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These easy fall appetizers highlight seasonal ingredients like cranberries, apples, pumpkin, and sweet potatoes! They’re crowd-pleasing recipes ideal for fall parties and holiday gatherings.

Fall appetizers
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After years of entertaining (and plenty of trial and error), I’ve learned that the secret to a successful fall party isn’t a complicated or fancy menu. It’s having a solid collection of go-to appetizers that feel seasonal but are simple to put together! That’s exactly what this collection is about.

Here’s a list of my favorite fall appetizers, with recipes that include seasonal ingredients like cranberries, apples, pumpkin, and sweet potatoes. I’ve also thrown in my favorite appetizer recipes that work any time of year, like spinach artichoke dip and stuffed mushrooms. Let the party begin!

My top fall appetizers

Tips for planning your fall appetizer spread

When I’m planning appetizers for a party, I like to focus on a variety of flavors and textures. For example, you can pair something creamy (like a dip), something crunchy (like spiced nuts), something fresh (like a veggie tray), and something warm (like baked brie).

Don’t forget about dietary restrictions. I try to always include at least two vegan options, two gluten-free choices, and plenty of vegetarian selections. Many of these fall appetizers naturally fit multiple dietary needs.

Make-ahead strategies

Many of these appetizers can be partially or fully made ahead. The cranberry goat cheese can be assembled several hours early and kept covered in the refrigerator. Dips like pumpkin hummus and cranberry cream cheese actually taste better when the flavors have time to meld. The spiced nuts keep for days in an airtight container.

For warm appetizers like stuffed mushrooms, I prep everything ahead and pop them in the oven when guests arrive.

Pairing fall appetizers with drinks

As a cocktail expert, one of my passions is fall drinks! For cocktails, I love serving fall bourbon cocktails or fall vodka cocktails alongside an appetizer spread, like Spiked Apple Cider or even my Fall Sangria.

For non-alcoholic options, Mulled Cider is always a winner, or try a Cranberry Mocktail for something festive.

Serving suggestions

For fall appetizers, I like to arrange everything on wooden boards, slate platters, or simple white dishes to keep the focus on the fall colors. Garnishing with fresh herbs like rosemary or sage add a nice seasonal touch.

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25 Fall Appetizers: Cranberry Goat Cheese & More!

Cranberry Goat Cheese

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5 from 1 review

Cranberry goat cheese is an fall easy appetizer! The flavors of pistachio, rosemary and honey make a simple spread for crackers or crostini.

  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: No Cook
  • Cuisine: Appetizer
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale
  • 10 ounce goat cheese log
  • ½ cup finely chopped dried sweetened cranberries (aka craisins)
  • ¼ cup finely chopped pistachios
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
  • ¼ teaspoon salt, plus a sprinkle for serving
  • 2 tablespoons honey, for serving

Instructions

  1. Allow the goat cheese to come to room temperature, which is important because it makes it easy to spread. (Leave it at room temperature for 1 hour or speed up the process, place it on a plate and microwave for about 10 seconds on one side, then 5 on the other.).
  2. Place the chopped cranberries, pistachios, rosemary and salt on a plate and mix to combine. Roll the goat cheese in the mixture and use your hands to coat each side, re-forming it as necessary so that every surface is covered (even the bottom). Sprinkle a bit of salt on the top.
  3. Place the log on a plate and drizzle generously with honey. Serve immediately with crackers or crostini.

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More fall recipes

Fall is one of our favorite seasons to cook up tasty recipes. Here are a few more ideas for all your meals and occasions:

About the authors

Alex & Sonja

Hi there! We’re Alex & Sonja Overhiser, authors of two cookbooks, busy parents, and a real life couple who cooks together. We founded the A Couple Cooks website in 2010 to share simple, seasonal recipes and the joy of cooking. We now offer thousands of original recipes, cooking tips, and meal planning ideas—all written and photographed by the two of us (and tested on our kids!).

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  1. Sonja Overhiser says:

    Let us know if you have any questions!