To make sure you start your Thanksgiving party right, you need some stellar (yet simple to make) appetizers and dips ideas everyone will be excited to try.
From cheesy dips to fun charcuterie boards shaped like turkeys, plus spicy bites like Smoked Jalapeno Poppers and sweet-spicy dips, you’ll love flavors of creamy cheese, smoky meats, tangy cranberries, and fresh veggies.
Hosting during fall andwinter holidays is tough with oven chaos, last-minute changes, hungry guests going through snacks too fast or filling up too much—these quick, no-cook or make-ahead apps solve that by being simple to prep early.
Thanksgiving Deviled Eggs
Upgraded classic appetizer with its holiday version. Creamy, tangy, and savory in every bite, deviled eggs are always a hit at any holiday party.
Get the recipe: Thanksgiving Deviled Eggs
Turkey Charcuterie Board
This Thanksgiving-inspired snack board lays out sliced turkey, cheese, fruits, crackers, and festive flair to create a seasonal spread shaped like a cute turkey! Great for grazing before the big meal or as a fun family activity.
Get the recipe: Turkey Charcuterie Board
Baked Brie and Preserves
This elegant appetizer is a timeless classic for parties – warm, melty brie topped with your favorite fruit preserves and nuts. It bakes up gooey and gorgeous in just 20 minutes. Works amazingly for Thanksgiving and romantic nights, too!
Get the recipe: Baked Brie and Preserves
Cheddar Bay Sausage Balls
These bite-sized sausage balls combine biscuit mix, cheddar, and savory spices for a warm, cheesy snack that’s ready in about 20 minutes. Serve with dipping sauce for extra fun. A crowd-pleaser among fall appetizers that works for game day, too!
Get the recipe: Cheddar Bay Sausage Balls
Pumpkin-Shaped Cheese Ball
A fall-themed version of the classic creamy cheese ball – shaped like a pumpkin! It’s made with cheddar, cream cheese, and ranch seasoning—total crowd favorite. A playful and tasty centerpiece for your fall gatherings.
Get the recipe: Pumpkin-Shaped Cheese Ball
Cranberry Jalapeño Dip
Fresh cranberries, jalapeño, and cilantro come together in a sweet-spicy salsa layered over cream cheese. Serve it with crackers for a beautiful, flavor-packed bite. A holiday-ready appetizer with amazing, bold flavors.
Get the recipe: Cranberry Jalapeño Dip
Dill Pickle Dip
Fresh, light, creamy dip with acidic notes from pickles and crunchy red onions. With crackers it is the best dip to have on your table!
Get the recipe: Dill Pickle Dip
Smoked Shrimp
Party-ready appetizer for Thanksgiving and Christmas for seafood lovers. Buttery shrimps with smoky notes – oh, so good! Definitely makes your party stand out and elevates the experience to restaurant level.
Get the recipe: Smoked Shrimp
Stuffed Olives
Some nights call for something special and a bit more fancy, that’s when it is the best time to make these olives that are filled with a creamy cheese and bacon mixture. Perfect for charcuterie boards and incredibly yummy!
Get the recipe: Stuffed Olives
Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board
The ultimate spread of snacks, cheeses and deli meats for hosting Thanksgiving. Effortless appetizers idea that requires zero cooking!
Get the recipe: Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board
Hot Crab Dip
Cheap, comforting, over-the-top dip with seafood flavor is amazing for game days and any party, for that matter. It is also cheesy, hot, and goes well with any chips, veggies, or bread.
Get the recipe: Hot Crab Dip
Hot Cocoa Dip
How about something sweet? This dessert dip is made with marshmallow fluff, cocoa, and whipped topping for a fluffy, chocolatey treat. Super simple. Everyone loves it and asks for the recipe over and over again. It takes just 10 minutes to mix together and pairs well with graham crackers or fruit. It will work as an appetizer or a dessert!
Get the recipe: Hot Cocoa Dip
Candy Corn Jello Shots
These fun, layered jello shots are made with gelatin, whipped cream, and a touch of vodka for adults. Simple to make. Jell-O is always easy. The bright orange, yellow, and white layers mimic candy corn, making them a perfect treat for grown-up Halloween parties or Thanksgiving.
Get the recipe: Candy Corn Jello Shots
Smoked Cream Cheese
Smoked cream cheese is so underatted! It is one of my favorite appetizers far beyond game days. Seasoned with chili and paprika, smoked low and slow – this cream cheese is so good, you’ll eat it as dip or spread on crackers.
Get the recipe: Smoked Cream Cheese
Spinach Artichoke Stuffed Mushrooms
Probably my favorite mushroom appetizer for any gathering. Think savory mushrooms filled with a creamy spinach and artichoke hearts mixture and served baked with cheese. Oh-so delicious and elegant!
Get the recipe: Spinach Artichoke Stuffed Mushrooms
Party Snack Mix
Great game day or party snack mix with salty pretzels, nuts, and Chex Mix – easy and comforting. You can make it ahead and also use for charcuterie boards. You can even throw it together last minute and it will keep the conversation going before the main course comes.
Get the recipe: Party Snack Mix
Cheddar Cheese Sauce
One of my favorite sauces, hands down. It comes together in just 10 minutes and is easy to customize with different spices or cheeses depending on what you’re serving. Perfect as a dip for pretzels, drizzled over nachos.
Get the recipe: Cheddar Cheese Sauce Recipe
Turkey Panini
Fantastic little sandwiches with deli turkey, cheese, and apple butter – perfect combo of the fall flavors for Thanksgiving dinner or as a way to reuse leftovers the next day.
Get the recipe: Turkey Panini
Smoked Jalapeno Poppers
For all chili and spice lovers, these simple bacon wrapped and smoked jalapeno poppers are a must! While I usually make them for game nights, serving them as finger food before Thanksgiving dinner sounds like a great idea to me!
Get the recipe: Smoked Jalapeno Poppers
Veggie Dip Recipe
Nothing fancy – classic party dip you can make with just 4 ingredients and 5 min of prep. It has guacomole and vegetable flavor and will go great with celery and veggie sticks, pretzel rods, and crackers.
Get the recipe: Veggie Dip Recipe
Turkey Cranberry Sliders
These mini sandwiches layer turkey, cranberry sauce, and melty cheese on soft rolls. They’re sweet, salty, and crowd-ready. A great appetizer for Thanksgiving dinner or an idea to use leftover turkey the next day.
Get the recipe: Turkey Cranberry Sliders
Crockpot Jalapeno Popper Dip
For cheese lovers, this crockpot dip will be something to crave. It has 4 types of cheese, bacon, and a little spicy kick. Rich, melty, warm dip, oh my goodness! Needless to say, it is meant for scooping and dipping.
Get the recipe: Crockpot Jalapeno Popper Dip
Cheesy Spinach Crescents
If you don’t want plain bread rolls but need some extra carbs, I love making mini crescents with savory fillings for appetizers. Cheese and spinach is my go-to combo that everyone loves.
Get the recipe: Cheesy Spinach Crescents
Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks
Restaurant-level dippers just like at Olive Garden! These breadsticks are buttery, soft, and garlicky – simply perfect for all the dips or as an add-on for charcuterie boards this Thanksgiving.
Get the recipe: Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks
Turkey Pinwheels
I think pinwheels make such a great, easy-to-customize appetizer, and for fall football season, I usually make turkey pinwheels with deli turkey. You just load each tortilla with cheesy filling and meat, and you are good to go. Ideal for making ahead, as they need some chill time.
Get the recipe: Turkey Pinwheels
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