Find the perfect appetizer recipe for your next party or gathering! These easy Appetizer Recipes include simple, delicious dips, nibbles and bites, vegan appetizers, seafood appetizers, fun finger foods, seasonal bruschetta, healthy lettuce wraps, party snacks, lavish platters and cheese boards, plus homemade crackers! A little something for everyone!
Appetizers and Snacks
Simple Yet Elegant Dips! (Fast and Easy)
A flavorful dip is one of the simplest appetizers you can make for a holiday party – and many of these are made with pantry ingredients you already have on hand! They are easy to “dress up” with herbs, flowers, and oils and can be made ahead. Perfect for those who are short on time!
Caramelized French Onion Dip
A delicious, healthy take on French Onion Dip made with caramelized onions, creamy Greek yogurt, and fresh herbs. A perfect make ahead appetizer for potlucks and parties. Serve with potato chips, pita chips or crackers.
Lemony Artichoke White Bean Dip
Lemony Artichoke White Bean Dip – a quick and easy Vegan Appetizer (a twist on “hummus“) that can be made in 10 minutes flat. Great for parties and gatherings and made with simple pantry ingredients!
Muhammara Dip
Muhammara Dip – a simple festive Roasted Pepper & Walnut Dip infused with Middle Eastern Spices that can be made ahead! A simple festive party appetizer! Serve with toasted pita bread or homemade crackers.
Perfect Hummus
Creamy PERFECT Hummus! This authentic hummus recipe is light and creamy and so easy to make! Use canned or dried chickpeas and serve it up with fresh garden veggies and herbs.
Heavenly Whipped Ricotta
This Whipped Ricotta recipe is the easiest appetizer you’ll ever make! It’s simple & fast while feeling elevated. A creamy, luscious dip, that can go either sweet or savory depending on your toppings.
Zucchini Dip
This luscious, flavorful Zucchini Dip is a delicious way to use up your garden zucchini! Serve it up with pita chips or crackers for a tasty, healthy appetizer everyone will love. Vegan, Gluten-Free. Video.
Labneh Dip
Labneh! A creamy Middle Eastern Yogurt Dip (similar to cream cheese) – to serve with crunchy veggies or toasted pita. A simple tasty appetizer, perfect for parties and gatherings.
Beet Tzatziki
Wow your party guests with Beet Tzatziki! Vibrant Beet Tzatziki is made with grated beets, cucumber, Greek yogurt and fresh herbs- a festive appetizer or complementary side dish to Mediterranean-inspired meals. Vegan-adaptable!
Tandoori Hummus
Tandoori Hummus – a delicious Indian twist on the hummus, seasoned with garam masala spice. This flavorful hummus is vegan, easy to make… and has the BEST flavor! Serve with naan or pita chips!
Harissa REd Pepper Dip
This Smoky Harissa Red Pepper Dip is made with white beans and topped with pistachios, cumin seeds and optional feta. A simple party appetizer that comes together in 10 minutes flat.
Guacamole (3 FUN ways!)
Guacamole- 3 Ways! ! Three different flavor profiles that will be the hit of your party! A flavorful vegan appetizer that is simple, gluten-free and healthy.
Smoky Baba Ganoush
Baba Ganoush! Luscious Roasted Eggplant Dip made with smoky eggplant, tahini, garlic and lemon. A healthy, delicious Middle Eastern Eggplant Dip that is full of complexity and depth. Gluten-free, low-carb, vegan.
Savory Bruschetta Recipes!
Mushroom Bruschetta
Mushroom Bruschetta with Triple Cream Brie, Sage and Truffle Oil – a surprisingly easy appetizer that tastes amazing and looks elegant! Perfect for holiday gatherings and parties!
Beet and Basil Bruschetta
Beet Bruschetta with Goat Cheese and Basil a festive appetizer recipe that highlights winter beets and is full of amazing flavor!
Fig Bruschetta
Fig Bruschetta with Cambozola and Sage Honey a tasty appetizer recipe that comes together in minutes, perfect for fall and holiday gatherings.
Tomato Bruschetta (elevated)
Are you looking for the perfect recipe for Tomato Bruschetta? Here are a few tips to elevate this classic summer appetizer!
Delicious Vegan Appetizers!
Olive Tapenade
Versatile and full of flavor, Olive Tapenade is a simple, elegant addition to your appetizer list. This tasty spread comes together fast and requires no cooking, making it a great choice for warm summer days.
