why we like to whip up a few crowd-pleasing appetizers for the big day. Although they require a bit more planning and preparation, pre-dinner bites are always worth the extra effort. Even the simplest ones like crostini, shrimp cocktail or oven-roasted nuts will go a long way in keeping your guests full and happy—giving you more time to work on the big feast.
Not sure where to start? Kicking things off with a little cheese and charcuterie is always a good idea—and this snacking board has it all. Piles of crunchy vegetables, stacks of fruit, slices of cheese and folds of turkey meat are tucked alongside the easiest candied nuts, an extra-herby cheese ball, a sweet potato spread with a little marshmallow swirl and—the showstopper—a baked Brie in the shape of a pumpkin.
Get the Recipe: Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board
Butternut Squash Soup
The flavor of the butternut squash is highlighted by a pinch of nutmeg in this easy, classic recipe.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Soup
Sausage-Stuffed Mushrooms
Get the Recipe: Sausage-Stuffed Mushrooms
Brie-and-Cranberry Stuffed Bread Bowl
This cheese-stuffed bread bowl has built in dippers, thanks to a few clever cuts — no crackers required.
Get the Recipe: Brie-and-Cranberry Stuffed Bread Bowl
Maple, Walnut and Bacon Brie Bites
Craving a bite that's both savory and sweet? These miniature cheese wheels are toppled with chopped walnuts and bacon bits — then drizzled with maple syrup.
Get the Recipe: Maple, Walnut and Bacon Brie Bites
Bacon-Wrapped Brussels Sprouts with Creamy Lemon Dip
Get the Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Brussels Sprouts with Creamy Lemon Dip
Spinach Almond Crostini
Get the Recipe: Spinach Almond Crostini
Fried Olives
These olives deep-fried and stuffed with sausage and parmesan cheese for a yummy surprise!
Get the Recipe: Fried Olives
Dump Spinach and Artichoke Dip from Frozen
This is the easiest spinach artichoke dip you’ll ever make! Everything goes into a baking dish and straight into the oven all at once—even the frozen spinach and artichokes. We like to finish the dish with a sprinkle of panko and a quick run under the broiler for a crispy top. But you can skip it if you’re short on time. Serve this with sturdy chips or baguette slices for dipping.
Get the Recipe: Dump Spinach and Artichoke Dip from Frozen
Brussels Sprouts in a Blanket
The best part of this twist on pigs in blankets isn't the roasted Brussels sprouts, buttery puff pastry or even the pleasantly salty prosciutto: It's the Parmesan cheese that is cleverly pressed into the dough while rolling, then sprinkled on top before baking.
Get the Recipe: Brussels Sprouts-in-a-Blanket
Roasted Potato Leek Soup
Get the Recipe: Roasted Potato Leek Soup
Deviled Eggs
Get the Recipe: Picnic Deviled Eggs
Onion Dip from Scratch
Get the Recipe: Onion Dip from Scratch
Hot Spinach and Artichoke Dip
This beloved starter is always popular and, with this 5-star recipe, it's ready in just 15 minutes, too.
Get the Recipe: Hot Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Figs in a Blanket
Fruit and cheese make the perfect pre-dniner duo. These bites wrap sweet figs and tangy goat cheese in puff pastry — for the perfect bite-sized snack.
Get the Recipe: Figs in a Blanket
Stuffed Mushrooms
Giada's stuffed mushrooms are sure to be a hit at your next gathering.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Mushrooms
Baked Brie
Get the Recipe: Baked Brie
Cream of Wild Mushroom Soup
Get the Recipe: Cream of Wild Mushroom Soup
Caramelized Onion and Bacon Pull-Apart Bread
Get the Recipe: Caramelized Onion and Bacon Pull-Apart Bread
Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
Get the Recipe: Roasted Butternut Squash Soup and Curry Condiments
Holiday Bacon Appetizers
Ree Drummond's easy three-ingredient appetizer is a perfect bite for guests to snack on when they arrive. She tops Club-style crackers with Parmesan cheese, wraps them in bacon and bakes until crisp.
Get the Recipe: Holiday Bacon Appetizers
Italian Cheese Ball
Get ahead with this delicious appetizer that you can make the night before. The creamy cheese is coated in toasted pine nuts for a nice, rustic finish.
Get the Recipe: Italian Cheese Ball
White Bean Pomegranate Crostini
These simple crostini take only 15 minutes to make, but their bright color makes a lasting impression.
