Looking for some go-to recipes for the busy holiday entertaining season? These are the 30 best Thanksgiving appetizers for serving at parties, potlucks, holiday dinners, impromptu gatherings, and cozy nights staying in.
Includes recipes suitable for vegetarian, low carb, and gluten free diets.

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Holiday Appetizers
It’s the season to be merry, and that means busy calendars that are filled with festive events. And no matter what type of celebration you’re hosting, an assortment of Thanksgiving appetizers and finger foods is essential.
From sweet to savory and everything in between, this collection of Thanksgiving appetizers is full of recipes that are easy to make with affordable ingredients, which means you’ll spend less time in the kitchen and more time savoring all the season has to offer.
And check out this list of Thanksgiving Side Dishes as well as Thanksgiving Mains.
Thanksgiving Appetizers
This Pumpkin cheesecake dip is a classic fall appetizer, dessert or party snack for the Thanksgiving season. It requires only 5 ingredients and comes together in just a few minutes.
This Buffalo Chicken Sliders recipe is one of the easiest you will ever make! Flavorful mini sandwiches come together fast and are perfect for game day, parties, snacking, or a side for Thanksgiving lunch or dinner.
Learn how to make a Mezze Platter that’s perfect for serving with family and friends. Grab the biggest serving tray you have and I’ll teach you how to make an inviting mezze board that everyone will love.
Easy to make Cherry Pie Sliders are a delicious dessert that can be whipped up with minimal prep and just 3 ingredients. It's the easiest dessert for a Friendsgiving party!
Baked turkey meatballs are so easy and flavorful! This ground turkey meatballs recipe is perfect for meal prep and when you need a quick side for those busy holiday parties.
Cream Cheese Fruit Dip is light, airy and so good you’ll want to keep on dipping! This tasty treat is perfect for your next party, holiday gathering, or Thanksgiving meal.
Fans of chicken parmesan are going to devour these delicious chicken parmesan sliders. Get ready for your family to swoon over this tasty side dish. It’s a winner!
Grape Jelly Meatballs in the crockpot are a flavor explosion in every bite and are not only a family favorite but also the ultimate crowd-pleaser. Make these for your next cookout appetizers, game day, or potluck Thanksgiving party.
Whether you’re hosting a festive holiday get-together or gearing up for the Super Bowl, this Ranch Chicken Cheese Ball crowd-pleasing appetizer is sure to be a hit. It’s not just a dip; it’s a centerpiece, a conversation starter, and a guaranteed favorite side at any Thanksgiving party!
These chicken pinwheels packed with taco flavor are a quick and easy appetizer that’s perfect for all sorts of occasions! They are an easy light side dish to mix up your Thanksgiving meal!
This Bacon Wrapped Dates Air Fryer recipe is perfect for holiday entertaining or any occasion. You’ll love how quick and easy it is to make this elegant and delicious 3-ingredient Thanksgiving appetizer.
A French Charcuterie Platter is an easy and delicious appetizer that is ideal for all sorts of occasions. Assemble for casual picnics and gatherings, or create as a centerpiece at cocktail parties and special events. This spread will be a fun way to mix up traditional Thanksgiving dishes!
This easy air fryer falafel recipe gives you deliciously crunchy falafels on the outside and soft on the inside. Healthier than the deep-fried version, these air-fried falafels are perfect for a delicious and healthy addition to your Thanksgiving spread!
You will ♡ this gorgeous pink, creamy and over the top delicious Beet Hummus. It is extremely easy to make with pantry staples and in a blender. Double or triple this colorful hummus recipe and serve as a starter at your Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving!
This warm Cream Cheese Dip is perfect for any party or gathering, especially your game day spread. Perfect to serve with your Thanksgiving feast as a side dish.
Make the savoury Instant Pot Pumpkin Hummus with this no soak chickpeas recipe! With just a few pantry ingredients, you can easily make this spiced pumpkin hummus that is high in protein and healthy. Serve it up as a Fall or Thanksgiving appetizer, dip, or snack.
These veggie pinwheels are easily made with everyday ingredients like soft tortillas, cream cheese, and fresh vegetables. They can be made ahead as an easy appetizer or snack for your Thanksgiving meal!
Air Fryer Mac and Cheese Balls are the ultimate comfort food! And just 3 ingredients are all that’s needed to whip up this totally crave-worthy appetizer, snack, or side. This is a fun dish that will be a great alternative to the classic mac and cheese side dish.
These Dill Pickle Pinwheels are a fun, tasty, and easy-to-make appetizer that everyone will love. Packed with the tangy flavor of dill pickles, creamy cheese, and savory ham, they are perfect for fall parties and as a Thanksgiving appetizer!
Learn how to make a fruit tray that is bursting with gorgeous color and delicious flavor! I am sharing all my tips and tricks for assembling and customizing an amazing fruit platter that is perfect for all sorts of fall holiday meals!
Indulge in the ultimate holiday treat with our cranberry pecan cheese ball! Creamy, crunchy, and bursting with seasonal flavors, it’s a festive must-have for your Thanksgiving spread.
