Appetizers are the easiest place to make Thanksgiving feel a little more special without adding stress to the main meal. They are also the least crowded part of the table, so a warm baked brie or a good board tends to get more attention than another side dish.
This is a list of the best Thanksgiving appetizers, sorted so you can grab one warm bite, one dip, and one make ahead thing and call it done. Most can be prepped the day before.
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email and we’ll send the recipe directly to you!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from The Yummy Bowl.
Baked Brie and Warm Cheese
The one appetizer that always disappears first. A wheel of brie, something sweet and tart on top, and crackers on the side.
Cranberry Baked Brie
Pastry Wrapped Cranberry Baked Brie
20 Minute Cranberry Baked Brie
Baked Brie With Cranberry Sauce and Pecans
Dips, Hot and Cold
Make one hot and one cold so there is always something ready while the oven is busy with the turkey.
Easy Spinach Artichoke Dip (Baked)
Cold Spinach Dip With Cream Cheese
Jalapeno Popper Dip (Crock Pot)
Mexican Corn Dip With Sour Cream
Easy Cream Cheese Taco Dip
Roasted Pumpkin Hummus
Pumpkin Cream Cheese Dip
Easy Hummus Without Tahini (5-Minute Recipe)
Spinach Feta Stuffed Mushrooms
Pumpkin Pie Dip
Jalapeno Pimento Cheese
Baked Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip
Cheese Balls and Boards
Assemble ahead, pull from the fridge, and set out with crackers.
Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball
Simple Charcuterie Board
Stuffed and Bite Sized
Finger food that does not need a plate or a fork.
5 Ingredient Cream Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms (Gluten Free)
Million Dollar Deviled Eggs
Peanut Butter Stuffed Dates
Roasted Butternut Squash with Honey and Nuts
Honey Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Easy Air Fryer Chickpeas (Crispy!)
Cream Cheese Sausage Balls
Meatballs
Cocktail meatballs hold in a slow cooker for hours, which makes them perfect for a grazing crowd.
Baked Turkey Stuffing Meatballs
Saucy Firecracker Meatballs
Extra Juicy Air fryer Meatballs
Puff Pastry and Handheld
Store bought puff pastry does most of the work here.
Asparagus Puff Pastry Twists With Prosciutto Ham
Crispy Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus In the Oven
Pigs In A Blanket
Caramelized Onion Tart
Pear Tarts
Bacon Jalapeno Wrapped Hot Dogs
How to Plan Thanksgiving Appetizers
- Count on three to four bites per person for the hour before dinner. Double that if guests arrive early or the turkey runs late.
- Put out one hot and one cold. The cold things buy you time while the oven is full with the main meal.
- Build a make ahead timeline. Cheese balls, cold dips, and spiced nuts hold for two days. Shape meatballs and sausage balls the day before and bake them fresh.
- Keep it light. Appetizers should take the edge off hunger, not compete with the plate. Save the heavy, starchy bites for dinner.
- Give the board a warm anchor. A baked brie or a warm dip in the center makes a simple cheese board feel like a real spread.
- Label anything with nuts. Guests grazing near the table should be able to see at a glance what is safe for them.
Thanksgiving Appetizer Questions
How many appetizers do I need for Thanksgiving?
Plan for three to four bites per person for the hour before dinner. If guests arrive early or dinner runs late, make it five or six. Two dips and two finger foods usually covers a table of eight to twelve.
What Thanksgiving appetizers can I make ahead?
Cheese balls, cold dips, marinated olives, and spiced nuts hold for two days in the fridge. Meatballs and sausage balls can be shaped a day ahead and baked before guests arrive. A charcuterie board can be built a few hours early and kept covered.
Should Thanksgiving appetizers be light or filling?
Keep them light. The point is to take the edge off, not compete with dinner. Lean on vegetables, dips, and small bites, and save anything heavy and starchy for the main meal.
What is an easy last minute Thanksgiving appetizer?
Baked brie with a jar of cranberry sauce spooned over the top takes ten minutes. A quick board of cheese, crackers, grapes, and nuts needs no cooking at all.
Before You Go
If you found this post helpful, I'd love to hear from you! Leave a comment below and let me know your thoughts, questions, or experiences. Your feedback helps me create content that truly serves this wonderful community. ❤️
Join TYB
Insider
Get access to exclusive recipes,
weekly meal plans, printable
grocery lists, and AD-FREE
browsing designed to make
mealtime easier.
Comments
No Comments