103 Best Thanksgiving Appetizers

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Every Thanksgiving table needs a festive menu that caters to a variety of hosting needs! And the perfect appetizer can really set the mood for any special gathering. Thanksgiving is all about the food, and gratitude for those you love, so why not start the day with a delicious lineup of vegan, gluten-free, low-calorie, kid-friendly, and healthy Thanksgiving appetizer recipes! Read on for 103 of the best Thanksgiving appetizers, guaranteed to wow your guests!

Thanksgiving Cheese Quesadilla

Calories: 173.5 — Fiber: 3.7 grams — Protein: 7.5 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: These quesadillas are super kid-friendly and make for easy Thanksgiving appetizers!

Fill the quesadillas with cheese, bell peppers, and black beans for an authentically vegetarian appetizer to get the kids (and adults) excited for the main event that’s to come. Folded to look like mini turkeys, these appetizers are healthy and colorful—ideal to impress your guests for a Thanksgiving spread. Serve with a side of sour cream.

Get this kid-friendly Thanksgiving-inspired cheese quesadilla recipe here. 

Air Fryer Tortilla Chips

Calories: 113 — Fiber: 3 grams — Protein: 3 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Nachos or tortilla chips are always a tasty treat, which is ideal for a couple of appetizers when your large family gets together around Thanksgiving. 

To get the Thanksgiving spirit going, you can easily serve these air fryer tortilla chips with a brightly colored festive dip (such as the ones I’ve included here) or even brave it up with a tasty pumpkin puree dip with extra pumpkin spice to hit the festive season. 

Thanks to the corn tortillas, the gluten-free chips make for a healthy appetizer to snack on while the main course cooks to perfection. 

Get the air fryer tortilla chips recipe here. 

Vegetarian Cheese Board

Calories: 258 — Fiber: 3 grams — Protein: 13 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: A cheese board is one of the best appetizers to serve to a group, and Thanksgiving is no exception. Plus, you can be creative with all of the cheeses and accompaniments!

Cheese boards are always crowd pleasers, because you can add so much variety to it with different types of cheeses and pairings. Get creative with the sides you match your cheeses (or vegan cheeses) with on your platter. Consider simple ingredients like fresh vegetables, fresh fruit, sugared candies, nuts, and some seed-coated pretzels. Add a few delicious condiments or dips like honey, maple syrup, red pepper hummus or balsamic vinegar for your holiday table. 

Get this perfect vegetarian cheese board recipe here. 

Healthy Low-Calorie Biscuits 

Calories: 141.2 — Fiber: 3.6 grams — Protein: 4 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: These golden biscuits are almost fat-free, low in calories, and are light & flaky in each fluffy bite for one of the most delicious Thanksgiving appetizers!

Hint: Add some pumpkin spice for a Thanksgiving twist.

Biscuits are a true American staple, and while you’ll be familiar with these as a side dish, you can also serve them as an appetizer when you add some tasty fillings like cheese, jams or jellies, roast vegetables, and even incorporate some pumpkin puree and or cranberry sauce.

Get the healthy low-calorie biscuits recipe here. 

Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

Calories: 150 — Fiber: 1.5 grams — Protein: 10.4 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Mozzarella sticks are a definite crowd favorite, and it goes well with so many dips and sauces (and you can even add a fiery pumpkin dip to make it season-appropriate).

Since mozzarella sticks are traditionally deep fried, these are usually not really healthy for you. However, air frying the sticks and using large bread crumbs gives you a much healthier twist that is delicious and free of extra oil. A huge bonus is that the sticks fry much quicker and are much less labor-intensive to make. It’s ideal for a large family gathering. 

Get the air fryer mozzarella sticks recipe here. 

Vegan Potato Pancakes 

Calories: 223 — Fiber: 4 grams — Protein: 4 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Whip these vegetable pancakes in no time, and the caramelized edges combine super tastily with the festive season. 

The whole family can help make these delicious potato pancakes. Served with some whipped cream with pumpkin spice or cinnamon, they are a real hit for Thanksgiving. When you make these treats bite-size, they are ideal for an appetizer that everyone will enjoy. 

Get the vegan potato pancakes recipe here. 

Homemade Cheddar Cheese Buns

Calories: 304 — Fiber: 3 grams — Protein: 12 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: The amazing flavor of homemade cheese buns is reason enough to make these delicious buns as an appetizer. Guests will adore the unique spin on classic dinner rolls or bread appetizers.

Fill these cheesy buns with a festive season favorite like turkey, ham, or fried veggies. For a larger group, you can easily make these as mini buns to enjoy as you socialize before the sit-down part of your meal. 

Get the homemade cheddar cheese buns recipe here. 

Pumpkin Seed Butter

Calories: 72 — Fiber: 1 grams — Protein: 4 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Pumpkin seeds make a fragrant butter that can be served as a dip with other appetizers for Thanksgiving.

If you add a little pumpkin spice, you can easily dip some breadsticks or even butter the cheesy buns with this delicious spread. It’s super easy to make, doesn’t require many ingredients (just pumpkin seeds and salt), and it will have your guests asking for more.

Even if you only have crackers, this pumpkin seed butter is a brilliant accompaniment. You can customize it to be either savory or sweet.

Get the pumpkin seed butter recipe here. 

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread

Calories: 229.3 — Fiber: 1.6 grams — Protein: 2.3 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: This quick bread is easy to make and flavor-appropriate for Thanksgiving. 

Why not start with a naturally sweet-tasting bread that can be cut into bite size appetizers? In less than 10 minutes, you can have a loaf baking in the oven. Slice into cubes and load some skewers for a tasty and extra special seasonal treat. The soft but moist texture is ideal for a festive start to your family meal.

Best of all, it’s gluten-free! You can even cut down on the sugar to help that holiday diet survive the feast to come.

Get the gluten-free pumpkin bread recipe here. 

Pumpkin And Sweet Potato Soup

Calories: 155 — Fiber: 8.7 grams — Protein: 5.4 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: A delicious creamy soup loaded with a warm pumpkin flavor makes an ideal appetizer for a sit-down meal.

This delicious soup takes only 30 minutes to prepare, and it’s a great option for vegan guests. And it’s gluten-free! For an even brighter color, you can easily add some carrots to the pumpkin and sweet potatoes. The best way to serve this soup is in appetizer spoons, especially if there is an appetizer spread. The options are endless, and it goes really well with a pumpkin quick bread slice—yum! Definitely add this one to your list of healthy Thanksgiving appetizer recipes!

Get the pumpkin and sweet potato soup recipe here. 

Healthy Deviled Eggs Without Mayo

Calories: 36 — Fiber: 0.04 grams — Protein: 3 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Deviled eggs are a firm favorite with many, but these beauties are made with Greek yogurt for a tangy bite that’s a winner.

