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Healthy, Quick & Easy Appetizer Recipes

Find quick and easy appetizer recipes, from the food and nutrition experts at EatingWell.

Healthier Appetizers & Finger Foods

Appetizers and finger foods don't have to come from a box. They can be healthy and delicious with these ideas from EatingWell.

Healthier Appetizers & Finger Foods

Corned Beef and Cabbage Appetizers

These fun Shamrock Tostadas are the perfect healthy appetizer for St. Patrick's Day.

Corned Beef and Cabbage Appetizers

FREE Top 10 Appetizer Recipe Cookbook!

Including crostini recipes, dumpling recipes and more, this cookbook features our very best appetizer recipes.

FREE Top 10 Appetizer Recipe Cookbook!

Blue Cheese & Fig Bite

Blue Corn Botanita

Shrimp-Pepper Popper

Deconstructed Spicy Crab Roll

9 Instant Appetizers

Whether you’re gracing guests with a gourmet feast or scrambling to host a few hungry pop-ins, a platter of no-cook canapés is an elegant, easy way to make them feel welcome. These cracker- or bread-based bites rely on bright colors, no-fuss store-bought ingredients and balanced flavors to effortlessly dazzle a crowd. They’re so quick, in fact, we had to measure our prep time in the Test Kitchen with a stopwatch!

Harissa Mackerel & Endive

Savory Date & Pistachio Bites

Pumpkin Spice Dip

Serrano-Wrapped Plums

Easy 10-Minute No-Cook Appetizers

No one wants to be stuck in the kitchen at her own party, but you can still be hostess with the mostest: whip up a few of these super-easy finger foods, shake up some cocktails and mingle with your friends all night long.

Blueberry-Pecan Energy Balls

Dried blueberries and pecans team up with cacao nibs for a chocolaty treat any time of day. The cacao is a bit more bitter than chocolate, but the maple syrup helps tame it. Almond butter and chia seeds provide protein to make these bites substantial snacks to fuel your body.

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Cranberry-Oat Energy Balls

Craisins and dried figs do double duty as sweeteners and binders to make these easy energy balls both tasty and practical. These portable snacks mix in sunflower butter for plenty of protein. They're ready in just 25 minutes and can be stored in your freezer for easy snacking.

Peanut Butter-Date Energy Balls

This easy snack recipe doubles down on the toasty flavor of the ancient grain amaranth by combining it with peanut butter and flaxseeds. Pitted dates hold it all together while adding extra fiber. Eat these as a snack, grab for a quick breakfast or serve as a healthier dessert.

Cherry-Cocoa-Pistachio Energy Balls

Minced dried cherries and pistachios make these energy balls a salty-sweet snack to satisfy all your cravings. Almond butter and cocoa add substance and chocolaty appeal. Serve any time of day as a snack or dessert, or pack them for a hike.

Salted Coconut-Caramel Energy Balls

A blend of dates, sunflower seed butter, salt and vanilla make these bites surprisingly reminiscent of salted caramel--both in taste and texture. Unlike our ultra-easy mix-and-match basic energy ball recipe, you'll need a blender to make a paste for the base of these balls, but the extra effort is oh-so-worth it for the sweet and satisfying result.

S'mores Energy Balls

These two-bite, protein-packed snacks have all the flavors of a campfire favorite rolled right in. Mini chocolate chips and graham cracker pieces are blended into the base mixture, while a mini marshmallow is tucked into the center. Even better, they're no-bake and you can make a big batch in about 30 minutes.

Spicy Olives

Toss olives with orange zest, herbs and spices and just like that you have something that screams it's not just another boring Tuesday evening.

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Canapés with Peach, Sage & Prosciutto

There are endless ways to change up these canapés--plums and tarragon, cherries and mint, apricots and chervil. Mix 6 ounces of softened goat cheese with 1 tablespoon honey if you can't find honey chèvre.

Baked Breaded Eggplant

This breaded eggplant is baked to perfection with a crunchy outside and soft interior. It's wonderful dipped in marinara. If you want to elevate it further, add a sweet and tangy drizzle of balsamic glaze and a sprinkle of fresh basil leaves.

Zucchini Pizza Bites

Think of these zucchini pizza bites as a fun gluten-free alternative to bagel bites. Be sure not to overcook the zucchini or the bites may become soggy. We like the classic pepperoni topping, but feel free to experiment with your own favorites.

Greek Salad Tomato Salsa

Here we have all the elements of Greek salad in a fresh tomato salsa form. It's delicious with grilled fish or chicken or as a dip with pita chips.

Loaded Black Bean Dip

This is 7-layer black bean dip simplified: just heat and season refried beans, then top with fresh vegetables for a texturally exciting dip.

Scallop Crudo with Truffle Vinaigrette

This scallop crudo recipe gets a flavorful addition with shaved truffles. To make thinly slicing the scallops easier, freeze them until they are firm but not frozen, about 20 minutes, and then slice.

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Caramel Delight Energy Balls

Think of these easy no-bake cookies as a healthy makeover of one of our favorite Girl Scout Cookies--chewy caramel, dark chocolate and toasted coconut come together with fiber-boosting oats instead of sugar and flour. And the best part? They take only 15 minutes from start to finish.

Crispy Air-Fryer Pickle Chips

Use your air fryer to make these crispy, salty pickle chips for game day! The air fryer gives you a crispy crust, using much less oil than a traditional fryer. Enjoy these addictive little snacks on their own or with our Southern smoky, creamy dipping sauce.

Air-Fryer Cauliflower Gnocchi with Marinara Dipping Sauce

These tasty bites are perfect for anytime you need an easy appetizer or side dish. Cauliflower gnocchi get a crispy, cheesy coating on the outside and a tender middle in an air fryer. Marinara is the perfect complement for dipping.

Spinach-Feta Dip with Dill

Try this spinach dip, spiked with fresh dill and briny feta cheese, as a sandwich spread--or serve alongside crackers or crudité.

Garlic-Parmesan Chicken Wings

Forget the fryer--these baked garlic-Parmesan chicken wings get a crispy coating (without tons of oil) from panko breadcrumbs combined with grated Parmesan cheese. A drizzle of balsamic vinegar glaze gives this healthy appetizer a sweet and tangy finishing note.

3-Ingredient Cheddar & Apple Bites

Creamy apple butter and sharp Cheddar cheese are a perfect match in these easy party hors d'oeuvres. This recipe calls for prepared pie crust, which is pressed into mini muffin tins to make little tart shells, so it's super easy to make as well. Add slices of apple for extra crunch, if you'd like, or keep these bites simple. Either way, consider making a double batch--they'll go quickly.

3-Ingredient Blue Cheese & Fig Bites

Salty-tangy blue cheese pairs beautifully with sweet fig jam in these easy appetizers, which are perfect for a holiday party. The optional minced chives add a nice pop of color, but these are just as tasty without herbs. Keep the ingredients on hand and you can whip these up for impromptu holiday cocktail parties.