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60 Appetizer Recipes That’ll Get The Party Started This Fall

You're going to want these in your arsenal all season long.

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crescent bites stuffed with green bean casserole
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

We are big fans of summer (love her work!), but fall might just be our favorite time of year for eating, don't you think? It’s got all the best food holidays (like Thanksgiving!), all the coziest foods (like casseroles and soups), and it’s the perfect time to gather our friends and families over out of the cold. Whether you’re throwing a rager or are just having a casual get-together this fall, you’ve gotta have apps. They make or break a party, in our opinion (that, and cocktails)—lucky for you, we’ve got tons of seasonal options here. Check out our list of 60 fall appetizers for all the ideas you'll ever need!

When it comes to the perfect party, there are a few appetizer guidelines we like to follow. There should be a mix of sweet and salty, bite-sized options and chips and dips, a little something healthy in there, and nothing overly complicated. We’ve got some go-tos we return to again and again, but we’re transforming them for fall with seasonal flavors and produce. Looking for something sweet? Try our sweet potato bites (complete with marshmallows), or our pumpkin pie dip. Leaning more salty? Check out our green bean casserole bundles, our ham and cheese pinwheels, or our bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers. Not into plates, and want easy finger foods? Try our butternut squash potstickers, our pumpkin deviled eggs, or our french onion soup bombs. Want an appetizer table showstopper that’ll make all your guests ooh and ahh? Take a look at our cranberry brie pull-apart bread, pub beer cheese dip, or Thanksgiving ring. Want to default to something easier, like chips and dip? Try switching up the flavors of your favorite dips, like with our cranberry whipped feta dip, our cannoli chips and dip, or our cranberry cream cheese dip . It’s easy to incorporate all your fall favorites into appetizers—honestly, what better reason to throw a party?

Want more fall inspiration? Check out our favorite fall cocktails, fall dinners, and fall desserts too.

1

Crispy Sweet Potato Bites

fried cheesy sweet potato bites
PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

These sweet potato bites have a crunchy, herbaceous crust, with a sweet, silky inside that, when topped with a light drizzle of honey, will have you craving them again and again. Once you bite through the crust, the sweet potato mixes with that melted, nutty Gruyère for a dream flavor combination that works so well.

Get the Crispy Sweet Potato Bites recipe.

2

Sausage Stuffing Bites With Cranberry Sauce

sausage stuffing bites with cranberry sauce
PHOTO: MURRAY HALL; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Some people love a classic homemade turkey stuffing, while others prefer a cornbread stuffing, sausage or oyster stuffing, or a vegetarian cranberry stuffing. The only thing better than any of these stuffing recipes? MORE. STUFFING. Enter a bite-sized, stuffing-centered appetizer with a tangy, three-ingredient dipping sauce. Not just for Thanksgiving, these savory bites are perfect for any fall or winter gathering.

Get the Sausage Stuffing Bites With Cranberry Sauce recipe.

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3

Buffalo Blitz Bites

classic buffalo chicken dip with chopped chicken, cream cheese, cheddar, blue cheese, hot sauce, and chives baked into a crisp puff pastry shell until bubbling and golden
PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

For these Buffalo Blitz Bites, we took classic Buffalo chicken dip mix—chopped chicken, cream cheese, cheddar, blue cheese, hot sauce, and chives—and baked it into a crisp puff pastry shell until bubbling and golden. Instead of eating the celery and carrots on the side, we tossed them in some apple cider vinegar and added them on top, making this a one-stop shop for all your favorite game-day flavors.

Get the Buffalo Blitz Bites recipe.

4

Meatball Sub Egg Rolls

meatball sub egg rolls topped with chopped parsley and marinara
PHOTO: KATE JORDAN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

These fun little hybrids are exactly what they sound like—all of the fillings you'd find in a meatball sub loaded into an egg roll wrapper and deep-fried until golden brown, delicious, and perfect for folks who don't want their hands covered in hot marinara sauce.

Get the Meatball Sub Egg Rolls recipe.

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5

Green Bean Casserole Bites

crescent bites stuffed with green bean casserole
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Green bean casserole is one of the most iconic Thanksgiving sides, and one that brings together the best flavors of the season. We’ve taken it to a new level in these bite-sized versions. Baked in crescent roll cups with crispy fried onions, a rich, creamy mushroom sauce, and tender-yet-snappy green beans, these handheld wonders hit every note. Have them as an appetizer or even on your plate as a biscuit substitute!

Get the Green Bean Casserole Bites recipe.

6

Cranberry Turkey Sliders

sliders filled with sliced turkey, cranberry sauce, and cheese topped with a poppyseed butter topping
PHOTO: LINDA PUGLIESE; FOOD STYLING: BEN WEINER

These sliders are a great way to repurpose those Thanksgiving leftovers or use deli-style, oven-roasted turkey. It’s a tasty pairing using whole berry cranberry sauce, which is nicely offset by the creaminess of mild cheddar and the more distinct flavor of gouda. Safe to say, it’s a real GOUDA idea to make these sliders for out-of-town guests visiting for Thanksgiving or the holidays.

Get the Cranberry Turkey Sliders recipe.

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7

Carbonara Deviled Eggs

carbonara deviled eggs topped with pecorino romano and crispy pancetta
PHOTO: LINDA PUGLIESE; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

If deviled eggs had a classy Italian cousin, she would be these carbonara deviled eggs. Loaded with cheese and topped with crispy pancetta bits, these carbonara deviled eggs are coming to rock whatever party they join.

