Holidays and Occasions
Our Favorite Easter Appetizers

Our Favorite Easter Appetizers

March 20, 2018

Photo: Chris Court; Styling: Carla Gonzalez-Hart

With spring in full swing, it's only right that the Easter appetizers in our holiday spread are bursting with fresh produce and pops of color. From deviled eggs to veggie-packed tarts, here are plenty of easy, delicious starters to kick off your Easter dinner or brunch.

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Savory Carrot Ribbon Tart

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Savory Carrot Ribbon Tart Recipe

With its tangle of bright carrot strips and bits of spicy chorizo, this beautiful tart makes an exciting appetizer or even a light main dish. An all-butter puff pastry, such as Dufour, gives especially flavorful and flaky results, but it's delicious made with any kind of puff pastry.

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Lemon-Caper Parmesan Potato Salad Bites

Photo: Johnny Miller; Styling: Sarah Smart

Lemon-Caper Parmesan Potato Salad Bites Recipe

Turn "jacket potatoes" into irresistible potato salad bites. Capers offer a twist on traditional relish; they're actually pickled flower buds and add bright, briny flavor to this appetizer.

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Muffin Pan Tomato Tarts

Photo: Alison Miksch; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Muffin Pan Tomato Tarts Recipe

Our new twist on the classic summer pie starts with puff pastry sheets.

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Herb Goat Cheese

Photo: Iain Bagwell Styling: Kellie Gerber Kelley

Herb Goat Cheese Recipe

Zest, chop, and roll--then serve with crackers.

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Roasted Figs with Goat Cheese, Honey and Pepper

Photo: Romulo Yanes; Styling: Megan Hedgpeth

Roasted Figs with Goat Cheese, Honey and Pepper Recipe

Before roasting, sandwich figs with goat cheese and drizzle them with honey. Serve with baguette slices for a delicious appetizer.

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Caramelized Onion-Apple Bites

Leo Gong

Caramelized Onion-Apple Bites Recipe
These savory hors d'oeuvres can be assembled in advance—ideal for relaxed entertaining. Prep and Cook Time: 1 1/2 hours. Notes: The onion-apple topping can be made up to 2 days ahead. The triangles can be prepared, covered, and chilled the morning of a party, then popped into the oven when guests arrive. They can also be frozen, wrapped well, for up to 3 months (do not defrost before baking).

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Radish and Arugula Crostini with Brie

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Cindy Barr

Radish and Arugula Crostini with Brie Recipe
The cheese will spread easily and taste better at room temperature.

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Fava Bean and Mushroom Crostini

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Claire Spollen

Fava Bean and Mushroom Crostini Recipe

Nutty fava beans get the spotlight here in this festive spring appetizer. Lemon and goat cheese balance the deep umami notes from the mushrooms.

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Roasted Red Pepper Deviled Eggs

Photo: Kate Sears; Styling: Gerri Williams for James Reps

Roasted Red Pepper Deviled Eggs Recipe
Serve these devilishly tasty treats as part of a Halloween feast. Roasted red peppers and paprika give the filling an orange hue reminiscent of jack-o-lanterns, while snipped chives resemble their stems.

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Pigs in an Everything Blanket with Cream Cheese Dip

Photo: Rebecca Longshore

Pigs in an Everything Blanket with Cream Cheese Dip Recipe

Two finger food favorites collide as pigs in a blanket get an everything bagel makeover. Rather than the traditional canned biscuit or croissant dough, the "blanket" of this playful appetizer is made with fresh pizza dough that is first boiled, brushed with egg wash, and rolled in an "everything" seasoning blend (poppy seeds, sesame seeds, dried minced onion, dried minced garlic, and coarse salt) before being baked. Using a yeasted dough and this double cooking method is what gives these tailgate-ready bites their bagel personality. Serve them up with a tangy cream cheese dip for a party-perfect snack platter.

