ComScore

72 Easy Thanksgiving Appetizers That Will Totally Impress the Family

Like these cheesy, bacon-wrapped dates

easy thanksgiving appetizers bacon wrapped dates
Pinch of Yum

Don't get us wrong: We love a traditional Thanksgiving feast. But we pretty much know what mains and sides to expect every year (roast turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing—you know the drill). Starters, on the other hand, can be full of delicious surprises. From beer cheese soup to artichoke dip bites to crispy mushrooms, here are 72 Thanksgiving appetizers that will kick off your celebration with a bang.

50 Fall Cocktails That Are Cozy, Refreshing and Oh-So-Seasonal


1. Cranberry, Brussels Sprouts and Brie Skillet Nachos

  • Time Commitment: 40 minutes
  • Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, vegetarian

Otherwise known as Thanksgiving dip. (It'd taste even better topped with a mound of leftover turkey...just sayin'.)

2. Roasted Mixed Nuts

  • Time Commitment: 15 minutes
  • Why We Love It: make ahead, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, <30 minutes

With just the right amount of spice. We used a mix of cashews, almonds, walnuts, pecans and pistachios, but you can use whatever assortment you'd like. By far the easiest Thanksgiving appetizer in the books.

3. Sweet Potato Hummus and Cumin Flatbread Chips

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why We Love It: make ahead, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly

A seasonal twist on a party classic that everyone can get behind. Cinnamon, cayenne, nutmeg and cumin offer lots of warming spice to the dish.

4. Baked Brie with Figs, Pistachio and Orange

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why We Love It: one pan, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, special occasion-worthy

Anything starring Brie will be a guaranteed hit at Thanksgiving (even with your fussy aunt). Set this warm, gooey app down and watch your guests instantly gather around.

5. Cinnamon Apple Chips

  • Time Commitment: 3 hours and 30 minutes
  • Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, kid-friendly, make ahead, vegan

They sure beat a bowl of regular potato chips. Dip them in sweet yogurt or caramel sauce.

6. Crispy Mushrooms

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour
  • Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, make ahead, vegan

You only *think* you don't like mushrooms. Simply season and roast the creminis until they're shatteringly crisp and brown.

7. Artichoke Dip Bites

  • Time Commitment: 45 minutes
  • Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly

We’ve never seen party dip look this adorable. Thanks, store-bought puff pastry and easy canned artichoke hearts.

8. Baked Pumpkin with Spinach, Mushrooms, and Cheese

  • Time Commitment: 2 hours
  • Why We Love It: vegetarian, special occasion-worthy, high protein

Serve an appetizer in a hulled-out pumpkin and let the oohs and ahhs roll in. Bonus: They make eye-catching table decorations, so you can save on flowers.

9. Cheese Crostini with Cranberry Fig Jam

  • Time Commitment: 45 minutes
  • Why We Love It: make ahead, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly

Sweet, tart, crunchy and creamy in every bite. Prepare the jam ahead so all you have to do on Thanksgiving is assemble.

10. Eggplant Parm Bites

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly

One of our favorite Italian mains, in the form of an easy Thanksgiving appetizer. Pass the marinara, please.

11. Jalapeño Poppers

  • Time Commitment: 35 minutes
  • Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, keto-friendly, gluten free

Baking instead of frying makes these a little healthier and way less messy to prepare. This version of the game day app is stuffed with herbed cream cheese, feta and sharp cheddar.

12. Carrot Pigs in a Blanket

  • Time Commitment: 50 minutes
  • Why We Love It: kid-friendly, <10 ingredients, make ahead, vegetarian

Save the hot dogs for summertime. These cuties won’t spoil your appetite before the big feast.

13. Bleu Cheese-Stuffed Figs

  • Time Commitment: 15 minutes
  • Why We Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, special occasion-worthy

Sweet, savory and undeniably classy. (Oh, and they're ready to eat in 15 minutes flat.)

14. Beer Cheese Soup

  • Time Commitment: 40 minutes
  • Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, one pot

Crisp Pilsner + sharp cheddar = autumn bliss. Serve with plenty of crusty bread for dunking.

15. Prosciutto and Fig Salad Board

  • Time Commitment: 15 minutes
  • Why We Love It: no cook, <30 minutes, special occasion-worthy

Part easy Thanksgiving appetizer, part work of art. All the toppings will be easy to grab, thanks to the classy serving board.

16. Rosemary, Cheddar and Gorgonzola Pumpkin Crackers

  • Time Commitment: 35 minutes
  • Why We Love It: make ahead, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly

Complete with sweet and spicy pumpkin seeds tossed in soy-maple glaze. Might we suggest adding them to a cheese board?

