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If you’re planning a party or gathering, ditch the usual fare and brace yourself for a burst of fresh and exciting ideas! This collection of appetizer recipes has something to suit every taste. Whether it’s a lively game day, a sizzling cookout with friends, or a cozy get-together with neighbors, we’ve got you covered with these flavor-packed options. Check out these appetizer recipes that will make your gathering the talk of the town!
Roasted Red Pepper Cream Cheese Dip
Although most grocery stores carry sweet pepper dip and other dipping options, this homemade roasted red pepper cream cheese dip is well worth the effort. It’s a Mediterranean inspired dip with bell peppers, basil, garlic, shallot, and more.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Red Pepper Cream Cheese Dip
Crab Cake Egg Rolls
Prepare an amazing appetizer with these air fryer crab cake egg rolls that are easy to make and bursting with flavors of Old Bay, lemon, and sriracha. Dip them in the fire sauce for an extra kick and enjoy the perfectly crispy texture achieved by air frying.
Get the Recipe: Crab Cake Egg Rolls
Parmesan Truffle Polenta Fries
These crispy polenta fries, flavored with parmesan and truffle, are perfect as a side dish or appetizer and can be paired with a delicious truffle mayo dipping sauce. If you serve them at your next gathering, your guests are sure to ask for the recipe!
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Truffle Polenta Fries
Antipasto Skewers
Impress your guests with easy-to-make antipasto skewers, perfect for any occasion! Made with classic Italian flavors, these crowd-pleasing bites are ideal for parties, picnics, and more.
Get the Recipe: Antipasto Skewers
Homemade Mini Pizza Bagel Bites
These homemade mini pizza bagel bites are just as more-ish as they sound! That’s right – one is never enough. Once you know how to make bagel bites, you’ll want to rustle up this bite size pizza snack all the time.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Mini Pizza Bagel Bites
Chicken Mozzarella Sticks
These crispy air fryer chicken mozzarella sticks are the perfect appetizer. Made with ground chicken and mozzarella sticks, this easy recipe is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Mozzarella Sticks
Bacon Wrapped Cheeseburger Bites
These air fryer bacon wrapped cheeseburger bites are a perfect appetizer for any occasion, with a quick and easy preparation. Whether you call them bacon wrapped meatballs or meatloaf balls, you’re sure to love their amazing taste!
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Cheeseburger Bites
Pull Apart Jalapeño Popper Rolls
These air fryer jalapeño popper rolls are a spicy and cheesy appetizer that can be made with Pillsbury pizza or crescent dough. With hot sauce, jalapeños, and two types of cheese, these quick and easy pull apart rolls are perfect for fans of spicy food.
Get the Recipe: Pull Apart Jalapeño Popper Rolls
Everything Bagel Beer Dogs
Everything bagel beer dogs are a great game day appy which are easy to make. Cocktail weenies are coated in a tasty coating and then served with an easy horseradish mayo dipping sauce.
Get the Recipe: Everything Bagel Beer Dogs
Avocado Herb Green Goddess Dip
Whether you want to dip veggie sticks, melba toast, chips, crackers, or something else, this avocado herb green goddess dip is really good. Pair it with a vegetable board or charcuterie platter and enjoy the fresh flavours in every mouthful.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Herb Green Goddess Dip
Hot Italian Sliders
Spice up your next gathering with hot Italian sliders – the perfect appetizer for tailgating or backyard picnics! Made with slider rolls, deli meats, and cheeses, these mini sandwiches are a crowd-pleaser. Don’t forget the marinara dipping sauce for an extra kick of flavor!
Get the Recipe: Hot Italian Sliders
Bacon Jalapeño Cheese Pigs in a Blanket
These air fryer bacon jalapeño cheese pigs in a blanket are a quick and delicious finger food or appetizer, made with Pillsbury pizza dough, bratwurst, cheese, and jalapeños. They’re perfect for game day or entertaining guests.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Jalapeño Cheese Pigs in a Blanket
Chunky Guacamole
This chunky guacamole recipe is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that can be customized to suit your taste preferences. Made with avocados, tomatoes, green onions, chilies, lime juice, and cilantro, it is a perfect addition to any meal.
Get the Recipe: Chunky Guacamole
Tomatillo Red Chili Salsa
Make your own fresh tomatillo red chili salsa with this easy copycat Chipotle recipe that’s perfect as a snack or appetizer with chips or crackers, and goes great with steak, chicken, or any south of the border inspired meal.
Get the Recipe: Tomatillo Red Chili Salsa
Blueberry Brie Pastry and Dip
Impress your guests with this delicious air fryer blueberry brie pastry dip appetizer that will leave them amazed. The crispy brie and puff pastry, combined with the sweet blueberry flavor, make a perfect dip that everyone will love.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Brie Pastry and Dip
Street Corn Nachos
These elote Mexican street corn nachos offer a delicious twist to the classic Mexican nachos recipe, featuring a zesty cheese sauce and unique toppings that are sure to tantalize your taste buds. Once you try them, you’ll surely agree that the combination of elote and nacho chips is an unbeatable culinary delight.
