8 Easy, Last-Minute Appetizers to Make for Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a day full of delicious, home-cooked food—and it all starts with the appetizers. Whether you’re bringing something to a potluck or hosting the whole extravaganza, having quick, crowd-pleasing Thanksgiving appetizer recipes on hand can be a major help.
Freezer-friendly recipes are a great option to prepare ahead of time. These can save time on the actual holiday and keep it as stress-free as possible.
If you’re needing something in the moment, you don’t want a recipe with too many ingredients or that requires much (if any) cooking time—there will be lots of sides and the main course monopolizing your oven and stove space.
For easy bites that can be made in 30 minutes or less, check out our chef-curated list of 8 Thanksgiving appetizer recipes that are sure to please your guests this holiday.
Don’t let Turkey Day catch you by surprise! With tips on menu planning, table setting and even a foolproof turkey guide, we’ve got everything to ensure the big day goes off without a hitch.
8 Thanksgiving Appetizer Recipes
Baked Brie with Apple Compote
Creamy baked brie goes so well with something sweet—and this cinnamon-spice warm apple compote is no exception. Serve this dish on a cutting board with your favorite cracker, crispy bread slices and a little extra honey—this is a Thanksgiving appetizer guests will be scooping up until the last gooey bite.
Warm Baked Olives with Orange and Fennel
It can be challenging to find a Thanksgiving appetizer recipe that’s vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free* and delicious—but this recipe checks all the boxes.
Even better, it takes less than 20 minutes to make, so it’s an easy last-minute appetizer that doesn’t require much prep work. You can even make these olives well in advance as they’ll keep, covered in the refrigerator, for up to a week.
Bursting with the fresh flavors of orange zest, rosemary, fennel, garlic and a little heat from red pepper flakes, these would make an excellent addition to your charcuterie board, served in a petite serving bowl.
Blue Cheese-Stuffed Dates Wrapped in Pancetta
This three-ingredient recipe is so simple but amazingly delicious.
The dried dates have a concentrated sweetness that complements the saltiness of the pancetta and the sharp bite of blue cheese (we love Gorgonzola for this recipe). Guests will also love the grab-and-go nature of these bite-size Thanksgiving treats—the perfect extra-easy appetizer for a party.
Get the Blue Cheese-Stuffed Dates Wrapped in Pancetta recipe!
Roasted Butternut Squash Hummus
This autumn-inspired hummus makes good use of one of the most popular seasonal produce items: the butternut squash. A drizzle of maple syrup gives this recipe a hint of sweetness, which kicks the flavor up a notch, too.
This is a healthier Thanksgiving appetizer you can feel good about that shouldn’t fill you up too much before the main course. It pairs well with a variety of dipping veggies like peppers, cucumbers, carrots, radishes or celery.
Charcuterie boards are always a popular choice for a Thanksgiving appetizer, as they offer a variety of snackable favorites guests can help themselves to. They also don’t require a ton of prep work.
A highlight on this fall-inspired board is the roasted chickpeas, which boast warm, rounded spices like cumin, paprika and a dash of cinnamon. The honeycomb, pomegranate and figs also offer an unexpected but beautiful pop of color and flavor your guests will love.
Crostini with Homemade Fig Jam and Gorgonzola
Sweet fig jam. Sharp, tangy gorgonzola. Warm, crusty bread.
Talk about a match made in flavor heaven! While this simple yet elegant appetizer only requires a few ingredients, your guests will be left wanting more after getting a taste of the homemade fig jam, which takes less than 10 minutes to prepare.
Get the Crostini with Homemade Fig Jam and Gorgonzola recipe!
Mushrooms with Garlic and Parsley
These garlicky mushrooms are a great appetizer served solo or alongside a toasted baguette. Sherry wine adds another level of flavor here, offering a hint of nuttiness and sweetness that makes a perfect complement to the other savory ingredients in this vegan Thanksgiving appetizer recipe.
Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs are as American as, well, Thanksgiving. While the dish originated in countries nestled on the Mediterranean Sea, this classic appetizer has been part of American cooking tradition since the 1870s!
And for good reason. They’re quick, easy and most of us already have the key ingredients—eggs, mustard, sour cream or mayonnaise, paprika and lemon juice—in our refrigerators. All you need is an elegant serving tray to display them on, and your guests will gobble ‘em right up.
Don’t let Turkey Day catch you by surprise! With tips on menu planning, table setting and even a foolproof turkey guide, we’ve got everything to ensure the big day goes off without a hitch!
JOIN THE CONVERSATION