27 Thanksgiving appetizers to kick off the feast right

Start the meal with bites that set the tone. With 27 recipes full of flavor and texture, there's something for every plate. Simple ingredients go a long way. The feast begins with a strong first round.

The Best Baked Feta Recipe

Start things off strong with a bite that feels bold without being too much. Creamy and sharp come together in The Best Baked Feta Recipe, perfect for scooping or spreading. It brings warmth to the table before anything else does.
Get the Recipe: The Best Baked Feta Recipe

Shaved Asparagus Salad with Fennel

Clean flavors help balance what’s coming later in the meal. The crunch and brightness in Shaved Asparagus Salad with Fennel cut through everything else on the spread. Each forkful keeps the energy light and moving.
Get the Recipe: Shaved Asparagus Salad with Fennel

Broccoli Cauliflower Gratin

Something warm with a little texture feels like the right start. Broccoli Cauliflower Gratin holds up on its own without competing with the mains. Guests go in for seconds before the turkey hits the table.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Cauliflower Gratin

Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers

Plate of bacon-wrapped peppers filled with cheese, garnished with parsley, next to a grated cheese block and grater on a wooden board. — Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

A little heat keeps the energy up before the big meal lands. With crunch, spice, and a creamy center, Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers bring the contrast every board needs. These always draw a crowd.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers

Pickled Banana Peppers

Sharp, briny bites add the kind of contrast that makes a spread feel complete. A bowl of Pickled Banana Peppers brings just enough heat to wake everything up. Pass them once, and everyone asks for more.
Get the Recipe: Pickled Banana Peppers

Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts

Familiar flavors come together fast in this easy favorite. The combination in Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts feels bold without needing much space. These are always the first to disappear.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts

Homemade Pepperoni Pizza Rolls

A hand dips a slice of pizza roll with visible cheese and pepperoni into a bowl of red marinara sauce. A basil leaf is partially visible in the background, resting on a wooden surface. — Homemade Pepperoni Pizza Rolls. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Fun, easy bites bring a casual feel to a full table. Each batch of Homemade Pepperoni Pizza Rolls disappears before anyone can ask what else is coming. They’re a crowd-favorite for a reason.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Pepperoni Pizza Rolls

Bacon Wrapped Tater Tots

Here’s the kind of snack that doesn’t stick around for long. Crispy edges and salty bites make Bacon Wrapped Tater Tots feel right at home on any starter tray. These hit hard before the main course even starts.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Tater Tots

Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions

A delightful side dish of green beans topped with crispy fried onions, perfect for pleasing both adults and kids alike. — Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions. Photo credit: Renee Nicole's Kitchen.

Crisp and full of bite, these go fast once they’re on the table. The flavor in Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions holds strong even after they cool. Best served where people can grab them easily.
Get the Recipe: Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions

Roasted Artichokes

Keep guests busy with something they can pull apart and share. Roasted Artichokes bring a bit of texture and earthiness that’s easy to welcome. No one’s asking for a dip when these are around.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Artichokes

Family's Favorite Ground Beef Nachos in the Oven

A close-up of nachos topped with melted cheese, ground beef, sliced jalapeños, chopped green onions, sour cream, and beans. The tortilla chips are spread out with the toppings generously applied, creating a colorful and appetizing presentation. — Family's Favorite Ground Beef Nachos in the Oven. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Layers of crunch, heat, and flavor make this a go-to when guests arrive hungry. Everyone seems to hover around Family's Favorite Ground Beef Nachos in the Oven while waiting for the next round of food. Great for grabbing, chatting, and going back for more.
Get the Recipe: Family's Favorite Ground Beef Nachos in the Oven

Arugula Salad With Endive, Mozzarella, Pecans, And Pomegranate Seeds

Side view of arugula salad on platter with pomegranates. — Arugula Salad With Endive, Mozzarella, Pecans, And Pomegranate Seeds. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

Let something fresh make its way in between the heavier bites. Each part of Arugula Salad With Endive, Mozzarella, Pecans, And Pomegranate Seeds brings contrast without overpowering. A solid way to reset the palate early on.
Get the Recipe: Arugula Salad With Endive, Mozzarella, Pecans, And Pomegranate Seeds

Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes

Smashed potatoes on a wooden board, crispy and golden, topped with fresh herbs. — Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Texture makes a big difference before the main spread lands. With a crisp edge and soft center, Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes offer comfort in a bite-sized form. Guests usually reach for seconds right away.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes

Pickled Cauliflower

Tangy crunch helps balance out rich dishes that come later. A few pieces of Pickled Cauliflower on the board change how everything else tastes. Always a smart move when you want something bold but clean.
Get the Recipe: Pickled Cauliflower

Air Fryer Green Bean Fries

Crunch without the grease makes these stand out fast. Air Fryer Green Bean Fries bring a snackable texture that fits right into the mix. They’re easy to pass around and even easier to finish.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Green Bean Fries

Seven Layer Vegetarian Dip

A hand dips a tortilla chip into a layered dip in a glass bowl. The dip consists of chopped tomatoes, green onions, cheese, beans, guacamole, and sour cream, arranged in visible layers. The bowl is on a marble surface, with more chips in the background. — Seven Layer Vegetarian Dip. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Bold color and texture make this one stand out before anyone even digs in. Scoop after scoop, Seven Layer Vegetarian Dip delivers on flavor without ever feeling too much. You’ll want more chips on hand.
Get the Recipe: Seven Layer Vegetarian Dip

Air Fryer Mushrooms

Air fryer shiitake and cremini mushrooms on a plate with lemon wedges. — Air Fryer Mushrooms. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Small bites that carry flavor go far during the first round of plates. Air Fryer Mushrooms offer a crisp edge and earthy center that makes them feel substantial. People keep going back without thinking twice.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Mushrooms

Air Fryer French Onion Baked Potatoes

A crisp shell and a soft middle make these a fun surprise early in the meal. The deep flavor in Air Fryer French Onion Baked Potatoes adds a little comfort without going too heavy. These never sit long once served.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer French Onion Baked Potatoes

Copycat Bang Bang Shrimp

Baked bang bang shrimp on a serving plate garnished with green onions and served with dipping sauce. — Copycat Bang Bang Shrimp. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

A little spice wakes up the table faster than anything else. Crispy coating and bold sauce make Copycat Bang Bang Shrimp the kind of appetizer people remember. No leftovers tend to follow.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Bang Bang Shrimp

Longhorn Steakhouse Parmesan Crusted Spinach Dip

A close-up of spinach artichoke dip on a cracker held by a hand. The dip is creamy with visible green spinach and bits of artichoke. The background shows a baking dish filled with the dip. — Longhorn Steakhouse Parmesan Crusted Spinach Dip. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

A baked dip always makes things feel more relaxed. Creamy and bold, Longhorn Steakhouse Parmesan Crusted Spinach Dip pairs well with crackers, chips, or bread. No need to explain this one—it goes fast.
Get the Recipe: Longhorn Steakhouse Parmesan Crusted Spinach Dip

Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes

A small scoop brings a lot of flavor without asking for attention. That nutty finish in Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes earns quiet nods around the room. One spoonful usually leads to another.
Get the Recipe: Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Classic Mushroom Bourekas Recipe

Stuffed mushrooms on a wooden cutting board. — Classic Mushroom Bourekas Recipe. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

Flaky pastry with a warm filling is always an easy win. Guests reach for Classic Mushroom Bourekas Recipe without needing to be told twice. One tray usually isn’t enough.
Get the Recipe: Classic Mushroom Bourekas Recipe

Air Fryer Okra Fries

When crisp meets clean, everyone wins. The bite in Air Fryer Okra Fries holds up well next to dips or other finger foods. Great when you need variety without complicating things.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Okra Fries

Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts

Add a touch of sharp sweetness early in the meal. That glaze over Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts brings balance to the richer bites ahead. Nothing on the plate feels too heavy with these in rotation.
Get the Recipe: Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts

Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters With Feta

A hand dips a fried zucchini fritter into a small bowl of white cream sauce on a gray plate. Other fritters and lemon wedges are arranged around the bowl on a marble surface. — Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters With Feta. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Light crunch with a savory center fits right into a mixed spread. The mix in Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters With Feta offers something fresh without trying to impress. Perfect when you want to serve warm appetizers that won’t weigh things down.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters With Feta

Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices

Baked sweet potato slices on a cutting board with a spoon. — Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices. Photo credit: Renee Nicole's Kitchen.

Lightly sweet with soft edges, these round out a tray full of sharper bites. Something about Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices just works alongside dips and small plates. The balance shows up right away.
Get the Recipe: Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices

Pickled Jalapeños

A close-up image of pickled jalapenos in a glass jar being scooped with a fork. — Pickled Jalapeños. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

A little heat keeps everything in check. The acidity in Pickled Jalapeños breaks up the richness of what’s to come. Just enough punch to earn a place on every board or tray.
Get the Recipe: Pickled Jalapeños