Get the Recipe: Street Corn Nachos
Pecan Praline Spice Butter Board
This Tik Tok recipe is a charcuterie style easy appetizer, served on a wooden board. It’s a great option if you’re planning a holiday party, and everyone will love the combination of sweet, crunchy and buttery in every delicious bite.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Praline Spice Butter Board
Puff Pastry Garlic Cheese Twists
Make a delicious appetizer with these parmesan and mozzarella air fryer garlic cheese twists that are easy to make from scratch. Your guests will love the homemade taste of these cheese twists that are far better than store-bought ones.
Get the Recipe: Puff Pastry Garlic Cheese Twists
BBQ Peach Bourbon Wings
These delicious air fryer BBQ peach bourbon wings can be served as an appetizer or as part of a tasty dinner for any occasion. The combination of peach and bourbon flavors with the chicken wings, cooked to perfection in the air fryer, will leave your guests wanting more!
Get the Recipe: BBQ Peach Bourbon Wings
Crab Cakes with Garlic Lemon Chipotle Aioli
Enjoy a delicious and easy-to-make meal with these air fryer crab cakes served with a flavorful garlic lemon chipotle aioli sauce. These Southwest-inspired crab cakes make a perfect addition to any dinner menu, and the air frying method makes them crispy and delicious in no time!
Get the Recipe: Crab Cakes with Garlic Lemon Chipotle Aioli
Loaded Slow Cooker Taco Dip
If you’re looking for a loaded slow cooker taco dip recipe, this Mexican inspired party dip should tick all your boxes! Once you’ve prepared the ingredients and loaded them in your slow cooker, you can simply forget about.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Slow Cooker Taco Dip
Smoked Gouda Bacon Cheddar Cheese Dip
Smoked gouda bacon cheddar cheese dip pairs beautifully with pretzels. So if you’re looking for the best pretzel cheese sauce recipe, look no further. This cheese dipping sauce is made with smoked gouda, cheddar and cream cheese, along with other flavourful ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Gouda Bacon Cheddar Cheese Dip
Burrata Stuffed Tomato Appetizer
For a delightful Italian appetizer, try making fresh burrata-stuffed tomatoes – a quick, simple, and colorful dish that’s perfect for bite-sized finger food. With only four ingredients, plus salt and pepper, these appetizers are appetizing without being too filling, making them a great start to an Italian-inspired meal.
Get the Recipe: Burrata Stuffed Tomato Appetizer
Pressed Italian Picnic Sandwiches
Transport your taste buds to Italy with these amazing pressed Italian picnic sandwiches! Perfect for lunch or a summer picnic, these sandwiches are bursting with authentic flavors that will have you coming back for more.
Get the Recipe: Pressed Italian Picnic Sandwiches
Slow Cooker Spicy Corn and Jalapeño Cheese Dip
Spicy corn and jalapeño cheese dip makes great party food. You can make this jalapeño corn dip in the crockpot and make it as spicy (or not) as you choose. This slow cooker dip recipe is always a BIG hit and this easy street corn dip doesn’t last long.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Spicy Corn and Jalapeño Cheese Dip
Pink Beetroot Hummus
This healthy and colourful appetizer is a nice change from a classic hummus recipe. Roasted beets and tahini are the star ingredients of this easy pink beetroot hummus recipe. This homemade hummus is the perfect dip or healthy spread for any occasion.
Get the Recipe: Pink Beetroot Hummus
Smoked Cream Cheese
It’s one of the best smoked appetizer ideas you can make with a pellet grill or Traeger smoker. Find out how to smoke cheese and get ready for this brand new jalapeno and cheese flavour experience with this tasty appetizer dip.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Cream Cheese
Texas Cowboy Caviar Dip
Despite its name, this Texan recipe doesn’t actually contain any fish or caviar, but it’s a delicious and colorful appetizer that’s perfect for summer barbecues, and a great option for those looking for a vegan Southwest-style dip or a bean and corn salsa.
Get the Recipe: Texas Cowboy Caviar Dip
Antipasto Board
Make the Italian antipasto board or holiday antipasto wreath your new appetizer tradition – a delicious party platter featuring a variety of cheeses, deli meats, vegetables, and a flavorful garlicky herb dressing that’s sure to please every palate.
Get the Recipe: Antipasto Board
Italian Stromboli Recipe
Experience the taste of true Italian flavors with this authentic stromboli recipe, originating from South Philly where Italian immigrants first created this Italian-American dish. With its combination of deli meats, cheese, and rich Italian flavors rolled into a delicious sandwich, this easy-to-make stromboli is a great way to spice up any pizza night.