Eggplant Caponata
This Sicilian recipe for Eggplant Caponata is simple, easy and full of flavor! Serve it as a healthy vegan appetizer over crostini, or as a delicious side dish, or turn it into an eggplant “salad” served over greens and grains! Low- Carb and Vegan!
Palouse Caviar
Palouse Caviar! A take on Texas Caviar, this Lentil Dip called Palouse Caviar is made w/ Northwest Palouse-grown lentils, pomegranate, avocado, lime. Served with corn chips for a festive healthy, vegan GF party appetizer.
Vegan Ceviche!
This vegan, plant-based Hearts of Palm Ceviche will transport you to Mexico. Made with hearts of palm and avocado, this easy recipe can be served on tostadas, with chips or in lettuce cups!
Fresh Spring Rolls
Fresh Spring Rolls with BEST EVER Peanut Sauce! These vegan spring rolls can be made ahead and are the perfect healthy vegan appetizer for gatherings and parties! Watch them disappear!
Cashew Quesadillas with Pumpkin Seed Salsa
A tasty recipe for Vegan Quesadillas with creamy cashew cheese and Poblano Pumpkin Seed Salsa. Vegan and delicious!
Warm olives with Lemon zest and almonds
Warm Olives with Rosemary, Garlic, and Almonds – a simple, delicious appetizer that is full of amazing flavor, that can be made very quickly and easily!
Shishito Peppers
A simple recipe for Blistered Shishito Peppers- a fast and easy appetizer that comes together in under 15 minutes!
Flavorful Fish & Seafood Appetizers
Aguachile
Mexican Aguachile! Similar to ceviche, shrimp are cooked in a mixture of lime juice, chiles and cilantro. Flavorful, simple and sooooo delicious! Serve with Corn chips!
Jalapeno Lime Crab Cakes
These delicious Crab Cakes are made with Cilantro, lime and jalapeño with a punchy Red Pepper Vinaigrette. Make them mini- sized, topped with a wood fork, for a gathering! A personal favorite!
Ceviche
This Ceviche with fresh fish, chili, lime, cilantro, avocado, tomato and cucumber is a very easy appetizer perfect for gatherings, potlucks, and parties! You can also serve these as mini tacos or mini tostadas.
Air fryer salmon bites
Succulent and flavorful, Air Fryer Salmon Bites are served with a miso ginger dipping sauce and ready in about 15 minutes! Perfect for appetizers, bowls, salads, and snacks! Gluten-free.
Crudo
This recipe for Crudo is easy to make at home and one of those appetizers that will WOW your guests. Think of crudo like Italian-style sashimi- raw fish drizzled with olive oil, flakey sea salt, citrus, and herbs. We’ll show you the basic recipe to use as a jumping-off point for your own creations. There are many ways to prepare crudo!
Chimichurri Shrimp
Chimichurri Shrimp- A fast, flavorful and simple appetizer that comes together in under 20 minutes. Serve on mini forks!
Shrimp Ceviche
Shrimp Ceviche Verde a delicious twist on traditional Ceviche, this version is made with fresh tomatillos. A light and refreshing appetizer, perfect for parties and gatherings, serve it in a shot glass with a mini fork.
Fresh Oysters Mignonette
Fresh oysters mignonette with cucumber, shallot and dill. Make the Mignonette ahead and shuck the oysters at the party. These little guys are sure to please. Serve on a bed of ice.
Fresh & Light: LETTUCE Wraps and Lettuce Cups
Teriyaki Mushroom wraps
These Vegan Lettuce Wraps are filled with Teriyaki Mushrooms and brown rice- a healthy delicious lunch or appetizer!
Mini Crab Louise
Mini Crab Louie! Fresh crab, served in butter lettuce cups with radish and avocado, drizzled with Crab Louie dressing. Fresh and light, these flavorful appetizers are always the hit of the party! Keto and low carb.
Vietnamese Chicken wraps
Vietnamese Chicken Lettuce Wraps made with healthy veggies and your choice of chicken or tofu! Serve these up as a light and healthy appetizer or a refreshing lunch!
Lamb Kofta Wraps
Grilled Lamb Kofta Wraps are light and delicious, and BURSTING with Middle Eastern Flavor! Served with Tzatziki, these are low carb and high in protein.
