This post may contain paid and/or affiliate links. I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see our Privacy Policy.
Thanksgiving dinner is all about the turkey and the sides, but the appetizers are what keep everyone happy while the bird finishes in the oven. A few good bites set the mood, give guests something to snack on while they mingle, and take some pressure off the cook.
This list is full of easy, crowd-pleasing ideas with fall flavours like cranberry, pumpkin, sweet potato, butternut squash and pear. There are warm dips, cheesy bites, make-ahead roll-ups and a gorgeous charcuterie board, and plenty of them can be prepped the day before so your oven stays free on Thanksgiving.
I rounded up 15 of the best Thanksgiving appetizers from some of my favourite food bloggers, so you can build the perfect starter spread.
The Best Thanksgiving Appetizers for Your Holiday Spread
This article is all about the best Thanksgiving appetizers.
1. Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board
What it is: A showstopping fall grazing board loaded with salami, cheese, olives, pickles, seasonal fruit and sweet extras.
Persimmons, mandarins, apple slices, pomegranate seeds and pecans give it a harvest look, and it comes together in about 25 minutes with zero cooking. Tip: slice the meats and cheeses ahead of time and keep them in airtight containers, then put wet items like olives and pickles in small bowls so the juice doesn’t run across the board.
2. Cranberry Brie Bites
What it is: Flaky puff pastry cups filled with melty brie and a spoonful of cranberry sauce.
With just puff pastry, brie, cranberry sauce and a little fresh thyme, they’re ready in about 20 minutes and they’re a great way to use leftover cranberry sauce too. Tip: keep the puff pastry cold until the last second for the flakiest bites, and pop the brie in the freezer for 5 minutes so it’s easier to cut.
3. Cranberry Pecan Baked Brie
What it is: A warm, gooey wheel of brie topped with a buttery brown sugar, maple, cranberry and pecan topping.
Orange zest, cinnamon and nutmeg make the topping taste like the holidays, and the whole thing takes about 25 minutes. Serve it with crackers, crostini or apple slices. Tip: leave the rind on the brie. It holds the cheese together so it melts without spilling all over the pan.
4. Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms
What it is: Bite-sized mushroom caps stuffed with Italian sausage, cream cheese, garlic and Parmesan, then baked until golden.
A crispy panko and Parmesan topping makes them extra irresistible, and they take only about 30 minutes. Skip the panko to make them gluten free. Tip: after browning the sausage, blot it with paper towels to soak up the extra grease before mixing in the filling.
5. Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese
What it is: Sweet Medjool dates stuffed with creamy goat cheese, wrapped in crispy bacon and finished with a drizzle of honey.
Just four ingredients and about 25 minutes, and they always disappear first. The salty, sweet and tangy combo is so good. Tip: use half a slice of bacon per date. If the bacon wraps around more than once, it won’t crisp up in the oven.
6. Sweet Potato Bites
What it is: All the flavour of sweet potato casserole in a one-bite appetizer: roasted sweet potato rounds topped with toasted marshmallow and a pecan.
The rounds are brushed with butter and maple syrup before roasting, and the whole recipe takes about 35 minutes. Tip: watch the marshmallows closely under the broiler since they toast in just 2 to 3 minutes. To make ahead, pre-bake the sweet potato slices and add the toppings right before serving.
7. Butternut Squash Crostini with Ricotta
What it is: Crunchy toasted baguette slices topped with creamy ricotta, roasted butternut squash and sage, pomegranate seeds and pepitas.
They’re colourful, festive and ready in about 35 minutes, with an optional drizzle of pomegranate molasses on top. Tip: cut the squash into even half-inch cubes so it roasts evenly. You can toast the bread a couple of days ahead and store it in an airtight container.
8. Cranberry Feta Pinwheels
What it is: No-cook tortilla roll-ups filled with cream cheese, feta, chives and dried cranberries.
They take only 10 minutes to put together, then chill for at least an hour before slicing, so they’re perfect to make the day before. Tip: leave a half-inch border when you spread the filling so it doesn’t squeeze out when you roll the tortillas.
9. Pumpkin Cheese Ball
What it is: An extra sharp cheddar and chive cream cheese ball shaped like a pumpkin, with a broccoli stalk stem.
Paprika and a pinch of cayenne give it colour and a little kick. Plan on about 30 minutes of prep plus 4 hours in the fridge. Tip: make it up to 2 days ahead and add the stem just before serving. Toss apple slices in lemon juice so they don’t brown on the platter.
10. Whipped Feta with Hot Honey
What it is: A silky whipped feta dip topped with spicy honey and chopped pistachios.
Feta, Greek yogurt or milk, olive oil and lemon get blended until smooth, then drizzled with honey and red pepper flakes. It’s ready in about 20 minutes. Tip: use cow’s milk feta, since sheep’s milk feta is softer and can turn runny. The dip keeps for 3 days, so just add the honey right before serving.
11. Deviled Eggs with Bacon
What it is: Classic creamy deviled eggs topped with crispy bacon and fresh chives.
The filling is simple: mayonnaise, Dijon, salt and pepper, and they take about 10 minutes once your eggs are boiled. Every holiday table needs a plate of these. Tip: fill the eggs up to a day ahead, but add the bacon just before serving so it stays crisp.
12. Prosciutto Wrapped Pears with Arugula and Goat Cheese
What it is: Ripe pear slices, peppery arugula and goat cheese wrapped up in thin prosciutto.
It’s an elegant no-cook appetizer that takes about 20 minutes and serves a crowd. Finish with a drizzle of honey or balsamic reduction. Tip: cut the prosciutto slices in half if your pear slices are small, so each wrap fits snugly.
13. Caramelized Onion Dip
What it is: A from-scratch onion dip made with slow-cooked, sweet caramelized onions, cream cheese, sour cream and chives.
It takes about 50 minutes, mostly letting the onions cook down, and it’s miles better than the packet version. Serve with chips, crackers or veggies. Tip: let the onions cool completely before mixing. The dip tastes even better the next day, so it’s a great make-ahead option.
14. Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip
What it is: A hot, bubbly dip packed with spinach, artichoke hearts, smoked Gruyere and Parmesan.
Mayo and sour cream keep it rich and creamy, and it’s ready in about 30 minutes. Serve it with toasted baguette, crackers or pita chips. Tip: squeeze as much water as you can out of the thawed spinach. Extra moisture is the main reason a dip turns runny.
15. Cranberry Salsa over Cream Cheese
What it is: A sweet and spicy fresh cranberry salsa with jalapeno, green onion and cilantro, spooned over a layer of cream cheese.
The salsa only takes 10 minutes in a food processor, then chills for at least 2 hours. It’s bright, festive and perfect with crackers. Tip: make the salsa the night before so the flavours blend, and drain any extra juice before spooning it over the cream cheese.
Tips for Planning Thanksgiving Appetizers
- Keep it to three or four. A few great appetizers are plenty, since you don’t want anyone too full for dinner.
- Mix hot and cold. Pair one or two warm dips or bites with no-cook options like pinwheels, a cheese ball or a charcuterie board.
- Make ahead whenever you can. Cheese balls, pinwheels, dips and cranberry salsa can all be made the day before.
- Save oven space. Bake warm appetizers before the turkey goes in, or while it rests, so you’re not fighting for room.
- Set up a self-serve spot. Put appetizers away from the kitchen so guests can snack without getting in the cook’s way.
Which Thanksgiving appetizer are you making first? Pin this post so you can find it again for Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving and all your fall get-togethers!
Leave a Reply