19 Thanksgiving Appetizer Recipes That Never Come Home With Me

ByMandy

When snacks disappear before dinner even starts, you know you brought the good stuff. Those 19 crowd-pleasing Thanksgiving appetizers always seem to pull a Houdini act halfway through the gathering. They’re gone before anyone remembers to ask who made them. If you want to avoid leftovers for once, this is the way to do it.

Close-up of several roasted sweet potato wedges on parchment paper, garnished with chopped herbs.
Golden Baked Sweet Potato Wedges. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Creamy Beer Cheese Dip

A hand dips a tortilla chip into creamy cheese dip sprinkled with paprika and black pepper.
Creamy Beer Cheese Dip. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Few things start off a meal better than dipping snacks. Creamy Beer Cheese Dip always gets people reaching for more crackers right away. Every bite comes with a smooth kick that gets the conversation going. Friends bring extra fixings just to scoop up the last of it. Not a bit comes back after the party.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Beer Cheese Dip

Crispy Mini Hasselback Potatoes

A plate of sliced, roasted baby potatoes is garnished with herbs. A small bowl of creamy sauce is placed in the center.
Crispy Mini Hasselback Potatoes. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Small bites with layers are hard to ignore when they show up on the table. Crispy Mini Hasselback Potatoes get snapped up so quickly that there’s never enough for seconds. Kids love pulling apart the slices. Grown-ups add dips and toppings until the platter runs out. These never make it to the leftovers pile.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Mini Hasselback Potatoes

Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rattlesnake Bites

A bowl of golden-brown, crispy fried arancini served in a white dish on a plain background.
Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rattlesnake Bites. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Snack plates filled with bite-sized pieces make it easy for groups to grab and share. Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rattlesnake Bites always get passed around with laughter and questions about the name. The crunchy exterior gets noticed and talked about. Kids and adults both compete for more. Not a single one remains.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rattlesnake Bites

Mini Cranberry Brie Pull-Apart Bread

A baked pull-apart bread ring with melted cheese and cranberries on a gray plate, garnished with rosemary sprigs.
Mini Cranberry Brie Pull-Apart Bread. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Warm breads with a fun twist draw people in for a snack. Mini Cranberry Brie Pull-Apart Bread brings hands together as everyone pulls a piece. The mix of sweet and creamy always gets a good reaction. Guests linger nearby waiting for their turn. No crumb goes unnoticed by the end of the night.
Get the Recipe: Mini Cranberry Brie Pull-Apart Bread

Creamy Pumpkin Soup

A mouthwatering close-up of pumpkin soup garnished with a swirl of cream, crunchy pumpkin seeds, a crispy slice, and aromatic sage leaves.
Creamy Pumpkin Soup. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Smooth soups offer an inviting start for gatherings. Creamy Pumpkin Soup gets ladled out to anyone who wants to warm up before dinner begins. Friends chat about how it pairs with breads and appetizers. Seconds are requested often. The pot goes empty before the main meal gets served.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pumpkin Soup

Sweet and Spicy Cranberry Jalapeño Dip

A platter of whipped cheese topped with roasted cranberries, chopped herbs, and sliced green onions.
Sweet and Spicy Cranberry Jalapeño Dip. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Dips with a little heat and sweetness stand out at snack time. Sweet and Spicy Cranberry Jalapeño Dip gets spread on everything in sight. Party guests talk about how it wakes up the menu. Kids mix it with chips just for fun. The bowl is always finished off before anyone is done snacking.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Spicy Cranberry Jalapeño Dip

Festive Pumpkin Shaped Cheeseball

Cheese ball shaped like a pumpkin with a green stem, coated in crumbled topping, surrounded by herbs and decorative pumpkins on a wooden surface.
Festive Pumpkin Shaped Cheeseball. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Themed treats really grab attention as soon as appetizers hit the table. Festive Pumpkin Shaped Cheeseball makes friends linger and talk while sharing crackers. Kids fight for the last scoop from the serving tray. Everyone appreciates the fun shape. It’s nowhere to be found by the end of the party.
Get the Recipe: Festive Pumpkin Shaped Cheeseball

Crispy Portobello Mushroom Fries

A bowl of crispy portobello mushroom fries with dipping sauce.
Crispy Portobello Mushroom Fries. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Finger foods with a new twist can go quickly once people take a bite. Crispy Portobello Mushroom Fries hit the table and vanish just as fast. Friends dip them in everything possible. Kids ask for more after their first try. It’s easy to see why no fries make it home.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Portobello Mushroom Fries

Buttery Garlic Bread

Slices of garlic bread topped with chopped parsley and sea salt sit enticingly on a wooden board, accompanied by a small bowl of salt and fresh cloves of garlic.
Buttery Garlic Bread. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Classic sides are always a safe bet to bring to any event. Buttery Garlic Bread shows up hot from the oven and gets sliced for everyone. The trays disappear before dinner hits the table. Guests use it for scooping up dips and sauces. The basket is empty within minutes.
Get the Recipe: Buttery Garlic Bread

