45 Make Ahead Thanksgiving Appetizers for a No-Stress Holiday Celebration
Easy make ahead appetizers for Thanksgiving! Feel totally prepared for the holiday with these fun and festive snacks, perfect for any Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving celebration.
Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving dinner, or attending a gathering or potluck, don’t forget the appetizers!
It’s easy to remember the turkey and traditional side dishes …
… but guests will want something to munch on to whet their appetite for dinner.
It’ll help keep them out of your way while you finish cooking, or make you the most popular guest for bringing something so delicious to share!
To save you time (and your sanity), you’ll definitely want some make-ahead appetizer ideas to choose from.
Make ahead Thanksgiving appetizers are crucial, so you won’t have to:
- Worry about cooking anything at the last minute
- Figure out how to keep them warm
- Take up any sacred oven space if you’re hosting
You can make the appetizer early in the day – or even the day before – and move on to whatever else you need to do.
Okay, let’s check out these easy appetizers!
The Best Make Ahead Thanksgiving Appetizers
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.
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!
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.
Mini Mushroom Pies with Thyme
These mini Mushroom Pies are filled with a savory mushroom, thyme and garlic filling encased in a flaky, buttery pie dough. Packed with rich, savory flavor, they’re an adorable yet elevated appetizer that can even be made ahead and frozen until ready to bake.
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.
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.
Everything Bagel Goat Cheese Dip
This super quick light and creamy Everything Bagel Goat Cheese Dip is such an easy and fun appetizer. Make your own everything bagel seasoning (or buy a bottle at the store) and top the dip with capers, dill, and shaved carrot "lox" to make it a showpiece!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Savory Cheesecake
Savory Cheesecake is a yummy appetizer, not a dessert! Full of pesto and a blend of parmesan and ricotta cheeses, it makes the perfect addition to your charcuterie board. Serve with sturdy crackers, baguette slices and fresh veggies, and everyone will be coming back for more.
Stuffed Dates
Medjool dates, stuffed with sautéed onions, toasted pecans, and fresh sage have a cozy, festive flavor and plenty of richness.
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.
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.
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.
Loaded Tater Tot 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.
Easy 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.
Puff Pastry Brie Bites
If you’re looking for a simple appetizer that looks impressive, these Puff Pastry Brie Bites are going to steal the show. With only 10 minutes to prep and the option to make ahead up to 3 days in advance, just top with your favorite jam for a unique flavor everyone at the party will love!
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.
Mini Cheese Ball Bites
Mini cheese balls are a bite-sized version of the classic party appetizer - cheese balls! The cheese balls are served in individual portions rolled in nuts and bacon and topped with salty pretzel sticks!
Deviled Eggs With Bacon
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!
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.
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.
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.
Spinach Artichoke Pinwheels
Spinach Artichoke Puff Pastry Pinwheels have all the delicious flavors of spinach artichoke dip in a fun bite-sized finger food. You can even make them ahead of time and freeze them to make life easier.
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.
Bloody Mary Deviled Eggs
Bloody Mary deviled eggs take the concept of traditional eggs and add in rich ingredients like slaw dressing, pickle juice, tomato paste, paprika, and more, to make a unique gourmet deviled eggs with a Bloody Mary feel.
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.
5 Minute Olive Salad
This quick 5 minute Olive Salad is packed with flavor and very easy to make. Serve it on top of whipped feta dip with pita chips, alongside a charcuterie board or cheese platter, or on its own.
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.
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.
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. Serve with toothpicks for an easy finger food.
White Bean Hummus with Cranberries
White Bean Hummus is packed with festive holiday flavors! Loaded with dried cranberries, infused with garlic and rosemary olive oil, and topped with crunchy chopped pecans. The unique addition of orange juice offers a burst of tart citrus flavor that brings it all together.
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!
Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Rolls
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.
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.
Mini Cheese Balls Trio
Cheese balls make the perfect holiday appetizer and can be conveniently made into individual, bite size portions. Here are three different, festive versions, including cranberry pistachio cheese balls, bacon chive, and flavor-packed Italian cheese balls.
Thanksgiving Jarcuterie Cups
Thanksgiving Jarcuterie Cups make 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 try some make ahead Thanksgiving appetizers?
I hope this list of easy and festive apps has given you tons of inspiration for what to add to your Thanksgiving menu, or what to bring to a Friendsgiving potluck celebration.
Save yourself some time and sanity, and get your appetizer ready well in advance, so you can actually enjoy the holiday!
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