Get the Recipe: White Bean-Pomegranate Crostini
The Barefoot Contessa's Rosemary Roasted Cashews
Get the Recipe: Rosemary Roasted Cashews
Butternut Squash Soup
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Soup with Fontina Cheese Crostini
Creamed Corn Dip
Get the Recipe: Creamed Corn Dip
Stuffed Mushroom Dip
This creamy dip has all the sausage-and-mushroom flavor of stuffed mushroom caps — perfect for any gathering.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Mushroom Dip
Stuffed Mushrooms
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Mushrooms
Fried Ravioli
Get the Recipe: Fried Ravioli
Crostini with Sun-Dried Tomato Jam
Get the Recipe: Crostini with Sun-Dried Tomato Jam
Cheese-Stuffed Dates with Prosciutto
Get the Recipe: Cheese-Stuffed Dates with Prosciutto
Winter Squash Soup
Ina's hearty squash soup is so easy to make, and you probably have one of its key ingredients in your pantry right now; pumpkin puree helps give this soup is amazingly creamy texture.
Get the Recipe: Winter Squash Soup
Potato-Leek Soup With Bacon
Traditional creamy potato-leek soup is updated in this recipe from Food Network Magazine with the addition of homemade croutons and crisp bacon.
Get the Recipe: Potato-Leek Soup With Bacon
Swiss and Bacon Dip
Get the Recipe: Swiss and Bacon Dip
Acorn Squash Soup
Get the Recipe: Acorn Squash Soup
Bacon-Wrapped Spinach Dip Crostini
These trendy crostini have bacon belts. And not only are they fashionable (har har), but the bread soaks up the bacon drippings as they bake, making it golden and crunchy. Eat them warm, no dipping required.
Get the Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Spinach Dip Crostini
Chilled Carrot Soup
Get the Recipe: Chilled Carrot Soup
Shrimp Cocktail
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Cocktail
Ginger Rice Stuffed Mushrooms
Get the Recipe: Ginger Rice Stuffed Mushrooms
Carrot Ginger Soup with Crispy Tofu
Those aren't croutons on top of this creamy spiced-carrot soup — they're bits of curry-flavored, crispy fried tofu.
Get the Recipe: Carrot-Ginger Soup with Tofu
Pomegranate Cheese Ball
Tart goat cheese and herbs are hidden by a shell of pomegranate seeds, turning your appetizer platter into something spectacular.
Get the Recipe: Pomegranate Cheese Ball
Butternut Squash, Apple and Onion Galette with Stilton
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash, Apple, and Onion Galette with Stilton
Trisha Yearwood's Cheese Straws
Get the Recipe: Cheese Straws
Goat Cheese with Fresh Dill
Get the Recipe: Goat Cheese with Fresh Dill
Bruschetta with Peppers and Gorgonzola
Get the Recipe: Bruschetta with Peppers and Gorgonzola
Ricotta-Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Dates
Get the Recipe: Ricotta-Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Dates
Baked Brie with Fig Compote
This gooey cheese is a classic appetizer that no one can resist — and with a homemade fig compote, everyone will be coming back for seconds (and thirds)!
Get the Recipe: Baked Brie with Fig Compote
Butternut Squash Soup
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Soup
Gnocchi with Brown Butter and Sage
Get the Recipe: Gnocchi With Brown Butter and Sage
Buffalo Chicken Dip
This spicy dip is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Serve it with crisp crudité for the perfect pre-Thanksgiving bite.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Dip
Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp
Get the Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp
Butternut Squash and Apple Soup
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash and Apple Soup
Green Crudites with Yogurt-Dill Dip
Get the Recipe: Green Crudites with Yogurt-Dill Dip
Charred Brussels Sprouts Crostini
Get the Recipe: Charred Brussels Sprout Crostini
Popcornucopia
Get the Recipe: Popcornucopia
Pigs in Blankets
When you need an easy, crowd-pleasing appetizer for holiday entertaining, try pigs in blankets. We wrap premade pizza dough around sausages and sprinkle with poppy seeds before baking. Even the dipping sauce is easy; simply serve with mustard.
