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20 Healthy Appetizer Recipes

    Get ready for game day, holiday parties, and everything in between with 20 easy, healthy and delicious appetizer recipes perfect for entertaining!

    Ready or not, the holiday season is in full swing. While gatherings this year might be small, flavors should remain big, am I right?

    garlic roasted hummus appetizer

    As much as I love go-to appetizer classics like chips and salsa, the holidays are a fun excuse to kick things up a notch in the kitchen. Don’t worry, impressing your loved ones doesn’t have to be complicated or difficult. Wow your friends and family with easy, simple, and tasty appetizer recipes such as these Baked Turkey Meatballs with Guacamole, 5-Ingredient Baked Hummus Dip, and Baked Vegetable Egg Rolls with Bacon.

    vietnamese shrimp salad

    Hosting Tips

    When hosting it is so easy to get caught up serving everyone else. As a result, I spend the whole time in the kitchen and don’t get to actually enjoy the festivities myself. Therefore, I’m sharing my best tips so you can get out of the kitchen and into the party!

    • Prepare Food Ahead of Time: Do as much prep work in advance as possible. For example, slice all veggies, arrange baking trays, and prep any items that can be stored safely. Then, all you have to do is add finishing touches to all your recipes.
    • Ask Others to Pitch-In: Don’t be shy to ask for help! More often than not, people are more than willing to bring along a dish of their own. This is a great way to reduce your workload and offers a chance for everyone to try new recipes.
    • Keep Items Bite-Sized: When planning the menu, consider items that can be eaten in one or two bites such as my Bacon-Wrapped Potato Bites.
    Baked Brie with Rosemary Wonton Crisps - a fast appetizer recipe

    Frequently Asked Questions:

    How many appetizers should I serve per person?

    In general, a good rule of thumb is to provide a selection of 6 appetizers per person for a dinner party and 12 appetizers per person when hosting a cocktail party. This allows guests to explore a variety of fun flavors.

    What are the best appetizers to prep ahead of time?

    Any appetizer that can be stored is ideal for prepping ahead of time. Dips, baked goods, fruit skewers, etc. all fall into this category. Avoid prepping items such as sandwiches with heavy spreads or vegetables that may become soggy too far in advance.

    What are some gluten-free appetizer ideas?

    Recipes like Asian Chicken Lettuce Cups, 5-Ingredient Pizza Skewers, and Seven Layer Taco Dip are fantastic gluten-free options every guest will love.

    What are the best portable appetizer recipes to bring to a loved ones house?

    When it comes to transportable appetizers, simple recipes are your go-to. Dips, skewers, and items such as Indian Spiced Nuts or Baked Corn Tortilla Chips homemade chips that can be placed in a single container are your new best friend!

    Your fork is waiting.

    Mexican Layered Hummus Dip

    4.34 stars average
    25 minutes
    Filled with creamy hummus, ground sirloin, and plenty of cheese, this warm Mexican Layered Hummus dip is a total crowd-pleaser and the ultimate party dip!
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    Cheese Mexican Layered Hummus Dip

    Roasted Garlic Hummus

    5 stars average
    1 hour
    The absolute BEST homemade hummus recipe! Garlic is roasted until sweet and caramelized then pureed into hummus with chickpeas, tahini and lemon.
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    Roasted Garlic Hummus Recipe Easy

    Vietnamese Lettuce Wraps with BBQ Pork Meatballs

    5 stars
    40 minutes
    These light and flavorful Vietnamese lettuce wraps are filled with BBQ pork meatballs, crunchy vegetables, and fresh herbs.
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    Vietnamese Pork Lettuce Wrap Recipe

    White Bean Dip with Feta and Herbs

    4 stars average
    10 minutes
    This fresh and flavorful white bean dip recipe is made with creamy feta, fresh herbs, lemon and garlic. Ideal for entertaining!
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    Easy Feta and Herb Bean Dip Recipe

    Vegan Hummus Quinoa Patties

    Rate It!
    30 minutes
    These protein-packed hummus quinoa patties are naturally vegan and made with creamy hummus, corn, and jalapenos.
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    Hummus Quinoa Patties with Corn and Jalapenos

    Air-Fried Pickle Chips with Cajun Buttermilk Ranch

    Rate It!
    23 minutes
    These air-fried pickle chips come out flavorful and crisp, without all the oil. Perfect with a burger or served as a fun, unique appetizer.
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    Air Fried Pickle Chips Recipe with Cajun Ranch Dressing

