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These Thanksgiving appetizers are great for entertaining before the big meal, from baked brie to pumpkin hummus! The easy recipes feature fall flavors like apple, pear, and cranberry.

Easy Thanksgiving appetizers
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Need finger foods ideas for before the big meal? There’s nothing more fun than munching on a few snacks before the main event. Over the years, I’ve learned the best Thanksgiving appetizers are the ones I can easily prep and have ready once friends and family arrive.

After almost a decade of hosting this holiday, here are my absolute favorite Thanksgiving appetizers that go over well with a crowd, from creamy dips to sweet breads and crunchy crostini! Most take 30 minutes or less, many can be prepped the night before, and all of them are built around the flavors of the season, like pumpkin, apple, fig, cranberry, and pear.

My top Thanksgiving appetizers

Tips for Thanksgiving Appetizer Success

After hosting Thanksgiving for a few years, here’s what I’ve learned about making the appetizer hour run smoothly. First, I try to prepare at least two appetizers the night before: things like marinated olives, apple dip, or cheese balls that taste better after the flavors meld overnight.

I also think about contrasts: in ingredients, colors and textures. For example, have something warm and comforting like baked brie, something cool and fresh like a veggie tray, and crunchy like spiced nuts.

When it comes to special diets, I try to include at least two or three options that are vegan appetizers or gluten-free appetizers so everyone feels included. Many of the recipes in the list above fit these diets!

Make-Ahead Ideas

You can make things like cranberry cream cheese dip, marinated olives, cheese balls, and spiced nuts up to two days ahead.

Quick breads like sweet potato bread and cranberry orange bread can be baked a day or two early, wrapped tightly, and stored at room temperature. Just slice them right before serving for that fresh-baked look.

Even things that need to be baked day of, like stuffed mushrooms, can be assembled the night before. I prep them completely, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight (or put them outside if the weather is cold enough!). Then just pop them in the oven while guests start arriving.

More Thanksgiving Recipes

About the authors

A Couple Cooks

Recipes by Alex & Sonja

We’re Alex & Sonja Overhiser: cookbook authors, busy parents, & a real life couple who cooks together! We started the A Couple Cooks food blog in 2010 to share simple, seasonal recipes, healthy meal planning tips, and the joy of cooking. All recipes are written & photographed by us (and tested on our two kids!).

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  1. Sonja Overhiser says:

    Let us know if you have any questions!