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Mushroom and Goat Cheese Bruschetta

Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Styling: Gerri Williams for James Reps

Mushroom and Goat Cheese Bruschetta Recipe

Top bread with goat cheese and a flavorful mushroom mixture to make a tasty appetizer.

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Goat Cheese, Artichoke, and Olive Bruschetta

Photo: Erin Kunkel; Styling: Nissa Quanstrom

Goat Cheese, Artichoke, and Olive Bruschetta Recipe

As delicious as they are, artichokes have a compound that makes wine taste sweet. Tangy goat cheese brings both into balance. Serve the bruschetta with a Sauvignon Blanc that balances refreshing citrus acidity with some oak for richness. The recipe comes from chef and cookbook author John McReynolds of Stone Edge Farm Estate Vineyards & Winery in Sonoma, California. You can start with a fresh artichoke, as he does, or use frozen hearts if you're short on time.

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Endive Stuffed with Goat Cheese and Walnuts

Randy Mayor; Lydia DeGaris-Pursell

Endive Stuffed with Goat Cheese and Walnuts Recipe
This elegant first course showcases a marvelous partnership between slightly bitter endive, creamy goat cheese, and sweet orange juice. From pretty presentation to fantastic flavor, you can't go wrong with this simple appetizer.

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Steak and Deviled Eggs

Photo: Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Cat Steele

Steak and Deviled Eggs Recipe

Deviled eggs are made even more savory with the addition of our garlicky, rich Perfect Roasted Beef Tenderloin. Old school crispy shoestring potatoes add texture and flavor like no other ingredient can. These deviled eggs are the perfect way to use the leftover "end" of the beef tenderloin and pair well with any Super Bowl food.

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Hot Chicken Deviled Eggs

Photo: Daniel Agee; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Robin Bashinsky

Hot Chicken Deviled Eggs Recipe

These Southern-inspired deviled eggs say summer fun like nothing else. A picnic-perfect use for leftover fried chicken, these tasty bites are spicy, but not burn-your-mouth spicy. Feel free to increase or decrease the cayenne pepper depending on how much of a kick you like.

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Rosemary Focaccia with Stewed Grapes and Olives

Photographer: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Lauren Smith Ford; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos

Rosemary Focaccia with Stewed Grapes and Olives Recipe

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Antipasto Skewers with Pesto Dip

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Pimiento Cheese with Bacon

Pimiento Cheese with Bacon Recipe

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Hot Cross Buns

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Cindy Barr

Hot Cross Buns Recipe
With less heft and more flavor and fluff, these delicate Hot Cross Buns deserve attention all year long. A hint of warm spices balances a sweet glaze to finish off these Easter rolls.

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Cracked Wheat and Barley Pull-Aparts

Photo: Chris Court; Styling: Carla Gonzalez-Hart

Cracked Wheat and Barley Pull-Aparts Recipe

Add whole-grain goodness to soft, flaky pull-apart rolls with nutty bulgur and barley flour.

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Our Favorite Easter Appetizers

1 of 20

Savory Carrot Ribbon Tart

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Lemon-Caper Parmesan Potato Salad Bites

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Muffin Pan Tomato Tarts

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Herb Goat Cheese

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Roasted Figs with Goat Cheese, Honey and Pepper

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Caramelized Onion-Apple Bites

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Radish and Arugula Crostini with Brie

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Fava Bean and Mushroom Crostini

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Roasted Red Pepper Deviled Eggs

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Pigs in an Everything Blanket with Cream Cheese Dip

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Mushroom and Goat Cheese Bruschetta

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Goat Cheese, Artichoke, and Olive Bruschetta

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Endive Stuffed with Goat Cheese and Walnuts

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Steak and Deviled Eggs

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Hot Chicken Deviled Eggs

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Rosemary Focaccia with Stewed Grapes and Olives

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Antipasto Skewers with Pesto Dip

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Pimiento Cheese with Bacon

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Hot Cross Buns

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Cracked Wheat and Barley Pull-Aparts

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