30 Best Thanksgiving Appetizers (+ Easy Recipes)

From creamy butternut squash soup to crispy sweet potato fries, this round-up of Thanksgiving appetizers has everything you’ll need.

Don’t let your guests go hungry while waiting for the turkey! Serve these appetizers to keep their mouths and bellies happy.

30 Easy Thanksgiving Appetizer Recipes We Adore

The turkey may be the highlight of the meal, but these Thanksgiving appetizers are just as holiday-worthy.

So, this Thanksgiving, give your guests more things to be thankful for! These tasty treats are certified crowd favorites.

Whether you’re looking for dips, finger foods, or something else entirely, this list has it all. Let’s start with the dips!

The Best Dips for Thanksgiving

1. Hot Caramelized Onion Dip with Gruyere

Do you like caramelized onions? How about minced garlic and cheese? If all those things excite you, you will adore this caramelized onion dip.

It’s thick and creamy and contains FOUR different cheeses! It’s one of the very best Thanksgiving appetizers you’ll ever try.

There are many dip recipes out there, but this is the crowning jewel of them all.

2. Spinach and Artichoke Dip

This spinach and artichoke dip is outrageously addictive! Seriously, I can eat it all day.

Forget the chips and the crackers! Just give me a spoon, and I’m all set.

By themselves, artichoke hearts and spinach aren’t exactly anyone’s favorites.

Throw them in with mayo, sour cream, parmesan, and garlic-herb cheese spread, and it becomes everyone’s go-to dip.

3. Buffalo Chicken Dip

Here’s another fantastic dip that your guests will go wild for. It’s thick and chunky, with plenty of real chicken to sink your teeth into.

It’s basically like eating buffalo chicken but without the bones.

A mix of cheddar cheese, cream cheese, bleu cheese dressing, hot sauce, and shredded rotisserie chicken, this creamy, spicy dip probably won’t last 5 minutes.

4. Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

Regular hummus is great, but this roasted red pepper hummus is ten times better.

Adding roasted sweet bell peppers to mashed chickpeas and tahini is pure genius! Their sweetness, smokiness, and mild spice pair so well with hummus.

And while you can also get this kind of hummus from your local grocery store, it’s far better when homemade.

5. Whipped Feta Dip with Sizzling Shallot Oil & Roasted Tomatoes 

One glance at this picture will tell you there’s a lot going on in this dip.

Fortunately, just because it’s packed with flavorful ingredients doesn’t mean it’s hard to make. Quite the opposite, actually!

You can whip up this popular appetizer for Thanksgiving with only 5 minutes of prep work and another 30 minutes of cooking time.

6. Crab Dip Casserole

Anyone who’s ever tried crab dip knows how incredible it is. And this crab dip casserole takes it up another notch.

It’s just as rich, cheesy, and decadent as classic crab dip. But you’ll serve it warm, which makes it even ooier, gooier, and more delicious.

7. Pumpkin Fluff Dip

The sweetness of this pumpkin fluff dip is a nice break from all those cheesy and savory dips we’ve talked about so far.

If you’re looking for a dip for apple slices, graham crackers, and gingersnaps, this one’s for you.

It’s an appetizer and dessert in one, perfect for people like me who don’t mind eating sweets all day.

8. Cranberry Baked Brie

This 15-minute starter is beautiful, fragrant, and mouth-wateringly good. It’s a feast for the senses, indeed!

This dip has layers of spiced cranberry sauce and brie cheese and is topped with chopped nuts for good measure.

Serve it with crackers and chips, and your appetizer is ready to go.

Thanksgiving Finger Foods

9. Blue Cheese Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates

Despite these finger foods’ indulgence, they’re surprisingly simple to make. All you’ll need are dates, bacon, blue cheese, and honey.

They require 10 minutes of prep and another 25 to bake. They’re an absolute explosion of flavor, too. They’re salty, sweet, tangy, and tart.

If you want a Thanksgiving appetizer recipe that’ll make ALL your taste buds tingle, these will do the trick.

10. Pigs in a Blanket

First of all, how adorable are these pigs in a blanket? They’re not just oozing with cuteness, though, but with cheese, as well.

Yup, these piggies are extra special because they’re stuffed with melty cheese.

With puffy crescent rolls for their blanket, these guys have the perfect combination of flavor and texture. I’ll bet you can’t stop at one!

11. Sweet Potato Crostini with Goat Cheese and Candied Pecans

These tasty little treats have everything you could possibly want from Thanksgiving food.

They start with a base of sliced sweet potatoes, but that’s just the beginning.

There are also pecans, brown sugar, cinnamon, goat cheese, thyme, and more! They’re a genuine delicacy that’ll elevate your entire appetizer experience.

12. Fried Goat Cheese and Honey Bites

Do you want to serve something a little different this holiday season? How about fried goat cheese with spicy honey?

Like the stuffed dates above, they’re a total cornucopia of flavors.

The goat cheese is bold, tangy, and earthy. The honey, infused with red pepper and cayenne, is sweet and spicy. The breadcrumbs round them out with a nice crunch.

13. Cranberry Brie Bites

Sweet and tart cranberry sauce and creamy and melty brie cheese rest on a puffy, flaky crust. My goodness, these tartlets are Heaven in a bite!

These guys hit all the right notes: sweet and salty, flaky and creamy.

I know they’re only appetizers, but they’re so amazing they might just steal the spotlight away from the turkey.

14. Bisquick Sausage Balls

Sausage and cheese never disappoint. Stuff them in a biscuit, and you’ll get these epic appetizers guaranteed to be your new favorite.