Get the Carbonara Deviled Eggs recipe.

8

Fried Gnocchi Bites

fried gnocchi bites in a bowl with marinara sauce on the side
PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

These crunchy, little pillowy bites are absolute perfection and an excellent bite-sized appetizer to serve at any function. The gnocchi are breaded in seasoned bread crumbs and Pecorino (which provides some sharpness), then fried, giving the soft and slightly chewy dumplings a crispy exterior. Serve with your favorite jarred marinara sauce for dipping or make our easy homemade marinara sauce.

Get the Fried Gnocchi Bites recipe.

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9

Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

buffalo chicken meatballs
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: SPENCER RICHARDS

Craving something a little more creative than your average Buffalo wings? Enter: Buffalo chicken meatballs. Ready in just 30 minutes, these meatballs are a flavor-packed app you can have ready in no time, so you don't have to miss any of the big game.

Get the Buffalo Chicken Meatballs recipe.

10

Parmesan Crusted Brussels Sprouts

parmesan crusted brussels sprouts
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Brussels sprouts are a star side in our book, and adding Parmesan to these crispy bites makes them practically irresistible. We coat these sprouts in a cheesy, garlicky mixture before baking on a high heat, giving them an ultra-crispy crust perfect for dunking in homemade Caesar dressing.

Get the Parmesan Crusted Brussels Sprouts recipe.

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11

Pizza-Stuffed Pumpkins

mini pumpkins made out of pizza dough stuffed with cheese
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Stuffed with creamy ricotta, baked to golden perfection, and brushed with garlic butter, this festive snack will surely be a hit. Serve alongside a marinara dipping sauce and watch as everyone digs in with delight. This flavorful creation is a treat for the taste buds and a fun and festive centerpiece for your holiday spread!

Get the Pizza-Stuffed Pumpkins recipe.

12

Apple Cheddar Bundles

apple cheddar bundles with puff pastry honey pecans and thyme
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

If the aroma of toasted puff pastry, roasted apples, and nutty cheddar cheese doesn’t wake up your spirit… we're not sure what will. These flaky puff pastry bundles will get everyone in the fall spirit, especially while sipping on amaretto sours and apple cider mimosas.

Get the Apple Cheddar Bundles recipe.

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13

Mozzarella-Stuffed Pretzel Bites

pretzel bites topped with salt with mozzarella in the middle
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

These mozzarella-stuffed pretzel bites are the perfect after-school or game day bite-sized appetizers. The best part is that they’re made with just three ingredients: store-bought pizza dough, mozzarella cheese sticks, and flaky salt.

Get the Mozzarella-Stuffed Pretzel Bites recipe.

14

Cranberry Cream Cheese Spread

cranberry cream cheese spread
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: SAM SENEVIRATNE

Our cranberry whipped feta dip rocked the Internet last year, so we’re coming back with a cranberry-topped whipped cream cheese spread—it's so luxurious, it's almost unreal. There are two easy parts to make this dip pop: the tangy sweet cranberry sauce finished with brandy, and a lemony whipped cream cheese layer.

Get the Cranberry Cream Cheese Spread recipe.

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15

Potato Gratin Stacks

sliced potato stacks with melted cheese and bacon
PHOTO: DOAA ELKADY; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Potatoes au gratin are one of the most satisfying sides, so we decided to turn it into a crowd-pleasing bite-sized app too. No casserole dish needed here—a muffin tin, Russet potatoes, two types of cheese, heavy cream, and staple seasonings are all you need to create these cheesy stacks.

Get the Potato Gratin Stacks recipe.

16

Air Fryer Deviled Eggs

air fryer deviled eggs
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Don’t look now, but we put deviled eggs in the air fryer. And guess what? They’re real good. Like, never-make-a-deviled-egg-the-same-way-again good. We know, it’s bold to try a new take on a traditional recipe of which most people have very strong opinions, but it was worth it. And while we love a classic deviled egg, these texture- and flavor-packed air fryer deviled eggs have got us giddy.

Get the Air Fryer Deviled Eggs recipe.

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17

Pigs In A Blanket

pigs in a blanket with a mustard dippings sauce
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

There's something very classic about the crescent roll dough flavor, so we tend to gravitate toward it, but puff pastry or even biscuit dough should work here too.

Get the Pigs In A Blanket recipe.

18

Cranberry-Glazed Turkey Meatballs

turkey meatballs covered in a red cranberry glaze
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

With a sweet and tangy glaze made with cranberry sauce and thyme- and sage-speckled turkey meatballs, these are great for serving with toothpicks as an app or over fluffy mashed potatoes for a low-key Thanksgiving dinner.

Get the Cranberry-Glazed Turkey Meatballs recipe.

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19

Toasted Ravioli

toasted ravioli squares with marinara
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

The steps are simple for this foolproof app: Start with your favorite ravioli (store-bought are just fine here), coat them in eggs and bread crumbs, then fry—either in hot oil or in your air fryer. Serve them with warm marinara on the side and showered with Parmesan for the best app around.

Get the Toasted Ravioli recipe.

20

Buffalo Cauliflower Wings

fried cauliflower wings tossed in buffalo sauce on a platter with ranch dressing
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Wings are a game day staple, but if you’re vegetarian (or simply looking to eat less meat), then these cauliflower wings are the answer. When you're craving something a bit lighter—or need to please plant-based guests—these wings are the app you'll turn to again and again....and, again!

Get the Buffalo Cauliflower Wings recipe.

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