These 15 Thanksgiving Appetizers Will Be the Secret to Your Best Holiday Yet

When it comes to Thanksgiving, the appetizers are often the unsung heroes of the meal, setting the stage for the feast to come. These 15 recipes are packed with options that will keep your guests coming back for seconds before the main event even begins. From savory bites to crowd-pleasing dips, these appetizers will keep the conversation flowing and the plates full. These are the secret weapons you need to make this Thanksgiving your best holiday yet.

Cranberry and pistachio crostini on a plate. — Festive Cranberry Goat Cheese Bruschetta. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Charcuterie and Cheese Grazing Board

The Charcuterie and Cheese Grazing Board is the centerpiece your Thanksgiving gathering needs, bringing a variety of meats, cheeses, fruits, and nuts to keep everyone snacking. It takes just 30 minutes to assemble, but once your guests start, they won’t be able to stop. This grazing board is designed to please, ensuring no one leaves the snack table empty-handed.
Get the Recipe: Charcuterie and Cheese Grazing Board

Loaded Bruschetta

Loaded Bruschetta is a fresh, vibrant starter that’s ready in just 15 minutes, offering the perfect mix of tomatoes, basil, and balsamic glaze on toasted bread. Its balance of freshness and crunch makes it a must-have appetizer for your gathering. Once they try one, your guests won’t be able to resist loading up their plates with more.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Bruschetta

Beer Cheese Dip with Bacon

Bacon beer cheese in a dark bowl surrounded by pretzel knots on a cutting board. — Beer Cheese Dip with Bacon. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Beer Cheese Dip with Bacon brings rich, savory flavors to the table in just 20 minutes, making it a quick and crowd-pleasing appetizer. The combination of sharp cheddar, smoky bacon, and a hint of beer creates the ultimate dip for Thanksgiving snacking. It’s comfort food that will have your guests glued to the snack table, begging for more.
Get the Recipe: Beer Cheese Dip with Bacon

Homemade Butternut Squash Ravioli

Homemade Butternut Squash Ravioli delivers a rich, sweet bite wrapped in tender pasta, creating a perfect start to your Thanksgiving feast. The creamy squash and sage filling feels both traditional and modern, making it an impressive appetizer that stands out. It’s the kind of appetizer that leaves guests asking for more after just one taste.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Butternut Squash Ravioli

Sweet Potato Fritters with Sweet & Spicy Sauce

A serving basket of sweet potato fritters next to a bowl of dipping sauce and a single serving on a plate. — Sweet Potato Fritters with Sweet & Spicy Sauce. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

These Sweet Potato Fritters come together in just 30 minutes, offering a perfect balance of crispy outside and soft inside. Paired with a sweet and spicy sauce, they bring excitement and comfort to your Thanksgiving spread. Their bite-sized form makes them an irresistible appetizer that guests will rave about. Once they start, there’s no stopping them.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Fritters with Sweet & Spicy Sauce

Steamed Artichokes with Spicy Peach Mango Sauce

Steamed Artichokes paired with Spicy Peach Mango Sauce offer a bold, flavorful bite that adventurous guests will love. The tender artichokes are perfectly complemented by the fruity, spicy sauce, making them a small appetizer with a big impact. This dish will grab attention and have guests hooked from the first bite.
Get the Recipe: Steamed Artichokes with Spicy Peach Mango Sauce

Greek-Style Marinated Cheese Curds

Greek-Style Marinated Cheese Curds take just 10 minutes to prepare, plus marinating time, and deliver tangy, herby flavors that will keep your guests hooked. These bite-sized snacks bring a Mediterranean twist to a beloved comfort food. Expect them to be gone in no time once your guests start snacking.
Get the Recipe: Greek-Style Marinated Cheese Curds

The Ultimate Middle Eastern Appetizer Platter

A tray of nuts and a container of natural delights. — The Ultimate Middle Eastern Appetizer Platter. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

The Ultimate Middle Eastern Appetizer Platter offers a colorful array of dips, breads, and pickles, bringing an exciting mix of flavors to your table. With a 45-minute prep time, this platter provides variety for guests to snack on all night. It’s a modern, flavorful addition to your Thanksgiving spread that will have everyone coming back for more.
Get the Recipe: The Ultimate Middle Eastern Appetizer Platter

Puff Pastry Pumpkin Pockets with Caramelized Onions

Puff Pastry Pumpkin Pockets are the perfect fall-inspired appetizer to bring to your Thanksgiving table. Filled with caramelized onions and pumpkin, they capture seasonal flavors with minimal effort. Easy to make and even easier to eat, these pockets are perfect for when you want to impress your guests without the stress.
Get the Recipe: Puff Pastry Pumpkin Pockets with Caramelized Onions

Creamy Baked Feta Dip with Dates, Hazelnuts, and Honey

Creamy Baked Feta Dip combines rich feta with sweet dates, crunchy hazelnuts, and honey for a gourmet appetizer that takes very little time to prepare. Perfect for last-minute entertaining, this dip brings a sweet-savory balance that will have guests asking for the recipe. It’s a crowd-pleaser that feels luxurious without the effort.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Baked Feta Dip with Dates, Hazelnuts, and Honey

Best Roasted Eggplant and Tomato Dip Recipe (Zaalouk)

The Moroccan Zaalouk Dip offers a rich, flavorful option for guests, blending roasted eggplant and tomatoes with spices to create a memorable appetizer. Ready in under an hour, this dip pairs perfectly with bread or crackers, making it a great addition to your Thanksgiving spread. Its bold flavors will have guests thinking you spent much more time preparing it than you did.
Get the Recipe: Best Roasted Eggplant and Tomato Dip Recipe (Zaalouk)

Sweet Potato Hummus

Sweet Potato Hummus brings a trendy twist to the classic hummus, offering a sweet and savory balance that’s hard to resist. Ready in 30 minutes, this refreshing bite-sized appetizer will be a hit at your Thanksgiving table. It’s the kind of snack that keeps your guests talking and reaching for more.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Hummus

Loaded Zucchini Boats

A wooden board with sweet potato rounds topped with hummus and diced tomatoes. — Loaded Zucchini Boats. Photo credit: fANNEtastic food.

Loaded Zucchini Boats bring a lighter, veggie-packed twist to loaded potato skins, making them a fun and flavorful appetizer. Ready in under an hour, these boats are stuffed with flavorful ingredients that will have guests loading up their plates again and again. This dish is the perfect way to offer something familiar yet fresh to your Thanksgiving gathering.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Zucchini Boats

Mediterranean Sweet Potato Hummus Bites

Three loaded zucchini boats on a plate. — Mediterranean Sweet Potato Hummus Bites. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Mediterranean Sweet Potato Hummus Bites are a trendy, bite-sized snack that brings a bold blend of Mediterranean-inspired flavors to your table. The sweet potato rounds topped with creamy hummus and fresh tomato feta salad are ready in just 30 minutes, making them perfect for Thanksgiving. Your guests won’t be able to stop snacking on these flavorful bites once they get a taste.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Sweet Potato Hummus Bites

Festive Cranberry Goat Cheese Bruschetta

Festive Cranberry Goat Cheese Bruschetta takes just 20 minutes to prepare and delivers a sweet, tart, and savory combination that will leave guests reaching for seconds. The punchy cranberry and creamy goat cheese create a memorable flavor pairing that’s perfect for the holiday table. This appetizer will leave a lasting impression, and once they try it, they won’t be able to stop.
Get the Recipe: Festive Cranberry Goat Cheese Bruschetta