    Paleo Baked Chicken Tenders with Sriracha Ketchup

    5 stars average
    40 minutes
    Naturally gluten free and paleo, these crispy, oven-baked chicken tenders are made with almond meal. No oil or butter required!
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    Paleo Almond Flour Crusted Chicken Tenders Recipe 1

    Oven Baked Crispy Chicken Wings

    4.22 stars average
    1 hour 10 minutes
    Addictively crispy and easy to make these baked chicken wings are glazed with a sweet and sticky honey chipotle sauce. Perfect for your next gathering!
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    oven baked crispy chicken wings

    Sweet and Savory Mixed Nuts

    5 stars average
    25 minutes
    The ultimate party appetizer or edible gift, these sweet and savory mixed nuts are always a crowd pleaser! 
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    Sweet and Spicy Nuts in a mason jar

    Bacon Wrapped Potato Bites

    4.56 stars average
    45 minutes
    These easy two-ingredient bacon wrapped potato bites make the perfect party appetizer! Served with a simple honey mustard dipping sauce.
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    Easy Bacon Wrapped Potatoes with Honey Mustard Recipe Appetizer e1639552846106

    Sweet Potato Skin Nachos

    Rate It!
    1 hour 20 minutes
    For these nachos, I crisp the skins of sweet potatoes in the oven and then top them with all the good stuff: cheese, jalapeños, beans, tomatoes and avocado.
    Pin
    Sweet Potato Skin Nachos from Inspiralized

    Zucchini Scallion Pancakes with Soy Dipping Sauce

    4.54 stars average
    15 minutes
    These light and flavorful scallion pancakes are made with zucchini and served with a sweet and tangy Asian inspired dipping sauce.
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    Zucchini Scallion Pancakes with Dipping Sauce Recipe

    Lebanese Meat Stuffed Grape Leaves

    4.25 stars average
    1 hour 10 minutes
    Very popular in several Mediterranean countries and a family favorite, these Lebanese meat stuffed grape leaves are filled with beef, rice, and lemon juice.
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    Lebanese Meat Stuffed Grape Leaves 2

    Baked Brie Appetizer with Caramelized Onions

    4.69 stars average
    40 minutes
    An easy appetizer recipe for entertaining, brie is topped with caramelized onions and pepper jelly before baked until warm and creamy.
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    Baked Brie with Rosemary Wonton Crisps - a fast appetizer recipe

    Pesto Potato Caprese Skewers

    Rate It!
    25 minutes
    These crowd-pleasing Pesto Potato Caprese Skewers are the ultimate fast and easy appetizer recipe!
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    Pesto Potato Caprese Skewers - an easy appetizer recipe

    Little Hasselback Potatoes with Tahini Sauce

    5 stars average
    35 minutes
    The ultimate appetizer or snack recipe, little potatoes are sliced Hasselback style, roasted until golden then drizzled with a lemon-garlic tahini sauce.
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    Baby Hasselback Potatoes with Tahini Sauce recipe

    Vietnamese Shrimp Salad

    5 stars average
    15 minutes
    This light and refreshing Vietnamese Shrimp Salad is made with crisp cucumber, meaty shrimp, and tangy chili paste to emulate your favorite fresh rolls in a bowl!
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    Vietnamese Shrimp Salad 07 WEB

    Cucumber Hummus Bites with Pickled Ginger

    4.50 stars average
    10 minutes
    These sushi-inspired Cucumber Hummus Bites are scented with toasted sesame oil then topped with pickled ginger and roasted sesame seeds. The ultimate healthy snack recipe! 
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    Hummus Cucumber Bites - a healthy appetizer recipe

    Hummus Flatbread Pizzas with Fattoush and Feta

    Rate It!
    19 minutes
    These bright and fresh hummus flatbread pizzas are perfect for entertaining but healthy enough for a quick snack or light meal.
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    Hummus Flatbread Pizzas with Fattoush - an easy healthy appetizer recipe

    Best Bacon Stuffed Mushrooms

    5 stars average
    31 minutes
    The easiest appetizer you'll ever make, these 3-ingredient stuffed mushrooms are packed with smoky bacon and feta to create the perfect one-bite dish.
    VIEW RECIPE
    3-Ingredient Bacon Stuffed Mushrooms Picture
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    Liz DellaCroce

    Liz Della Croce is the creator and author of The Lemon Bowl, a healthy food blog. Since 2010, Liz has been sharing delicious recipes that just so happen to be healthy. By using real ingredients with an emphasis on seasonality, Liz has built a growing audience of loyal readers who crave good food for their families. Click Here To Subscribe to my newsletter:

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