15 Thanksgiving Appetizers You Can Serve Up To The Whole Family

It’s only logical to begin the day of the biggest meal of the year with more food. So, we’ve got some Thanksgiving appetizers that are sure to please the whole family and anyone else who decided to crash your dinner.

1. Caramel Apple Grapes

The perfect addition to your array of Thanksgiving appetizers come in these bite-size versions of caramel apples. Substitute the apple portion for grapes which make for easier preparation and storage.

The recipe from “Belly Full” easily shows you only need grapes, melting caramel squares, and toothpicks. Get creative with your post caramel coating and dip your grapes in crushed nuts, cookies, or even coconut flakes. There’s no need to save the sweets for the end of the meal when you’re too full to enjoy them. Mix up your Thanksgiving appetizers by throwing in some sweet with your salty and savory options.

2. Cranberry Brie Bites

The name is begging for this to be added to your Thanksgiving appetizers list. Creamy melted baked brie gets the mouth watering of anyone every time. The sweet cranberry sauce cuts the sharp brie flavor and a perfectly puffed pastry cup brings the entire bite-sized delight together.

On “One Little Project” she recalls this being one of her favorite Thanksgiving appetizers her mom used to make. With a cook time of only 9 minutes, this easy appetizer will please the crowd without giving you too much stress.

3. Honey Blueberry Goat Cheese Log

Although goat cheese has some varying degrees of popularity, the honey and blueberry in this recipe will draw in even the most hesitant consumer. Full disclosure, you can absolutely buy this appetizer at stores like Trader Joes and Costco.

However, London at “Evolving Table” walks you through how to make and roll your own Goat Cheese log. Pairing this Thanksgiving Appetizer with stiff crackers allows for the perfect scoop, without the threat of broken crackers and feeling disappointed.

4. Maple Caramel Bacon Crack

So, bacon normally pleases any crowd in even its most basic form. But, throw in some maple caramel, and you’ll have your guests crawling over each other to reach the Thanksgiving appetizer table first. You only need four ingredients to make this crowd-pleasing appetizer and be the star of Thanksgiving — move over turkey.

Follow Hayley Parker’s recipe on “The Domestic Rebel” to beat out all the other Thanksgiving appetizers preset at the feast. She recommends baking the pastry dough first but other than that, the recipe is straight forward and in total takes less than an hour to complete.

5. Crispy Green Bean Fries

Fries, but make it Thanksgiving style. Hide the vegetables in breadcrumbs and addicting dipping sauce and even the pickiest eater will pick one up to try. A plate of these on the Thanksgiving appetizer table will stand out as the favorite for a handheld snack among the other appetizers.

This recipe from “Delish” walks you through the process of coating your green beans in bread crumbs and baking them in the oven. They pair this Thanksgiving appetizer with a wasabi ranch but you can get creative with your own dipping sauce.

6. Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels

This is one of those Thanksgiving appetizers that won’t start to look a little funky after sitting out for too long. The easy process to make these sweet treats means making large batches for a lot of guests will be no problem. They are perfect for those munchies that pick up right before dinner is ready and you aren’t looking for anything too heavy.

From the kids to the grandparents, everyone will love the recipe from “Tammilee Tips” and keep snacking on them well past the main event.

7. White Cheddar & Cranberry Dip

Yep, cranberry and cheese are at it again to help add some flavor and variety among the Thanksgiving appetizers. This warm cheesy dipping sauce pairs perfectly with baguette bread slices. Serve it up piping hot for the best results.

Katya from “Little Broken,” makes homemade cranberry sauce but you can use storebought if you aren’t feeling that adventurous in the kitchen. Adding fresh cranberries gives your cheese dip texture.

8. Bacon-Wrapped Brussel Sprouts

In order to get your picky eaters to scarf down their vegetables, try disguising them in bacon. Now the whole two ingredients required for this recipe might be a struggle but you’ll get through it. Simple seasoning and toothpicks finish off this appetizer.

The authors of “Fit Foodie Finds” suggest adding maple bacon for more of a holiday flavor in your Thanksgiving appetizer.

9. Smokey Chipotle Pumpkin Hummus

Throw your guests off with a non-sweet pumpkin star of the Thanksgiving appetizers. Honestly, it’s the one time of year this squash gets to shine so we should use it as many ways as we can. On a day of indulgence, offer your guest the option of something healthy. But ssshhhh they won’t know they’re indulging in healthy after they take the first bite.

Morgan from “Host The Toast” got creative with leftover ingredients in her fridge and stumbled on smokey brilliance. Surprise your guests with this non-traditional but totally seasonal Thanksgiving appetizer.

10. Squash Blossom Focaccia

Your appetizer will really stand out among all the rest when you add this to the Thanksgiving appetizer table. A bread basket at the restaurant is always a crowd pleaser so add your own holiday twist for Thanksgiving dinner.

The recipe from “Woman’s Day” shows how easy this seemingly elegant appetizer is to make. You only need ricotta and squash blossom. You can either bake your own focaccia or buy some at the store and doctor it up. Either way, this is one of those Thanksgiving appetizers guests will be talking about until they can eat it again next year.

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11. Brie, Apple, And Honey Crostini

Brie truly goes with anything and is even better when served with fruit. This easy concoction offers a bite of sweet, savory, and freshness all in one piece. The best part of this recipe? You don’t have to spend painstaking hours cutting perfectly sized apples to fit on top of your baguette slice.

In the recipe from “Two Peas And Their Pod,” they use apple butter in place of actual apples which only adds to the seasonal spice flavor to really make this recipe shine. It’s one of those Thanksgiving appetizers you’ll be happy to make every year.

12. Pesto Parmesan Spinach Balls

Sneak in a little green before you fill your plate with the main course and there’s no room left for any. With a minimal mess and equipment requirement, you can make batches of these for any last-minute Thanksgiving appetizer prep.

Morgan from “Toast The Host” comes through again with another amazing appetizer recipe. The major benefit to this appetizer comes from it’s freeze-ability. Seriously, you could make this at the beginning of November pop it in the freezer, and pull it out Thanksgiving morning. Talk about being ahead of the game.

13. Goat Cheese Stuffed Mini Peppers

On a day full of hustle, bustle, prepping and eating, it’s best to keep your appetizers easy. But, just because this Thanksgiving appetizer is easy, it doesn’t mean it isn’t tasty. You’ll win over any crowd with this three-ingredient appetizer and barely break a sweat doing it.

Sommer from “A Spicy Perspective,” reminds us to keep it simple and enjoy the small things. A perfect message to share through your Thanksgiving appetizers. Getting a flavored goat cheese such as garlic and herbs saves you one extra step in your preparation process. Top it off with a touch of honey for a sweet surprise.

14. Crab Stuffed Mushrooms

These ooey-gooey Thanksgiving appetizers bring something a little non-traditional to the table, but won’t leave anyone complaining. Show up looking like a professional caterer and blow all the other Thanksgiving appetizers out of the water.

“Making It Grateful” shows you step by step, with pictures, how to create these mouth water morsels. You can prep the crab mixture a few days before to make your actual time spent on the appetizer shorter.

15. Pretzel Ring Beer Cheese Dip

So what else does your family gather around besides the dinner table on this special holiday? The TV to watch the game? Yeah, we know so this is one of those Thanksgiving appetizers disguised as a tailgating treat.

Place it in front of those enjoying the game so they keep out of your kitchen while you prep the big meal. Never fear, the recipe on “Delish” used a clever trick to avoid having to make actual pretzels — simply buy some biscuits and brush them with butter and coarse salt. You’ll come victorious among the crowd no matter which way the game goes.