64 Easy Fall Appetizers That Can Be Made Ahead for Autumn Dinner Parties
Cozy small bites that are packed with pumpkin, butternut squash, apple and more!
There’s a lot that goes into planning the perfect dinner or party. If you’re planning a fall dinner, Thanksgiving feast or any other occasion, you’ve probably thought a lot about what you’ll serve for the main course, and you might even have some seasonal fall cocktails or healthy fall recipe pairings ready to go. But before all of that, there are the appetizers to consider and we’ve got plenty of ideas for delicious fall appetizers and finger foods guests are sure to love. From quick and easy dips to elegant puff pastries topped with all sorts of seasonal goodies, everyone will be reaching for more!
A delicious appetizer is what sets the course for the rest of your meal, so if you’re having trouble narrowing it down to just one or two, consider what else you’ll be munching on that evening (perhaps a healthy fall salad before the main course). Many of these appetizers can be prepped ahead of time, giving you plenty of time to mingle with everyone. Plus, making appetizers in advance means that your kitchen will be free for prepping other dishes like seasonal fall dessert — the perfect sweet treat after dinner!
Whether you’re cooking for the whole crew or making a dinner for two at home, these fall appetizer recipes are sure to be a hit.
Cheese Fondue
You really can't go wrong when it comes to melty, gooey cheese and crusty bread.
Get the Cheese Fondue recipe.
Onion Flatbread
This flavor-packed appetizer made with two types of onions and fennel will be gone before you know it.
Get the Onion Flatbread recipe.
Hasselback Butternut Squash with Maple Brown Butter
Your guests will have to pick their jaws up off the table after you set this beautiful dish down for the appetizer course. Besides being gorgeous, it's also earthy and sweet thanks to the maple brown butter.
Get the Hasselback Butternut Squash With Maple Brown Butter recipe.
RELATED: 36 Irresistible and Easy Butternut Squash Recipes You Need to Make
Marinated Olives and Goat Cheese
This dish packs in plenty of salty, savory flavors thanks to the creamy goat cheese and the briny olives marinated in lemon zest, garlic and spices. Serve it with crackers and veggies for an appetizer everyone will love.
Coca-Cola Chicken Wings
Warning: Your guests might fill up on these sticky-sweet wings and have no room left for dinner. They're that good.
Get the Coca-Cola Chicken Wings recipe.
RELATED: 23 Easy Chicken Wing Recipes to Make for Super Bowl Sunday
Best Ever Spinach and Artichoke Dip
This no-cook (healthier!) version of the classic deserves to be on your table year ‘round.
Pickled Mushrooms
Marinate mixed mushrooms with sherry vinegar and olive oil for a tangy app to enjoy with bread. Serve with a classic cocktail!
Get the Pickled Mushrooms recipe.
Oysters with Mustard-Horseradish Relish
Crown fresh oysters with a sharp 3-ingredient sauce.
Cucumber with Hummus
Top cucumber rounds with hummus, feta, black pepper and basil for a last-minute app.
Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Use up Thanksgiving leftovers with these tangy cocktail meatballs, starring cranberry sauce, rice wine vinegar and a pinch of brown sugar.
Get the Sweet and Sour Meatballs recipe.
RELATED: 20 Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes to Savor the Holiday's Best Flavors
Pumpkin Soup
Our secret to easy entertaining? Keep the starters simple! This soup uses just a few pantry staples.
Get the Pumpkin Soup recipe.
Baguette with Chicken Liver Mousse
Top sliced baguette with chicken liver mousse, grainy mustard, pomegranate seeds and chives.
Easy Pigs in a Blanket
Make an already irresistible food even harder to pass up by arranging them as an edible centerpiece!
Get the Easy Pigs in a Blanket recipe.
Plantain Chips with Prosciutto Crisps
Pair salty-sweet plantain chips with nut butter, sliced green apple, cilantro and Prosciutto Crisps (recipe below):
On a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet, arrange 4 oz. thinly sliced prosciutto in single layer. Bake at 375°F 15 minutes. Transfer to paper towels; cool. Store at room temperature up to 2 days.
Easy Red Salsa
Just chop up some jalapeño, onion, tomato and cilantro and you've got salsa that's so much better than store-bought.
Get the Easy Red Salsa recipe.
Root Veggie Latkes with Mango Chutney
Make a batch of root veggie latkes (recipe below) and top with anything you like — try mango chutney with ham, apple and green onions.
Onto a clean kitchen towel, grate 1 peeled medium russet potato. Squeeze very dry. In a large bowl, combine the potato with 1 small peeled sweet potato, grated; 1 small peeled carrot, grated; 1 large egg, beaten; and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Spray 1 large cookie sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Scoop mixture by heaping tablespoons onto sheet, 1 inch apart. Flatten to form even disks; spray generously with cooking spray. Bake at 425°F 30 minutes or until browned and crisp, turning over once with stiff, thin spatula. Serve immediately or store at room temperature up to 3 hours. Reheat in 375°F oven 7 minutes. Makes 2 dozen.
Totchos
Crispy potato nuggets, topped with cheese. What more is there to say? Plus, they're great for game day.
Get the Totchos recipe.
RELATED: Delicious Game Day Food Recipes Your Party Guests Will Love
Vegan Queso
Don’t let the word “vegan” fool you: This dip is rich, luscious and every bit as delicious as it looks.
Get the Vegan Queso Dip recipe.
RELATED: 70 Vegan Recipes So Good, You'll Forget About Meat and Cheese
Tortillas with Creamy Shrimp Salad
Easy shrimp salad (recipe below) makes a crowd-pleasing app —scoop it up on a tortilla chip sprinkled with almonds and chives.
In a food processor, pulse 1/4 cup fresh parsley; 1/4 cup mayonnaise; 2 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1/4 teaspoon cayenne (ground red) pepper; and 1/4 teaspoon salt until chopped, scraping as needed. Add 12 oz. cooked, shelled shrimp, chopped; pulse until just finely chopped, stopping and stirring often. Makes 2 1/2 cups. Refrigerate, covered, up to 1 day.
Plantain Chips with Creamy Shrimp Salad
Another use for shrimp salad? Use it to top plantain chips with roasted red pepper and chives.
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