Get the Recipe: Italian Stromboli Recipe
Muffaletta Sandwich
Savor the deliciousness of a homemade muffaletta sandwich, featuring a flavorful olive spread, deli meats, and cheese. With a simple recipe that you can make at home, this satisfying sandwich is sure to become a culinary highlight that will impress even the heartiest of appetites.
Get the Recipe: Muffaletta Sandwich
Easy Strawberry Jalapeño Jam
This delicious jalapeño and fruit jelly without pectin pairs sweetness with a hit of spice from the chilli pepper. It’s certainly an unusual recipe and you can tweak the spice level to suit your palate.
Get the Recipe: Easy Strawberry Jalapeño Jam
Shrimp Ceviche with Avocado
If you’re a seafood lover, you have to give Mexican shrimp ceviche a try. With its fresh ingredients and tangy flavors, it’s a dish that’s sure to satisfy your taste buds.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Ceviche with Avocado
Beef Taquitos
This is the best air fryer recipe for taquitos and you don’t need any hard to get ingredients either. Whether it’s ‘taco Tuesday’ or not, switch things up by making this easy taquito recipe instead of tacos. I promise this gluten free Mexican dinner will wow you!
Get the Recipe: Gluten Free Beef Taquitos
Baked Artichoke Dip
This baked artichoke dip is quick and easy to throw together. It’s perfect when you have last minute guests show up! I love making this hot artichoke appetizer and enjoying it with toasted baguette slices, chips, crackers, or veggie crudités.
Get the Recipe: Baked Artichoke Dip
Sheet Pan Blackened Tilapia Fish Nachos
These sheet pan blackened tilapia fish nachos are the perfect meal for any night of the week. Made with crispy blackened tilapia, and loaded with all your favourite nacho toppings, these fish nachos are sure to become a new family favorite
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Blackened Tilapia Fish Nachos
Cheddar Pigs In A Blanket
If you’ve never tried pigs in a blanket with cheese before, make this recipe! Sliced cheddar cheese and flaked salt takes this classic game day recipe and turns up the flavor! A fast and easy appetizer for holiday parties, get-togethers, or events!
Get the Recipe: Cheddar Pigs In A Blanket
Pasta Chips
Pasta Chips are a deliciously crunchy viral TikTok recipe that’s perfect for enjoying with warm marinara sauce or any of your favorite dips! Ready for dipping and eating in just under 30 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Pasta Chips
Corn Ribs
Corn Ribs slices ears of fresh sweet corn into strips and seasons them before they get charred up to perfectly sweet and slightly chewy corn! Prep this Tiktok side dish in just 15 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Corn Ribs
Mini Corn Dogs
These Mini Corn Dogs take half hot dogs, roll them in a sweet, cornmeal batter, and then deep fry to golden brown perfection! Great for a weekend snack, game day appetizer, or a quick lunch your kids will love!
Get the Recipe: Mini Corn Dogs
Texas Twinkies
Texas Twinkies are an easy recipe of jalapenos stuffed with a cheesy brisket filling, wrapped in salty bacon, and brushed with BBQ sauce!
Get the Recipe: Texas Twinkies
Cheesy Garlic Bread
Homemade Cheesy Garlic Bread is a hearty sliced loaf slathered with butter, garlic, herbs, and cheese, then baked to crisp perfection. Who doesn’t love a cheesy bread full of garlic and herbs?!
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Garlic Bread
Brioche Pretzels
Brioche Pretzels with Smoked Gouda Beer Cheese Dip! … Brioche Pretzels? With Smoked Gouda Beer Cheese Dip? What?! If it sounds like heaven, it’s because it is! These soft and buttery brioche pretzels are flaky and delicious! The outer shell is smooth and the crumb is pillowy soft like a cloud!
Get the Recipe: Brioche Pretzels
5-Minute Chunky Vegan Queso
In a pinch and need something quick and easy? Look no further, this 5-minute chunky vegan queso is not only easy but is super delicious! It comes together in about 5 minutes and has less than 10 ingredients!
Get the Recipe: 5-Minute Chunky Vegan Queso
Honey Lemon Pepper Wings
Get the flavor of great lemon pepper wings at home with this recipe. It uses honey to make a sticky and delicious wing that rivals anything you can pick up at Wingstop.
Get the Recipe: Honey Lemon Pepper Wings
Rosemary Cheddar Cheese Crackers
If you’re anything like me, you will love cheddar cheese crackers too! They’re crunchy, cheesy and just make the perfect snack. A lot of the boxed ones have preservatives, so you might want to make this homemade cracker recipe
Get the Recipe: Rosemary Cheddar Cheese Crackers
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.