These deviled eggs are a calorie-friendly alternative and help balance your overall meal calories so you don’t overeat from the first bite. Each is only 36 calories. For a more Thanksgiving atmosphere, you can easily dust these with some pumpkin spice, a few roasted pumpkin seeds, and a dash of paprika. With some artistry, you can easily turn these into little turkeys to enjoy for some Thanksgiving themed food. They make a great addition to any table and are perfect prior to a big meal.

Get the healthy, no-egg deviled eggs recipe here. 

Bruschetta Burrata

Calories: 384 — Fiber: 1 gram — Protein: 11 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Save on your precious time in the kitchen with these quick appetizing bread slices with burrata cheese and a balsamic glaze. 

The flavors are super earthy and delicious, and it’s a sure success as an appetizer, especially if you cut the slices into bite-size pieces. The bright tomatoes contrast beautifully against the pale cheese. Plus, they fit in perfectly with a Thanksgiving color scheme. Create a stir by using fresh fruit instead of tomatoes and basil, drizzling these with a dash of honey and just a whisper of cinnamon sugar. 

Get the bruschetta burrata recipe here. 

Leek Asparagus Soup

Calories: 221 — Fiber: 8.5 grams — Protein: 8.3 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: This healthy appetizer is super easy to make and gives your meal a light start to the festive season.

Soup is always an easy appetizer to serve, and this asparagus soup will leave guests wanting more. It’s loaded with herb infused goat cheese and ideally served with a side like the potato pancakes for a flavor explosion. Thanks to the substitution of cream and milk with chickpeas, this soup is also super affordable to make, which is great when you have to cater to a larger gathering. 

Get the leek asparagus soup recipe here. 

Trader Joe’s Butternut Squash Ravioli

Calories: 402 — Fiber: 2 grams — Protein: 16 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: It’s okay to cheat just a little, and these Trader Joe’s ravioli are ideal as a Thanksgiving starter because they are quick, customizable, and really tasty. 

The butternut filling is such a typical Thanksgiving flavor that you can’t go wrong with. Liven things up with a homemade cheese sauce that’s to die for. Add a wicked twist by ladling in a dollop of fresh cream or crème fraîche to increase the creamy texture of the sauce. Add a dash of cinnamon or pumpkin spice, and you’re ready to wow your guests. 

Get the Trader Joe’s butternut squash ravioli recipe here. 

Hummus Without Garlic

Calories: 39 — Fiber: 0.2 grams — Protein: 0.4 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Hummus makes a really tasty dip, and you can add a flavor profile to suit your Thanksgiving menu. 

I like to make this hummus as a dip with a drizzle of olive oil on top, but you can also serve it as a topping on festive quick breads. If you want a little color, try it on avocado bread toast. Cut the bread into slices, and you’re ready for some quick appetizer treats. Alternatively, serve the hummus with some tortilla air fryer chips for the easiest Thanksgiving appetizer.

Get the garlic-free hummus recipe here. 

Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets

Calories: 300 — Fiber: 3.2 grams — Protein: 12.7 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Tofu makes a great vegan, gluten-free, fun appetizer to try with a dip of your choice for a special meal.

You can serve these air-fried tofu nuggets with the cauliflower buffalo wings as a platter to serve for Thanksgiving. A couple of different dips to complement your “finger food” arrangement, and you’ve got a tasty appetizer ready to be enjoyed. 

Imagine a spread of these tofu nuggets, buffalo wings, and mozzarella sticks, and your mouth is surely watering. Such fun appetizer ideas to play around with this season!

Get the air fryer tofu nuggets recipe here. 

Mashed Potato Fritters

Calories: 247 — Fiber: 8.5 grams — Protein: 7 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Mashed potato makes delicious and versatile fritters, so enjoy these for a different take on the usual mash and gravy that are Thanksgiving staples. 

The flavors are bold in these little pancake fritters, and the potato combines super well with the other vegetables to create a nutrient-packed bite that you can dip or serve as is. Serve these as a side to a light soup for one of the best Thanksgiving appetizers that’s sure to get the taste buds kicking. 

Get the mashed potato fritters with onions and kale recipe here. 

Kale Dip

Calories: 37 — Fiber: 0.2 grams — Protein: 1.4 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Made with cream cheese and parmesan cheese, this dip has a deliciously smokey flavor, and goes great with tortilla chips, pita chips, or a variety of other dippers!

Dips are popular for appetizers, especially because you can serve so many different items alongside them. The flavor of this cheesy dip is extraordinary, and it’s great for large groups. Thanks to the kale, this easy recipe has a firmer, slightly chunky texture that’s heartier than a typical spinach dip. This is a party-friendly, ​​Thanksgiving dinner appetizer that’s guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser. You can load it on toast, use it as a dip for veggies, or scoop up delicious bites with some crispy tortilla chips!

Get this kale dip recipe here. 

Healthy Guacamole 

Calories: 60 — Fiber: 3 grams — Protein: 1 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Who doesn’t love guacamole? Enjoy this healthy, low-calorie treat as a Thanksgiving dip recipe tweaked with the addition of pomegranate seeds.

Guacamole is a vegan, low-calorie, and gluten-free condiment that can be served with air fryer tortilla chips, spread on a quick bread, or served as a tasty appetizer on potato pancakes or fritters. It’s that good, and it’s ready in 15 minutes. 

Make it unique with variations like adding cheese, vegetables, or fruit for a sweet or tangy taste. I also love using this in avocado roll-ups. If you love easy appetizer ideas for Thanksgiving then you’ll want to add this to your list.

Get the healthy guacamole recipe here. 

Goat Cheese Grilled Cheese

Calories: 258 — Fiber: 5.6 grams — Protein: 13.7 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Explore unique flavors with these bite-size portions of goat’s cheese, pear, honey, and arugula toasted sandwiches. Yum!

While this can be a light meal, you can easily turn it into an appetizer that will have mouths watering. Simply use bite-size portions and secure them with a toothpick or wooden skewer. The goat cheese melts into the bread, and you can easily add a cranberry glaze for a sweet taste that embraces the Festive season. This is truly one of my favorite things to serve and makes for the most delicious appetizers everyone loves.

Get the goat cheese grilled cheese recipe here. 

Chick-Fil-A Kale Salad

Calories: 206 — Fiber: 4.5 grams — Protein: 10.2 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Elevate salads to the next level with this superfood salad as an appetizer that will satisfy even the most die-hard meat eaters!

Enjoy the health benefits of this tasty appetizer that features broccoli, red cabbage, blueberries, and more. If you have a young crowd, you can easily dice the salad finely in a food processor and serve it with an oversized straw in mason jars. The flavors blend to create a magical and colorful flavor experience that’s super creamy, thanks to the Greek yogurt. Give it a try as one of your light Thanksgiving appetizers this year!

