48 Easy Thanksgiving Appetizers - Fun Holiday Recipes

These no-stress, easy Thanksgiving appetizer ideas save you time–and keep hungry guests at bay! From sweet to savory and everything in between.

A universal truth about Thanksgiving is that guests come hungry, which is why these easy Thanksgiving appetizers save the day! This collection of simple, fast, and/or make-ahead appetizers will hold off ravenous guests without interrupting prep for the main feast.

From warm baked brie and bacon-wrapped gems to melt-in-your-mouth crostini and mouth-watering dips, these Thanksgiving appetizer ideas include kid-friendly nibbles, vegetarian bites, and more.

Plus, they look festive, taste amazing, and require minimal effort. That’s a recipe for holiday success!

Cranberry Baked Brie

Melty rounds of brie are always a hit with guests. This Cranberry Baked Brie will be especially popular – and it’s perfect for the holidays.

Slathered with classic cranberry sauce and topped with crunchy pecans, it’s ridiculously easy to make, too. Just warm the cheese in the oven, top with cranberry sauce and pecans, and surround it with crackers and a few fresh herb sprigs. Then watch it disappear!

Gougeres (French Cheese Puffs)

Bite-size Gougeres (French Cheese Puffs) are the perfect make-ahead app. Keep a batch in your freezer then simply pull them out and warm them before serving.

Made with savory choux pastry dough, these airy, cheesy bites are a simple yet impressive appetizer everyone will love!

Easy Baked Mac and Cheese Bites

No need to wait for the feast to enjoy the mac and cheese. These Easy Baked Mac and Cheese Bites offer up a taste of the favorite side, but in appetizer form!

Creamy mac and cheese, dropped into mini-muffin cups, covered in Panko breadcrumbs, and baked until golden make for a must-have on the Thanksgiving appetizer list.

These creamy, crispy bites bring the heat with jalapeño and pepper jack cheese – but if your crowd likes a milder mac, the recipe author shares a non-spicy option, too.

Baked Brie with Jam

This simple Baked Brie with Jam is made with only three ingredients!

Cherry preserves and pistachios top warm, melty brie just ready to be scooped up with crackers or sliced French bread.

To make it even easier, you can assemble this baked brie up to two days ahead of time.

Soppressata Provolone Cones

Salty, sweet, and heat, in one poppable bite. These impressive but deceptively easy Soppressata Provolone Cones are made with slices of cured meat wrapped up with creamy provolone, crisp radish, and a radicchio, pepperoncini, and pine nut filling.

Ready in less than 15 minutes, these colorful “cones” are an appetizer that’s simple to assemble and easy to customize.

A cheese ball appetizer in the shape of a turkey.

The Best Turkey Cheese Ball Recipe

This adorable Turkey Cheese Ball recipe is an easy Thanksgiving appetizer they’ll all gobble up!

Cream cheese and white cheddar go into the savory cheese ball, which is shaped into a classic round and then decorated with pretzels, crackers, and a candy corn beak. Cheesy, in the best possible way!

Antipasto Skewers

These vibrant Antipasto Skewers are colorful, tasty, endlessly customizable, and can be assembled ahead of time.

Simply Italian meats, cheese, olives, and vegetables threaded onto skewers, this appetizer looks fancy but takes just minutes to assemble – perfect for the busy holidays!

Bacon Wrapped Stuffing Balls

Calling all stuffing lovers! Here’s a preview of what’s to come: Bacon Wrapped Stuffing Balls.

Bite-sized rounds of stuffing are wrapped in bacon, then baked until crispy and irresistible.

To make them ahead of time, assemble your stuffing balls up to a day in advance and keep them in your refrigerator. Then simply bake right before serving.

Toasted bread sliced topped with brie and apple butter.

Brie and Apple Butter Crostini

Sweet apple butter joins up with salty brie in this Brie and Apple Butter Crostini appetizer.

To make them, baguette slices are brushed with olive oil, baked until warm, topped with warm apple butter and a piece of brie, and returned to the oven until melty and gooey.

Pumpkin dip with a blue corn tortilla chip.

Savory Pumpkin Dip Recipe

Pumpkin pairs with bean dip in this hummus-like Savory Pumpkin Dip.

Pureed pumpkin, two different kinds of beans, garlic, lemon, and cumin whirl together to create a hearty, savory dip perfect for chips, crackers, and veggies.

Make it ahead of time and refrigerate until it’s ready to serve. It doesn’t get any easier than that! Its portability makes it potluck-friendly too.