Vietnamese Shrimp Wraps
Vietnamese Shrimp Lettuce Wraps with Nuoc Cham, a light and refreshing appetizer, perfect for hot summer days. Flavorful, healthy and low in carbs and calories.
Crackers, Pita Chips and Boards!
Sourdough Crackers
Sourdough Crackers made from sourdough discard or starter. A quick, easy and adaptable recipe. These crackers are crisp, tangy and incredibly addicting!
Winter Cheese Board
How to make a beautiful Winter Cheese Board with a good variety of soft and hard cheeses ( blue cheese, aged cheddar cheese, triple cream brie, camembert, parmesan, pecorino,etc. ) winter fruits, spiced nuts, dried fruits, olives, and this delicious recipe for Blood Orange Marmalade.
Rustic SeeD Crackers
Light and crisp, these Rustic Seed Crackers are keto, gluten-free and vegan. This recipe is incredibly easy, flexible, adaptable and full of toasty rich flavor. They are the perfect snack by themselves and pair with most toppings.
Homemade Pita Chips
How to make beautiful homemade pita chips from scratch. Great for mezze platters, hummus, baba ganoush, or any of your favorite dips. Easy, vegan and fun to make!
Holiday Cheese Board
How to make a beautiful Holiday Cheese Board with Roasted Quince, figs, and persimmon, a selection of cheese, honey and olives.
Charcuterie Board
This Charcuterie Board will wow your guests! Easy to make ahead- beautiful presentation!
Spectacular Brie Cake
A festive, holiday Brie Cake topped with fresh berries, figs and grapes, drizzled with honey and served with seeded crackers – a stunning but very easy holiday appetizer – perfect for parties, celebrations and gatherings!
Little Bites (AKA Finger Foods)
Besides making bruschetta ( see above) here are some fun finger foods for your party or gathering!
Stuffed Dates
Stuffed Dates with Pistachios and wild rose petals (in summer) or pomegranate seeds (in winter). A simple easy appetizer that can be made ahead. Perfect for parties and gatherings!
Deviled Eggs
The Best EVER Deviled Eggs– made with crumbled bacon (or sub vegan bacon bits), cheddar and onion, simple and soooooo delicious!
Moroccan Meatballs with Pomegranate
Moroccan Meatballs! with Pomegranate Glaze – sumptuous and flavorful, these easy lamb meatballs can be made ahead, then reheated in the oven right before your guests arrive.
Maple Pecans
These delicious Maple Pecans are the perfect party snack! Made in just 15 minutes with only 3 ingredients! Oil free, Sugar Free, Vegan and totally foolproof! The BEST recipe that comes out perfect every time!
Print
50+ Party Appetizer Recipes
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 25
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8-12 1x
- Category: appetizer
- Method: baked
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Find the perfect appetizer recipe for your next party or gathering! These easy Appetizer Recipes include simple delicious dips, nibbles and bites, vegan appetizers, seafood appetizers, fun finger foods, seasonal bruschetta, healthy lettuce wraps, party snacks, lavish platters and cheese boards, plus homemade crackers! A little something for everyone: Spiced Nuts.
Ingredients
Spiced Nuts:
- 2 cups mix of nuts and seeds: pumpkin seeds, walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, cashews, sunflower seeds or pistachios
- 1–2 tablespoons chia seeds (optional)
- 5 tablespoons real maple syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F (a toaster oven works here too)
- In a small bowl, toss the nuts/seeds with the maple syrup, enough to coat well, and mix in the salt and spices.
- Spread out on a parchment-lined sheet pan and bake 13-15 minutes, stirring halfway through. You want to get them toasted and generously golden- so the maple syrup hardens after cooling.
- Remove from heat, and immediately “fluff” with a fork. Let them cool completely.
- Once cooled they should be brittle enough to break apart. If they are soft, tacky or sticky- they needed longer in the oven- feel free to put them back in the oven and bake a little longer.
Notes
These make a great easy snack or lovely hostess gift!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ¼ cup
- Calories: 223
- Sugar: 8.7 g
- Sodium: 74.7 mg
- Fat: 19.7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.7 g
- Carbohydrates: 12.6 g
- Fiber: 2.8 g
- Protein: 2.6 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Mini ceviche tostadas for this guy!