Get this Chick-Fil-A Kale Salad copycat recipe here. 

Vegetarian Zucchini Pizza Boats

Calories: 241 — Fiber: 5 grams — Protein: 13 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Serving these mini cheesy pizza boats as an appetizer will tide over a big crowd nicely before the main meal is served. The perfect addition to your snack area.

The zucchini pizza “boat” base is a gluten-free, low-carb, ideal alternative to serving a typical pizza dough base. For a kid-friendly dish, you can serve the pizza boats sliced into wedges for little hands to grab as finger foods. The colors and textures combine really well for a Thanksgiving appetizer idea that everyone will love. 

Get the vegetarian pizza zucchini boats recipe here. 

Guacamole With No Avocado

Calories: 98 — Fiber: 3 grams — Protein: 6 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Guacamole made with edamame beans and loads of flavor will make chips and Julien veggies really pop your flavor experience.

Serve this guacamole with a range of dip-friendly foods, such as Julien vegetable strips, cheese fingers, and quick bread fingers. Adding cumin and paprika will help boost a smokey taste that can really work well with roast meat and crisps on a salted cracker. This is a great option for healthier appetizers before your ​​Thanksgiving feast. 

Get the edamame guacamole recipe here. 

Tomato Avocado Cucumber Salad 

Calories: 135 — Fiber: 4.3 grams — Protein: 5.1 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Wake up your taste buds with this fresh salad that is easily made and can serve many in a flash.

Salad can be an ideal appetizer, and this vegetable side will fit your Thanksgiving table perfectly. Serve it in small festive bowls alongside mini bread rolls or tortillas that are sliced into finger-friendly portions. Sneak in some cranberries for a sweet taste, and you can even add some pumpkin seeds or roasted pumpkin cubes for a more Thanksgiving-y taste. If you love healthy options, try this as one of your light Thanksgiving appetizers.

Get the tomato avocado cucumber salad recipe here. 

Avocado Green Goddess Dressing

Calories: 50 — Fiber: 1 grams — Protein: 0.4 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: It’s super quick and ultra-versatile, so you can serve this green goddess dressing as a salad dressing, dip, or sauce.

Thanksgiving is a busy time in the kitchen, and being able to meal prep several salad dressings and dips to take work off your hands on Thanksgiving Day is ideal. The light, refreshing, and herby taste of this versatile dressing is perfect for serving as a dip for tortilla chips, veggie sticks, garlic bread slices, and even on cheesy buns. 

Get the avocado green goddess dressing recipe here. 

Curried Sweet Potato Soup

Calories: 120 — Fiber: 3 grams — Protein: 3 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: This potato soup is rich, spicy, and totally decadent—why not serve it in mini ladles or as a complete appetizer in colorful bowls?

Enjoy this warming soup as an appetizer for Thanksgiving by adding some pumpkin spice or cinnamon sprinkled over the top. It’s delicious and tastes better when paired with air fryer mozzarella sticks. 

Get the spicy sweet potato soup recipe here. 

Healthy Potato Salad

Calories: 259 — Fiber: 5 grams — Protein: 7 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Everyone loves potato salad, so serving this favorite as a few bites in a pretty bowl or loaded on a ricotta crostini will work really well.

The rich mayonnaise has been reduced slightly, and the addition of Dijon mustard gives the overall salad a more complex flavor profile that will get the culinary juices going. Not only is this an amazing snack but it is also one of the best Thanksgiving appetizers ideas!

Get the egg-free potato salad recipe here. 

Air Fryer Garlic Bread 

Calories: 191 — Fiber: 2 grams — Protein: 6 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: There are so many ways to serve this tasty garlic bread as an appetizer, and you’ll love each. Get creative as you incorporate it into your Thanksgiving finger foods this year!

With vegan bread, garlic, vegan butter, and some fresh herbs, you can craft unique appetizer options in a flash. Serve as garlic wedges, cubed in the spicy potato soup, or with a green goddess dressing to finish the taste explosion. Vegan Thanksgiving appetizers like this do not get much better!

Get the vegan garlic bread recipe here. 

Apple Walnut Salad

Calories: 242 — Fiber: 4.7 grams — Protein: 5.8 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Welcome fall with these delicious, fresh, and vibrant flavors in a crispy salad.

Combine the crisp apples with dates, walnuts, creamy brie, and a light dusting of cinnamon for a unique and very season-appropriate flavor. Serve it in small bowls, or make mini parcels by loading up apple wedges with the other salad ingredients for bite-sized treats. You can also use fresh goat cheese or blue cheese to play around with the flavor.

Get the apple walnut cranberry salad recipe here. 

Vegan Ginger Carrot Coconut Soup

Calories: 172 — Fiber: 4.4 grams — Protein: 3.3 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Welcome your guests with a warm, spicy, and sweet soup that’s completely Thanksgiving-y in color and flavor that you’ll be in soup heaven.

Keep to Thanksgiving colors without having to over-use pumpkin with this tasty carrot soup. It’s creamy, spicy, and slightly sweet, making it ideal for kids and adults alike. Serve it with tasty bread or even the cheesy buns. It also works well in a small drinking glass with some crushed seeds as a layer on top. 

Get the vegan ginger carrot coconut soup recipe here. 

Tofu Meatballs

Calories: 51 — Fiber: 1 grams — Protein: 2 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Meatballs are a staple, but these meat-free tofu meatballs are super easy to make and tasty. You can meal prep ahead of the big day too.

Skip the ground beef! Serve these yummy kid-friendly tofu meatballs as mini meatballs on a skewer, or load them onto a side plate.They go great with some taco chips or tortilla air fryer chips and a dip for an exciting flavor boost that your guest will love. If you need easy make ahead Thanksgiving appetizers give this a go! It is the easiest way to save time and can even be fun with leftover cranberry sauce the next day.

Get the tofu meatballs recipe here. 

Vegan Curried Creamy Butternut Squash Soup

Calories: 260 — Fiber: 9 grams — Protein: 10 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Pumpkin soup is the season’s flavor, and this spicy pumpkin soup is simply divine. 

The easy one-pot recipe is ready in no time at all. Serve it in small soup bowls or spoons with bread fingers or garlic slices. Best of all, the soup is vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and your kids will love it too. 

Get the vegan curried creamy butternut squash soup recipe here. 

Jalapeño Artichoke Dip

Calories: 137 — Fiber: 1 grams — Protein: 5 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: It’s better than Trader Joe’s jalapeño dip and other similar veggie dips! 

This tasty cold dip is perfect for large crowds, and it’s super easy to make in only 8 minutes. The dip is vegan-friendly and gluten-free, so you’re sure to meet different taste profiles. All of the ingredients are super easy to find in your local grocery store, and you can try different cheeses for a flavor variation. Pair with goat cheese bites, cheese ball bites, or sweet potato bites. Top with salty bacon bits if you’d like.