17. Baked Mac and Cheese Bites

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour
  • Why We Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, make ahead

Everyone’s favorite comfort food, only miniature. Feel free to spice up the mac and cheese recipe with hot sauce, shredded chicken or crumbled bacon.

18. Spaghetti Squash Fritters

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
  • Why We Love It: vegetarian, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly

Hi, spicy yogurt dipping sauce. Hustle to the Thanksgiving hors d'oeuvres table—these are bound to disappear fast.

19. Bacon-Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, sheet pan recipe

Salty, tangy and sweet. Plus, toothpicked apps are a hostess's best friend.

20. Sweet Potato Crostini

  • Time Commitment: 40 minutes
  • Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser

Choose your fighter: smoked salmon and cream cheese or dried cranberries, almonds and crème fraîche.

21. Cauliflower “Tater” Tots

  • Time Commitment: 45 minutes
  • Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser

Don't come for us, but they're better than the original (yep, we said it). Your kids will be none the wiser—as long as there's ketchup on the Thanksgiving table, that is.

22. Ultimate Cheese Plate with Roasted Grapes

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy

Roasting grapes in oil and herbs will give them deep sweetness and complexity, making them the perfect pairing for salty, sharp cheese.

23. Roasted Artichokes

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour
  • Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, vegetarian

Impeccably golden, crispy and briny. Slather on the garlic-lemon aioli with abandon.

24. Butternut Squash Hummus

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegan, make ahead

Squash season is back, and we are so ready for it. Here, roasted butternut squash meets tahini and chickpeas for a fall twist on hummus.

25. Deviled Eggs, Three Ways

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour
  • Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, make ahead, special occasion-worthy

You can’t go wrong with this roasted garlic, sriracha and capers trio. Make them ahead so you have one less thing to worry about on Thanksgiving.

26. Black Bean Sweet Potato Boats

  • Time Commitment: 50 minutes
  • Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, gluten free, vegetarian

Loaded with flavor and color. The sweet spuds are also packed with protein (and avocado crema), making for an extra healthy, flavorful and easy Thanksgiving appetizer.

27. Brussels Sprout and Apple Tart with Walnut Pesto

  • Time Commitment: 50 minutes
  • Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, special occasion-worthy

Store-bought puff pastry saves the day, as always. Don't skimp on the walnut pesto—we'd argue it's the best part.

28. Maple Candied Bacon

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly

Maple syrup and brown sugar turn your favorite breakfast meat into a fall delicacy. Don't look now, but we're topping our apple pie with a few strips.

29. Baby Bloomin’ Onions

  • Time Commitment: 50 minutes
  • Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly

Just like your favorite steakhouse makes them, only scaled down for minimal mess. Don't even get us started on the horseradish dipping sauce.

30. Sweet Potato Skins

  • Time Commitment: 2 hours
  • Why We Love It: vegetarian, gluten free, beginner-friendly

Walnut taco meat, an ingenious way to accommodate your vegetarian guests.

31. Caramelized Apples and Goat Cheese Crescents

  • Time Commitment: 40 minutes
  • Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly

They'll never know you started with store-bought dough. Your secret is safe with us.

32. Brussels Sprouts Latkes

  • Time Commitment: 40 minutes
  • Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian, special occasion-worthy

Hanukkah don't start 'til the latkes arrive. We've given the potato classic an autumn update by substituting the season's favorite vegetable.

33. Cranberry-Brie Pie Crust Bites

  • Time Commitment: 15 minutes
  • Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy

Store-bought cranberry sauce and pie crust can save cocktail hour in 15 minutes flat.

34. The Best Damn Pumpkin Soup

  • Time Commitment: 2 hours and 30 minutes
  • Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy

Just scoop out the seeds, pour in chicken stock and seasonings, then roast the whole darn thing in the oven. Ingenious.

35. Maple Pecan Baked Brie

  • Time Commitment: 25 minutes
  • Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, vegetarian, special occasion-worthy

Where dessert and cocktail hour collide. Serve this five-ingredient beauty with bread, crackers or slices of Granny Smith apple.

36. Delicata Squash Rings with Garlic-Lemon Sauce

  • Time Commitment: 40 minutes
  • Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, kid-friendly

Don't peel the delicata squash's striped skin off—it's totally edible and offers serious fall flair to these handhelds.

37. Pumpkin Pizza Crust with Arugula and Prosciutto

  • Time Commitment: 2 hours
  • Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, high protein, kid-friendly

Bet you didn't think you'd see *this* type of pie on your Thanksgiving table. Good looking out, canned pumpkin purée.

