Melted Cheese Appetizers That'll Warm Your Soul

Updated October 12, 2018
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Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Lisa Powell Bailey

When the going gets tough (or even if everything is great), drown yourself in cheese. 

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Greek Crab Dip

Credit: Time Inc., Video Studio

Greek Crab Dip Recipe

With the salty richness of feta cheese and brightness from fresh lemon juice and herbs, this is an incredible twist on a classic creamy crab dip. Lump crab meat gives the dip an added touch of decadence, but it could also be made with less-expensive claw meat. Served with warm, crusty baguette slices this savory crab dip is the perfect “something different” to bring to your next potluck or party.  

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Flaming Cheese (Saganaki)

Credit: Time Inc. Video Studio

Flaming Cheese (Saganaki) Recipe

This decadent cheesy appetizer is easy to make, fun to serve, and sure to impress. Enjoy this gooey, buttery melted cheese dish right from the skillet with plenty of toasted bread. Kasseri is a Greek cheese made from a blend of sheep and goat’s milk; good kasseri cheese can be found at Middle Eastern markets, or you can purchase a block online.  

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Lobster and Corn Quesadillas 

Credit: Sara Tane

Lobster and Corn Quesadillas  Recipe

Inspired by a simple, classic lobster and corn chowder, these decadent Maine lobster quesadillas can be served family-style as a crowd-pleasing appetizer, or plated with a simple green salad for an exceptional meal. If you want to go with a milder cheese, shredded Monterey Jack or Swiss would both work great. Filled with delicate sweetness and savory richness, this high-low dish is sure to be a dinner party hit. Maine New Shell Lobster is harvested during peak season in Maine (roughly late June – early November) when lobsters shed their old shells and grow new shells. Gulf of Maine seawater fills the newly formed shell and naturally “marinates” the meat, creating an intense and more “lobster-y” flavor. New Shell is more tender, delicately textured lobster meat. The thinner shell even makes the lobsters easy to crack, pick and eat by hand.

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Everything Cream Cheese Jalapeño Poppers

Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Blakeslee Giles; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Everything Cream Cheese Jalapeño Poppers Recipe

We all know that the addictiveness of the savory everything spice blend is amplified when paired with smooth cream cheese. Each popper is bursting with flavor and a variety of optional toppings keeps each bite interesting (and makes for a gorgeous platter). It seems you've found your new go-to party appetizer. Make sure that the jalapenos are par-cooked  before adding the cream cheese filling to ensure that the cream cheese doesn't burn. 

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Blue-Cheese Puffs

Credit: Alexandra Grablewski; Styling: Lynn Miller

Blue-Cheese Puffs Recipe

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Jalapeño Popper Dip

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Jalapeño Popper Dip Recipe

Creamy cheese, crisp bacon, and spicy jalapeño. What more could you want in a dip?

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Beer and Cheese Dip

Beer and Cheese Dip Recipe

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Loaded Totchos

Credit: Styling: Rishon Hanners and Audrey Davis, Photo: Caitlin Bensel

Loaded Totchos Recipe

This sensational spud riff on nachos is an hommage to party food lovers everywhere. Loaded with toppings and drizzled with a hot cheese dip, these totchos are ready to rock and roll right onto your plate.  This dish has all of the goodness of trashy, delicious bar nachos but are made with potato tots for a warm comfort food addition. Fresh jalapeno slices and cool avocado round out this dish, leaving the end impression and flavor as simply drool-inducing. 

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Deviled Crab Melts

Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Deviled Crab Melts Recipe

Kick off a summer party with crunchy crostinis topped with lightly spiced crab, fresh tomatoes, and gooey cheese. Keep a close eye on the crab melts when they are under the broiler and pull the pan out of the oven just as the cheese is starting to brown.

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Baked Brie Puff Pastry 

Baked Brie Puff Pastry  Recipe

This Harvest-Baked Brie is a wheel of Brie topped with fig jam, cranberries, rosemary and toasted pecans, and is folded up in a puff pastry.

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Stuffed Mushrooms

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

Stuffed Mushrooms Recipe

Olive Garden is famous for its generous portions of classic Italian dishes: pasta, pizza, breadsticks and that endless salad. The clam-stuffed mushrooms are a treat as a starter. Go out for a batch tonight, or try our easy at-home version.

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Fried Mozzarella-Stuffed Zucchini

Credit: Time Inc. Video Studio

Fried Mozzarella-Stuffed Zucchini Recipe

This mozzarella stick-meets-zucchini fries hybrid is an awesome way to change up your appetizer game; not to mention, it’s a great recipe for getting picky eaters to munch on some vegetables. And if you’re finding yourself a little worn out on summer’s abundance of zucchini, stuffing the veggie with cheese and then deep-frying gives it an incredibly tasty transformation. 

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Spider Bagel Pizza Bites

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

Spider Bagel Pizza Bites Recipe

These adorablly spooky pizza bagel bites make a tasty app for guests before your Halloween feast starts.

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Inside-Out Spiced Brie

Credit: Lisa Romerein; Styling: Dani Fisher

Inside-Out Spiced Brie Recipe

This twist on the classic whole melted brie is great for cocktail parties—and it's incredibly easy. We love how the spices toast while the cheese warms up. If you're not a fan of hot and spicy, just omit the chile flakes.

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Pepper-Glazed Goat Cheese Gratin

Credit: Jonny Valiant

Pepper-Glazed Goat Cheese Gratin Recipe

This warm, sweet-spicy goat cheese dip is an easy alternative to a cheese plate.

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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.

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Hot Spinach-Artichoke Dip

Credit: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Mary Clayton Carl

Hot Spinach-Artichoke Dip Recipe

If you're looking for a warm appetizer to serve at your next gathering, offer guests the popular Hot Spinach-Artichoke Dip. Pepper Jack cheese lends a kick to this classic dip.

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Warm Brie With Ginger-Citrus Glaze

Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Lisa Powell Bailey

Warm Brie With Ginger-Citrus Glaze Recipe

If you are serving bread with this warm cheese, place slices on the same baking sheet with the Brie. They will toast while the cheese cooks.

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