As guests gather, give them a little something special to eat while they’re waiting for the big feast to begin. Serving bite-sized appetizers, or Thanksgiving amuse-bouches, is the way to go. Our favorite appetizer recipes are simple to make and use minimal ingredients. Even better, they can be prepared mostly (or completely) ahead of time so that you can focus on the main event.
Quick Shrimp Relish Tray
Alpha Smoot
A bright and light starter is just the thing to kick off your Thanksgiving dinner. Let guests build their own crostini with plump, lemony shrimp, thin shavings of celery, caper berries, and punchy garlic mayo.
Brown-Butter Nut Mix With Rosemary and Thyme
Boost a mixed-nut blend with herbs and butter for a savory complement to pre-dinner drinks. Set out small bowls or cups so guests can nibble while they mingle.
Puff-Pastry Cheese Straws
David Malosh
A perennial favorite, you can add just about anything you like to make these cheese straws extra special. Keep them classic by sprinkling the puff pastry with Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and a touch of cayenne pepper, or spread the dough with your favorite store-bought pesto or olive tapenade before baking.
Fried Macaroni-and-Cheese Bites
David Malosh
Maybe you decided to skip the mac and cheese for dinner this year, but you can still get a taste of the crowd-favorite in these bite-sized appetizers. Each fried bite has a creamy, cheesy center and a crunchy outer crust.
Persimmon and Brie Crostini
Bryan Gardner
Sweet persimmons and creamy Brie cheese are a delicious combination, especially when served on toasted baguette slices and finished with freshly cracked pepper. It’s a fresh take on a classic fruit and cheese pairing.
Goat Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms
José Manuel Picayo Rivera
Packed with a creamy, flavorful combination of goat cheese, breadcrumbs, garlic, and fresh parsley, these vegetarian poppers are sure to be a crowd favorite. They’re satisfying as an appetizer but not too hearty that they’ll distract from the main course.
Chorizo, Parsnip, and Olive Bites
Bryan Gardner
Prep work is minimal for these elegant spicy skewers. Briny olives, sweet roasted parsnips, and hot chorizo are an unexpected combination with colors that look just like autumn leaves.
Chesapeake Crab Cakes
Anna Williams
Feeling fancy? These bite-sized crab cakes might be the ultimate luxe appetizer. The best part is they can be fried in advance, and then reheated in the oven, which helps to ease prep work on Thanksgiving morning.
Pumpkin Cornbread
Mini muffin tins turn cornbread into an adorable, bite-sized appetizer. The best part, the pumpkin flavor will be perfect as it’s not too sweet nor too savory. Don’t forget to slather them in some whipped butter for a real treat.
Smoked Trout Pate on Toasted Baguette
Burcu Avsar
Here’s an easy and elegant bite! It’s made with just a few ingredients so be sure to stock up on good-quality smoked trout. Fresh chives and shallots give this cream cheese-based dip a subtle bite.
Loaded Potato Bites
Kana Okada
Turn the concept into a clever bite-sized appetizer to serve before the feast. Garnish with all the fixings—sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, and chopped scallions.
Deviled Eggs With Relish
Emily Laurae
The ultimate holiday appetizer! Take classic deviled eggs from good to great with sweet-tangy relish. They’ll be the first to disappear from the buffet table.
Broccoli Fritto Misto
Yuki Sugiura
A light, airy batter that closely resembles tempura encases broccoli florets for this unexpected but entirely delicious appetizer. It may not be the first vegetable that comes to mind for frying, but it sure is delicious.
Date, Olive, and Goat Cheese Tart
Louise Hagger
This creamy chevre tart is like a cheese plate in a single bite. Luscious dates, salty olives, and pickled chile peppers are all cradled in a buttery pastry shell. Cut into squares so guests can easily grab a bite.
Bacon-Wrapped Brussels Sprouts
Bryan Gardner
Salty, sweet, and savory, this appetizer has it all. Halved Brussels sprouts are each wrapped with a small slice of bacon, and then roasted. Don’t miss the mustard-maple dipping sauce on the side for a sweet ending.
Shrimp Cocktail With Three Sauces
Treat your guests to an impressive shrimp cocktail spread with a trio of delectable sauces for dipping—mango-basil, remoulade, and tomato-horseradish.
Grilled Prosciutto-Wrapped Melon
Marcus Nilsson
Fruit or vegetables wrapped in prosciutto are a go-to party appetizer. Here, wedges of honeydew and cantaloupe provide a sweet counterpoint to the salty ham, but try using seasonal fruit such as figs or persimmons. Another reason to love this bite-sized appetizer? It can be done in a snap on the grill or using an indoor grill pan.
Pimiento-Cornmeal Croquettes
Justin Walker
Creamy and spicy, these croquettes feature punchy pimiento cheese. Make the cornmeal mixture up to two days in advance so all that you need to do on Thanksgiving is bread and fry the croquettes.