25 Easy Thanksgiving Appetizers

Make the Thanksgiving Day Menu

Now that you have an idea of what type of appetizers you want to serve, you need to know how many to make. A good rule of thumb is to serve about 3 to 4 bites per person, which means 2 to 3 appetizers should be plenty for a party of 8.

Just remember to think of the entire dinner, from the first bite to the last, as a whole when making your menu. For example, if you are serving a lot of cheesy sides like cheesy potatoes or baked macaroni and cheese, you might want to skip serving something heavy and opt for something lighter like a skinny dill dip or a fruit and veggie platter.

Here are 25 easy Thanksgiving day appetizers, organized by the best ways to serve and cook (crockpot for the win!) them. Enjoy!

Easy Thanksgiving Day Finger Foods

It’s hard to beat an appetizer that is so easy to eat. I love putting out several finger foods in gathering spaces around the house, so people can snack on the go.

• Easy Bacon Ranch Deviled Eggs. You can never go wrong with deviled eggs, and this fun twist on the traditional is a hit at any party.
• Spinach Puffs. With a few simple ingredients guests won’t be able to keep their hands off this puff pastry appetizer!
• Bacon Wrapped Dates. These sweet and salty bites are made with just 3 ingredients and are ever so addictive.
• Easy Homemade Pretzel Bites. These may seem like a little extra effort on an already busy day, but they are worth it. Try them with my pretzel cheese dip and thank me later.
• Homemade Chex Mix. This fast and easy snack can be made ahead of time and makes a great dish to have out when guests arrive.
• Chocolate Covered Strawberry Turkeys. The cutest turkeys you ever saw! Strawberries are coated in chocolate and decorated with drumstick legs made from mini marshmallows and pretzel sticks.
• Thanksgiving Blessing Mix. I love this snack mix (made with Bugles, cranberries, M&Ms, candy corn, and nuts) as a reminder of what the holiday means, and because it is really tasty and a hit with kids.

Easy Thanksgiving Dip Appetizers

What’s not to love about a dip at a party? They are so easy to whip up and can be served with so many different dipping options, such as crackers, veggies, fruits, or chips.

• Cranberry Salsa. This sweet and tangy dip has a slight hint of heat and is served over cream cheese for the ultimate holiday dip.
• White Bean Hummus Recipe. A light and refreshing take on a traditional hummus that tastes great with pita chips, pita bread or an array of veggies.
• Skinny Dill Dip. I love to serve this dip with vegetables when I want to keep things healthy and light.
• French Onion Dip. Make this dip ahead of time by simply mixing a few ingredients together. No one will ever know it was that easy.
• Cowboy Caviar. This bright and colorful dip is packed with beans, corn, tomatoes, avocado and bell peppers. It goes great with tortilla chips.
• 5-Layer Greek Dip. A showstopper of refreshing and zesty flavors, ideal to serve before a big meal.

Thanksgiving Day Appetizers with Cheese

Let’s just agree that cheese is the ultimate appetizer. You can serve it all by itself or transform it into something even better. I like to either serve a plate devoted to cheese or include one of the options below on a platter filled with other apps.

• Cranberry Orange Cheese Ball. Make this flavorful holiday cheese ball the night before and simply roll it in pecans before guests arrive. So simple.
• Classic Cheese Ball. It’s hard to beat a classic, especially one made with only 4 ingredients.
• Baked Brie with Honey. If I have room in the oven, I love to serve this gooey cheese on a fruit and cheese platter or on a charcuterie board.
• Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball. Bacon and ranch really make most things better, and this cheese ball is no exception. Plus, it looks really festive with its corn Chex and pecan crust.
• Cheese Ball Bites. I love serving these bite-sized cheese balls on a pretzel stick for easy eating.
• Cranberry Brie Bites. One of the easiest Thanksgiving appetizers you can make with only 3 ingredients!

Thanksgiving Charcuterie Ideas

There is something so fun and inviting about a big platter overflowing with lots of flavorful items to eat. The best part for you? There is little or no cooking required, so you can put everything together the day before without using any precious oven space.

• Turkey Veggie Tray. This creative platter is tailor-made for Thanksgiving and will make your guests smile before they even take a bite.
• Turkey Fruit Platter. So fun, colorful and healthy. Both kids and adults always love this easy appetizer!
• Mezze Platter. I love this appetizer because it is filled with a refreshing array of Mediterranean dips and snacks.
• Fruit and Cheese Platter. Two of my all-time favorite things come together in one beautiful dish.
• Fall Charcuterie Board. A favorite way to showcase the bounty of fall with sweet and savory flavors.
• Charcuterie Board. Use whatever meat, cheese, pickled items, jams, nuts, or whatever your heart desires to create the ultimate snacking platter.
• Fruit and Veggie Platter. You can make a showstopping platter made with everyday ingredients that people will love.

Thanksgiving Hot Appetizers in the Crockpot

If you are short oven space but still want to serve something cooked, get out the crockpot. Trust me, these slow cooker appetizers are always a hit and come together so easily.

• Cranberry Meatballs. I kid you not, you can make this appetizer with just 3 ingredients. Plus, they are always a crowd favorite.
• Slow Cooker Spinach Artichoke Dip. This couldn’t be easier and yet still so flavorful. Simply dump everything in the crockpot 1 hour before guests arrive and enjoy.
• Slow Cooker Queso Blanco Dip. You just need 5 minutes and 5 ingredients to make a gooey, cheesy dip that is sure to disappear.
• Hawaiian Meatballs. Premade meatballs are simmered with BBQ sauce and pineapple to make an appetizer that is guaranteed to be a hit.