Get the jalapeño artichoke dip recipe here. 

Mushroom Fritters

Calories: 95 — Fiber: 1 gram — Protein: 4 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Nobody can say no to pancakes, but these mushroom fritters are beyond delicious. 

These fritters are easily made gluten and dairy-free, making them ideal for the health-conscious. Freeze batches of these mushroom pancakes to save time in the kitchen—the pancakes defrost easily in the sandwich toaster. Serve with melted cheese or even sour cream. These will be loved as part of your vegetarian Thanksgiving appetizers.

Get the mushroom pancakes recipe here. 

Vegan Taquitos

Calories: 150 — Fiber: 6 grams — Protein: 6 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Enjoy earthy flavors with these crispy taquitos filled with delicious beans and spicy dips for a taste sensation.

The crispy outer and mushy filling of these taquitos is an ideal combination for kids and adults and any event where a handheld treat will go down well. The smaller version of tacos is taquitos, a real appetizer treat. Everyone will love these as Thanksgiving snacks!

Get the vegan taquitos recipe here. 

Cranberry Sauce From Dried Cranberries

Calories: 33 — Fiber: 1 grams — Protein: 0.1 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Sweet cranberry sauce is a must-have at Thanksgiving, and it’s super easy to make this sauce in 20 minutes. Plus, it’s ideal as a dip, or even as a filling.

Beat the holiday blues (when cranberries are out of season) and make this sauce fresh with simple ingredients like dried cranberries, orange, and spices for a tart bit of pleasure on your meatballs, cheese, and more. You can’t go wrong with classic appetizers like this!

Get the healthy cranberry sauce recipe here. 

Air Fryer Tempeh

Calories: 160 — Fiber: 1 gram — Protein: 11 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Air fryer tempeh gives you a nice treat to dip into different sauces such as the cranberry sauce, the green goddess sauce, or even dip it into a spicy pumpkin soup.

Tempeh cubes are marinated in your favorite marinade, and then air-fried to produce a great meat alternative that’s vegan, gluten-free, and vegetarian. The tempeh slices can be served on a mini sandwich or even mushroom fritters with cranberry sauce and some toasted walnuts. 

Get the crispy air fryer tempeh recipe here. 

Loaded Veggie Nachos

Calories: 386 — Fiber: 7 grams — Protein: 12 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Nachos are a firm family favorite, and the variety of flavors can be served at any meal or event as a side or appetizer. 

These nachos are high in fiber and ready in less than 30 minutes, and you can easily make them vegan by using vegan cheese. The best part is you can easily assemble the different layers of the nachos with veggies, sauces, guacamole, and more. 

Get the loaded veggie nachos recipe here. 

Courgette Chips

Why You’ll Love It: Bring on the tasty joy of these fried zucchini chips that are crispy, flavorful, and so much fun for kids.

Cut out some calories and unhealthy fats with these courgette chips that are made from slices of zucchini, Parmesan, and crispy bread crumbs. Kids love these, and even picky eaters will find the taste spectacularly good. Serve for fun and unique kid-friendly Thanksgiving appetizers!

Get the courgette chips with parmesan recipe here. 

Turkey Veggie Tray 

Calories: 25 — Fiber: 2 grams — Protein: 1 gram 

Why You’ll Love It: Create a colorful spectacle as a turkey plate laid out in cucumbers, broccoli, and more. 

The artwork takes little time, and the result is a wonderful kid-friendly appetizer that your kids can help you make too. Use a mechanical slicer to cut up the cucumber slices to save time. 

Get the turkey veggie tray recipe here. 

Cranberry and Prosciutto Crostini

Calories: 92 — Fiber: 1 gram — Protein: 2 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Replace boring crackers with fresh crostinis that are beautiful and tasty. These will easily be one of the most popular Thanksgiving day appetizers!

The colors of the season are all there in this elegant appetizer. Simply slice the crostini into inch-thick slices, then layer the cranberry preserve and decorate with the prosciutto. It can’t get better than this! You can also try them out with jalapeno jelly for a sweet and spicy take.

Get the cranberry and prosciutto crostini recipe here. 

Sweet and Savory Butternut Squash Hummus Dip

Calories: 263 — Fiber: 8 grams — Protein: 10 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: This hummus dip is perfect for the holidays, and you can dip the pepitas or even tortilla chips if you like.

Combine hummus, butternut, and spices in this savory dip that gets a burst of color with the pomegranate seeds and feta crumbles to decorate it. Serve warm with toasted breads, and mozzarella fingers, or even use it with julienne vegetables. 

Get the sweet and savory butternut squash hummus dip recipe here. 

Pumpkin Cheese Ball 

Calories: 85 — Fiber: 0 grams — Protein: 4 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: It’s cheese, beef, and tasty pumpkin puree shaped into a pumpkin—your table will be stunning!

Flex those creative muscles with this easy-to-make recipe. You can prepare the ingredients and chill the cheesy pumpkin (aka fake pumpkin) on Thanksgiving morning or prepare it an hour or two before your guests arrive. 

It’s super easy to make and will create a stunning centerpiece on your table. 

Get the pumpkin cheese ball recipe here. 

Thanksgiving Crescent Ring 

Calories: 158 — Fiber: 1 gram — Protein: 7 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Crescent rolls are all the rage, and this turkey and cranberry turkey crescent rolls are easy to make and will set the tone for Thanksgiving. 

While this is an ideal left-over meal, you can easily make the ingredients for this tasty ring and surprise your guests with a delicious appetizer that you can serve plated or even enjoy by hand (depending on the size of the servings). 

Get the Thanksgiving crescent ring recipe here. 

Cheese Puffs

Calories: 130 — Fiber: 1 gram — Protein: 5 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Cheese puffs are good food to prep for an additional appetizer if you get unexpected guests.

Prepare these super light, fluffy, and cheesy puffs ahead of time, freeze, and thaw as needed. They are an ideal appetizer, and you can pair them with a great vintage wine or even serve with a fresh dip like the green goddess dip.

Customize your puffs by adding a dash of finely sliced red peppers or even a few sprigs of fresh herbs. 

Get the cheese puffs recipe here. 

Undeviled Eggs 

Calories: 185 — Fiber: 1 gram — Protein: 7 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: This twist on deviled eggs is quick, super pretty, and a firm family favorite.

These appetizing undeviled eggs are a real show-stopping treat to serve guests. It’s more art than food, but equally tasty. The caperberries and anchovies create a pleasing topping, but you can as easily add a few pomegranate pips or a drizzle of cranberry sauce to match your table decor. 

Get the undeviled eggs recipe here. 

Cranberry Brie Pull-Apart Bread

Calories: 93.6 — Fiber: 1 grams — Protein: 8.83 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Pull-apart bread is an intimate appetizer for family to share, and you’ll love each bite. It is an elevated and elegant choice for Thanksgiving hors d’oeuvres!