Get the Recipe: Pigs in Blankets
Parmesan Breadsticks
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Breadsticks
Red Crudites with Romesco Sauce
Get the Recipe: Red Crudites with Romesco Sauce
Sweet and Salty Pepitas
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Salty Pepitas
Stuffed Arancini
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Arancini
White Crudites with Blue Cheese Dip
Get the Recipe: White Crudites with Blue Cheese Dip
Mushroom Croquettes
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Croquettes
50 Toast Toppers
Get the Ideas: 50 Easy Toast Toppers
Citrus-Marinated Olives
Get the Recipe: Citrus Marinated Olives
French Onion Soup
Alton Brown caramelizes Vidalia onions until they're sweet and tender before adding them to the broth, making this soup extra rich and flavorful.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Soup
Creamy Portobello Soup
This homemade creamy mushroom soup sure beats the canned variety; it's flavored with bits of ham and dry sherry, and it's ready in under an hour.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Portobello Soup
Katie's Deviled Eggs
Katie's deviled eggs are simple, classic and easy to prepare.
Get the Recipe: Katie's Deviled Eggs
Cheese Curds and Sausage in Puff Pastry
Brie isn't the only cheese worth baking. Cheese curds get perfectly melty inside golden brown puff pastry for a comforting starter.
Get the Recipe: Cheese Curds and Sausage in Puff Pastry
Blue Cheese and Pecan Strudel
Serve this strudel with honey on the side. It will cut through the strong blue cheese as a touch of sweetness to balance out the salt.
Get the Recipe: Blue Cheese and Pecan Strudel
Cheesy Phyllo Cups with Butternut Squash
These tiny phyllo cups are one-bite dips. You'll layer cream cheese, smoked cheddar and roasted squash for a sweet, savory and smoky bite.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Phyllo Cups with Butternut Squash
Butternut Squash Bisque with Shrimp
Take butternut squash soup to the next level by adding a shrimp and sliced almonds for a nutty crunch.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Bisque with Shrimp
Pomegranate-Brie Phyllo Cups
Bright, juicy pomegranate seeds complement creamy Brie cheese in these bite-sized apps.
Get the Recipe: Pomegranate-Brie Phyllo Cups
Brie-Onion Dip in a French Bread Bowl
French onion soup just got even more satisfying. You'll love this classic in creamy, cheesy dip form. And don't be surprised when you find yourself eating the bread bowl, too!
Get the Recipe: Brie-Onion Dip in a French Bread Bowl
Fried Butternut Squash with Spicy Honey
Butternut squash stands up to being battered and fried and a hot honey is the perfect addition to brighten up the flavor.
Get the Recipe: Fried Butternut Squash with Spicy Honey
Prosciutto-Wrapped Butternut Squash
Don't be fooled: These roasted appetizers might look like melon, but upon a taste guests will discover they're actually seasonal squash.
Get the Recipe: Prosciutto-Wrapped Butternut Squash
Spiced Pecans
Get the Recipe: Spiced Pecans
Parker's Split Pea Soup
Split pea soup is an old-fashioned favorite and Ina Garten's version is as easy to make as it is comforting and classic.
Get the Recipe: Parker's Split Pea Soup
Bacon-Wrapped Dates
You only need three ingredients (and 45 minutes) to make this easy, crowd-pleasing appetizer. Better yet, these sweet-and-savory bites are delicious warm or at room temperature, which means you can make them before your guests arrive.
Get the Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Dates
Squash Soup in Pumpkin Bowls
Surprise guests by serving this squash soup in a hollowed-out pumpkin for holiday entertaining. A range of toppings like pepitas, croutons and crisp prosciutto completes the festive bowls.
Get the Recipe: Squash Soup in Pumpkin Bowls
Mozzarella-Stuffed Portobellos
Get the Recipe: Mozzarella Stuffed Portobellos
Giada's Prosciutto-Wrapped Crudite
Get the Recipe: Prosciutto-Wrapped Crudite
Roasted Beet, Onion and Orange Salad
Get the Recipe: Roasted Beet, Onion, and Orange Salad
Air Fryer Baked Brie with Pesto, Sundried Tomatoes and Artichoke Hearts
Thanks to the air fryer, not only does puff pastry get perfectly golden brown and flakey, the overall cook time is a fraction of what it would take in a standard oven. Layered with pesto, sundried tomatoes and marinated artichoke hearts, this crowd-pleaser is loaded with flavor and festive charm.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Baked Brie with Pesto, Sundried Tomatoes and Artichoke Hearts