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  1. Home
  2. Holidays and Occasions
  3. The Ultimate Thanksgiving Guide
  4. Must-Serve Thanksgiving Appetizers

Must-Serve Thanksgiving Appetizers

Updated July 30, 2014
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Caramel-Toffee Dip
Credit: Randy Mayor; Styling: Cindy Barr

From traditional favorites, to new creations, these crowd-pleasing appetizers are sure to satisfy your guests this holiday season.

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Cherry-Pecan Brie

Cherry-Pecan Brie
Credit: Jim Franco; Styling: Lydia DeGaris Pursell

Cherry-Pecan Brie Recipe

Not only in this appetizer superfast and only requires five simple ingredients, but the sweet cherries and nutty pecans pair beautifully with delicious Brie.

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Artichoke Nibbles

Artichoke Nibbles
Credit: Peden & Munk; Styling: Amy Wilson

Artichoke Nibbles Recipe

"[This is] my all-time favorite recipe, one I turned to after a long, grim period of collegiate cookery…May you have many happy, healthy years of experimental nibbling--on this frittata, and on each other."- Judith Stone

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Butternut Squash Rösti Cakes

Butternut Squash Rösti Cakes
Credit: Chris Court

Butternut Squash Rösti Cakes Recipe

Adding shredded butternut squash to mini potato pancakes adds a touch of sweetness and a nice orange hue.

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Brown Sugar-Spiced Nut Mix

Brown Sugar-Spiced Nut Mix
Credit: Brian Woodcock; Styling: Paige Hicks

Brown Sugar-Spiced Nut Mix Recipe

Achieve a bronzelike patina on these candied nuts by keeping a close watch near the end of their roasting time. Too long and they'll overdarken and take on a bitter flavor.

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Cheese Dreams

Cheese Dreams
Credit: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Cheese Dreams Recipe

These little gems will be the first appetizer to disappear. Make them the day before and refrigerate, or freeze up to 3 weeks. If frozen, pop in the oven straight from the freezer; increase the bake time by 10 minutes.

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Chèvre with Pistachios and Honey

Chèvre with Pistachios and Honey
Credit: Thomas J. Story; Styling: Robyn Valarik

Chèvre with Pistachios and Honey Recipe

What a crowd-pleaser: This combination of warm, tangy cheese, aromatic honey, and salty nuts is ridiculously delicious and addictive. Even better, the dish takes just a few minutes to make.

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Austrian Cheese Spread with Pumpkin Seed Oil

Austrian Cheese Spread with Pumpkin Seed Oil
Credit: Michael Turek

Austrian Cheese Spread with Pumpkin Seed Oil Recipe

Pumpkin seed oil from southern Austria gives this spread its nutty flavor.

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Walnut Red Pepper Dip

Walnut Red Pepper Dip
Credit: Annabelle Breakey, Karen Shinto

Walnut Red Pepper Dip Recipe

If you usually serve spinach dip at friendly gatherings, switch it up this year by serving a warm dip made with roasted red peppers, walnuts, and a dash of lemon juice. Serve with toasted bread slices or even sliced veggies for an easy appetizer station perfect for welcoming guests to your home.

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Spinach Artichoke Dip

Spinach Artichoke Dip
Credit: Kate Sears; Styling: Gerri Williams for James Reps

Spinach Artichoke Dip Recipe

This spinach dip is a classic for a reason. Simply place it on the table and watch it disappear!

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Dressing-Stuffed Mini Peppers

Dressing-Stuffed Mini Peppers
Credit: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Missie Neville Crawford

Dressing-Stuffed Mini Peppers Recipe

We love these stuffed peppers as an appetizer, but you can also serve them as a side dish. Be sure to use baby bell peppers and not mini sweet peppers (shaped like jalapeños) so they're big enough to accommodate the filling. As an alternative to broiling, you can char the peppers directly over a gas flame, turning frequently with tongs.

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Caramelized Onion, Gruyère, and Bacon Spread

Caramelized Onion, Gruyere, and Bacon Spread
Credit: John Autry

Caramelized Onion, Gruyère, and Bacon Spread Recipe

Serve this savory caramelized onion, Gruyère, and bacon spread with crackers or bread slices. If you can't find Gruyère, substitute raclette, fontina, or Swiss cheese.

