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The Best Appetizers We Ate in 2018

best apps 2018
photo: liz andrew/styling: erin mcdowell

If you ask us, appetizers are, as a category, pretty ideal. We can eat a bunch of them without feeling too full, and, since they aren’t a main course, we feel like we can get more creative than we normally would. Without further ado, the 18 most irresistible apps we ate in 2018.

brussels sprouts sliders
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

1.

Brussels Sprouts Sliders

Serve these at a cocktail party and they’ll disappear in two minutes flat.   

vegan chili cheese dip
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

2.

Vegan Chili 'Cheese' Dip

This will delight even the most ardent meat eater.

chicken parm bites
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

3.

Chicken Parmesan Bites

Now we feel silly for thinking classic chicken Parm couldn’t get any better.

heirloom tomato bruschetta
Jon Cospito/Styling: Heath Goldman

4.

Rainbow Heirloom Tomato Bruschetta

Almost too pretty to eat. (We said almost.)

mini lobster rolls
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

5.

Mini Lobster Rolls

Once again proving that most things are better mini. 

keto guacamole burger bites
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

6.

Keto Guacamole Burger Bites

No bun, no problem.  

cheaters vegetarian pizza
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

7.

Cheater’s Vegetarian Pizza with Zucchini and Bell Peppers

Store-bought flatbread stays crisp underneath a pile of thinly shaved veggies.

cauliflower wings
Cauliflower

8.

Crispy Baked Cauliflower 'Wings'

Eat these babies right away to ensure maximum crispiness.  

italian deli pinwheel sandwiches
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

9.

Italian Deli Pinwheel Sandwiches

We’re spiraling…in a good way.  

fruitcuterie board
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

10.

‘Fruitcuterie’ Boards

Not today, cured meats.

burrata salad
Photo: Jon Cospito/Styling: Heath Goldman

11.

20-Minute Burrata Salad with Stone Fruit and Asparagus

Quick, easy and unbelievably tasty.

katsu bites
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

12.

Katsu Bites with Chipotle-Gochujang Sauce

Katsu (aka Japanese panko chicken cutlets) is trending. These little bites are a great jumping-off point.

mini chicken shawarma
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

13.

Mini Chicken Shawarma

These palm-sized pockets are a total crowd-pleaser.

polenta bites
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

14.

Cheesy Polenta Bites with Brussels Sprouts and Pancetta

Crispy, cheesy and salty. What more could you want from an app?  

bacon guacamole
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

15.

Bacon Guacamole

We’ve yet to add bacon to a dish and think, “Nah, that doesn’t work.”

mini skillet pizzas with mushrooms
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

16.

Mini Skillet Pizzas with Mushrooms and Roasted Tomatoes

These are itty-bitty; we won’t tell anyone if you eat five.

mini spinach and ricotta calzones
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

17.

Mini Spinach-Ricotta Calzones

Just as irresistible as the full-sized version, but these won’t weigh you down.

green bean casserole galette
Michael Marquand/Styling: Jake Cohen  

18.

Green Bean Casserole Galette

This dish from PureWow's chef in residence Jake Cohen is great on Thanksgiving—or any other day.  


sarah stiefvater

Wellness Director

  • Oversees wellness content
  • PureWow's resident book reviewer
  • Has worked in lifestyle media for 11 years