38. Bacon, Onion and Asiago Fondue

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why We Love It: one pan, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly

Is there anything more comforting than a skillet of warm, melty cheese? Didn't think so. Dip with bread, crackers and crudités.

39. Cheesy Polenta Bites with Brussels Sprouts and Pancetta

  • Time Commitment: 45 minutes
  • Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, special occasion-worthy, <10 ingredients

Tangy goat cheese and salty pancetta hold their own against crispy cornbread-like morsels of Parmesan polenta.

40. Brussels Sprout Sliders

  • Time Commitment: 25 minutes
  • Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, <30 minutes

These prosciutto- and mozzarella-stuffed gems are dangerously poppable, so they won't last long at the party.

41. French Onion Cups

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
  • Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, kid-friendly

The only way to make this Gruyère-rich soup more decadent? By wrapping it in puff pastry, of course.

42. Savory Pumpkin Dip

  • Time Commitment: 10 minutes
  • Why We Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, make ahead

Complete with toasted pecans, crumbled bacon and pumpkin purée. Serve with crostini or buttery, flaky crackers.

43. Instant Pot Spicy Thai Butternut Squash Soup

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why We Love It: Instant Pot recipe, one pot, make ahead, vegan

Meet a soup that's pretty enough to steal the spotlight from any roast turkey. Chalk it up to sesame seeds, roasted peanuts and a coconut yogurt swirl.

44. Brie-Stuffed Pretzel Bites

  • Time Commitment: 2 hours and 30 minutes
  • Why We Love It: make ahead, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients

We have one question: Are you dipping 'em in yellow mustard or beer cheese? (Both is the only correct response.)

45. Pumpkin Beer Broccoli Cheddar Soup

  • Time Commitment: 45 minutes
  • Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, special occasion-worthy

Choose a pumpkin beer that's loaded with fall spices and real pumpkin. The mini soft pretzels are optional (but we can't imagine why you'd skip them).

46. Mini Mason Jar Chicken Potpies

  • Time Commitment: 50 minutes
  • Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, special occasion-worthy

Behold, the cutest little casseroles you ever did see. We have a feeling these will win over even the pickiest eaters at the kids' table.

47. Crispy Bacon-Wrapped Brussels Sprouts

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour
  • Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, dairy free

Don't have the patience for charring sprouts? Wrapping them in bacon will give them the crunch you crave minus the smoking pan.

48. Butternut Squash and Goat Cheese Pasta Salad

  • Time Commitment: 50 minutes
  • Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, make ahead, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser

And you thought pasta salad season was over. The ingredients are decidedly autumnal, down to the pine nuts and fresh thyme.

49. Baked Gorgonzola Bites

  • Time Commitment: 40 minutes
  • Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian, one pan, crowd-pleaser

We like to think of this five-ingredient, half-hour app as savory monkey bread. Your guests won't miss the cinnamon, promise.

50. Baked Maple Glazed Donuts

  • Time Commitment: 45 minutes
  • Why We Love It: kid-friendly, make ahead, special occasion-worthy

No high-maintenance frying required. We're definitely saving some for Black Friday brunch.

51. Buffalo Pecan Pimento Cheese

  • Time Commitment: 15 minutes
  • Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser

This is probably a new addition to your Thanksgiving feast, but it's about to become a family tradition. Add a few extra shakes of hot sauce to the mix if you want it extra spicy.

52. Easy Cranberry Baked Brie Bites

  • Time Commitment: 25 minutes
  • Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser

They’re bite-sized, meaning you can have as many as your cheese-loving heart desires. (We'd probably make a second batch just for the hostess, if we were you...)

53. Pumpkin Hummus

  • Time Commitment: 10 minutes
  • Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, <30 minutes, no cook

Bring this beauty to Friendsgiving, Thanksgiving or any other fall gathering. The pomegranate arils on top make it look beyond classy.

54. Cranberry-Brie Puff Pastry Pops

  • Time Commitment: 40 minutes
  • Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly

These grown-up lollies are made with frozen puff pastry, leftover cranberry sauce and Brie, so all you'll have to do is assemble and bake them.

55. Avocado Deviled Eggs

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, make ahead

Deviled eggs are always a crowd-pleaser, so why not dress them up for the party? Avocado and chives add a little something that will have everyone coming back for seconds.

56. Hasselback Butternut Squash

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
  • Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian, special occasion-worthy

Apply the Swedes' method for cooking potatoes to this autumn gourd and let your guests shower you with compliments.

57. Split Pea Soup with Bacon and Beer

  • Time Commitment: 2 hours and 15 minutes
  • Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, one pot, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser

Trust us: It's a far cry from your grandma's, thanks to crumbled bacon, sourdough croutons, sherry vinegar and a whole can of beer.