Baked brie wrapped in puff pastry on a plate.

Baked Brie with Fig Jam, Rosemary, and Pecans

What’s better than melty baked brie cheese? Melty baked brie cheese that’s surrounded in golden puff pastry!

This Baked Brie with Fig Jam, Rosemary, and Pecans features creamy brie layered with buttery pecans, orange zest, and rosemary plus a generous smear of fig jam. Then it’s wrapped tight in puff pastry and baked until golden. Yum.

You can assemble this one ahead of time, then bake right before serving for an impressive and easy Thanksgiving appetizer.

Toasted bread topped with sun dried tomatoes.

Sun-Dried Tomato Crostini

Crostini are quick, easy, and impressive – and this Sun-Dried Tomato Crostini is no exception.

With garlicky toasted French baguette slices topped with a smear of cream cheese and feta, then adorned with sun-dried tomatoes and scallions, these crostini are so festive yet simple to make.

Fig Baked Brie With Kahlua Sauce

Boozy Fig Baked Brie with Kahlua Sauce is sure to wow your guests. The best part is that it’s so simple to assemble!

Brie cheese is cut into cubes and nestled into a skillet, then studded with fresh figs, drizzled with a brown sugar Kahlua sauce, and then baked until gooey and scoopable.

Serve with crusty slices of ciabatta or sourdough breads and tart apple slices. Then prepare for compliments!

White Bean Cranberry Hummus

Hummus, but festive! White Bean Cranberry Hummus can be made completely ahead of time, for the easiest appetizer around.

With white beans, rosemary, garlic, and dried cranberries, this dip hits all the right flavor notes.

Serve with crudites and/or crackers for an appetizer everyone will love. This hummus is also a welcome addition to any holiday-themed charcuterie board!

Vegan Spinach and Artichoke Dip

For an appetizer that vegans and dairy-free guests can enjoy, look no further than this Vegan Spinach and Artichoke Dip.

Creamy cashew cheese pairs with spinach and artichokes in this vibrant dip that, when served with chips, crackers, or veggies, makes the perfect Thanksgiving appetizer.

Everything Bagel Mini Pretzel Dogs

Everyone loves a mini-dog! These Everything Bagel Mini Pretzel Dogs pair tiny smoked sausages with everything bagels for a unique twist on the pigs-in-a-blanket appetizer.

Pre-made pizza dough makes these pretzel dogs a cinch. Plus, they can be made up to six months ahead of time – just store them in the freezer until it’s time to serve. A bit of time warming in the oven and they’re good to go!

Jalapeno Cream Cheese Pinwheels

These Jalapeno Cream Cheese Pinwheels bring a subtle hit of heat to your appetizer spread.

They’re easy to make, too! Simply mix up the filling, spread it on the tortillas, roll them up, slice, and bake. Served warm with a dipping sauce, your guests are sure to clear the platter.

To make ahead of time, assemble your pinwheels in your baking dish and refrigerate them up to a couple of days before the holiday. Then pop them in the oven when you’re ready to serve!

Cranberry Meatballs

Cocktail meatballs made from scratch and smothered in a cranberry chili sauce. Who can say no to these Cranberry Meatballs?

This Thanksgiving appetizer is ready in 15 minutes – fast, easy, impressive, and delicious.

Crock Pot Cranberry Meatballs

If you’re really short on time, look no further than these Crock Pot Cranberry Meatballs, which, with the frozen meatball shortcut, only takes 5 minutes to prep!

Frozen meatballs, cranberry sauce, chili sauce, and honey hang out in the slow cooker until warm and bubbly. These meatballs disappear fast!

Whipped ricotta piped onto toasted bread slices.

Whipped Ricotta Crostini with Walnuts & Salted Honey

For an impressive appetizer that’s ready in less than 20 minutes, try this Whipped Ricotta Crostini with Walnuts & Salted Honey.

Toasted sourdough slices spread with lemony whipped ricotta and topped with walnuts, honey, fresh time, and a few flecks of flaky sea salt. So good!

Rosemary Candied Nuts

Sweet, salty, and easy – the perfect combination! Even better, these Rosemary Candied Nuts can be made up to a month ahead of time.

Whether they’re served up on a charcuterie board or in a bowl by themselves, these candied nuts will be a welcome addition to your Thanksgiving appetizer spread.

Bacon Wrapped Shrimp

This Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp is a crowd favorite!

Shrimp is wrapped in bacon, then brushed with a sweet-and-salty glaze and baked until the shrimp is perfectly tender and the bacon is crispy. Best of all, this shrimp appetizer can be assembled ahead of time and then baked right before serving.

Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies

No one will be able to resist these Bacon-Wrapped Little Smokies!

With a simple list of ingredients – just mini smoked sausages, bacon, and brown sugar – these cocktail nibbles are a cinch to make. Simply wrap smokies in bacon, top with brown sugar, and bake.

These smokies are better if they’re assembled ahead of time and hang out in the fridge for at least a couple of hours before baking – the perfect make-ahead app!

Slow Cooker Hot Pimento Cheese Dip

With cream cheese, pimentos, cheddar, and sausage, this Slow Cooker Hot Pimento Cheese Dip brings all the goods to the holiday appetizer table.

Serve this versatile dip with crackers, chips, veggies – whatever you like.

Slow Cooker Artichoke Dip

For the easiest appetizers, utilize your slow cooker! This Slow Cooker Artichoke Dip is the perfect example.

This creamy dip with artichokes, parmesan, and cream cheese makes a big batch to feed a large crowd. Serve it warm right out of the slow cooker with a pile of sliced bread for the happiest guests ever!

Crostini toasts with ricotta and a variety of toppings.

Whipped Ricotta Crostini

Whipped Ricotta Crostini is such a simple way to make a beautiful, impressive appetizer.

This version features crunchy crostini toasts with a generous smear of creamy ricotta and loads of topping ideas – so guests can make their crostini just how they like them.

Prep the toasts, ricotta, and toppings ahead of time and your appetizer will take next to no effort to get on the table.

Phyllo cups filled with brie, cranberries, and proscuitto.

Phyllo Baked Brie Bites with Cranberry and Prosciutto

These Phyllo Baked Brie Bites with Cranberry and Prosciutto start with frozen Phyllo shells, which makes for an easy yet impressive-looking appetizer.

Phyllo cups are filled with cubes of brie and topped with tart fresh cranberries, salty prosciutto, and fresh thyme, then baked until melty. Drizzle your bites with a bit of honey and serve to your happy guests.

Olive and Cheese Pinwheel Appetizers

Pinwheels always look impressive on the appetizer table. The best part is they’re fuss-free!

These Olive and Cheese Pinwheel Appetizers use only three ingredients and can be made ahead of time – keep a batch in your freezer then just pop them in the oven to reheat and serve.

Phyllo cups filled with onions and cheese.

French Onion Tarts in Phyllo Shells

Phyllo shells, filled with sweet caramelized onions, topped with gruyere cheese, and placed under the broiler until melty. Delicious! These French Onion Tarts in Phyllo Shells are an impressive addition to your Thanksgiving appetizer spread.

The caramelized onions do take some time to cook down properly, but it’s so worth it. Once those are done, the tarts are a cinch to assemble.

Kid’s Charcuterie Board

The little ones love appetizers too! This Kid’s Charcuterie Board brings all the snacks they love together in one festive kid-friendly Thanksgiving appetizer.

Add their favorite meats and cheeses, dips and spreads, fruits and veggies, and crackers, then fill in the blanks with trail mix or colorful M&Ms and other favorite candies. A guaranteed hit!

Best Bacon Spread

Bacon fans are sure to gather around this Best Bacon Spread.

Cooked bacon, butter, parmesan, garlic, and chives make for a smoky, savory dip that can be served up as-is with baguette slices, or spread and baked onto crostini for a warm, poppable bite of bacon bliss.

Mini bell pepper halves filled with herbed cream cheese.

Herb Cream Cheese Stuffed Mini Peppers

Sweet mini bell peppers stuffed with herbed cream cheese are a great addition for the vegetarians and gluten-free folks in the family.

Plus, these Herb Cream Cheese Stuffed Mini Peppers are adorable, fun, and easy to make – perfect for Thanksgiving!

Rounds of goat cheese baked in cranberry sauce.

Baked Goat Cheese Cranberry Appetizer

Warm goat cheese medallions nestled in cranberry sauce? Yes, please!

This Baked Goat Cheese Cranberry Appetizer is an ideal Thanksgiving snack – and it’s so easy to make. Just cook up some cranberry sauce (or use canned for a shortcut), then bake with goat cheese, and serve with bread.

Cut vegetables arranged in the shape of a turkey.

Turkey Veggie Tray

If you’re looking for an easy appetizer that’s sure to gather “oohs” and “aahs,” this Turkey Veggie Tray will fit the bill.

No one can resist vibrant vegetables arranged adorably in the shape of a turkey! Best of all, this Thanksgiving veggie tray can be made the night before.