Loaded Potato Skins

Potato skins with sour cream and sliced scallions.
Loaded Potato Skins. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Hearty appetizers pull a crowd together as soon as they arrive. Loaded Potato Skins work for anyone who wants something filling and flavorful. Kids pile on extra toppings before taking a bite. Friends swap stories about similar recipes. Every single skin vanishes by the end of the evening.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Potato Skins

Sweet Cranberry Brie Bites

A tray of cranberry brie bites with walnut topping.
Sweet Cranberry Brie Bites. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Appetizer trays with bite-sized pieces invite people to try more than one. Sweet Cranberry Brie Bites combine smooth and tangy flavors in a neat package. Guests compare them to classic recipes and pick favorites. Kids eat a few at a time if given the chance. Serving platters return empty every single time.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Cranberry Brie Bites

Crispy Garlic Parmesan Smashed Potatoes

Several smashed, roasted baby potatoes garnished with herbs and grated cheese are arranged on a baking sheet.
Crispy Garlic Parmesan Smashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Crunchy potato snacks are a hit on platters for any gathering. Crispy Garlic Parmesan Smashed Potatoes get second and third helpings straight off the tray. Kids look for the cheesiest bites in the batch. Grown-ups trade ideas for their own versions. None are left behind for another meal.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Garlic Parmesan Smashed Potatoes

Smoky Muhammara with Pita Bread

A bowl of tomato-based dip garnished with chopped parsley and walnuts, with pita bread pieces on the side.
Smoky Muhammara with Pita Bread. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Dips you can scoop up with warm bread always move fast at group dinners. Smoky Muhammara with Pita Bread grabs attention as soon as it’s placed in front of everyone. Each bite gets dusted with spices for extra flavor. Guests try to match it with different veggies and snacks. Bowls don’t last long.
Get the Recipe: Smoky Muhammara with Pita Bread

Creamy Roasted Pumpkin Hummus

A bowl of hummus with chickpeas and herbs.
Creamy Roasted Pumpkin Hummus. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Spreads with smooth texture fit right in at any group event. Creamy Roasted Pumpkin Hummus gets scooped up with chips or crunchy veggies. People lean in for extra servings once they’ve tried it. Friends talk about ways to use it in other meals. Bowls return to the kitchen scraped clean.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Roasted Pumpkin Hummus

Savory Stuffed Mushrooms

Stuffed mushrooms with crispy shallots and parsley.
Savory Stuffed Mushrooms. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Heaped mushrooms packed with filling make for an easy win at parties. Savory Stuffed Mushrooms are picked up as soon as they hit the table. People swap ideas for what to try next time. Kids like eating them with their fingers. No mushroom is left at the end.
Get the Recipe: Savory Stuffed Mushrooms

Creamy Spinach Artichoke Dip

Close-up of a baked spinach and artichoke dip in a dark dish, showing a golden brown, bubbly cheese topping with a portion scooped out, revealing the creamy interior.
Creamy Spinach Artichoke Dip. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Smooth dips that mix in greens bring everyone together. Creamy Spinach Artichoke Dip works well with both vegetables and chips on the appetizer table. Kids usually hang close for seconds. Grown-ups pair it with bread for more flavor. The dish is always gone by the end of the meal.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Spinach Artichoke Dip

Spiral Pinwheel Sandwiches

Close-up of several tortilla pinwheel wraps filled with various ingredients including spinach, cream cheese, tomatoes, and other vegetables, arranged neatly on a white surface.
Spiral Pinwheel Sandwiches. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Rolled snacks on a platter draw a crowd, especially when people want quick bites. Spiral Pinwheel Sandwiches come in neat shapes that kids find fun. Friends grab a few and move on to the next treat. The platter empties out long before dinner is ready. These are often requested for future gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Spiral Pinwheel Sandwiches

Fresh Caprese Appetizer Bites

Image shows an overhead shot of Caprese Bites on a wooden board.
Fresh Caprese Appetizer Bites. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Juicy bites add color and interest to any party snack table. Fresh Caprese Appetizer Bites stack up fast as people pass the tray around. Kids and adults enjoy the bright mix in just a few bites. Guests chat about fresh ideas for toppings. These disappear without delay every time.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Caprese Appetizer Bites

Golden Baked Sweet Potato Wedges

Close-up of several roasted sweet potato wedges on parchment paper, garnished with chopped herbs.
Golden Baked Sweet Potato Wedges. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Simple wedges with just the right texture end up being a favorite. Golden Baked Sweet Potato Wedges get extra attention from those wanting something warm. Kids ask for their own pile when they see them. Friends try different dips with each piece. Nothing ends up in the leftover bin.
Get the Recipe: Golden Baked Sweet Potato Wedges

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