23 Healthy, 20-Minute Appetizer Recipes That Are So Good You'll Want Them for Dinner

Whipped Feta Dip with Roasted Red Peppers
Photo: Victor Protasio

Switch things up and make a spread of these delicious appetizers for dinner tonight. Whether it's a creamy dip, a slice of toast with all the toppings or a twist on popular appetizers, these healthy recipes are ready in 20 minutes. Recipes like Whipped Feta Dip with Roasted Red Peppers and Buffalo-Chicken Celery Sticks make for a fun and tasty dinner.

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Whipped Feta Dip with Roasted Red Peppers

Whipped Feta Dip with Roasted Red Peppers
Victor Protasio

This super-creamy whipped feta dip is savory with just a hint of sweetness from honey. This healthy dip is perfect for veggies, whole-grain crackers or bread.

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Black Bean Hummus

Black Bean Hummus
Casey Barber

For a slightly Southwestern spin on hummus, swap in black beans for the traditional chickpeas. It's just as fiber-rich and filling, but with a taste that pairs well with tortilla chips and crisp bell peppers.

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Tomato-Cheddar Cheese Toast

a slice of toast with cheese and tomato

A perfect soup pairing or an easy snack, this healthy cheese toast recipe features fresh tomatoes, salty Cheddar cheese and cracked pepper atop slices of crusty bread.

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Easy Scallion-Salmon Dip

Inspired by the classic combination of smoked salmon and cream cheese, this spread is perfect for slathering on a bagel or serving as a dip with bagel chips. This salmon dip recipe is a great way to use up leftovers from Miso-Maple Salmon (see Associated Recipes).

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Air-Fryer Jalapeño Poppers

The perfect football-party food, classic jalapeño poppers get a crispy upgrade in an air fryer. Cream cheese tempers the just-right hint of heat from the pepper and Buffalo sauce. To save time, you can stuff the peppers ahead of the party and fry them just before serving.

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Buffalo-Chicken Celery Sticks

Buffalo-Chicken Celery Sticks

These stuffed celery sticks, packed with zesty Buffalo chicken and tangy blue cheese, make a perfect low-carb game-day snack. The kick of flavor from tangy Buffalo sauce is tempered by creamy Neufchâtel (reduced-fat cream cheese), but you can cut back if the hot sauce is too much for sensitive palates. Drizzle a few drops on the sticks before serving for those who can handle the heat.

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Apricot, Prosciutto & Parmesan Bites

Apricot, Prosciutto & Parmesan Bites
Jamie Vespa, M.S., R.D.

These 3-ingredient apricot, Parmesan and prosciutto bites are as simple to make as they look, and they taste even better. Simply layer each ingredient on top of the other and secure with a toothpick for an easy bite-size starter.

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Smoked Salmon & Avocado Toasts

They would have been canapés back in 1979--today they're trendy avocado toasts. Let your guests creatively customize their nibbles by setting out an array of garnishes for this healthy appetizer.

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Strawberry & Brie Bites

Strawberry & Brie Bites

Strawberries, Brie cheese, fresh basil and balsamic vinegar come together in this addictive one-bite appetizer recipe.

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Roasted Beet Hummus

This vibrant hummus recipe couldn't be easier--just toss a few ingredients in the food processor and whir away! Roasted beets make this healthy dip extra flavorful. Serve with veggie chips, pita chips or crudités.

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Smoked Gouda & Giardiniera Charcuterie Sticks

Smoked Gouda & Giardiniera Charcuterie Sticks
Jacob Fox

Crunchy pickled vegetables pair perfectly with creamy Gouda with a hint of smoke.

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Air-Fryer Cauliflower Gnocchi with Marinara Dipping Sauce

Air-Fryer Cauliflower Gnocchi with Marinara Dipping Sauce
Photographer: Frederick Hardy II, Food Stylist: Robin Bashinsky, Prop Stylist: Elise Christiansen.

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.

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Avocado-Yogurt Dip

Update your guacamole recipe by adding protein-packed yogurt to make a healthy dip recipe. For an extra kick, add minced jalapeño or your favorite hot sauce for some zing! Serve this healthy dip recipe with crunchy vegetables, pita chips or pretzels, or use as a sandwich spread.

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Salami, Cheddar & Pepperoncini Charcuterie Sticks

Salami, Cheddar & Pepperoncini Charcuterie Sticks
Jacob Fox

Salami, Cheddar cheese and pepperoncini deliver flavor in every bite in this easy appetizer.

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Baked Brie with Blackberry Jam

Baked Brie with Blackberry Jam
Jamie Vespa, M.S., R.D.

Baked Brie is a classic, crowd-pleasing party appetizer, whether it's wrapped up in a pastry, in bite-size form or covered in a fruity jam, like in this recipe. In this easy 3-ingredient appetizer, we top a wheel of Brie with blackberry jam, bake for 10 minutes and serve with crisp apple slices (or crackers). It's so simple yet so delicious, you'll wonder why you don't make it more often!

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Loaded Sheet-Pan Nachos

This quick and easy Super Bowl recipe has been referred to as "the best nachos people have ever had." With easy-to-find ingredients, an optional pop of tang and spice from the pickled jalapeños, and the salsa verde and sour cream for serving, we think it's earned its title!

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Smoked Salmon Cheese Toast

Perfect with soup or as an easy snack, this healthy cheese toast recipe pairs reduced-fat cream cheese (Neufchâtel), smoked salmon and dill on top of crusty bread.

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Manchego, Pepper Drop & Chorizo Charcuterie Sticks

Manchego, Pepper Drop & Chorizo Charcuterie Sticks
Jacob Fox

Manchego cheese pairs perfectly with sweet and tangy pepper drops. If you can't find small pickled peppers, a larger one cut into pieces will work well too.

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Reuben Pickle Bites

stacks of pickles, bread, pastrami and cheese with a toothpick

This pickle-on-a-stick appetizer has all the flavors of a classic Reuben sandwich in one small bite. Watch this crowd-pleasing no-cook appetizer disappear in a snap at a party, game-watch or tailgate.

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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.

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Goat Cheese Crostini with Mushrooms & Brown Butter

Goat Cheese Crostini with Mushrooms & Brown Butter

Serve these savory herbed crostini with a big green salad. Looking for a heartier meal? Top each toast with a poached or fried egg.

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Chile Con Queso

Our healthier version of chile con queso will have ooey-gooey-cheese lovers celebrating. Now you can enjoy this Tex-Mex dip without all the fat and calories. We replaced some of the cheese with a low-fat white sauce and used sharp Cheddar plus a splash of beer to boost the flavor. Our version cuts the calories in half and reduces total fat and saturated fat by nearly 60 percent.

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Lemon-Thyme Whipped Ricotta

This stunning yet easy appetizer recipe infuses creamy ricotta with fresh herbs and lemon. Serve with whole-grain crackers and cut-up vegetables or use as a spread for sandwiches or sauce for pasta.

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