55 Easy Thanksgiving Appetizers That Taste Better Than Turkey
Easy Thanksgiving appetizer ideas! These festive appetizers are easy to make and fun to serve for any Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving celebration or potluck.
When it comes to planning Thanksgiving dinner, we all have our traditional favorites.
For most of us, we like the same menu every year.
But you know what’s fun to change up for each holiday?
The appetizers!
Whether we’re bringing a dish to Thanksgiving dinner or a Friendsgiving celebration, or hosting the main event …
… it’s fun to make some appetizers to whet everyone’s appetite.
And let me tell you, Thanksgiving appetizers are even more fun than most!
With festive flavors that we don’t get to eat all year, there are so many fun finger foods and snacks to munch on.
I put together a list of the best EASY Thanksgiving appetizers, so you don’t have to slave away all day to have something fun and delicious to share.
Let’s check ‘em out!
Easy Thanksgiving Appetizers for a Crowd
Slow Cooker Cranberry BBQ Meatballs
Crockpot Cranberry BBQ Meatballs are the easiest holiday appetizer you will ever make! Simply dump everything into the crock pot and peace out while it cooks, then watch your guests gobble them up.
Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board
This Thanksgiving charcuterie board is a display of meats, cheeses, nuts, crackers, fall fruit and seasonal treats. A super easy yet impressive appetizer that is sure to be a hit at your Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving gathering, and no cooking required!
Cranberry Brie Bites
Cranberry Brie Bites are an impressive appetizer with vibrant colors and the perfect combination of sweet and savory. The ingredients are easy to keep on hand during the holiday season so you can prepare these in a snap.
Antipasto Wreath
Dress up antipasto into an eye-catching, festive wreath! Mix and match different types of meat on each skewer, pairing it with mozzarella pearls, basil, cherry tomatoes, olives, and artichoke hearts. There are endless options to choose from!
Honey Whipped Goat Cheese
Super creamy and fluffy, this honey whipped goat cheese is a delicious dip and appetizer that takes just 5 minutes to put together. Best of all, it takes just a few simple ingredients and minimal kitchen tools and effort to put this gluten free and low carb dish together.
Pigs in a Blanket
Pigs in a Blanket are a classic party snack made with cocktail wieners wrapped in crescent dough, then baked to golden brown perfection. They’re an easy and crowd-pleasing appetizer that can be doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
Turkey Veggie Tray
Who says veggie trays have to be boring? Kids (and all your guests) will have fun snacking on this adorable Turkey Veggie Tray.
Baked Brie with Fig Jam
Baked brie is one of the easiest appetizers to make and looks elegant without a whole lot of effort. Dressed with a glaze of fig jam and a sprinkle of crunchy, it’s creamy with a hint of sweetness.
Turkey Deviled Eggs
These adorable Turkey Deviled Eggs are sure to be a hit! You can even have the kids help assemble them for a fun project.
Cheddar Bay Sausage Balls
Loaded with savory sausage, creamy pimento cheese, and Red Lobster’s Biscuit mix, this delicious Cheddar Bay Sausage Balls recipe is perfect for serving at holiday parties. Super simple to make, they only take 20 minutes in the oven, and use only 3 ingredients.
Everything Bagel Cheese Ball
Serve this pumpkin-shaped Everything Bagel Cheese Ball appetizer and watch everyone go crazy and ask for the recipe. Best of all, it’s easy to make ahead in 15 minutes, chill, and have ready for your gathering.
Baked Goat Cheese and Cranberry
Feels fancy but so easy, this Baked Goat Cheese Cranberry Appetizer pairs sweet seasonal cranberries with tangy goat cheese, and you can spread it all on toasted bread.
Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
Delicious, bite-sized Bacon Wrapped Shrimp are the best quick and easy appetizer. Made with juicy shrimp wrapped in crispy bacon and brushed with a sweet and spicy honey Cajun glaze. So yummy!
Goat Cheese Prosciutto Lingonberry Jam Bruschetta
With just a few elevated ingredients, you can put together this restaurant-quality appetizer. The combination of sweet and savory flavors is delicious.
Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers
Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers are creamy, spicy and loaded with cheese. Perfect for Friendsgiving, or to serve to your spice-loving family, this classic appetizer never disappoints.
Easy Cheese Potato Bread
Easy Cheese Potato Bread is filled with gooey cheddar cheese, crispy bacon bits, and fresh parsley. Plus, by using premade biscuit dough this recipe couldn't be easier to make!
Cute Turkey Charcuterie Board
Perfect for picky eaters, this kid-friendly Turkey Charcuterie Board is easy to make, tasty, and uses inexpensive and easy to find ingredients.
