These Thanksgiving appetizers will get your feast started with minimal fuss. Get a head start—from a few hours to a few months—with help from these easy ideas. Our collection of best Thanksgiving appetizers (make-ahead apps) includes kid-friendly Thanksgiving appetizers, such as hot dips and cheese straws, and more sophisticated bites, such as marinated cheese, stuffed dates, and mini quiches.
Sugared Bacon-Wrapped Smokies
Blaine Moats
We’re fans of making great foods even better with bacon like we did with these smokies. A little brown sugar adds a touch of caramely goodness. Two more ingredients (plus nonstick spray) complete these Thanksgiving appetizers that can be assembled up to 24 hours in advance.
Asiago-Artichoke Dip
Karla Conrad
Warm and cheesy dips are a must on your roster of easy make-ahead Thanksgiving appetizers. Prosciutto, artichoke hearts, and roasted red bell peppers give this hot dip loads of flavor and color.
Make-Ahead Tip: After assembling the dip, refrigerate it up to 24 hours before baking.
Mini Quiches
If you’re looking for Thanksgiving appetizers with tons of options, check out these customizable quiches. Freezer and refrigerator prep methods mean you have two ways to get a jump-start on these.
Bacon and Cheese Deviled Eggs
Blaine Moats
Three cheers for deviled eggs! One, they’re easy to make. Two, they’re among the best make-ahead appetizers for Thanksgiving. Three, almost everybody loves them. How can you go wrong—especially when there’s bacon in the mix?
Make-Ahead Dilled Onion Cheese Balls
Andy Lyons
This creamy make-ahead cheese spread gets rolled in parsley (or bacon, or crushed crackers, or seeds—there are so many options) for an easy Thanksgiving appetizer you can make up to 24 hours ahead. Or freeze some so you are always ready for guests.
Cheesy Skillet Artichoke Dip
Andy Lyons
There are hundreds (maybe thousands) of recipes out there for hot artichoke dip. What makes this one worthy of your selection of Thanksgiving dinner appetizers? How about the party-perfect presentation, bread dippers baked right on top, and the appeal of baking and serving it in a cast-iron skillet?
Salami Chips with Grainy Mustard
James Carriere
If you thought potato chips were hard to resist, try staying away from salami chips! Not only are these easy Thanksgiving appetizers ultra tasty, but they’re a make-ahead option too. Both the dips and the chips can be stored in the fridge up to three days.
Cranberry-Sauced Meatballs
Marty Baldwin
These irresistible Thanksgiving appetizers star one of the holiday’s best-loved ingredients—cranberries—with a year-round fave, barbecue sauce. We also love the way they finish up in the slow-cooker, letting you avoid a pan jam on your stove top.
Crunchy Ranch Party Mix
Karla Conrad
Although we have a lot of great recipes for snack mixes in our files, dry ranch dressing mix gives this one an extra flavor angle. You’ll also appreciate the long head start: You can make it up to 7 days in advance.
Herb- and Goat Cheese-Stuffed Mushrooms
Jason Donnelly
Sure, classic stuffed mushrooms are great, but for the holidays, we’re leaning toward this version. It combines goat cheese, fresh herbs, pine nuts, and sherry for elegance. You can assemble them up to 24 hours in advance, scoring them a spot on our list of the best make-ahead Thanksgiving appetizers.
Marinated Cheese
James Carriere
These bite-size make-ahead holiday appetizers are tart and flavorful with creamy centers. Assemble them up to a week in advance, then pop them into the fridge until Thanksgiving.
Caramelized Onion Dip
Andy Lyons
This Thanksgiving dip recipe is prepared in a half hour. Combine all ingredients to create a creamy dip, and serve with vegetable chips. Bonus points if you make your own chips from radishes and jicama.
Saucy Apricot-Spiced Meatballs
Jason Donnelly
Tangy-spicy apricot sauce is the secret to these delectable make-ahead meatballs. Prep these easy Thanksgiving appetizers up to a day ahead, then warm them in a slow cooker for a low-maintenance party treat.
Party-Ready Potato Skins
BHG / Abbey Littlejohn
Potato skins might not come to mind when you think of make-ahead Thanksgiving appetizer ideas but they are easy to prep and chill for up to 24 hours before serving. Pull them from the fridge and bake just before serving.
Bacon-Turkey-Cranberry Roll-Ups
Carson Downing
Tortilla roll ups are a classic holiday appetizer. Here we’re combining holiday flavors like turkey and dried cranberries. Crispy bacon adds texture and flavor. To make this Thanksgiving appetizer ahead, roll up to 24 hours before serving. Slice and serve at party time.
Pumpkin Seed Dip
Jacob Fox
Put pumpkin seeds to good use in this make-ahead dip recipe. Make it three days before Thanksgiving and stash it in the fridge. Top with crispy pepitas before serving.
Tangy Sour Cream and Onion Dip
Carson Downing
This sour cream and onion dip is always the first thing to disappear from our appetizer spread. A combination of sour cream, mayo, and Greek yogurt is our secret to the best texture and tangy flavor.
Ricotta and Parmesan Spread
Jason Donnelly
This make-ahead Thanksgiving dip is filled with Italian flavors thanks to fresh basil and Parmesan cheese. Serve it with crispy bread slices, cucumbers, and peppers for an easy appetizer. It will keep in the fridge up to 12 hours before serving.
Swedish Meatballs
Matthew Clark
Whether served as an appetizer or main dish, these creamy meatballs are sure to be a fan favorite at your Thanksgiving dinner. Make the meatballs and sauce ahead of time and place them in the slow cooker to keep warm until guests start arriving.
Blue Cheese and Pine Nut Puffs
Jason Donnelly
These puffs may be small, but they pack a major flavor punch. Create the puffs by piping the dough into mounds using a piping bag, and bake them for 20 minutes. Store the puffs in an air-tight container in the freezer for up to one month before serving.
Ham and Swiss Mini Quiche Cups
Jason Donnelly
Homemade piecrust, egg filling, and cheese and ham toppings make for the perfect light, Thanksgiving appetizer. Plus, these quiche cups are super versatile. Switch out the proteins, cheese, and seasonings to create bites you and your guests will love.
Potato Pierogi
Brie Passano
Set aside some potatoes while you’re prepping your Thanksgiving meal to make these potato-filled pierogis. Fill dumpling dough with a mashed potato, cream cheese, and onion combination. Freeze the raw pierogis and cook them before your Thanksgiving gathering.
Cheese-Stuffed Pretzel Bites
Rachel Marek and Emily Hemmingsen
Homemade pretzels stuffed with cheese and pickled jalapeños won’t last long at your Thanksgiving get together. Make and bake the pretzel bites ahead of time, and freeze. When ready to serve, heat the bites in the oven on a foil-lined baking sheet for 12 minutes.
Pumpkin Cream Cheese Spread
Jason Donnelly. Food Styling: Holly Dreesman
Whip up this fall spread by mixing cream cheese, canned pumpkin, sugar, vanilla, and spices. Refrigerate the spread, and serve with pretzels, crackers, fruit, or miniature bagels.