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Cream Cheese and Chutney Roulade

Cream Cheese and Chutney Roulade
Credit: Kate Sears

Cream Cheese and Chutney Roulade Recipe

Prepare to be wowed when you slice into this creamy log. With a mango chutney filling and a crunchy pumpkin seed coating, it will be hard to walk away from the table.

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Quick Liver Pâté

Quick Liver Pâté
Credit: Jonny Valiant; Styling: Deborah Williams

Quick Liver Pâté Recipe

“Excellent recipe! Very easy to whip up. I've made it twice already and both times it was a smashing success.”- PhilMA

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Tuna-Apple Mini Melts

Tuna-Apple Mini Melts
Credit: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Amy Burke

Tuna-Apple Mini Melts Recipe

Sweet tart Pink Lady apples give tuna a punch of crunch and flavor in these quick disappearing melts.

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Tiny Tomato Tarts

Tiny Tomato Tarts
Credit: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Amy Burke

Tiny Tomato Tarts Recipe

These cute little appetizers save you a step with prepackaged refrigerated piecrusts and canned diced tomatoes. Any recipe that saves time and tastes fabulous is the perfect combination during the stressful holiday season.

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Cheese Ring with Strawberry Preserves

Cheese Ring with Strawberry Preserves
Credit: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Amy Burke

Cheese Ring with Strawberry Preserves Recipe

Serve a classic dish this Thanksgiving featuring a sharp cheddar cheese ring filled with a sweet strawberry preserve, and topped with crunchy pecans. You might want to make two though, this crowd-pleasing appetizer will be gone before your know it.

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Date, Walnut, and Blue Cheese Ball

Date, Walnut, and Blue Cheese Ball
Credit: Jonny Valiant; Styling: Deborah Williams

Date, Walnut, and Blue Cheese Ball Recipe

Prepare this retro-chic snack up to two days ahead, and serve with crackers, bread, or veggies.

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Pear Chutney Bruschetta with Pecans and Blue Cheese

Pear Chutney Bruschetta with Pecans and Blue Cheese
Credit: Nina Choi

Pear Chutney Bruschetta with Pecans and Blue Cheese Recipe

Sweet-tangy chutney pairs beautifully with pungent blue cheese and toasty pecans. You can make the chutney up to three days in advance; assemble bruschetta shortly before serving.

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Blue Cheese and Pear Tart

Blue Cheese and Pear Tart
Credit: Annabelle Breakey; Styling: Karen Shinto

Blue Cheese and Pear Tart Recipe

Cut this tart up into small pieces for an elegant appetizer, or slice it into large wedges and serve it with a green salad for a light meal.

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Pumpkin Dip

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

Pumpkin Dip Recipe

Bring out the best of fall's flavors with this super-easy pumpkin dip, perfect for enjoying with fresh apple slices.

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Creamy Garlic-Herb Dip

Creamy Garlic-Herb Dip
Credit: Ellen Silverman; Styling: Toni Brogan

Creamy Garlic-Herb Dip Recipe

You can prepare this all-purpose dip up to a day ahead. Serve with cauliflower and broccoli florets, carrot and celery sticks, and bell pepper strips.

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Spiced Butternut-Pumpkin Soup

Spiced Butternut-Pumpkin Soup
Credit: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Lydia DeGaris Pursell

Spiced Butternut-Pumpkin Soup Recipe

Warm up your guest with spiced Butternut-Pumpkin Soup this holiday season and because this recipe yields more than enough for appetizer-sized servings, you will have left overs ready to be served all season long.

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Red Pepper Jelly-Brie Bites

Red Pepper Jelly-Brie Bites
Credit: Jennifer Davick, Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Lisa Powell Bailey, Lyda Purcell

Red Pepper Jelly-Brie Bites Recipe

Use frozen mini phyllo pastry shells as the base for this colorful holiday appetizer. Keep these shells on hand so that you can always throw together a last-minute appetizer.

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Kale Chips

Kale Chips

Kale Chips Recipe

These will be a huge hit at your Thanksgiving party or dinner this year. Because of their nutritious profile and light and crunchy texture, your friends and family will get a little punch of a salty crunch yet won’t be too full for dinner.