Pimento Cheese and Bacon Crostini
Homemade Pimento Cheese and Bacon Crostini combine rich and tangy pimento cheese spread with crusty slices of baguettes for a delicious party appetizer.
Cinnamon Honey Butter Board
The hottest thing since charcuterie boards, Butter Boards are the new viral TikTok trend flooding the internet. In this version, softened butter is whipped together with sweet honey and warming cinnamon to make a fun and delicious cinnamon honey butter board.
Caprese Skewers
Caprese Skewers look stunning on any holiday table. They are so easy to make and only require a few ingredients. Best of all, they can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge until you're ready to serve them.
Cream Cheese Corn Dip
Cream Cheese Corn Dip is loaded with fresh corn, cream cheese, crumbled feta and smoky spices. Get ready for rave reviews, because the fresh flavor stands out and will make your guests swoon. Make it ahead and bake it when you're ready, or serve it cold with tortilla chips and veggies for dipping.
French Onion Tartlets
You’ll want to add these delicious and adorable French Onion Tartlets to your Thanksgiving menu, pronto. Creamy, caramelized onions inside crispy, mini phyllo cups - what’s not to love!
Savory Pumpkin Hummus
Pumpkin Hummus is healthy, savory, and easy to make and serve with your favorite dippers. Serve it as part of a charcuterie board, or on its own with veggies or crackers.
Cranberry Cream Cheese Phyllo Cups
Cranberry Cream Cheese Phyllo Cups are an easy Thanksgiving appetizer that look sophisticated but are actually easy and budget-friendly. You’ll love that it takes only 10 minutes to bake and tastes great served warm or cold.
Antipasto Platter
The quintessential Italian version of a cheese board, this Antipasto Platter is the ultimate ‘no cook’ appetizer. It looks stunning, and is completely customizable for your favorite ingredients.
Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip
If you need an easy appetizer for the holidays, this Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip will do the trick! Just three ingredients including cream cheese, cranberry sauce and sugar, it can also double as a dessert.
Tater Tot Appetizer Cups
Tater Tot Appetizer Cups are crispy, cheesy, and filled with flavor. Everyone will love the crunchy tater tot cups filled with classic toppings like sour cream, bacon bits, and chives. You can make them ahead and store them in the fridge until ready to bake.
Fresh Cranberry Salsa
Fresh Cranberry Salsa is an easy holiday appetizer that is a little sweet, and a little spicy. It’s easy and perfect for serving at holiday parties all season long, with crisp tortilla chips or crackers!
Alabama Fire Crackers
Alabama Fire Crackers are a crispy, fun snack made with saltine crackers, spices and red pepper flakes for a spicy and delicious kick! So simple and crazy delicious, and could be the perfect accompaniment to a cheese tray.
Whipped Feta Dip with Hot Honey
Whipped Feta Dip with Hot Honey is the perfect combination of savory and sweet. It combines tangy feta cheese with spicy sweet honey for an irresistible flavor explosion.
Loaded Deviled Eggs
Deviled Eggs with Bacon and Chives are a fun, elevated twist on the classic recipe. And I don’t know about you, but deviled eggs are one of my absolute favorite appetizers!
Sweet and Savory Seasoned Pretzels
Sweet and Savory Seasoned Pretzels are coated with brown sugar, smoked paprika, lemon zest, rosemary, and just a bit of cayenne pepper for the perfect combo of sweet and smokey with just a hint of spice. Serve them on their own, or pair them with the maple mustard dipping sauce and take them over the top.
Cranberry Butter Board
Made popular from the viral TikTok trend, a butter board is a fun new way to serve up flavored butter for snacking. Kind of like a butter charcuterie board, butter is served up with other flavorful ingredients for dunking and dipping. This recipe comes together in just minutes and makes it a perfect fast and easy appetizer for Thanksgiving.
Cranberry Jalapeno Dip
Fun and festive cranberry jalapeño dip is sweet, spicy and oh-so flavorful! It is super easy to make and only takes 5 minutes from start to finish, and will look really pretty on your table.
Apple Cheddar Crostini
Apple Cheddar Crostini has sweet cinnamon apples and sharp cheddar cheese atop a thin, toasted slice of a chewy baguette. The addicting flavor combination will have you coming back for ‘just one more.’ They taste amazing and look pretty too!
Bacon Wrapped Smokies
Bacon Wrapped Smokies are a family classic that always hit the spot. Little smokies sausages wrapped in bacon with a brown sugar mustard mixture is pure deliciousness. You’ll love that they only have 4 ingredients, and take just minutes to assemble!
Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball Bites
Turn the flavors of jalapeno poppers into Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball! They’re mini cheese ball bites with bacon that taste delicious on top of crackers or baguette slices.
