75 Easy, Crowd-Pleasing Thanksgiving Appetizers to Get the Party Started
Feed a crowd with these impressive bites.
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Sure, the turkey may get the most attention on Thanksgiving, but we think the appetizers deserve some applause as well! We've rounded up our favorite Thanksgiving appetizers—from party dips to cozy soups to easy make-ahead snacks. These Test Kitchen-approved appetizer recipes ensure that your Thanksgiving dinner gets off to a great start.
We know everyone's holiday looks a little different, so these recipes are plenty versatile. Scale them up or down depending on your guest list, and take advantage of options that use appliances like the air fryer and slow cooker, which leave your oven and stovetop free. You'll also find vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free dishes, because everyone deserves to enjoy the Thanksgiving spread.
Bookmark your favorite Thanksgiving appetizers now so you're ready on the big day.
Air Fryer Squash Soup
The air fryer is an iconic way to free up oven space when you're cooking for Thanksgiving. Roast your veggies in the air fryer, then blend for a simple but delicious soup.
Get the Air Fryer Squash Soup recipe.
RELATED: 72 Easy Air Fryer Recipes That Are Fast and Super Delicious
Cranberry Baked Brie
You can never go wrong with cheese—it's a crowd favorite! Take things to the next level by topping melted Brie with a tart-sweet cranberry syrup.
Get the Cranberry Baked Brie recipe.
Spinach-Artichoke “Dip” Rolls
When your favorite party dip meets fluffy pizza dough, that's where the magic really happens. The whole Thanksgiving crew will be excited when you set down a plate of these warm, cozy appetizers.
Get the Spinach-Artichoke “Dip” Rolls recipe.
Kohlrabi and Apple Salad
Balance out the rich offerings on the Thanksgiving table by serving this crisp autumnal salad as a starter. It's made with apples, kohlrabi, lemon, and plenty of Parmesan cheese.
Get the Kohlrabi and Apple Salad recipe.
Parmesan Seeded Crackers
Turn your stash of extra pie dough into buttery, flaky, cheesy crackers.
Get the Parmesan Seeded Crackers recipe.
Apple Sausage Rolls
These delicious Thanksgiving appetizers bring together plenty of autumnal elements, like apple-infused pork sausage and even a homemade apple butter mustard. All of that, with warm puff pastry? We're in.
Get the Apple Sausage Rolls recipe.
Sriracha Mixed Nuts
Yes, you can set out a bowl of nuts and call it a day. But, toasting 'em in the oven and tossing with a sweet-and-spicy glaze really turns this simple snack into something truly memorable. P.S. These could easily be prepped ahead of time, a day or two in advance.
Get the Sriracha Mixed Nuts recipe.
Cheesy Garlic Bread
This flavorful, cheesy, crunchy appetizer is the definition of crowd-pleasing. Everyone will love the taste, and you'll love that it takes just 15 minutes to make.
Get the Cheesy Garlic Bread recipe.
Cajun-Spiced Puff Pastry Straws
These crunchy, flaky snacks are packed with flavor thanks to a generous sprinkle of Cajun seasoning and lime zest. This is one appetizer you'll want to make on repeat for every fall and winter gathering.
Tajín Shrimp Cocktail with Creamy Cilantro Dip
Take your classic shrimp cocktail appetizer to the next level with a sprinkle of Tajín and a homemade cilantro dip. It's quick, easy, and doesn't require using the oven or stovetop, which is a big plus on Thanksgiving!
Get the Tajín Shrimp Cocktail with Creamy Cilantro Dip recipe.
Manchego Devils on Horseback
These elevated salty-sweet bites—featuring dates, Manchego, pepperoncini, and prosicutto—will keep everyone satisfied until it's time to sit down for dinner.
Get the Manchego Devils on Horseback recipe.
Mushroom Lovers’ Soup
Start things off with bowls or cups of this seasonal soup. It has mushrooms pureed into the broth, roasted as a crispy topping, and dried then rehydrated with mushroom broth.
Get the Mushroom Lovers' Soup recipe.
Chips and Roe
Get extra fancy with your Thanksgiving menu by serving up a platter of potato chips topped with crème fraîche and salmon roe. Unlike many appetizers, this takes zero cooking and can be done in 10 minutes.
Get the Chips and Roe recipe.
Loaded Ranch Potato Skins
You'll have to remind everyone not to fill up too much on these treats before the turkey comes out. But really, who can resist these potato boats filled with melty cheese and crispy bacon?
Get the Loaded Ranch Potato Skins recipe.
Whipped Ricotta Three Ways
A creamy cheese dip is a perfect Thanksgiving appetizer, since it comes together quickly and is practically guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. We've got three ideas for what you can top this dreamy ricotta dip with: a peppery apricot topping, a maple, fig, and mint topping, or a toasted garlic and lemon topping.
Get the Whipped Ricotta Three Ways recipe.
Brie and Apple Tart
Instead of tucking into a wheel of brie cheese, dress it up with apples and pomegranate seeds in this gorgeous tart.
Get the Brie and Apple Tart recipe.
Marinated Olives and Goat Cheese
Hello, make-ahead masterpiece! As it sits, the goat cheese gets infused with the flavors of lemon zest, garlic and spices. Serve with crostini and veggies for dipping.
Corn Pups
These appetizers will appeal to kids and adults alike. Who wouldn't love a mini corndog?
Get the Corn Pups recipe.
Stuffed Tortilla Cups
If you're in need of a last-minute appetizer, these bites come together in minutes. Try our combos or get creative with anything you already have in the fridge and pantry.
Get the Stuffed Tortilla Cups recipe.
Air Fryer Parmesan-Thyme Artichokes
Canned artichoke hearts are turned into a cozy Thanksgiving appetizer or side dish, thanks to your air fryer and plenty of Parmesan.
Samantha (she/her) is the Senior Editor at Delish, where she edits the most-talked-about food news and features on the internet. In her previous role as Assistant Editor in the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, she taste-tested hundreds of products and recipes (tough job!). A graduate of Fordham University, she considers the kitchen to be her happiest place.
Jamie Ballard (she/her) is a freelance writer and editor who covers news, lifestyle, and entertainment topics, including sex and relationships, TV, movies, books, health, pets, food and drinks, pop culture, shopping, and personal finance. She regularly contributes to Cosmopolitan, Woman’s Day, Good Housekeeping, and YouGov, among other publications. When she’s not working, you can find her running, traveling, or scrolling TikTok. Follow her on Twitter.
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