Thanksgiving is all about gathering with loved ones, sharing memories, and enjoying good food. While the main dishes get most of the attention, a spread of simple, tasty appetizers can set the stage for a festive meal.
Whether you’re hosting a big family gathering or an intimate dinner, these bite-sized starters will keep everyone happy without spoiling their appetite. From cheesy bites to veggie snacks and kid-friendly options, here’s a list of easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing appetizers that cover all sorts of flavors and dietary needs. Each one is simple to prepare, big on flavor, and perfect for kicking off your Thanksgiving feast.
Here’s the revised format with breaks between each paragraph and the title for clarity:
1. Easy Crescent Roll Bites
These little crescent roll bites are quick, easy, and tasty. They’re stuffed with cream cheese and smoked salmon and make a great snack for guests
Ingredients:
- 1 can crescent rolls
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 4 oz smoked salmon
- Fresh dill for garnish
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 375°F. Unroll the crescent dough and cut it into triangles. Spread a little cream cheese on each piece, add a bit of salmon, and roll up. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Top with dill and serve.
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2. Make-Ahead Spinach and Artichoke Cups
These little phyllo cups are filled with creamy spinach and artichoke. They’re perfect for making ahead and keeping in the fridge until guests arrive.
Ingredients:
- 1 box phyllo cups
- 1 cup chopped spinach
- 1 cup chopped artichokes
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- 1 cup shredded cheese
Instructions:
Bake the phyllo cups as the package says. Mix the spinach, artichokes, yogurt, and cheese in a bowl. Fill each phyllo cup with the mixture. Serve cold or warm.
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3. Cold Shrimp Bites
These cold shrimp bites are light and fresh. Cucumber slices topped with shrimp and cocktail sauce make a quick and easy starter.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb cooked shrimp, peeled
- 1 cucumber, sliced
- ½ cup cocktail sauce
- Fresh parsley
Instructions:
Place cucumber slices on a plate. Add a shrimp on top of each, then a little cocktail sauce. Garnish with parsley and serve.
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4. Veggie & Hummus Toasts
These hummus toasts are healthy and colorful. Fresh veggies on toasted bread make a crunchy, tasty snack for guests.
Ingredients:
- 1 whole grain baguette
- ½ cup hummus
- 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- Fresh basil leaves
Instructions:
Slice and toast the baguette. Spread hummus on each slice, then add cucumber, tomatoes, and basil. Serve right away.
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5. Turkey Meatball Skewers for Kids
These turkey meatball skewers are fun for kids. They’re small, easy to eat, and have little cubes of cheese for extra flavor.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground turkey
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1 cup cubed cheese
- ¼ cup marinara sauce
Instructions:
Mix turkey, breadcrumbs, and egg. Form into mini meatballs and bake at 375°F for 15 minutes. Skewer each with a cheese cube. Serve with marinara sauce.
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6. Classic Deviled Eggs
These deviled eggs are creamy and simple. A touch of paprika on top makes them look extra nice for any party.
Ingredients:
- 6 hard-boiled eggs
- ¼ cup mayo
- 1 tsp mustard
- Paprika
Instructions:
Cut eggs in half and scoop out yolks. Mix yolks with mayo and mustard. Spoon back into whites and sprinkle with paprika.
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7. Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Rounds
These sweet potato rounds are topped with bacon and chives for a nice, gluten-free snack. They’re easy to eat and full of flavor.
Ingredients:
- 2 sweet potatoes
- 4 slices bacon, crumbled
- 2 tbsp chives, chopped
- Olive oil
Instructions:
Slice sweet potatoes into rounds and toss with olive oil. Roast at 400°F for 25 minutes. Top with bacon and chives.
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8. Slow Cooker Meatballs
These meatballs are super easy with a slow cooker. They’re coated in a sweet and savory sauce and are great for guests to snack on.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb frozen meatballs
- ½ cup BBQ sauce
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
Instructions:
Add meatballs to the slow cooker. Mix BBQ sauce, honey, and soy sauce and pour over meatballs. Cook on low for 3 hours. Serve with toothpicks.
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9. Baked Caprese Bites
These little caprese bites are warm and cheesy. They’re perfect right out of the oven with a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
Ingredients:
- 12 cherry tomatoes
- 12 mozzarella balls
- 12 fresh basil leaves
- 2 tbsp balsamic glaze
Instructions:
Skewer tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. Bake at 375°F for 10 minutes. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and serve warm.
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10. Mini Pumpkin Pies
These mini pumpkin pies are cute and easy to eat. They’re perfect for Thanksgiving and look so nice on a dessert table
Ingredients:
- 1 package mini pie crusts
- 1 can pumpkin puree
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ cup sugar
Instructions:
Mix pumpkin, egg, cinnamon, and sugar. Fill mini crusts with the mixture. Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes. Serve warm or room temperature.
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11. Sweet Potato Fries (Dairy-Free)
These baked sweet potato fries are crispy and dairy-free. They’re simple to make and great for snacking with your favorite sauce.
Ingredients:
- 2 large sweet potatoes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
Slice sweet potatoes into fries, toss with oil and seasonings. Bake at 400°F for 25 minutes, flipping halfway. Serve with a dairy-free dipping sauce.
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12. Cheese and Charcuterie Skewers
These little skewers are easy and fun, with cheese, meats, grapes, and olives. They’re simple to put together and perfect for guests.
Ingredients:
- Assorted cheeses (cheddar, gouda, brie)
- Sliced prosciutto
- Grapes
- Olives
Instructions:
Alternate cheese, prosciutto, grapes, and olives on small skewers. Arrange on a platter and serve right away.
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13. Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers
These jalapeño poppers are spicy and crispy with a creamy filling. Make them ahead, then bake when it’s time to eat.
Ingredients:
- 6 jalapeños
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 6 slices bacon
Instructions:
Slice jalapeños in half and remove seeds. Fill each with cream cheese. Wrap with bacon and refrigerate. Bake at 375°F for 20 minutes.
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14. Mini Caprese Salad Skewers
These mini salad skewers are fresh and easy to make. They have tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil, all drizzled with balsamic.
Ingredients:
- 12 cherry tomatoes
- 12 mozzarella balls
- 12 fresh basil leaves
- 2 tbsp balsamic reduction
Instructions:
Skewer tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. Drizzle with balsamic reduction. Serve cold or at room temperature.
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15. Mini Dairy-Free Quiche Bites
These little quiche bites are great for any gathering. They’re dairy-free, with eggs, spinach, and mushrooms baked in mini crusts.
Ingredients:
- 1 package mini pie crusts
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup spinach, chopped
- ½ cup mushrooms, sliced
- ½ cup dairy-free cheese
Instructions:
Fill mini crusts with eggs, spinach, mushrooms, and cheese. Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes until set. Serve warm or at room temperature.
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Each of these appetizers is quick, tasty, and easy to make—perfect for Thanksgiving!