Sun-Dried Tomato Crostini
Sundried Tomato Crostini is a quick and easy recipe that’s sure to leave your guests impressed. The flavorful combo of sundried tomatoes, various cheeses, basil, and a hint of garlic creates an addicting savory appetizer. Best of all you can make them in less than fifteen minutes!
Chicken Apple Sausage with Maple Glaze
With only 4 ingredients and 5 minutes of hands-on time, Chicken Apple Sausage Appetizers make the best party snack! Start with Aidells chicken apple sausages , cover in a ridiculously delicious maple mustard glaze, then warm in the slow cooker.
Cheesy Bacon and Broccoli Dip
Cheesy Bacon and Broccoli Dip transforms frozen broccoli, bacon and cheese into a creamy and cheesy, easy and very addictive hot party appetizer. It’s perfect for scooping up on crackers or corn chips or spreading on your favorite bread.
Sausage Cranberry Brie Bites
Rolled up in puff pastry, Sausage Cranberry Brie Bites just the right amount of savory from the ground sausage, sweetness from the cranberry sauce, and a salty creaminess from the brie. Plus, they look stunning on a platter.
Easy 3-Ingredient Cheese Ball
This 3-Ingredient Cheese Ball Recipe is a classic, easy appetizer made with cream cheese, ranch dressing mix, and chopped walnuts. It takes just 5 minutes to make and is perfect for serving at Thanksgiving alongside crackers, apples, veggies, or bread slices.
Prosciutto Wrapped Dates
Prosciutto-Wrapped Dates are addicting and your guests will love them. Caramelized sweet dates, creamy goat cheese, and salty prosciutto are the perfect combination of salty and sweet. Just 3 ingredients!
Bacon Cheddar Cheese Ball
This Bacon Cheddar Cheese Ball is just as delicious as it sounds. Basically a giant ball of cream cheese and cheddar rolled around in bacon, it’s always a crowd-pleasing snack when served with a variety of crackers. You can't go wrong!
Fall Crostini Bar
When you can’t decide what kind of crostini to make, create a Crostini Bar instead! I don’t know what I love more - the variety of options, or how beautiful it looks.
Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Logs
Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Rolls are made with four ingredients in just 15 minutes. Sweet, tangy, crunchy sliceable rolls that are a pretty party appetizer for easy holiday entertaining.
Crab Rangoon Dip
This simple hot bubbly imitation Crab Rangoon Dip is made with creamy mayo, cheesy mozzarella, and a side of crispy homemade wonton chips that'll make you the Appetizer Winner.
Cornucopia Salami Rollups with Herb Cream Cheese
Salami Rollups with cream cheese and fresh herbs are easy to make and fun to serve! Make them into a cornucopia shape for a fun Thanksgiving finger food idea, or add them to your next meat and cheese tray.
Paprika Dip
Creamy, easy to make Paprika Dip only requires 5 ingredients! It's packed with vibrant flavors from feta cheese, roasted red peppers, lemon juice, olive oil, and paprika. Serve with pita bread or chips, or your favorite flavored crackers.
Toasted Ravioli
Toasted Ravioli are a wildly addicting Olive Garden copycat recipe. Cheese ravioli get breaded then fried (or air fried) until golden brown and crispy. These taste so much better than the restaurant version and are surprisingly super simple to make!
Cranberry Hummus Bites
Cranberry Hummus Bites combine sweet and savory in one super easy, festive bite. With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip these up in minutes.
Burrata Board
This easy Burrata Appetizer recipe has fresh burrata cheese drizzled with balsamic reduction and surrounded by pears, prosciutto, dates, jam, toasts, and nuts. It only takes minutes to put together and it’s a total crowd pleaser.
Taco Cups
Perfect for Friendsgiving or non-traditional Thanksgiving celebrations (or just anyone who loves taco flavor!) Baked tortilla cups are filled with a taco-spiced cream cheese mixture and topped with all your favorite taco toppings to create these miniature taco bites.
Thanksgiving Jarcuterie Cups
Thanksgiving jarcuterie makes a cute individual appetizer that everyone will love. Include your favorite charcuterie ingredients in a pre-portioned cup or jar, and everyone can snack while they mingle.
Pumpkin Fluff
Pumpkin fluff is a tasty appetizer or dessert dip that’s easy to make and doesn’t require any cream cheese! It’s made with just five ingredients and takes less than five minutes to whip up. Serve it with your favorite dippers such as pretzels, vanilla wafers, or apple slices and watch it disappear fast.
Ready to make some easy Thanksgiving appetizers?
I hope this list of easy Thanksgiving appetizer ideas has given you tons of inspiration for what starters to make before the main meal.
Sure turkey is good, but appetizers are even better!
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