Stuffing the cross-sliced bread is fun, and your kids can join in. Let each make a small piece of bread with their preferred stuffings, or prepare the stuffed bread and only bake a few minutes before serving for a rich flavor. Cranberry and brie make for a particularly delicious filling, and it’s so comforting to serve. You can even make these as cranberry brie bites! This is one of those cranberry appetizers for Thanksgiving that will have everyone crowded around the food area.

Get the cranberry brie pull-apart bread recipe here. 

Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip

Calories: 180 — Fiber: 0 grams — Protein: 6 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: If you hate the mess of buffalo wings as an appetizer but crave the taste, this is an ideal appetizer to serve.

This Thanksgiving dip is super easy, puts your crock pot to good use, and tastes like buffalo wings with all the flavor and spicy bang. Serve it with tofu meatballs or cheesy buns for a variation on the traditional chips-and-dip serving.

Place everything in your crock pot when the turkey goes in, and forget about it until it’s serving time. 

Get the crock pot buffalo chicken dip recipe here. 

Baked Apple Chips 

Calories: 57 — Fiber: 2 grams — Protein: 0.3 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: If you love chips and cinnamon, these apple chips will blow your mind.

Kids simply love these tasty and healthy apple chips. You can serve them with a sprinkle of cinnamon or even some pumpkin spice. They are excellent dipping chips for light dips, or load them with cheesy dips and some crushed walnuts for an apple-pie-taste. 

If you’d prefer a different serving idea, why not crush these chips as a topping for your salads and even on dips? This can really transform into many fun Thanksgiving appetizers!

Get the baked apple chips recipe here. 

Candied Walnuts

Calories: 124 — Fiber: 1 gram — Protein: 2 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Ideal accompaniment to your cheese tray—and who doesn’t love a good candied walnut?

The recipe is easy to make, and you can prepare it on your stovetop. The nuts only take about six minutes to make, but preparing them a few days ahead of Thanksgiving is a great idea. Simply add them to a tray with cranberry sauce, cheese, apple chips, and crostinis. 

Get the candied walnuts recipe here. 

Best-Ever Cheese Straws

Calories: 37 — Fiber: 0 grams — Protein: 1.5 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Cheese straws are a favorite “bar” food, but it’s a refreshing hand-eating appetizer to complement your array of dips and soups.

While the recipe may seem a little involved, it’s surprisingly easy to make, especially if you use store-bought puff pastry. The sesame seeds make for a brilliant taste sensation, and you can try out different cheeses to get a specific flavor. 

Make these cheese straws fresh on Thanksgiving morning, then place them in the oven for a few minutes before serving to get that warm goodness going. 

Get the best-ever cheese straws recipe here. 

Cranberry Jalapeño Bites

Calories: 50 — Fiber: 1 gram — Protein: 1 gram 

Why You’ll Love It: These appetizing bites are super easy to make and offer a surprising flavor profile that will have guests talking.

Mixing the filling is easy, quick, and fun. Your kids can help mix up the cream cheese filling, with mom or dad helping with the slicing. Best of all, you can enjoy these by hand or add them to the tray of pita chips, dips, and other tasty appetizers. 

Be warned! You better grab one (or three) before the guests polish them off. 

Get the cranberry jalapeño bites recipe here. 

Crock Pot Beer Cheese Dip

Calories: 162 — Fiber: 1 gram — Protein: 7 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Beer, cheese, and a range of tasty dipping items are sure to make the men in your life very happy at Thanksgiving, even if it’s in a dip format.

Serve this savory dip warm with a range of delicious crackers, chips, pretzels, bread slices (such as crostini), and air fryer tempeh. The flavor is rich, soothing, and wonderfully cheesy. Ramp up your dip with various spices, or add some hot sauce. 

Get the crock pot beer cheese dip recipe here. 

Spinach Puffs

Calories: 142.3 — Fiber: 1 gram — Protein: 5.1 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Give the usual spinach dip a twist with these baked spinach puff cups. It’s delicious, light, and very kid-friendly too.

A calorie-friendly appetizer is this spinach puff recipe. It’s way too good to be enjoyed as a single serving, but it will make a stellar appearance on your appetizer table with other savory treats like mozzarella fingers and a range of dips. 

The recipe is quicker than it seems and surprisingly easy once you get started (especially if you use store-bought puff pastry). 

Get the spinach puffs recipe here. 

Vegan Pigs in a Blanket 

Calories: 63 — Fiber: 0.3 grams — Protein: 2.3 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Give this traditional appetizer a vegan twist with these vegan pigs in a blanket. It’s air-fried, so it’s surprisingly healthy too.

For this recipe, you need to find a vegan Vienna that you enjoy eating, and if you have meat-eaters, you can always make a few traditional-style piggies in blankets. These great starters are served hot with a dip of your choice or Dijon mustard. 

Get the vegan pigs in a blanket recipe here. 

Vegetarian Stuffed Mushrooms

Calories: 179 — Fiber: 2 grams — Protein: 8 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Stuffed mushrooms are starter favorites, and these are delicious vegetarian versions that are low-calorie, protein, and fiber-rich, and super easy to make.

The thyme and walnut combine beautifully with garlic and onions to create a flavor-filled appetizer that will set the tone for your Thanksgiving meal. The surprise element is the chickpeas mushed to create a creamy filling without any actual cream. 

Get the vegetarian stuffed mushroom recipe here. 

Cream Cheese Fruit Dip

Calories: 180 — Fiber: 1 gram — Protein: 2 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: A fresh-tasting dip that is delicious with any salads or “dippable” fruits you may serve on a platter.

This dip is simple in a bowl, and super tasty too. With cream cheese, marshmallow fluff, and orange juice, you can create a sweet accompaniment to fruit that is simply delicious. 

Get the cream cheese fruit dip recipe here. 

Gruyère and Crab Palmiers

Calories: 93 — Fiber: 1 gram — Protein: 3 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: With meal prep, you need only bake these crab and Gruyère palmiers a few minutes before serving for a hot and deliciously decadent seafood appetizer.

Prep the sheets of puff pastry and a filling of your choice, slicing into the palmiers before freezing. You can prep enough for the whole holiday season, and there are great variations to try, such as spinach and feta, Mediterranean fillings, and even chicken barbeque-type fillings. 

Get the Gruyère and crab palmiers recipe here. 

Thanksgiving Turkey Cheese Ball

Calories: 110 — Fiber: 0 grams — Protein: 3 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: This fun recipe is ideal for kids, but adults will love this cheese ball too.

Cheese balls are fun, and this cheese ball recipe is kid-friendly. The cheese ball is big enough to share, and perfectly served with French bread. Definitely add this to your list of fun Thanksgiving appetizers!