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Brie, Apple, and Arugula Quesadillas

Brie, Apple, and Arugula Quesadillas
Credit: Gentyl & Hyers; Styling: Kendra Smoot

Brie, Apple, and Arugula Quesadillas Recipe

If you’re looking for a hearty Thanksgiving appetizer, make a couple of these delicious quesadillas featuring decadent Brie and crisp Fuji apples.

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Spicy Roasted Sweet Potato Fries

Spicy Roasted Sweet Potato Fries
Credit: Oxmoor House

Spicy Roasted Sweet Potato Fries Recipe

A great idea for picky eaters or if you’re feeding a large crowd this Thanksgiving, is a big bowl of these Spicy Roasted Sweet Potato Fries. Omit the chili powder and kick up the salt to make this recipe kid-friendly.

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Miso, Sesame, and Sweet Potato Dip

Miso, Sesame, and Sweet Potato Dip
Credit: Jeffery Cross; Styling: Randy Mon

Miso, Sesame, and Sweet Potato Dip Recipe

Though it might be taboo to serve a healthy dish on Thanksgiving, the bold combination of flavors in this dish makes an outstanding appetizer.

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Onion-Bacon Dip

Onion-Bacon Dip
Credit: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Lisa Powell Bailey, Rose Nguyen

Onion-Bacon Dip Recipe

Break out of that onion soup dip rut and wow party guests with an easy dip made with sautéed onions, leeks, cream cheese, sour cream and lots of crispy cooked bacon. No need to serve it in the hollowed out squash; a bowl works just fine.

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Brie Tartlets With Grape Relish

Brie Tartlets With Grape Relish
Credit: Ralph Anderson; Mindi Shapiro Levine

Brie Tartlets With Grape Relish Recipe

Take another cue from the French by using Brie as the filling in these tartlets. Grapes make an excellent topper, adding color and an elegant touch to the hors d’oeuvre.

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Warm Kale-and-Asiago Dip

Warm Kale-and-Asiago Dip
Credit: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Warm Kale-and-Asiago Dip Recipe

Bacon and trendy kale update the hot spinach dip for an all-star appetizer that will not disappoint.

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Caramel-Toffee Dip

Caramel-Toffee Dip
Credit: Randy Mayor; Styling: Cindy Barr

Caramel-Toffee Dip Recipe

For a nice, sweet change to party dips, serve Caramel-Toffee Dip. Toffee bits lend crunch to the dip. Serve Caramel-Toffee Dip with apples slices or graham crackers.

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    1 of 31 Cherry-Pecan Brie
    2 of 31 Artichoke Nibbles
    3 of 31 Butternut Squash Rösti Cakes
    4 of 31 Brown Sugar-Spiced Nut Mix
    5 of 31 Cheese Dreams
    6 of 31 Chèvre with Pistachios and Honey
    7 of 31 Austrian Cheese Spread with Pumpkin Seed Oil
    8 of 31 Walnut Red Pepper Dip
    9 of 31 Spinach Artichoke Dip
    10 of 31 Dressing-Stuffed Mini Peppers
    11 of 31 Caramelized Onion, Gruyère, and Bacon Spread
    12 of 31 Cream Cheese and Chutney Roulade
    13 of 31 Quick Liver Pâté
    14 of 31 Tuna-Apple Mini Melts
    15 of 31 Tiny Tomato Tarts
    16 of 31 Cheese Ring with Strawberry Preserves
    17 of 31 Date, Walnut, and Blue Cheese Ball
    18 of 31 Pear Chutney Bruschetta with Pecans and Blue Cheese
    19 of 31 Blue Cheese and Pear Tart
    20 of 31 Pumpkin Dip
    21 of 31 Creamy Garlic-Herb Dip
    22 of 31 Spiced Butternut-Pumpkin Soup
    23 of 31 Red Pepper Jelly-Brie Bites
    24 of 31 Kale Chips
    25 of 31 Brie, Apple, and Arugula Quesadillas
    26 of 31 Spicy Roasted Sweet Potato Fries
    27 of 31 Miso, Sesame, and Sweet Potato Dip
    28 of 31 Onion-Bacon Dip
    29 of 31 Brie Tartlets With Grape Relish
    30 of 31 Warm Kale-and-Asiago Dip
    31 of 31 Caramel-Toffee Dip

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    Must-Serve Thanksgiving Appetizers
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