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.

Updated on October 02, 2023

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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

Ina marinates mushrooms in olive oil and wine, then stuffs them with sweet Italian sausage and cheese.

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

Most recipes for bacon-wrapped Brussels sprouts call for holding everything together with toothpicks, but we skip that step. Setting the bacon seam-side down on the baking sheet makes it seal in the hot oven. The maple syrup glaze helps to make each bite sweet and caramelized.

Get the Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Brussels Sprouts with Creamy Lemon Dip

Spinach Almond Crostini

A spinach puree (extra creamy and flavorful, thanks to sour cream, garlic and fresh herbs) teams up with chopped almonds for the perfect nutty toast topper.

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

For richness, Ina stirs a bit of cream into her hearty potato soup. Creme fraiche adds extra creaminess and a slightly tart flavor. Deep-fried shallots add a great crispy texture contrast.

Get the Recipe: Roasted Potato Leek Soup

Deviled Eggs

Serve this crowd-pleasing finger food before the turkey dinner. The dash of paprika on the deviled eggs lends a warm, festive color.

Get the Recipe: Picnic Deviled Eggs

Onion Dip from Scratch

Alton's homemade onion dip takes only a few more minutes to make than the instant kind, and once you've made it from scratch, you'll never go back to the store-bought version.

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

This crowd-pleasing appetizer couldn't be easier: Tyler Florence wraps Brie in foil and bakes it in the oven for about 20 minutes, until the cheese is gooey like fondue.

Get the Recipe: Baked Brie

Cream of Wild Mushroom Soup

Ina's creamy soup features three different types of mushrooms: portobello, cremini and shiitake. A rich base of butter, cream and homemade stock bring the dish together.

Get the Recipe: Cream of Wild Mushroom Soup

Caramelized Onion and Bacon Pull-Apart Bread

Smoky cheese and bacon combine with the natural sweetness of caramelized onions in this hot, crusty party bread that is meant for sharing.

Get the Recipe: Caramelized Onion and Bacon Pull-Apart Bread

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

The Barefoot Contessa jazzes up a classic fall soup with a buffet of fun and sometimes surprising condiments so guests can choose their own toppings.

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

Skip the store-bought mixed nuts and make your own — Ina Garten's are coated with fresh rosemary, dark brown sugar and a hint of cayenne.

Get the Recipe: Rosemary Roasted Cashews

Butternut Squash Soup

Giada De Laurentiis garnishes each bowl of her creamy squash soup with fontina cheese-topped crostini.

Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Soup with Fontina Cheese Crostini

Creamed Corn Dip

Generally, when you think of creamed corn, you think of hot soup or pudding. But this version opens up another possibility: dip. Made with fresh parsley and caramelized onions, it's served cold with crisp vegetables or baguette toasts — a lovely way to start a holiday party.

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

These delicate stuffed mushrooms make it easy to snack while mingling at a Thanksgiving cocktail hour. Create the perfect bowl shape to accommodate the stuffing by using a melon baller to gently scoop out the stem from inside each mushroom cap.

Get the Recipe: Stuffed Mushrooms

Fried Ravioli

If frying pasta sounds strange to you, keep an open mind: crispy pasta shell, soft cheese filling and ample marinara sauce for dipping. What's not to like?

Get the Recipe: Fried Ravioli

Crostini with Sun-Dried Tomato Jam

Giada's two-bite appetizers are made with crunchy toasts, a bright sun-dried tomato jam, goat cheese and lots of herbs.

Get the Recipe: Crostini with Sun-Dried Tomato Jam

Cheese-Stuffed Dates with Prosciutto

Sweet dates pair perfectly with Giada's creamy mascarpone-goat cheese mixture. A slice of salty prosciutto balances the flavor.

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

Rachael's easy, cheesy dip is baked in the oven and served warm, topped with chopped almonds for crunch.

Get the Recipe: Swiss and Bacon Dip

Acorn Squash Soup

Guy Fieri uses acorn squash, a cousin of the butternut, for this creamy fall 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

Starting your meal with Michael Symon's cold soup provides a welcome foil to Thanksgiving's heavier main course. And this recipe is bursting with unexpected flavors, like jalapeno, coconut milk and cilantro.

Get the Recipe: Chilled Carrot Soup

Shrimp Cocktail

Make shrimp cocktail about an hour (or earlier for the sauce) before guests arrive for an easy, crowd-pleasing appetizer. 

Get the Recipe: Shrimp Cocktail

Ginger Rice Stuffed Mushrooms

Sandra Lee's stuffed mushrooms come with an Asian twist. She uses rice in place of traditional breadcrumbs, brings in a little meat with the pork, and amplifies the dish with soy sauce, ginger and cilantro.

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

Fill our simple pastry crust with butternut squash, sliced apples and decadent Stilton cheese. Then bake until golden brown for a beautifully seasonal appetizer.

Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash, Apple, and Onion Galette with Stilton

Trisha Yearwood's Cheese Straws

Snack on Trisha's buttery cheese straws before you sit down to feast.