Get the Thanksgiving turkey cheese ball recipe here.

Cranberry and Brie Crescent Ring

Calories: 104 — Fiber: 0 grams — Protein: 2 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Brie and cranberry sauce combine for a quick crescent ring that’s super easy to make and delicious. 

With ready-made crescent dough, cranberry sauce, and Brie slices, you can prep this tasty appetizer in five minutes with only 30 minutes of baking time. Thanksgiving dinner appetizers do not get much easier!

Get the cranberry and brie crescent ring recipe here. 

Mac and Cheese Balls

Calories: 236.7 — Fiber: 0.75 grams — Protein: 7.45 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: These kid-friendly hand-held appetizers are delicious and easy to make with meal prep.

You can use box mac and cheese, but if you have a family favorite recipe, you can use your homemade mac and cheese. This recipe is a great way to use leftover mac and cheese (if you have that in your home). 

Get the mac and cheese balls recipe here. 

Fried Pickle Chips

Calories: 257 — Fiber: 2 grams — Protein: 5 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Pickle chips are a tasty alternative to regular chips, and your guests will love the tangy smack.

With this recipe’s easy prep, your pickle chips will be light, crispy, and absolutely mouthwatering. Serve hot with a dip of your choice, such as the butternut hummus dip. 

Add a basket of pickle chips to your cheese plate for a crispy take on regular pickles. 

Get the fried pickle chips recipe here. 

Antipasto Skewers

Calories: 401 — Fiber: 2 grams — Protein: 18 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Your kids can help make these versatile skewers for Thanksgiving appetizer platters, and it’s a refreshing start to the meal.

Once the tortellini pasta or filled pasta are cooked and cooled, assembling the skewers can become a fun family activity to relax together before your guests arrive. Another plus is that this recipe is highly customizable, and you can add the ingredients according to your taste. 

Get the antipasto skewers recipe here. 

Pineapple Pecan Cheese Ball

Calories: 243 — Fiber: 3 grams — Protein: 4 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Cheese balls served with crackers are appetizer staples, but this variation has pineapple and pecans for a delicious twist.

This cheese ball is super tasty, and it’s also meat-free, making it vegetarian-friendly. Serving options are many, and you can prep it the day before, saving you some energy in the kitchen on Thanksgiving Day. 

Get the pineapple pecan cheese ball recipe here. 

Best Skordalia

Calories: 52.06 — Fiber: 0 grams — Protein: 0 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Skordalia is an authentic vegan Greek dip that’s simply delicious as an appetizer.

If you enjoy serving different wines for Thanksgiving, then a garlicky dip like this Greek favorite is ideal. Serve it with sliced vegetables, pita bread, or mozzarella sticks. The dip only takes five minutes to assemble. 

Get the best skordalia recipe here. 

Brie with Almonds

Calories: 141 — Fiber: 0 grams — Protein: 7 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: It’s easy, deliciously gooey, and super versatile as a dip or addition to the cheese platter for one of the best Thanksgiving appetizers around!

The melted brie wheel with toasted almonds is quick and creates a complex flavor profile. You can easily serve it with sliced figs, cranberry sauce, sweet potato crisps, and vegetable spears. 

Get the brie with almonds recipe here. 

Roasted Sweet Potato Cream Cheese Potstickers (Dumplings)

Calories: 81 — Fiber: 0 grams — Protein: 2.6 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Dumplings are comfort food, and these vegetarian potstickers are ideal for Thanksgiving.

The dumpling wrappers make this recipe super quick, and the sweet potato combines really well with the cream cheese and slightly fiery red onion. Serve as is, or add a few dips to complement the flavors. 

Get the roasted sweet potato cream cheese potstickers (dumplings) recipe here. 

Perfect Charcuterie Board 

Calories: 240 — Fiber: 1 gram — Protein: 10 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Knowing what to add to your Charcuterie board is made easy with this recipe guide.

Balance your Charcuterie with savory elements in cheeses and cured meats, but don’t forget to add some sweet elements such as fruit, quick bread slices, and chocolate. You’ll never run out of ideas with this recipe. 

Get the perfect Charcuterie board recipe here. 

Beer Battered Fried Olives

Calories: 115 — Fiber: 1 grams — Protein: 4 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: This is a versatile beer batter to fry olives, pickled onions, and more; plus, the sauce is to die for.

Add these beer batter fried treats to your Charcuterie board or serve on mini skewers in a pretty display with the cumin-yogurt sauce. You can experiment with different tasty fries to try for a flavor pop. 

Get the beer battered fried olives recipe here. 

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Calories: 164.6 — Fiber: 1.6 grams — Protein: 7.8 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: No Thanksgiving table is complete without roasted pumpkin seeds.

These roasted pumpkin seeds are flavor-filled, and super easy to make. Prep them beforehand and serve salted or with a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar to make things just a little more festive. 

Get the roasted pumpkin seeds recipe here. 

Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies

Calories: 227.5 — Fiber: 0 grams — Protein: 4.8 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Meat-eaters will adore these bacon wrapped parcels of decadent delight as an appetizer for Thanksgiving!

Wrap sausages or variations like cherries, cranberries, or cheddar with bacon. You can even do bacon-wrapped dates! Drizzle with maple syrup and brown sugar for a quick appetizer that will vanish before you know it. Perfect before your big dinner.

Get the bacon wrapped little smokies recipe here. 

Parmesan Crisps (Chips) 

Calories: 31 — Fiber: 0 grams — Protein: 3 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Light, airy, and pure pleasure make these parmesan crisps a must. 

Serve these parmesan crisps with soup or as part of your charcuterie board. Add a sprinkle of sesame seeds to further enhance the flavor. And it’s all ready in less than 10 minutes. You’ll definitely want to add this to your list of Thanksgiving appetizer ideas!

Get the Parmesan crisps (chips) recipe here. 

Calories: 417 — Fiber: 1 gram — Protein: 13 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Add some color to your appetizer plate with these tomato and mozzarella tartlets.

While making the whole recipe from scratch is utterly delicious, you can cheat with pre-made tartlet cups, filling these with the mozzarella, basil, and tomato mix. The mini tomatoes are sweet, brightly colored, and tangy at the same time. Yum! 

Get the tomato, basil, and fresh mozzarella tart recipe here. 

Caramel Pumpkin Dip 

Calories: 54 — Fiber: 0 grams — Protein: 1 gram 

Why You’ll Love It: Amp up the sweet section of your Charcuterie board with this quick but decadent dip.

Enjoy pure comfort food with this pumpkin and caramel dip that includes cheese and sour cream. Serving with sweet crackers, chocolate sticks, and mini marshmallow skewers will make your kids think it’s dessert and not a pumpkin dip. 

Get the caramel pumpkin dip recipe here. 