So many to choose from! Found several that I printed and am going to make! Thank you
I think I’d rather eat all of these in place of the holiday dinner! Thanks for all of your delicious recipes. Happy New Year.
I could live off of the muhammara!
At every appetizer, as I was scrolling down I said to myself: this is the best one! no, this is the best one! they are all the best! However, I love the Labneh, and how you decorated it to look like a holiday wreath! yum!
A traditional brushetta has always been my favorite, but these look amazing – I want to try them all!
All about the dips- Muhummara and hummus yum!!
I am a classic hummus + pita + veggie platter girl, maybe add a few olives and sundried tomatoes for aesthetic lol. The spring rolls here look to die for.
Thanks for giving us the opportunity to participate in a giveaway!
the labnech looks good!
These all look amazing Sylvia! I sure do look forward to my Saturday email from you!
Every few weeks I make a batch of my own version of a mediterranean spread. I started making this years ago and often when I want these flavors in a hurry and especially when I have extra cloves of roasted garlic in the fridge here is what I do– Drain a jar of pitted Kalamata olives, smash them with a mortar, or toss them into the processor, add one whole head of roasted and peeled garlic, 1/2 cup of unsalted butter, and 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese, add 8-10 melted, then cooled, anchovy filets, mix all. Jar 1/2 for later, spread on toasted bread, zucchini, or cracker, add a little more parmesan, a piece of chopped tomato or strip of roasted red pepper and broil for a few minutes to melt. It is salty, and satisfying, close your eyes and pretend that you are enjoying life at some private Greek Island oasis! Cheers!
While I enjoy trying new recipes and making various appetizers, I tend to prefer creating charcuterie and cheese boards with dried fruit, cornichons, olives, and nuts tucked amongst the various meat and cheese displayed on the boards, served with a couple of different kinds of mustard, lingonberry or cranberry jam, and an assortment of toasted bread and crackers. I love that I can be creative with what choose to create, the simplicity of it as well, which leaves me time to enjoy conversation with my guests.
Since we grow beets and basil, I like the Beet Bruschetta with Goat Cheese and Basil.
So many tempting appetizers! I’ll be making the Moroccan meatballs with pomegranate glaze—they look irresistible!
Favorite appetizer is bean and artichoke dip. Love it!
Your beet bruschetta is my favorite go-to appetizer! Luv u😘
Fresh Spring Rolls with BEST EVER Peanut Sauce! I cannot wait to try this recipe – as a fairly newly Sylvia-Fan, this sounds delicious. I have tried several other recipes from Sylvia – all with great taste and success! Can’t wait to dig into this one!!! Thanks for offering all these wonderful recipes!
LOVE your recipes- I recently started eating vegan and your recipes have been delicious every time. I love your hummus recipes. I’ve brought tamale pie to a party too!
All of these appetizers look amazing. I think the Fig Bruschetta with Cambozola and Sage Honey will be a happy addition to the table this year.
Because I love eggplant so much, I usually favor caponata or baba ghanoush. An olive and cheese board would be a close second. Any of the above offerings would be a beautiful addition to any table.
Thank you for sharing a mouthful of DELICIOUSNESS! I sincerely look forward to receiving each and every one of your e-mails….
Sylvia thank you for the wonderful suggestions. We lost our daughter in a horrible car accident 3 months ago and haven’t known how we would get through a huge Christmas meal without her. The family has tried to come up with ideas to still have time together without all the cooking, so her son decided we should pick 6 of your appetizers and as a family make them together to honor her and just have an evening of “togetherness” and eat them while we watch old home movies. Thank you again I just didn’t have it in me to try to put together a menu and you made it so easy for each member of the immediate family to pick one they wanted to enjoy together! Happy holidays
Dear Felecia, My heart goes out to you dear one. Such a hard thing to go through, I am deeply sorry. Know that you are not alone in your sorrow and loss- that there is a place in each of us where we hold this. We hold it together. Sending you love and peace. Sylvia
What a fabulous giveaway. I am a huge fan of all things dips so the white bean dip and baba ghanoush are speaking to me. Happy holidays!
Although I have made several of these appetizers — and loved each one — my favorite is the Eggplant Caponata. I have made it numerous times: for myself, as a gift, for a party, to have some in the freezer . . . . Thank you Sylvia for all of your recipes, photographs and writing. Wishing you a wonderful holiday.
Love the festive colors of the Palouse Caviar!
I love baked Brie!