20 Easy Thanksgiving Appetizer Recipes To Get The Party Started

When you're planning the menu for your Thanksgiving or holiday party, appetizers can often fall by the wayside. Somewhere between the main course and dessert, you forgot about the little bites that really get the party started! Have no fear — here are 20 easy Thanksgiving appetizer recipes that are sure to impress your guests while you finish cooking up the main meal. Just remind everyone to save room for turkey and pie!

Wonky Wonderful

Sweet Potato Casserole Bites

Turn a favorite side dish into an appetizer with just sweet potatoes, marshmallows and pecans! Now you'll never worry about the potato-to-marshmallow ratio in your casserole ever again. (via Wonky Wonderful)

The View from Great Island

Baked Brie with Roasted Maple Cranberries

You can never go wrong with baked brie. Creamy, sweet and savory all at once, no one will believe it only took four ingredients. (via The View from Great Island)

Host the Toast

Easy Cranberry Chipotle Cocktail Meatballs

A seasonal take on the Pinterest-famous jelly meatballs, these have just the right amount of spice for those who can’t stomach too much heat, while still staying tart and sweet. (via Host the Toast)

The Kitchn

Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs

Customize some leftovermashed potatoes with your favorite flavors: curry, Italian seasonings, or even spinach and goat cheese! These bite-sized appetizers are warm and creamy inside and crispy on the outside. It doesn’t get any better than that! (via The Kitchn)

Crowded Kitchen

Vegan Jalapeño Poppers

Crunchy, spicy, and creamy all at the same time, these vegan jalapeño poppers are easy to prep with minimal ingredients. (via Crowded Kitchen)

Well Plated

Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Bites

Presenting the ultimate make-ahead Thanksgiving appetizer recipe: these bites can be assembled and frozen — either baked or unbaked — weeks before a party. Oh, and they’re delicious. (via Well Plated)

Half Baked Harvest

Cranberry, Butternut Squash, Brussels Sprouts, + Brie Skillet Nachos

One dish is all you need for these fancy nachos. Caramelize your veggies, add your spices to balance the sweetness, add cranberries (because fall) and then add the brie for the creamy, nacho-y goodness. Pretty simple, yet pretty awesome! (via Half Baked Harvest)

Averie Cooks

Dill Pickle Cheese Ball

For the brine lovers out there, this pickle-flavored cheese ball delivers all the best flavors. Serve with crackers for a total Thanksgiving snack win. (via Averie Cooks)

Half Baked Harvest

Spicy Fontina Spinach, Artichoke + Chorizo Stuffed Mushrooms

As the love child of Mexican food and spinach and artichoke dip, these mushrooms are very addictive. You can stuff the 'shrooms in advance and just bake them before serving, leaving you free to socialize with your guests and pour another glass of bubbly! (via Half Baked Harvest)

Whitney Bond

Roasted Cranberry Pancetta Sweet Potato Skins

The best appetizers are definitely sweet and salty. Reduce some food waste from your Thanksgiving dinner with this recipe by using the skins from your mashed sweet potatoes, and extra cranberries from your cranberry sauce! (via Whitney Bond)

Real House Moms

Onion, Cranberry + Pecan Cheese Ball

Skip the fancy appetizers — people always go for the simple and delicious ones. You can never go wrong with a cheeseball. The pecans and cranberries make this one a new holiday classic. (via Real House Moms)

Completely Delicious

Spicy Maple Baked Chicken Wings

Maple is a staple flavor when it comes to fall foods – combine it with some spice, and you've got something truly magical on your hands, and ultimately, in your belly. (via Completely Delicious)

Fit Foodie Finds

Bacon-Wrapped Brussels Sprouts

Paleo, gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free… this recipe is perfect for almost any dietary restrictions your guests may have (minus vegetarian or vegan). And bacon-wrapped anything is delicious, right?! (via Fit Foodie Finds)

Kitchen Konfidence

Rosemary Spiced Mixed Nuts

Nuts are always great to have on hand for an easy appetizer! Prepare them up to four days before your party and store at room temperature in an airtight container to keep every bite fresh. (via Kitchen Konfidence)

Lemon Tree Dwelling

Pumpkin Pecan Baked Brie

Wrap pumpkin butter, pecans, and brie in some puff pastry and bake it for out-of-this-world perfection. Serve this dish with crostini, crackers, or even apple and persimmon slices! (via Lemon Tree Dwelling)

Vanilla and Bean

Caramelized Onion & Fig Galette with Goat Cheese

Everything about this pull-apart appetizer is *chef's kiss.* (via Vanilla and Bean)

Half Baked Harvest

5-Ingredient Cranberry + Brie Cinnamon Sugar Puff Pastry Swirls

This recipe has five ingredients, and one is cinnamon sugar, which you’re sure to have in your pantry already. These also make a nice light dessert alongside some vanilla ice cream! (via Half Baked Harvest)

Let’s Get Together

Cranberry Salsa

Even if you’re not a fan of cranberry sauce, you’ll be a fan of cranberry salsa. Make a little extra for leftover turkey burritos. (via Let’s Get Together)

Sugar Apron

Salami + Cream Cheese Roll Ups

An upgrade on plain old cheese, crackers, and salami, no one can say 'no' to this salty, savory snack. (via Sugar Apron)

A Pumpkin and A Princess

Stuffed Mushrooms

Make a touch too much stuffing? Fill up some mushroom caps with the stuffing leftovers, sprinkle on a little cheese, and pop them in the oven for a quick savory bite that still has all the fall flavors you love. (via A Pumpkin and A Princess)

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This post has been updated with additional reporting by Meredith Holser.