Fresh Spring Rolls

Calories: 109 — Fiber: 2 grams — Protein: 2 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: If you are looking for healthy Thanksgiving appetizers, add these colorful fresh spring rolls that require no deep-frying to your list.

Wrap the crunchy julienne vegetables with cabbage leaves, and elevate the flavor profile with the zingy dipping sauce. Fill your spring rolls with sliced orange, yellow, or red bell peppers, carrots, purple cabbage, red onion, cucumber, and any vegetable that you like. Even apple slices can hit the spot for Thanksgiving party food.

Get the fresh spring rolls recipe here. 

Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts

Calories: 84 — Fiber: 0 grams — Protein: 3.4 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Create another unique addition to your Charcuterie plate with these sweet and salty Brussels sprout wraps.

Prep the Brussels sprouts in 10 minutes, then pop into the oven and serve warm. The flavors combine to create a complex flavor profile that includes loads of vitamins and fiber with few calories. I love these for potluck appetizers to bring to other parties too!

Get the bacon wrapped brussels sprouts recipe here. 

Savory “Everything” Monkey Bread

Calories: 445 — Fiber: 4 grams — Protein: 10 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Add a family tradition with this “everything goes” monkey bread that pulls apart for delicious bite-size treats.

Thanks to the instant biscuit dough, this bread is super quick to make. And you can try different variations, from rolling the dough balls in cheese, sesame seeds, garlic, and onion to enjoying them with spiced bread crumbs. 

Get the savory “everything” monkey bread recipe here. 

Ridiculously Easy Roasted Shrimp Cocktail

Calories: 110 — Fiber: 0 grams — Protein: 15 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: The elegant serving of shrimp in a wine glass with some light dip or warm soup is unique and delicious.

No need to poach these shrimp as you can simply roast them till tender and pink. Serve with the shrimp curled over the edge of a glass filled with dip, soup, or chips. 

Get the roasted shrimp cocktail recipe here. 

Gluten-Free Cheese Crackers

Calories: 80 — Fiber: 0 grams — Protein: 4 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Easy-to-make gluten-free crackers that work with any dip. 

These gluten-free cheese crackers are ready in 45 minutes, and you can serve them with a variety of dips, chutneys, jams, jellies, or cheeses. You can also make these with other cheeses and try different spices. I like adding rosemary instead of the chili powder for a no-heat cheese cracker. 

Get the gluten-free cheese crackers recipe here. 

Crudité Turkey

Calories: 203.12 — Fiber: 3.25 grams — Protein: 4.12 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: A “turkey” that vegetarians can enjoy at Thanksgiving! 

Make a vegetarian turkey so no one feels left out at the Thanksgiving appetizer table. This crudité turkey is ready in 20 minutes, and you don’t even have to heat up a pot! 

Get the crudité turkey recipe here. 

Vegan Charcuterie Board

Calories: 346 — Fiber: 5 grams — Protein: 7 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: This is one of the best no-cook Thanksgiving appetizers that can be as delicious as it is creative. 

Charcuterie boards are just for the meat lovers with this vegan take on a Thanksgiving appetizer favorite. Simply choose your fruits, veggies, breads or crackers, nuts, and some dips and garnishes, and the appetizer is ready. 

Get the vegan Charcuterie board recipe here. 

Sweet Potato Crostini

Calories: 74 — Fiber: 1 grams — Protein: 1 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Make two dozen crostini in 30 minutes. 

The sweet potato crostini with cinnamon, pecans, and mini marshmallows will be the talk of the town (or Thanksgiving dinner). These appetizers taste as delicious as they look, so that’s a real winner in my cookbook. 

Get the sweet potato crostini recipe here. 

Caramelized Onion Tart with Gorgonzola and Brie

Calories: 175 — Fiber: 1 grams — Protein: 4 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: A pizza look-alike that’s quick and easy to make with delicious caramelized onions and fresh ingredients that take it to a whole new level.

The tart can be cut into pizza slices that makes serving this Thanksgiving appetizer quick and easy. Plus, it’s super yummy, and your family members will go gaga over it. 

Get the caramelized onion tart with gorgonzola and brie recipe here. 

Salty Spicy Popcorn

Calories: 81 — Fiber: 0 grams — Protein: 0.9 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: A kid-friendly Thanksgiving appetizer that the adults will love just as much. 

Popcorn doesn’t just belong in the movie theater. Make a spicy and salty popcorn on the stove in as little as 5 minutes. And get creative with different spices for interesting flavor combos like vanilla cinnamon sugar to get your guests talking. 

Get the salty spicy popcorn recipe here. 

Gluten-Free Basil Jalapeño Corn Fritters

Calories: 214 — Fiber: 2 grams — Protein: 4 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Gluten-free Thanksgiving corn fritter appetizers that are vegan-friendly too! 

Serve these basil jalapeño corn fritters with a chutney, guacamole, vegan ranch, or ketchup. In about 30 minutes, you can serve these delicious bites to your loved ones. This is an absolute winner when it comes to gluten free Thanksgiving appetizers!

Get the gluten-free basil jalapeño corn fritters recipe here. 

Air Fried Green Beans

Calories: 211 — Fiber: 5 grams — Protein: 9 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: A low-carb, healthy, and crispy appetizer for your Thanksgiving table. 

Green beans are all the rage at the moment, and “frying” these in the air fryer ensures you have a healthy appetizer in under 20 minutes. Even the little ones will love these tasty morsels. 

Get the air fried green beans recipe here. 

Butternut Thyme Tartlets

Calories: 49 — Fiber: 0 grams — Protein: 2 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Cute Thanksgiving appetizers that will have your guests drooling. 

These butternut thyme tartlets are super cute and super yummy. You can have 2.5 dozen ready in just over 30 minutes, or prep the filling ahead of Turkey day to cut down on appetizer prep time. The perfect finger foods for Thanksgiving!

Get the butternut thyme tartlets recipe here. 

Marinated Feta Appetizer

Calories: 274 — Fiber: 2 grams — Protein: 6 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: A scrumptious Thanksgiving appetizer that’s ideal with pretzels, bread rolls, crusty bread, crackers, chips, a cold pasta salad, or pizza. 

The recipe takes quite a while to make, so it’s best to make this the day before and keep it in the fridge. Add some heat with hot peppers, or experiment with other spices to make the feta pop more. 

Get the marinated feta appetizer recipe here. 

Roasted Pumpkin Quiche with Feta and Spinach

Calories: 586 — Fiber: 4 grams — Protein: 23 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: A delectable pumpkin, spinach, and feta quiche that’s ideal for the fall (and Thanksgiving). 

If you can’t buy fresh spinach, frozen spinach works just as well. I love that this quiche is ready in just more than an hour, and if you make your own shortcrust pastry, that’ll add about an hour to get this Thanksgiving appetizer ready. 