Think cheesy meatballs and muffins merged into one. That’s exactly what these balls are like. They’re cheesy, meaty starters the whole family will love.

The tender biscuit dough is perfect for binding the cheese and sausage together.

15. Bacon-Wrapped Pickles

These sweet and tart pickles are wrapped in crispy, smoky bacon. Dip it in ranch dressing, and you’re golden!

This appetizer is low in carbs and high in flavor. It only calls for three basic ingredients and 5 minutes of preparation. Easy is an understatement.

Oh, it also happens to be keto-friendly, so anyone can dig in.

16. Loaded Mashed Potato Balls

Whether you use leftover mashed potatoes or make a new batch, it doesn’t matter. These potato balls are a smash!

They’re nice and crispy outside, but once you sink your teeth into one, they almost melt in your mouth.

By the way, this appetizer is also loaded with bacon and cheese, so expect it to be the first to disappear.

17. Cranberry Bacon Brie Pinwheels

Cold sandwich-type pinwheels have become a staple of American culture. But nothing will ever beat the warm, baked pinwheels for me.

These savory finger foods combine soft brie cheese, tart and tangy cranberry sauce, and salty bacon. All in a flaky, buttery puff pastry crust.

They’re perfect appetizers for Thanksgiving or any other occasion.

18. BBQ Pulled Pork Fried Mac and Cheese Bites

Deep-fried mac and cheese balls have become pretty popular over the last decade, but this recipe takes them up a notch.

Not only are they crunchy, deep-fried balls of mac and cheesy goodness. These also contain mouth-wateringly delicious pulled pork.

It’s almost like a complete meal in one single mouthful-sized bite.

19. Soft Pretzel Bites

I know I said I’m only featuring simple recipes here, but you’ve gotta give me this one. Believe me, you’ll want them on your Thanksgiving menu.

Besides, they aren’t THAT difficult, and you can make them up to 3 days in advance. Just refrigerate and reheat them.

If you really want to impress your guests, make beer cheese for dipping!

20. Pesto Arancini

From the outside, pesto arancini looks a lot like hush puppies. Their taste is spectacularly different, though.

These crispy-crusted appetizers are filled with arborio rice, white wine, parmesan, garlic, heavy cream, and so much more.

They’re tasty and filling, especially if you serve them with various dipping sauces for your guests to use.

21. Crab Stuffed Mushrooms

When it comes to Thanksgiving food, people often overlook crab and other seafood dishes, and that’s a shame.

Because honestly, these crab-stuffed mushrooms are some of the best Thanksgiving appetizers I’ve ever had.

They’re rich and decadent yet surprisingly easy to make.

They feature a delightful blend of spices and herbs and parmesan to make them cheesy. They’re wildly addictive!

22. Shrimp Cocktail

As far as appetizers go, you can never go wrong with shrimp.

It’s fantastic even on its own, so you don’t really need a lot to flavor it. For this appetizer, you’ll pair roasted shrimp with a refreshing cocktail sauce.

And that’s it! With this simple pairing, the delectable flavor of the shrimp really shines through.

23. Hanky Panky

Don’t let the racy name fool you. These holiday finger foods are definitely child- and grandparent-appropriate. And not just appropriate!

These yummy morsels are beloved by everyone who tries them. Tiny slices of toasted rye bread smothered in meat, cheese, onions, and pepper — what’s not to love?!

Make Ahead Thanksgiving Appetizers

24. Deviled Eggs

I once thought that deviled eggs were such an elaborate appetizer to make. For some reason, I associate them with fancy parties and soirees.

When I discovered how simple they are, I made it a point to serve them at everything.

They’re so creamy, heavenly, and worthy of any special occasion! Serve this for Thanksgiving. They’re always a classic hit.

25. Butternut Squash Soup

This appetizer features the ever-delicious butternut squash.

This butternut squash soup also features carrots and potatoes, so not only is it delicious, but it’s hearty as well.

It’s smooth, creamy, and wonderfully sweet. With this rustic starter, your guests won’t mind waiting a few more minutes for the main entree.

26. Marinated Cheese

Marinated cheese is cheese covered in pimentos, onions, garlic, and more.

It has an almost addictive zingy, briny kick that makes it hard to stop once you’ve taken that first bite.

The cheese must stay in the marinade for at least 24 hours, making this an excellent make-ahead appetizer.

27. Fall Charcuterie Board

Charcuterie boards are always a good option when you want to whip up your appetizers ahead of time. This particular one is fall-forward and vegetarian-friendly.

It boasts various cheeses, produce items, and dips and spreads. There are also nuts, olives, crackers, and breads.

Of course, as with all charcuterie boards, you can adjust the items to suit your tastes.

28. Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball

This isn’t just any old garden-variety cheese ball. It’s THE ULTIMATE bacon ranch cheese ball, and you’re going to love it.

Honestly, anyone with taste buds will go nuts for this easy-to-make, four-ingredient cheese ball. And you’ll appreciate how time-saving it is.

It’s a terrific all-occasion starter.

29. Little Smokies

You may not think little smokies – especially little smokies wrapped in bacon – would be a good make-ahead appetizer. But that’s where you’re wrong.

While I’ll admit these little guys do taste incredible when they’re first made, they’re just as tasty when reheated.

You can also pop them in a Crockpot and keep them warm until your guests arrive.

30. Turkey Veggie Tray

Raw vegetables don’t exactly sound like the most appetizing appetizer. But one look at this veggie tray will surely change your mind.

I mean, how awesome is this turkey-looking platter?

Who would’ve thought that peppers, carrots, broccoli, peas, and cucumbers could be formed into a colorful turkey?

Served with various vegetable dips, this veggie tray will surely disappear in minutes.