58. Sweet Potato Biscuit Rolls with Honey Butter Glaze

  • Time Commitment: 2 hours and 30 minutes
  • Why We Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, make ahead

Like a crispy biscuit-soft bun hybrid. Excuse us while we go for a swim in the sweet-and-salty honey butter.

59. Miso-Tahini Glazed Roasted Eggplant with Farro

  • Time Commitment: 50 minutes
  • Why We Love It: vegan, dairy free, special occasion-worthy

Proof that eggplant doesn't need to be fried or blanketed in melted cheese to be enjoyable.

60. Jammy Upside-Down Onion Tart

  • Time Commitment: 50 minutes
  • Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, beginner-friendly

As stunning as it is delicious. Think caramelized brown sugar-herb onions atop a bed of store-bought puff pastry.

61. Five-Minute Bean Salad

  • Time Commitment: 5 minutes
  • Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, no cook, crowd-pleaser

For when your guests are arriving in ten and you forgot to make an appetizer. (You can thank us later.)

62. Feta Wrapped in Phyllo with Sesame and Honey

  • Time Commitment: 25 minutes
  • Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly

While it's certainly a crowd-pleasing starter, you can also serve this cheese dish for dessert with wine and fruit.

63. Apple, Grape and Pecan Pasta Salad

  • Time Commitment: 25 minutes
  • Why We Love It: <30 minutes, make ahead, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser

All tossed in a lemony Dijon dressing. Bonus points for candying the pecans in brown sugar and maple syrup.

64. Caesar Pasta Salad

  • Time Commitment: 20 minutes
  • Why We Love It: <30 minutes, make ahead, crowd-pleaser

Traditional Caesar dressing uses eggs to achieve a creamy consistency, but this version calls on buttery, omega-rich avocado instead.

65. Vegan Miso Caramel Dip with Pretzels and Granny Smith Apples

  • Time Commitment: 20 minutes
  • Why We Love It: vegan, <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, kid-friendly

You're an adult now—you can have a little something sweet before Thanksgiving dinner if you want to. (And there's nothing Mom can do about it.)

66. Fall Roasted Vegetable and Lentil Salad with Pine Nut Cream

  • Time Commitment: 45 minutes
  • Why We Love It: vegan, dairy-free

Because of how decadent this tastes, you'll forget it's a "salad." Chalk it up to the shockingly rich pine nut cream.

easy thanksgiving appetizers: easy lentil soup
Erin McDowell

67. Easy Lentil Soup

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour, minutes
  • Why We Love It: vegetarian, low sugar, crowd-pleaser

Vegetarian or not, your Thanksgiving guests are bound to want seconds.

easy snacks to make at home: easy homemade potato chips
Erin McDowell

68. Easy Homemade Potato Chips

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour
  • Why We Love It: vegan, <10 ingredients, kid-friendly

Serve some homemade onion dip on the side and you'll be crowned Thanksgiving Hostess with the Mostest.

easy thanksgiving appetizers: turnip cakes
From a Chef's Kitchen

69. Parmesan-Crusted Crushed Turnips

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour, 45 minutes
  • Why We Love It: vegetarian, kid-friendly

Who thought turnips would steal the show? We sure didn't.

Halloween Appetizers and Finger Foods: Spiralized Parsnip Nests With Eggs, Bacon And Arugula
Inspiralized

70. Spiralized Parsnip Nests with Eggs, Bacon and Arugula

  • Time Commitment: 45 minutes
  • Why We Love It: gluten free, paleo, crowd-pleaser

We're definitely eating these leftovers for breakfast tomorrow.

71. Mashed Potato Arancini

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
  • Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, vegetarian

Just like the comforting Italian street snack, only mashed spuds stand in for traditional risotto. Stuffed with punchy olives and gooey mozzarella, these bites are prime for serving with cold beer (or apple cider).

72. Sweet Potato Miso Soup

  • Time Commitment: 4 hours and 20 minutes
  • Why We Love It: make ahead, vegetarian, beginner-friendly

Complete with apples, fennel and lots of mushrooms, this soup is positively brimming with umami. Instead of adding the miso at the end, the recipe calls for caramelizing it in brown butter until supremely nutty.


img 0936

Executive Editor

Alexia Dellner is an executive editor at PureWow who has over ten years of experience covering a broad range of topics including health, wellness, travel, family, culture and...

taryn pire

Food Editor

Taryn Pire is PureWow’s food editor and has been writing about all things delicious since 2016. She’s developed recipes, reviewed restaurants and investigated food trends at...