Thanksgiving dinner may be the main event, but in my house people are usually ready to eat long before the turkey hits the table. Between family arriving, drinks being poured, and everyone hanging around the kitchen, I like having a few easy Thanksgiving appetizers ready to keep people happy while I finish up dinner.
The trick with Thanksgiving appetizers is not going overboard (harder than it seems!). There is already a huge meal coming, so I usually stick with dips, small bites, cheese, pinwheels, and snacks that are easy to grab without filling everyone up.
I also like having a mix of recipes I can make ahead, serve cold, or keep warm in a slow cooker. Anything that keeps me from fighting for oven space on Thanksgiving Day is a win. If you are putting together your holiday menu, here are some of my favorite Thanksgiving appetizers to serve before dinner is ready.
Cranberry and Brie Thanksgiving Appetizers
Cranberry and brie are two flavors that fit right into a Thanksgiving appetizer table. Cranberry dips can usually be made ahead and chilled, while baked brie is an easy way to put something warm and cheesy on the table without a lot of prep.
Tart cranberries and sweet jam make this cranberry cream cheese dip a fall favorite appetizer that serves up a crowd. Everyone will be asking for this recipe!
This cranberry orange and cream cheese dip is creamy, tangy, and just the right amount of sweet. Dried cranberries and apricots add chewy texture, fresh orange juice and zest brighten the flavor, and ginger brings a subtle warmth. Perfect as a holiday appetizer or spread, it pairs beautifully with buttery crackers, Pretzel Crisps, or apple slices.
Whipped Cranberry Dip with Feta and Cream cheese, a super delicious and fluffy appetizer dip with the fall and winter flavors of fresh cranberries. Topped with chopped walnuts, this dip is served with wheat or nutty crackers and does well with pretzels and Ritz crackers as well.
Strawberry preserves with fresh cranberries smothered over cream cheese is a perfect holiday appetizer dip that goes well with pretzels, crackers, and wafers.
Baked Brie with Sweet Honey and Salty Pistachios is a perfect viral appetizer recipe for the holiday season, cheese board, or just to enjoy a creamy rich dip. (TikTok Viral)
These cranberry pinwheels are a festive make-ahead appetizer made with cream cheese, feta, dried cranberries, and fresh chives rolled up in soft flour tortillas. Easy to slice and serve, they’re a holiday party favorite that disappears fast.
Christmas Cranberry Brie Bites with Puff Pastry, easy to assemble and addictive to eat. A perfect party platter finger food for seasonal and festive flavors, bite after bite.
A warm dip is always one of the first things to disappear when everyone starts gathering around the kitchen. Serve these with crackers, toasted bread, pretzels, or fresh vegetables and let everyone snack while Thanksgiving dinner finishes cooking.
Filling and thick Spinach Artichoke Dip, a hearty and warm appetizer dip with spinach, quartered artichokes and bacon. This dip can be oven baked or made in the crock pot, please look for adaptations below!
This decadent garlic-baked brie cheese dip is the ultimate crowd-pleaser! With its creamy, cheesy goodness and a hint of garlic, it's sure to be a hit at your next gathering. Serve it warm with crackers, bread, or vegetables for a delicious appetizer!
This Super Cheesy Jalapeno popper dip is loaded with fresh diced jalapenos and a crispy, crunchy Parmesan topping. The best part is that this dip can easily be converted to Keto friendly and falls into a low carb diet plan, so you can truly enjoy this dip without the guilt! If you like heat and a little bit of a spicy, hearty and savory dip, this is definitely the best oven baked dip for you!
Easy Chicken Enchilada Dip, a hot melted cheese dip with a creamy center, goes amazing on tortilla chips and is a quickly devoured and favorite dip of all.
Finger foods work especially well for Thanksgiving because no one needs another plate while you are trying to get dinner on the table. Small savory bites can be set out on a platter and guests can grab one or two as they mingle.
Stuffed Mushrooms are an easy appetizer to whip up. This is the easiest stuffed mushroom recipe sure to produce the best mouthwatering and delicious mushroom caps you will eat this year. A super simple cream cheese recipe (low carb, KETO, and vegetarian friendly), it’s not hard to alter and make your own with crab meat or sausage for additional flavor. Plus the cayenne kick is perfect!
These mini bacon ranch cheeseball bites are creamy, salty, and crunchy all at once. Made with cream cheese, cheddar, bacon, and ranch seasoning, each bite is rolled in a savory coating and served on a pretzel stick. They’re the perfect easy appetizer for parties, holidays, or game day spreads and always the first thing to disappear.
Try our delicious recipes for stacked and open-faced cucumber cream cheese bites. With fresh cucumber, creamy creamy cheese filling, and vibrant bell pepper toppings, these bites are a great summer party appetizer. See below on how to make a platter or a little mini sandwiches.
Cheesy sausage balls made with cream cheese and Rotel for a creamy, spicy twist. Baked until golden and loaded with melty cheese, perfect for parties or snacking.
These easy Bisquick sausage balls are a go-to recipe for parties, holidays, or breakfast. Made with ground sausage, shredded cheddar, and baking mix (Bisquick or Jiffy), they're flavorful, freezer-friendly, and always a hit.
Oven-Baked Bacon-Wrapped Potatoes with a Zesty Ranch Kick! Craft these delightful bacon-enveloped potatoes for your upcoming gathering. Ideal for tailgating festivities as a delicious and hearty appetizer recipe or served as a crispy, playful side to complement a main dish.
Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Jalapeno Poppers with cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and crispy bacon is the appetizer everyone is going back for. Easily done in the oven, prep takes about 15 minutes, and cook about 15-20 minutes. Great game day appetizer recipe that everyone loves.
