Our Best Labor Day Appetizers

Updated August 23, 2019
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Credit: Aaron Kirk; Food Styling: Ivy Odom; Prop Styling: Christina Daley

Start off your Labor Day feast right with these crowd-pleasing appetizers, including creamy dips, finger foods, and other tasty snacks. 

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Tomato, Watermelon, and Feta Skewers with Mint and Lime

Credit: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Tomato, Watermelon, and Feta Skewers with Mint and Lime Recipe

No time for skewers? Gently toss the ingredients in a salad bowl, or dice the tomato, watermelon, and cheese into small cubes to serve as a fresh relish for grilled meats.

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Slow-Cooker Beef Nachos

Credit: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Slow-Cooker Beef Nachos Recipe

From the Kitchen of Julie Hutson, Callahan, Florida. "This is surprisingly yummy to have such simple ingredients."

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Grilled Pepper Poppers

Credit: Randy Mayor; Stylist: Cindy Barr

Grilled Pepper Poppers Recipe

Stuffed with garlic and herb cheese and topped with bacon, these bite-sized appetizers are sure to be a hit with guests.

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Rainbow Tomato Bruschetta

Credit: Iain Bagwell

Rainbow Tomato Bruschetta Recipe

Notes: Linda Wisner of Portland, Oregon uses a mix of heirloom tomato varieties from her garden; heirlooms are available in many farmers' markets. Toast the baguette slices up to 1 day ahead; cool, wrap airtight, and store at room temperature. Prepare tomatoes up to 1 hour ahead; cover and let stand at room temperature.

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Grilled Watermelon Pizza

Credit: Greg Dupree; Styling: Lindsey Lower

Grilled Watermelon Pizza Recipe

For a fruity and finger-friendly appetizer, grill watermelon wedges and top with pickled onions, blue chees, and pecans. 

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Prosciutto-Wrapped Grilled Okra

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Claire Spollen

Prosciutto-Wrapped Grilled Okra Recipe

A sweet-tangy balsamic glaze makes this summertime appetizer irresistible. Using two skewers for the wrapped okra makes it easier to flip on the grill.

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Pulled Pork Barbecue Nachos

Credit: Helen Dujardin; Styling: Mindi Shapiro

Pulled Pork Barbecue Nachos Recipe

Start off your Labor Day meal with fresh and colorful layered nachos made with our famous pulled pork.

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Crab Cake Hush Puppies

Credit: Oxmoor House

Crab Cake Hush Puppies Recipe

Serve these Crab Cake Hush Puppies with your favorite rémoulade or cocktail sauce for tasty appetizers. Hush puppies, a Southern classic made by deep-frying a cornmeal batter gets a seafood makeover. Served with a creamy, thick dipping sauce, these salty critters are a great option for a potluck meal or an appetizer that serves to impress. Freeze any leftovers and defrost up to 3 months later.

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How to Make Mini Caprese Bites

Learn how to make Mini Caprese Bites for a quick party appetizer that your company can't resist. Fresh tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella combine with tangy balsamic vinaigrette for a no-cook dish that comes together in just 20 minutes.

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Hawaiian Ham Sandwiches

Credit: Gooseberry Patch

Hawaiian Ham Sandwiches Recipe

With the perfect combination of sweet and salty flavors, these Hawaiian Ham Sandwiches are sure to be crowd-pleasers.

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Lemon-Caper Parmesan Potato Salad Bites

Credit: 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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Melon, Mozzarella, and Prosciutto Skewers

Credit: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Lisa Powell Bailey

Melon, Mozzarella, and Prosciutto Skewers Recipe

Put out half of the skewers, and keep the remaining chilled until ready to serve. Everyone loves a good melon salad, so we took that idea and "skewer-ed" it. Salty cured ham meets creamy, fresh melon for the ultimate savory/sweet combination. With the addition of smooth mozzarella cheese, these skewers are texturally satisfying and not shy on flavor. Your guests will absolutley the easiness and accessibility of these skewers, and you'd be surprised at how impressed they'll be.

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Pigskins in a Blanket

Credit: Quentin Bacon

Pigskins in a Blanket Recipe

Using puff pastry instead of crescent roll dough to wrap up the sausages adds a great deal of richness and flavor. And replacing the pig in this version of pigs in a blanket is fully-cooked chicken sausage.

