27 Best-Ever Thanksgiving Hors d'Oeuvres

Updated September 14, 2020

Set the tone for the big Thanksgiving dinner with easy, delicious hors d'oeuvres. These healthy bites will keep guests out of the kitchen and give them something light to munch on throughout the day.

Start Slideshow

1 of 27

Butternut Squash & Caramelized Onion Dip

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Sweet squash and lightly caramelized onions come together with sour cream, nutritional yeast and chives for an easy dip to win over Thanksgiving guests before dinner. Serve with chips and crunchy crudités.

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 27

3-Ingredient Blue Cheese & Fig Bites

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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. 

3 of 27

Pear-Pecan Cheese Ball

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Sweet pear, salty Cheddar, cream cheese and crunchy nuts make this healthy cheese ball recipe an alluring holiday treat. Serve with an array of crudités and crisp party crackers.

Advertisement

4 of 27

Cheese Fondue with Fennel & Tomatoes

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

The alpine cheeses in this healthy cheese fondue recipe by Laura Werlin are known for melting smoothly, which is key in a fondue. Adding vegetables brings texture and bonus nutrition, while complementing the buttery nuttiness of each cheese. To serve 12, plan to offer 6 cups of cut-up vegetables for dipping, such as steamed broccoli and cauliflower florets or strips of raw fennel and red bell pepper.

5 of 27

Roasted Pears with Brie & Pistachios

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Roasted pears with Brie and pistachios is delicious as a first course or a side with roast pork or lamb. Leave the stems on for the prettiest presentation.

6 of 27

Veggie-Topped Rye Crisps

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Rye crisps are topped with a light and creamy cheese spread flavored with lemon and served with colorful vegetables for a pretty, easy appetizer or small plate.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 27

Canapés with Peach, Sage & Prosciutto

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

No need to stick to the recipe with these hors d'oeuvres. There are endless ways to change up these canapés—swap the peaches and sage for plums and tarragon, cherries and mint or dried apricots and chervil—feel free to mix and match your fruit and herbs to suit your company.

8 of 27

Apricot Canapes

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

These easy sweet and savory bites are like a cheese course in a bite. There are no tricks to making this simple: Dried apricots are stuffed with honey, blue cheese and walnuts.

9 of 27

Curried Butternut Squash Dip

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This healthy squash dip recipe, spiced with curry and made creamy with the addition of coconut milk, is a delicious alternative to hummus. You can also use other types of winter squash, pumpkin or sweet potatoes in place of the butternut squash in this dip. Serve with crisp raw vegetables or toasted pitas for dipping.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 27

Lemon-Garlic Marinated Shrimp

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Ready to chill in just a few minutes using just a handful of ingredients, marinated precooked shrimp in garlic- and lemon-infused oil is a simple yet elegant appetizer.

11 of 27

Classic Deviled Eggs

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

We love the taste of dill relish in the filling of this deviled egg recipe, but if you like a sweeter deviled egg‚ opt for sweet relish instead. Our secret to healthy, creamy deviled eggs with fewer calories is to swap out half the full-fat mayo for nonfat Greek yogurt.

12 of 27

Pumpkin Seeds with Everything Bagel Seasoning

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Everything bagel spices give these roasted pumpkin seeds an extra hit of flavor that's delicious any time of day. 

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 27

Pea, Pancetta & Tarragon Crostini

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Up your healthy appetizer game and make this veggie-topped crostini recipe instead of go-to bruschetta. If you can't find tarragon, any soft herb, such as basil or dill, works well too.

14 of 27

Garlic-Chile Marinated Olives

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Simply pour warm aromatic oil over a selection of olives to infuse them with loads of flavor fast. These olives are a wonderful easy party appetizer--add any leftovers to salads or simply snack on them.

15 of 27

Asiago Cheese Dip

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Enough cheese, tomato, and mushroom are warmed in the slow-cooker to serve a crowd. Serve with freshly-toasted French bread slices to get your guests ready for the big feast.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 27

Slow-Cooker Spinach Artichoke Dip

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This creamy, crowd-pleasing dip comes together with ease in your crockpot. Leave it in the slow cooker all party long to keep it warm for serving with perfect, melty cheese in every bite. Whole-wheat bread and raw veggie dippers allow you to dig in without the guilt. 

17 of 27

Goat Cheese Crostini with Fig Compote

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

There are endless ways to change up these canapés—plums and tarragon, cherries and mint, apricots and chervil top bite-sized toasts for a Thanksgiving appetizer.

18 of 27

Loaded Cauliflower Bites

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Crispy slices of roasted cauliflower topped with cheese, sour cream and bacon make a tasty low-carb alternative to classic loaded potato skins.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 27

Prosciutto-Wrapped Avocado & Melon Bites

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This classic combination of melon and prosciutto gets a bit of creamy deliciousness from goat cheese. The avocado adds a touch of decadence and good-for-you nutrients. This appetizer recipe is worth bookmarking for your next dinner party, since all of the ingredients are incredibly simple to find and easy to keep on hand.

20 of 27

Roasted Beet Crostini

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

The entire beet plant—roots, stems and greens—can be used in this stunning appetizer. The beets are roasted then pureed with goat cheese for a creamy ruby-red spread. The greens and stems are sautéed with olive oil and garlic for the topping.

21 of 27

Baked Brie with Jam in Puff Pastry

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Serve this decadent yet easy appetizer with apple wedges and crackers and watch it disappear in seconds! It's bound to be your new party go-to. 

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 27

Double-Tahini Hummus

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

You'll look like an expert with this easy hummus recipe that produces the lightest, silkiest hummus you've ever had. Chilling the cooked chickpeas ensures that when they're blended with the oil and cold tahini the hummus will come out creamy rather than oily. In a pinch, you can use the quick-soak technique (see Step 1), reduce the chilling time and still get great hummus.

23 of 27

Rosemary-Garlic Marinated Vegetables

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Amp up your appetizer game when you make this easy marinated vegetable recipe. Soak asparagus, mushrooms and cauliflower in rosemary- and garlic-flavored marinade and in just a couple hours you'll have tasty vegetables ready to serve.

24 of 27

Pear & Camembert Crostini

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Up your appetizer game with this fruit-topped cheese crostini recipe. Warm preserves give the pears a shiny glaze and prevent them from browning.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 27

Roasted Vegetable Antipasto

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

A zesty vinaigrette makes these roasted Brussels sprouts, fennel, carrots and beets pop. If you can't find small carrots, halve larger ones crosswise then quarter lengthwise. Serve this vegetable antipasto as a side dish or appetizer.

26 of 27

Spiced Pistachios

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Chinese five-spice powder is a blend of cinnamon, cloves, fennel seed, star anise and Szechuan peppercorns; it adds subtle flavor to these pistachios. Look for it in the spice section at the market or with other Asian ingredients. Omit the added salt if you use salted pistachios.

27 of 27

Marinated Olives & Feta

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Olives and feta marinated with rosemary, lemon and garlic are great served on crisp flatbread-style crackers or warm slices of crusty baguette.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Up Next