Deep Fried Deviled Eggs, cast iron stove fried for a deep gold brown crispy egg shell and a delicious creamy egg yolk center. A unique, delicious, and Southern appetizer recipe that is perfect to serve as a party finger food and to use up left over boiled eggs from Easter.
These baked Ritz cracker sandwiches are an easy party appetizer made with ham, Swiss cheese, and a buttery Dijon topping. Quick to prep, simple to customize, and always a crowd favorite. Perfect for holidays, potlucks, or game day snacks.
Mini Pigs in a Blanket ( AKA crescent roll pigs in a blanket) is not only an easy appetizer for a crowd, but can be converted to a dinner that kids will gobble right up. These bite sized pigs are so fun to serve with a side of cheese and chili dip to dial up the meal.
Cocktail Meatballs with Bourbon and jelly preserves are a perfect appetizer to bring some sweet heat to your party. Easy to make homemade or substitute with frozen, these meatballs will be gone from your tray in minutes with people begging for seconds.
Anything I can make before Thanksgiving Day gets bonus points. Cold pinwheels, cheese balls, and simple cream cheese appetizers can be prepped ahead and pulled from the refrigerator when guests start arriving.
These Veggie Pinwheels are a colorful, make-ahead appetizer filled with finely chopped broccoli, carrots, and fresh herbs mixed into a creamy cheese spread. They’re easy to prep the night before, slice before serving, and perfect for parties, lunchboxes, or any occasion that calls for bite-sized freshness.
This easy everything bagel cheese ball is creamy, savory, and packed with flavor from cream cheese, cheddar, and Parmesan. A perfect small appetizer for holidays, game day, or parties. Serve with crackers, pretzels, or fresh veggies.
Salami Roses with Mozzarella Balls is a great viral appetizer recipe. Learn how to make meat roses and serve them up for a stunning snack board display.
These spinach pinwheels are loaded with creamy homemade spinach dip, red pepper, and real bacon, all rolled into soft flour tortillas. Chill, slice, and serve cold, perfect for parties, make-ahead lunches, or easy no-bake appetizers.
Cream cheese cheesecake spread mixed with bite sized pieces of strawberries rolled into a cinnamon sugared tortilla wrap is a great dessert appetizer or finger food.
Beautiful and delicious rainbow fruit skewers, made with melon balls – watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew melon are a great no stress finger food for parties.
Oven space is valuable on Thanksgiving, so slow cooker appetizers are especially useful. These recipes can stay warm while you concentrate on the turkey, casseroles, and all those side dishes that actually need the oven.
Sweet, tangy, and savory, these easy cranberry chili meatballs are made with frozen meatballs, jellied cranberries, and chili sauce. A quick stovetop simmer or a slow cooker option makes them perfect for parties, potlucks, and holidays.
Its easy to make ultimate nacho cheese dip using a slow cooker! This crock pot cheese dip comes together with melty Velveeta, Rotel tomatoes, flavorful chicken and taco seasoning. Simply pour onto nachos for the best party and football dip EVER!
Candied pecans in a crockpot are a delicious way to enjoy nuts with the light flavor of cinnamon and vanilla all wrapped in the brown sugar. Candied pecans, made in the crock pot, are roasted in the slow cooker and coated with delicious cinnamon, vanilla mixture. These addicting and delicious little bites are amazing for holiday seasons, make great gifts (think mason jars!) and are the perfect topping from salads to desserts. The top of any holiday baking and making list, this same recipe can be duplicated with any nuts like almonds or walnuts. Leaving your house smelling delicious, slow cooked candied pecans go great in a bowl as an appetizer or snack at a party, potluck or cook out as well. Candied pecans also make THE BEST holiday treat!!
Slow cooker cinnamon candied almonds are lightly covered in a cinnamon and brown sugar base, a perfect slow cooked appetizer snack that doubles as a salad topping.
Cheesy corn dip with cream cheese, melty and warm right in a slow cooker crockpot. Easy to keep melty and transfer to potluck. Cream cheese keeps this dip creamy!
Not every Thanksgiving appetizer needs to be a full recipe that requires a plate and fork. I also like putting out a few snack-style appetizers that people can grab by the handful or add to a small appetizer plate.
Nuts are especially easy because they can be made ahead, and seasonal dips or boards are simple additions when you want something a little sweeter mixed in with all the savory food.
Candied Walnuts are addicting with a light sugary texture and perfect cinnamon flavor. Keep this candied walnut recipe ready for snacks and pre-meal appetizers all holiday long. Crispy, Crunchy, and coated just right, chances are there won't be much left for anyone else. Better double the recipe *wink*
Spiced nuts recipe for a sweet, savory, salty party snack. Hit the spot with addicting cashews, walnuts, peanuts, and almonds with oven toasted party nuts. Make in huge patches for a party or store for a perfect spicy snack.
Everything you love about a caramel apple without the stick or the mess. Salty pretzel base, gooey caramel, tart granny smith apple, chocolate drizzle, and chopped peanuts in one bite-sized snack.
Homemade caramel sauce over fresh popcorn, Chex cereal, and pretzels is a deliciously addicting snack mix that the entire family won't be able to get enough of!
These Churro Cheerios are an easy stovetop cinnamon sugar snack made by pan frying plain Cheerios in butter until golden, then coating them in a warm cinnamon sugar mixture. Ready in about 10 minutes, this quick cereal recipe delivers a crunchy, buttery treat that tastes like churros.
I try to keep the appetizer table simple because there is plenty more food coming. A couple of dips, one or two warm appetizers, and something easy to snack on is usually more than enough to keep everyone from digging into Thanksgiving dinner before it is actually time to eat.
For even more easy party ideas, take a look at my roundup of cold appetizer recipes, with make-ahead dips, finger foods, and simple bites that are easy to serve.