These Buffalo chicken pinwheels are an easy-to-eat and easy-to-make way to indulge in spicy buffalo chicken flavor without the mess of traditional wings. They're a fun dish to serve for Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving apps!
Ham Roll Ups will be your favorite back to school lunch solution! Super quick and easy to make, these tasty ranch ham and cream cheese roll ups are totally kid-approved. These are a delicious dish that you can serve for a fall party or as an easy Thanksgiving appetizer!
Want to scare up some fun during spooky season? This Nightmare Before Christmas Halloween Charcuterie Board is perfect for serving at Halloween parties and can easy be themed to Thanksgiving instead for a fun appetizer!
Italian Pinwheels are packed with delicious Italian flavors, all rolled up in a soft tortilla. They’re great for serving at any fall party or Thanksgiving feast or just for a tasty snack whenever you need one!
Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Shrimp is an easy and simple appetizer that’s perfect for any occasion! Great for entertaining on holidays like Thanksgiving and for appetizers, fancy dinners, and even for serving as a tasty main dish.
Air Fryer Sausage Rolls are the perfect 4 ingredient Thanksgiving appetizer option, and they cook in just 10 minutes. Add a few side dishes, and you can turn this crispy sausage rolls air fryer recipe into a main dish the whole family will love.
These sour cream and onion flavored Instant Pot Deviled Eggs are a super tasty take on a classic. Ideal for serving up as party appetizers, Thanksgiving, protein-packed snacks, or a hearty game day nosh.
Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Scallops are an easy-to-make yet impressive and elegant appetizer. The perfect finger food for serving at Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving parties!
Chocolate Hummus is a dreamy and sweet dessert hummus that’s actually healthy (but no one will know it). It is a great spread, appetizer, or dessert to pair with your Thanksgiving feast!
This creamy cheese Instant Pot Spinach Artichoke Dip is an easy, minimal prep, crowd-pleasing savory dip. Just the thing to serve with chips, veggie sticks and bread during game day, potluck, Thanksgiving parties, and more.
With this Apple Chips Air Fryer Recipe, it’s quick and easy to whip up a delicious, healthy, and totally addictive snack. Made with just 2 ingredients and absolutely no sugar or oil, you can indulge in these crispy air fryer apple chips treat guilt-free along side your Thanksgiving spread!
Tips for Holiday Entertaining
- Create a schedule: Mapping out a timeline and identifying when certain tasks need to be done makes for stress-free hosting.
- Prep ahead: Cooking dishes ahead of time and setting things up the night before makes for less to do on the day of your event.
- Create a drink station: A fun and festive DIY drink station is a great way for guests to interact with one another and frees you up to attend to other things.
- Have fun: Remember that it’s your time to celebrate too!
Handy Tip: Use Good Kitchen Tools!
For the best tools to help make your recipe even easier and more successful, check out my collection of the Best Kitchen Tools on Amazon.
More Holiday Recipes Like This
- Christmas Appetizers.
- Easy Party Foods.
- Easy Pinwheel recipes.
- Thanksgiving Side Dishes.
- Christmas Mains.
- Christmas Sides.
- Thanksgiving Mains.
- Christmas Cookies.
- Ninja Creami Gingerbread Ice Cream.
Best Thanksgiving Appetizer Recipes
35 Best Thanksgiving Appetizers
Ingredients
- Easy Pumpkin Cheesecake Dip – Pumpkin Dip
- Buffalo Chicken Sliders
- Mezze Platter
- Cherry Pie Sliders
- Baked Turkey Meatballs
- Cream Cheese Fruit Dip
- Chicken Parmesan Sliders
- Slow Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs – Crockpot Meatballs
- Ranch Chicken Cheese Ball
- Chicken Taco Pinwheels
- Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Dates
- How to Create A French Charcuterie Platter
- Easy Air Fryer Falafel + Oven Version
- Easy Beet Hummus
- Bacon Cream Cheese Dip
- Instant Pot Pumpkin Hummus
- Veggie Pinwheels
- Air Fried Mac and Cheese Balls
- Easy Dill Pickle Pinwheels – Pickle Roll Ups
- How To Make A Fruit Tray Platter
- Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball
- Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels
- Ranch Cream Cheese Ham Roll Ups
- Halloween Charcuterie Board
- Italian Pinwheels
- Bacon Wrapped Shrimp Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Sausage Rolls
- Instant Pot Deviled Eggs Recipe + Air Fryer Deviled Eggs
- Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Scallops
- Best Easy Chocolate Hummus Recipe
- Instant Pot Spinach Artichoke Dip
- Easy Air Fryer Apple Chips
Instructions
- Pick an appetizer dish that fits your Thanksgiving spread.
- Gather your ingredients list and get shopping!
- Enjoy your delicious Thanksgiving side with your family and friends.
Donna
I’m so excited to try some of these this Thanksgiving!
Trenton
The bacon cream cheese dip was delicious. I’m going to be making it again for an upcoming party! Will probably have to double the recipe