Get the Recipe: Cheese Straws

Goat Cheese with Fresh Dill

Ree rolls goat cheese in freshly chopped dill and serves it with crackers for an appetizer that's ready in just 20 minutes.

Get the Recipe: Goat Cheese with Fresh Dill

Bruschetta with Peppers and Gorgonzola

Ina tops grilled bread with red and yellow bell pepper strips and creamy Gorgonzola. While sauteing the peppers, add a tiny bit of sugar to bring out intense color and caramelization.

Get the Recipe: Bruschetta with Peppers and Gorgonzola

Ricotta-Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Dates

These are classic tapas, but they never get old, especially spruced up just a bit with a touch of ricotta cheese.

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

A little bit of sage and balsamic vinegar goes a long way in this recipe, adding great depth of flavor to a simple fall soup.

Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Soup

Gnocchi with Brown Butter and Sage

Sage, red pepper flakes and grated Parmesan add rich, warm notes to this gnocchi dish, perfect for easing into a comforting Thanksgiving meal.  

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

The shrimp gets a ton of flavor from the paprika and thyme marinade — even without the bacon. But, of course, the bacon only makes it better. 

Get the Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp

Butternut Squash and Apple Soup

Sweet apples and nutty squash make an excellent pair in Ina Garten's hearty soup. 

Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash and Apple Soup

Green Crudites with Yogurt-Dill Dip

Fresh green food is a rare but welcome sight on the day of the year's biggest feast. Serve veggies like haricots verts, broccolini and roasted Brussels sprouts with yogurt-dill dip and spiced pepitas to entice even the pickiest of eaters. 

Get the Recipe: Green Crudites with Yogurt-Dill Dip

Charred Brussels Sprouts Crostini

Giada's crispy, smoky sprouts and cranberries plumped in Champagne vinegar add bite to creamy ricotta spread on toasts. 

Get the Recipe: Charred Brussels Sprout Crostini

Popcornucopia

Food Network Magazine’s cleverly named Popcornucopia captures the essence of fall in each kernel. With poultry seasoning, pecans, apple chips and herbs, the snack will tease guests with a preview of the sweet and savory flavors soon to come.  

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

Guests will gobble up these crispy, cheesy pre-dinner snacks — we suggest you make a double batch.

Get the Recipe: Parmesan Breadsticks

Red Crudites with Romesco Sauce

With roasted acorn squash and multicolored baby carrots, ranch dip just won’t do for this vibrant crudite platter. Blend together a beautiful orange romesco sauce featuring New Mexico chile pepper, garlic, toasted bread, smoked almonds and paprika. Add some crunch to the spread with raw radishes and any extra almonds that didn’t go into the dip.  

Get the Recipe: Red Crudites with Romesco Sauce

Sweet and Salty Pepitas

Valerie Bertinelli jazzes up pumpkin seeds with cinnamon, ginger, allspice and cloves for an addictive treat. Before guests arrive, set bowls out in conversation spaces around your home.

Get the Recipe: Sweet and Salty Pepitas

Stuffed Arancini

Biting into creamy risotto coated in crispy breadcrumbs is always a delight, but Giada hides an additional tasty surprise in these arancini — a bite of chicken-apple sausage in each one.

Get the Recipe: Stuffed Arancini

White Crudites with Blue Cheese Dip

Keep things bright and light during the appetizer hour. Balance crisp produce (like green apple and jicama) and cool, tangy blue cheese dip with roasted cauliflower and candied walnuts.

Get the Recipe: White Crudites with Blue Cheese Dip

Mushroom Croquettes

These savory hors d'oeuvres require only four slices of white sandwich bread for their crispy crust. Dip them in Dijon mustard for an extra-peppery app.

Get the Recipe: Mushroom Croquettes

50 Toast Toppers

Pick up a loaf of French bread and get inspired by dozens of savory and sweet topping ideas. Try No. 24, with Taleggio cheese and candied nuts.

Get the Ideas: 50 Easy Toast Toppers

Citrus-Marinated Olives

For fresh citrus flavor, Alton drains off the olive brine before submerging the olives in a zesty marinade of vinegar, lemon zest and juice, red pepper flakes, tarragon and curry powder. Make them a day or two before your party, so they have time to soak in the flavors of the marinade.

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

Alton's sweet and spicy pecans are a perfect precursor to a Thanksgiving meal. The nuts' dark sugar and cinnamon coating will whet your appetite for the autumnal flavors to come.

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

Sweet balsamic-roasted portobello mushrooms are the perfect base for gooey melted mozzarella cheese and a crumbly topping that has just a hint of nutty Parmesan.

Get the Recipe: Mozzarella Stuffed Portobellos

Giada's Prosciutto-Wrapped Crudite

Start with a platter of Giada's Italian-style crudite. She wraps the veggies in prosciutto and shaves Parmesan on top for some holiday decadence.

Get the Recipe: Prosciutto-Wrapped Crudite

Roasted Beet, Onion and Orange Salad

Guests will go crazy for this light, refreshing beet and orange salad, and best of all, they'll still have room left for the main course. A simple dressing of hazelnut oil, coriander and orange juice adds a touch of sweet, floral flavor.

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