This collection of show-stopping Thanksgiving appetizers and hors d' oeuvres has something for everyone at the feast. From a salad held in a beautiful pepper and persimmon-melting brie, to glazed dried fruit and cheesy dips, your guests will flip for these!
Thanksgiving hors d'oeuvres and appetizers are my favorite part of the feast.
Okay fine, I'm a pretty big fan of the whole shebang, but there's something special about those first bites. Know what I mean?
Thanksgiving Appetizers and Hors D'Oeuvres
Appetizer and hors d'oeuvres can set the mood. And not just the culinary mood, but also the vibe of the gathering.
I go for warmly spiced, a variety of textures and deep flavors -- because for me, Thanksgiving is a cozy, warm holiday.
Some of the following recipes are easy to prepare, and some are a bit more complex, and those are the ones that are perfect when you're a guest contributing to someone else's feast.
All of these recipes will ensure a super delicious first bite!
Ten of the Best Thanksgiving Appetizers and Hors d'Oeuvres
Click the titles and/or images for the recipes.
Cinnamon Persimmon Bacon Baked Brie
This appetizer is warm, smoky, sweet and over-the-top delicious!
Manchego-Prosciutto Port Glazed Fig Bites
A sweet and savory hor d’oeuvre that's one bite, maybe two, of incredible rich flavors.
Mini Red Potatoes with Cranberries
These pretty, little bites are a sweet and savory fusion of delicious flavors.
Citrus Mint Caprese Kebabs
Made with tangerines, their vibrant colors and fresh flavors make these stunning kebabs so festive.
Gruyère Spinach Dip Recipe with Spices and Artichokes
Full of artichokes, spices and delicious warm flavors, this is a crowd pleaser for sure!
Roasted Enjoya Pepper Sweet Potato Rolls
I wrote this recipe for Enjoya.com, and these beauties are a festival of delicious fall flavors!
Potato-Pickled Tomato Bites
In this hors d'oeuvre, the varying textures, and the smoky, tangy flavors come together to create incredible deliciousness!
Bacon Basil Hasselback Dutch Yellow Potatoes
The smoky bacon and fresh basil, combined with the creamy potato will knock your socks off!
Enjoya Pepper Pear and Gorgonzola Salad
This stunning appetizer is another recipe I wrote for Enjoya.com and it's lovely for a for a sit-down Thanksgiving dinner. It's a first course like no other!
Persimmon Salad with Honey Pistachios
With blue cheese, creamy balsamic dressing, and cranberries in the mix, this colorful dish is perfect for the holiday season.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Eha
Well it may not be Thanksgiving in Australia come next week and turkey may not be on the menu but this must be the most exciting, innovative, appetizing lot of 'before' recipes I can remember ! Who would have room for turkey afterwards . . . ? Love the persimmon baked brie and caramelized onion crisp the most, but all methinks will be tried . . .thank you and have a wonderful Thanksgiving and a happy cook for your loved ones . . .
valentina
Thank you so very much! I hope you can get persimmons where you live. They are truly so delicious this time of year -- especially with melting brie! And thank you for the Thanksgiving well wishes. Cheers to you! 🙂
Danielle
This is such a fabulous list of appetizers for Thanksgiving! They almost look better than the meal will! I think I'll try the Cinnamon Persimmon Bacon Baked Brie.
valentina
I love a whole meal of appetizers. That's a good idea, actually. 🙂
Caroline
Those are some delicious sounding appetizers with some fantastic flavors in there - I'd have a hard time choosing!
valentina
Thanks, Caroline. Happy Thanksgiving!
Tisha
These are all so great! Definitely a wow factor for a Thanksgiving gathering!
valentina
Thanks, Tisha. Happy Thanksgiving! 🙂
Kelsey
This is show stopping for sure! I love all of these appetizers how do you choose just one!
valentina
I choose a few! 😉 Happy Thanksgiving!
Ron
What a great group of appetizers you've put together. Like Eha down in Australia, we don't celebrate turkey day here either. But, we have an annual "American Thanksgiving Party" and your Gruyère Spinach Dip will be included. I'm really liking the Cinnamon Persimmon Bacon Baked Brie as well. Thanks for sharing.
valentina
Thanks so much, Ron. Fun to have your own special Thanksgiving over there. I lived in Spain for a year, years ago, and we put on an "American" Thanksgiving for our Spanish friends. They loved it. I hope you enjoy the dip. It's one of my favorites. 🙂
Jenna
So many delicious hors d’oeuvres I've never seen before! I'm going to try the cheddar potato bites!
valentina
Yay! Thanks, Jenna. I hope you love them as much as we do. 🙂
Karen (Back Road Journal)
Your appetizers are show stoppers, I've pinned several for a Christmas party next month.
valentina
Thank you, Karen. So fun for a Christmas party. 🙂
David
So many wonderful ideas here! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
(Have to go re-subscribe to COTW - I accidentally hit the unsubscribe link! 🙄)
xo
valentina
And a very happy (& delicious) Thanksgiving to you and yours! XOXO
Jeff the Chef
I'm not sure which one of these I want to try first, but it's either the pepper pear salad or the baked brie! (I love persimmons.)
valentina
Awesome, Jeff. Thanks. And the need not be saved for the holiday. 😉 Cheers, Valentina