Get the roasted pumpkin quiche with feta and spinach recipe here. 

Cinnamon Toasted Almonds

Calories: 250 — Fiber: 4 grams — Protein: 8 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: An easy snack choice, which you can also serve as one of your healthy Thanksgiving appetizers to keep guests occupied.

Simple Thanksgiving appetizers don’t get easier than flavoring nuts and then roasting them in the oven. These cinnamon toasted almonds pairs well with any appetizers you want to serve. The cinnamon-vanilla smells that’ll waft in from the kitchen will make your home smell like it’s the holiday season.

Get the cinnamon toasted almonds recipe here. 

Sweet Potato Chips

Calories: 186 — Fiber: 3 grams — Protein: 3 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Healthy, crispy, and spicy chips with a hint of earthy sweetness that are easy to make for Thanksgiving. 

Standard chips can be really boring, so “spice” things up with sweet potato chips that are healthy. These chips work well with any dip, or scoop some potato salad on one. 

Get the sweet potato chips recipe here. 

Shrimp Taco Bites with Cilantro Cream Sauce

Calories: 65 — Fiber: 1 gram — Protein: 2 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: The shrimp taco bites with cilantro cream sauce are gluten-free and a quick and easy appetizer to prepare before your Thanksgiving guests arrive. 

Serving a shrimp appetizer is almost a must, so try this twist on a classic. These shrimp taco bites are spicy, delectable, and oh-so-easy to make. You just need 15 minutes! 

I like to make mine with guacamole and sriracha. 

Get the shrimp taco bites with cilantro cream sauce recipe here. 

Spanakopita

Calories: 87 — Fiber: 0 grams — Protein: 2 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Make the spanakopita in a pinch with frozen phyllo pastry.

Spinach and feta are a match made in taste bud heaven, and you can’t go wrong serving this Greek-inspired appetizer on your Thanksgiving table. All the ingredients are easy to source too, and in just over an hour, 36 tasty triangles will be ready to serve and enjoy. 

Get the spanakopita recipe here. 

Georgian Eggplant Rolls with Walnuts

Calories: 46 — Fiber: 2 grams — Protein: 1 gram 

Why You’ll Love It: An interesting Thanksgiving appetizer that’s gluten-free and vegan. 

In less than an hour, you’ll have 30 eggplant rolls that even the kids will love. Best of all, make these yummy appetizers up to three months before your holiday lunch, helping you to stress less in the kitchen on Thanksgiving. And at less than 50 calories per roll, you can enjoy these — guilt-free. 

Get the Georgian eggplant rolls with walnuts recipe here. 

Savory Party Bread

Calories: 481 — Fiber: 2 grams — Protein: 17 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: With only five ingredients and a bake time of 25 minutes, this delicious savory party bread will have your guests licking their lips. 

This savory party bread is a real winner. It’s one of the easy appetizers for Thanksgiving that you can customize according to your taste preferences. Add a mix of sesame seeds, onion, and garlic powder, try other cheeses like a gooey Brie, or even swap out the cheese for mushrooms. 

Get the savory party bread recipe here. 

Cranberry Whipped Feta Dip

Calories: 218 — Fiber: 1 grams — Protein: 5 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: Delicious flavors that will make you and your guests fall in love with the dip. 

Unique Thanksgiving appetizers make for an extra memorable day, and this cranberry whipped feta dip is just the thing to captivate the hearts, and stomachs, of your guests. Serve it with a cheese or Charcuterie board! If there are any leftovers, blend in some spinach and salt and make a stuffing for your protein of choice (like chicken or turkey breast). 

Get the cranberry whipped feta dip recipe here. 

Strawberry Jalapeño Cheese Ball

Calories: 324 — Fiber: 1 gram — Protein: 9 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: A funky flavor combo that’s interesting on the palate with sweetness from the strawberries and spiciness from the jalapeño peppers. 

Make a decorative turkey with the cheese ball or serve as is with crackers, air fryer tempeh, pretzels, crostinis, or julienne veggies. You can even turn up the heat by adding more jalapeños or spicier peppers. Add to your list of good Thanksgiving appetizers to try this year!

Get the strawberry jalapeño cheese ball recipe here. 

Roast Butternut and Feta Tartlets

Calories: 381— Fiber: 4 grams — Protein: 9 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: It’s easy to make with ready-rolled puff pastry (or you can make your own if you are a whiz in the kitchen) and five other ingredients. 

These tartlets will have your guests swooning as they’ll keep coming back for more. The butternut and feta flavor combination is a match made in heaven, and you can even add some spinach or kale for an extra nutritional boost. If you need healthy appetizers for Thanksgiving, why not give this a try?

Get the roast butternut and feta tartlets recipe here. 

Gluten-Free Spinach Potato Bites

Calories: 25 — Fiber: 0 grams — Protein: 0 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: A Thanksgiving snack that keeps on giving. It’s gluten-free, dairy-free, and paleo and vegan-friendly, making it suitable for all your guests, even the little humans. 

You can make these yummy bites in an hour and know that your friends and family are snacking on healthy appetizers before Thanksgiving lunch or dinner. For the kiddies, make the bites half-size so they don’t waste. 

Get the gluten-free spinach potato bites recipe here. 

Root Veggie Chips with Sea Salt

Calories: 50 — Fiber: 0 grams — Protein: 1 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: A healthy snack everyone, even the kiddies will love. 

Dehydrate sweet potato, carrot, beet, and other root veggies to make delicious, simple Thanksgiving appetizers. The recipe takes a bit of time, so make your veggie chips a few days before the holiday. 

Experiment with adding rosemary salt, cinnamon sugar, and pumpkin spice for interesting flavor combos. Simple Thanksgiving appetizers like this are so fun to play around with!

Get the root veggie chips with sea salt recipe here. 

Cherry Tomato Bites

Calories: 72 — Fiber: 0 grams — Protein: 2 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: These easy appetizers for Thanksgiving are quick to make and add that pop of color your guests will rave about. 

In 30 minutes, you can have two dozen of these healthy Thanksgiving appetizers ready for your guests. Make the bites in the morning, and keep them in the fridge until serving time. For a vegetarian alternative, substitute the bacon with lentils. 

Get the cherry tomato bites recipe here. 

Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip 

Calories: 304 — Fiber: 2 grams — Protein: 9 grams 

Why You’ll Love It: What’s not to love? This dip is cheesy, spicy, creamy, and oh-so delicious for one of the best Thanksgiving apps!

The hot spinach artichoke dip is a classic, and this is an easy-to-make recipe — a lifesaver since you have so many kitchen tasks on your Thanksgiving to-do list. With only six ingredients, this dip is ready in 30 minutes. You can also make it ahead of time, and serve it on Thanksgiving Day with crackers, bread sticks, and cheesy buns. Get the hot spinach artichoke dip recipe here.

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