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Colby-Pepper Jack Cheese Dip

Credit: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Rose Nguyen

Colby-Pepper Jack Cheese Dip Recipe

Prepare this hearty dip made with chicken, chipotle peppers, jalapenos and chili powder up to a day ahead; cover and chill in an airtight container, and bake just before serving.

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Bruschetta with Peach Salsa and Melted Brie

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Cindy Barr

Bruschetta with Peach Salsa and Melted Brie Recipe

To make this fresh and fruity appetizer in advance, you can prepare and refrigerate the salsa up to a day ahead. Toast bread and assemble just before serving.

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Layered Spicy Black Bean Dip

Layered Spicy Black Bean Dip Recipe

Just layer cream cheese, black bean dip and shredded cheese and top with your choice of onions, olives and tomatoes to make this Mexican dip.

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Strawberry Bruschetta

Credit: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck and Caroline Cunningham

Strawberry Bruschetta Recipe

Usher in the warm days of spring and summer with Strawberry Bruschetta. This refreshing mixture of  nectarine, grape tomatoes, strawberries, and basil are served over baguette slices with slatherings of goat cheese.

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Bacon-Wrapped Potatoes with Queso Blanco Dip

Credit: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck

Bacon-Wrapped Potatoes with Queso Blanco Dip Recipe

You can keep the queso blanco warm in a fondue pot or 1-qt. slow cooker. These are hearty, and would be a winner for a tailgate too.

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Cheesy Sausage Roll-Ups

Credit: Greg Dupree; Styling: Claire Spollen

Cheesy Sausage Roll-Ups Recipe

These southwestern-style roll-ups require just 5 ingredients. 

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Mini Corn Dogs with Cranberry Mustard

Credit: Aya Brackett; Styling: Emma Star Jensen

Mini Corn Dogs with Cranberry Mustard Recipe

These cute corndogs will please adults and kids alike.

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Hot Crab Dip

Hot Crab Dip Recipe

Combine fresh crabmeat with cream cheese, sour cream, and Cheddar cheese for a rich and creamy seafood dip.For a lighter version, use reduced-fat cream cheese and light sour cream.

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Grilled Stuffed Jalapeños

Credit: Raymond Hom; Styling: Pamela Duncan Silver

Grilled Stuffed Jalapeños Recipe

The rich and creamy combination of bacon, cream cheese, and cheddar nicely contrasts the muted spice of grilled jalapeño peppers. This appetizer recipe is a healthy, fresh alternative to the popular breaded and fried version.

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Buffalo Chicken Dip

Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe

This easy buffalo chicken dip is addictively delicious, and you’ll never bring it to a party without getting rave reviews. Our buffalo chicken dip recipe delivers bold, three-cheese flavors and a kick of spice from the hot sauce. The creamy, tangy dip is the perfect crowd-friendly comfort food to make as temperatures drop. Serve this 5-ingredient dip with crackers and celery, and keep this appetizer in your collection of easy tailgating or dinner party favorites.

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How to Make Baked Pita Chips

These crispy chips will complete any appetizer dip. Double or triple the recipe to serve a large crowd or pack extras for lunchboxes.

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Caramelized Tomato Bruschetta

Credit: Erin Kunkel

Caramelized Tomato Bruschetta Recipe

To prepare this appetizer, top grilled baguette slices with caramelized tomatoes, ricotta, and basil.

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How to Make Simple Guacamole

Two perfectly ripe avocados and a small handful of simple seasonings are all it takes to make the best guacamole you've ever tasted.

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Anne's Hot Sausage Dip

Credit: Lee Harrelson; Styling: Jan Gautro, Laura Zapalowski

Anne's Hot Sausage Dip Recipe

This sausage cream cheese dip may be simple, but it’s not messing around—it’s easy, fast, and delicious, and one of the best dip recipes on our website. This cheesey sausage dip is the perfect party dip recipe and makes a fantastic appetizer to set out before a holiday feast. Serve with a substantial corn chip to ensure perfect scoops everytime.

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How to Make Spinach-and-Artichoke Dip

This crowd-pleasing appetizer is rich and creamy without excess fat and calories. Assemble up to two days ahead, and bake just before serving.

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Grilled Sweet Potatoes with Chipotle Dip

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

Grilled Sweet Potatoes with Chipotle Dip Recipe

Fire up the coals for Grilled Sweet Potatoes with Chipotle Dip. Chipotle peppers give this dip its zip.

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Happy-Hour Hummus