Marinated Mozzarella Balls Recipe

With only 10 minutes hands-on prep time, these Marinated Mozzarella Balls come together quickly and hang out in the fridge until you’re ready to serve them.

Little ciliegine mozzarella balls are added to an olive oil, lemon, and herb mix, then refrigerated until the flavor permeates the cheese. Serve on a charcuterie board, as part of an antipasto platter or skewer, or simply with toasts.

Charcuterie spread with cracker, fruit, cheese, and nuts.

Vegetarian Charcuterie Board

No meat necessary on this gorgeous Vegetarian Charcuterie Board!

Cheese, crackers, dried and fresh fruits, nuts, dips, veggies, olives … endless options make this gorgeous board your own.

Whipped ricotta spread in a dish with toasted bread slices.

Whipped Honey Ricotta Spread

Savory and sweet Whipped Honey Ricotta Spread is a simple app that’s hard to resist.

With only about 5 minutes hands-on prep time, it’s super easy to make, too. Chill for up to three days before serving with crostini. A great addition to holiday charcuterie boards, too!

Bacon Wrapped Chorizo Stuffed Dates

Sweet Medjool dates stuffed with a creamy filling and wrapped with bacon?! Yum! These Bacon Wrapped Chorizo Stuffed Dates are sweet, savory, creamy, and impossible to resist.

You can make them up to four days ahead of time, too, freeing up time for the big day.

The Best Paprika Dip

With just five ingredients, The Best Paprika Dip is so easy to make – just add everything to the food processor and whip until smooth!

Feta, roasted red peppers, lemon, paprika, and olive oil make up the simple yet tasty list of ingredients. Serve up this vibrant dip with veggies, chips, pita wedges, or toasted baguette.

Antipasto Platter

Marinated veggies, salty meats, creamy cheeses … everyone loves antipasto! This Antipasto Platter brings it all together in a mouth-watering display.

To make it ahead of time, arrange your ingredients on your board, cover, and refrigerate up to four hours prior to serving time.

Puff pastry squares topped with goat cheese and jam.

Puff Pastry Appetizers with Goat Cheese and Jam

With just three ingredients, 10 minutes to put together, and less than 20 minutes to bake, these Puff Pastry Appetizers with Goat Cheese and Jam might be the ideal easy Thanksgiving appetizer.

This is a super flexible appetizer recipe – just switch up the cheeses and jams to make a variety of flavors.

Olive Tapenade

This easy 5-minute appetizer, Olive Tapenade, is perfect for making days ahead of time.

Simply whir olives, capers, lemon, and fresh herbs together in your food processor to make this savory, aromatic dip. Then serve it up with crostini or rustic crackers.

Cranberry Fig Jam Crostini

Rosemary-cranberry-fig jam, melty cheese, and toasted walnuts adorn these Cranberry Fig Jam Crostini. They’re sweet, salty, creamy, and a great fit for the holidays.

For faster prep, make the jam up to a week in advance.

Cheese board with olives, meat, pickles, and cheese.

Thanksgiving Cheese Board

This Thanksgiving Cheese Board comes together in 20 minutes and serves a hungry crowd with ease.

Just grab a big wooden board and fill it with fall flavors like cranberries, fig jam, walnuts, meats, and of course a variety of cheeses and crackers. Maybe a little wine alongside, too!

Roasted Grape Goat Cheese Crostini

Jammy roasted grapes pair up with creamy whipped ghost cheese in this Roasted Grape Goat Cheese Crostini recipe.

Finish with a sprig of rosemary for festive flair!

Bacon Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls

These Bacon Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls are so simple, with only three ingredients – buttery crescent rolls, herbed cream cheese, and a smoky bacon wrap.

These savory bites can be assembled up to an hour ahead of time, then baked just before you’re ready to serve.

Roasted Honey Dijon Pecans

Roasted Honey Dijon Pecans with sweet honey and savory Dijon mustard are a simple yet special way to prepare pecans. Equally welcome in a bowl by themselves or as part of a charcuterie spread.

These pecans can be made well ahead of time – up to three months beforehand!

Butternut Squash Crostini

This Butternut Squash Crostini with roasted butternut squash, shallots, and creamy cheese are the ultimate mix of sweet and savory.

The butternut squash topping can be made up to two days in advance, which helps make assembly a breeze.

We hope you have a very happy Thansgiving! If you loved these easy Thanksgiving appetizers, be sure to save them to Pinterest or share them with a friend!