Thanksgiving is all about the main event—turkey, stuffing, and all the carbs—but let’s not pretend the hours leading up to dinner aren’t chaos. Hungry guests wandering around the kitchen? Recipe disasters waiting to happen? You need snacks that keep everyone happy without turning your kitchen into a second battlefield. That’s where these appetizers come in: quick to make, easy to serve, and guaranteed to hold off the holiday hangry.
Pumpkin Herb Cheeseball
This pumpkin-shaped cheeseball with fresh herbs is a fun and flavorful addition to any holiday spread. Easy to prep and serve, it’s a great way to keep everyone snacking before the big meal.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Herb Cheeseball
Pumpkin Goat Cheese Dip
Creamy goat cheese and pumpkin with caramelized onions create a flavorful dip that pairs perfectly with crackers or fresh veggies. Serve it warm or cold for an easy holiday app.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Goat Cheese Dip
Pickled Cranberries
These quick pickled cranberries add a sweet-tart pop of flavor to charcuterie boards, drinks, or even roasted meats. Perfect for adding some holiday flair with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Pickled Cranberries
Holiday Butternut Squash Hummus
Butternut squash hummus topped with cranberries and pomegranate seeds makes a festive, colorful app for Thanksgiving. Ready quickly, it’s perfect for keeping things simple while guests mingle.
Get the Recipe: Holiday Butternut Squash Hummus
Butternut Squash Goat Cheese Dip
Goat cheese and butternut squash come together in this creamy dip topped with tart cherry compote. Pair with pita chips for an easy-to-serve appetizer with holiday vibes.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Goat Cheese Dip
Cranberry Cheddar Sausage Balls
Cheddar cheese, sausage, and cranberries make these bite-sized snacks a crowd-pleaser for Thanksgiving gatherings. Serve them with cranberry sauce for dipping to keep guests happy while they wait for the main course.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Cheddar Sausage Balls
Pomegranate Salsa
Bright and fresh, this pomegranate salsa adds festive flair to any appetizer table. Pair it with chips or use it as a topping for meats or tacos for a versatile, quick option during the holidays.
Get the Recipe: Pomegranate Salsa
Brie and Cranberry Tart
Flaky puff pastry, creamy brie, and cranberry sauce come together with a drizzle of honey for an appetizer that feels fancy but takes no effort. Perfect for keeping everyone happy while the turkey does its thing.
Get the Recipe: Brie and Cranberry Tart
Bruschetta Loaded White Bean Hummus
White bean hummus topped with garlicky tomatoes, fresh basil, and balsamic drizzle. Paired with baguette slices, it’s a quick app that balances flavor and ease, making it perfect for pre-dinner snacking.
Get the Recipe: Bruschetta Loaded White Bean Hummus
Pumpkin Cheesecake Dip
Five ingredients and a few minutes is all it takes for this pumpkin cheesecake dip. It’s great for Thanksgiving when you need something quick that doubles as an appetizer or dessert.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Cheesecake Dip
Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball
A creamy cheese ball coated in cranberries and pecans is a no-brainer for holiday spreads. It’s festive, easy to throw together, and guaranteed to keep hangry guests at bay.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball
Edamame Hummus
Edamame hummus brings fresh flavor to the table with garlic, herbs, and tahini. Ready in just 10 minutes, it’s a smart choice when time is tight, and snacks are a must.
Get the Recipe: Edamame Hummus
Prosciutto-Wrapped Dates with Blue Cheese
Sweet dates, savory prosciutto, and creamy blue cheese make these bites a guaranteed hit. They’re quick to prep and just fancy enough to make you look like you tried (even if you didn’t).
Get the Recipe: Prosciutto-Wrapped Dates with Blue Cheese
Mediterranean Bruschetta
Toasted sourdough topped with hummus, caramelized onions, and roasted peppers makes this bruschetta a quick, easy app with big Mediterranean vibes.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Bruschetta
Burrata Bruschetta
Creamy burrata paired with tomatoes and crusty bread is simple to throw together but packs enough flavor to feel like a treat. Perfect for keeping things easy on a busy night.
Get the Recipe: Burrata Bruschetta
Baked Brie with Fig Jam and Walnuts
Brie, fig jam, and walnuts team up in this quick appetizer that’s great for Thanksgiving. It’s the kind of dish that looks fancy but takes minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Baked Brie with Fig Jam and Walnuts
Caprese Zucchini Cups
Zucchini cups filled with fresh caprese ingredients make a great app for any occasion. Serve them hot or cold, and you’ll have a crowd-pleaser that’s low on effort but high on payoff.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Zucchini Cups
Bacon Wrapped Dates
Sweet Medjool dates stuffed with cheese and wrapped in savory bacon are a perfect bite-sized snack. These are easy to make ahead, so you can keep the kitchen chaos under control.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Dates
Gruyere Apple Butter Crescents
Sharp Gruyere and sweet apple butter wrapped in crescent dough make a perfect fall-inspired appetizer. Quick to bake and even quicker to disappear, they’re a great choice for pre-dinner nibbles.
Get the Recipe: Gruyere Apple Butter Crescents
Charcuterie Cups
These individual charcuterie cups are a fun twist on the classic board. With meats, cheeses, and fruit neatly packed in grab-and-go portions, they’re great for mingling without the mess.
Get the Recipe: Charcuterie Cups
Spicy Dill Pickle Dip with Jalapeño
Creamy, tangy, and with a kick of spice, this dill pickle dip is ready to keep everyone dipping happily while you focus on bigger Thanksgiving tasks.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Dill Pickle Dip with Jalapeño
Ricotta Dip
This baked ricotta dip comes together quickly and works great for game days or party spreads. It’s cheesy, easy, and made to be paired with crusty bread or crackers.
Get the Recipe: Ricotta Dip
Cranberry Baked Brie With Walnuts
Cranberries, brie, and walnuts baked together make an effortless appetizer that feels a little fancy. Perfect for Thanksgiving spreads when you need something easy but impressive.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Baked Brie With Walnuts
Luscious Whipped Ricotta Cheese Board
Whipped ricotta with honey and pistachios served on a cheese board is a simple yet standout dish for holiday gatherings. Great for entertaining without adding stress to your kitchen schedule.
Get the Recipe: Luscious Whipped Ricotta Cheese Board
Baked Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip
A hot dip with cream cheese, cranberry sauce, and just a few other ingredients is an easy win for your Thanksgiving lineup. Perfect when you want something cheesy and shareable without the hassle.
Get the Recipe: Baked Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip
Mini Pigs in a Blanket
Cocktail sausages wrapped in croissant dough are a guaranteed hit with guests. These classic snacks are quick to prep and bake, so you can focus on the main event without any extra stress.
Get the Recipe: Mini Pigs in a Blanket
Puff Pastry Christmas Tree with Spinach
This spinach-filled puff pastry tree is festive and sharable, making it great for Thanksgiving week. It’s rich and cheesy without requiring much hands-on time.
Get the Recipe: Puff Pastry Christmas Tree with Spinach
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
