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  5. 22 Low-Calorie Appetizers So Delicious, You'll Want to Eat Them for Dinner

22 Low-Calorie Appetizers So Delicious, You'll Want to Eat Them for Dinner

Leah Goggins headshot
Leah Goggins Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD May 07, 2022
Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD
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Easy Scallion-Salmon Dip

When you can't make up your mind about dinner plans, flip the script and enjoy a spread of deliciously snackable appetizers. There's so much to choose from—fruity canapés, creamy dips, cheesy bites and more—so you can create a collection of small plates that everyone will love. Plus, these recipes are light, low-calorie options, perfect for evenings when you just want to graze. Recipes like our Cauliflower Chicken Nachos and Easy Scallion-Salmon Dip are so tasty, you'll want to make them your whole dinner.

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Canapés with Peach, Sage & Prosciutto

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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.

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Loaded Black Bean Dip

loaded black bean dip in a white bowl served with tortilla chips
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This is 7-layer black bean dip simplified: just heat and season refried beans, then top with fresh vegetables for a texturally exciting dip.

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Cauliflower Chicken Nachos

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Swapping in tender-crisp cauliflower slices for chips in these cauliflower nachos ups your veggie servings for the day.

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Avocado Hummus

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This vibrant green hummus recipe couldn't be easier--just toss a few ingredients in the food processor and whir away! Aquafaba (the liquid from a can of chickpeas) and avocado make this healthy dip extra smooth and creamy. Serve with veggie chips, pita chips or crudités.

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Vegan Cauliflower Buffalo Wings

Vegan Cauliflower Buffalo Wings
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Looking for a healthy appetizer for your Super Bowl party or another casual get-together? These vegan Buffalo cauliflower wings are sure to hit the spot. Coated in panko breadcrumbs and spices, these Buffalo cauliflower bites are tender on the inside and crispy on the outside--and don't forget the vegan ranch sauce! This is one of those healthy Super Bowl recipes you won't be able to resist.

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Easy Scallion-Salmon Dip

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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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Lumpiang Sariwa (Fresh Spring Rolls)

Lumpiang Sariwa (Fresh Spring Rolls)
Credit: Jenny Huang
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These spring rolls (sariwa means fresh in Tagalog) were first introduced to the Philippines by Chinese immigrants and traders. They usually consist of vegetables, meat or seafood, rolled up in lettuce and a thin wrapper. Read more about this recipe.

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Edamame with Ginger Salt

Edamame with Ginger Salt
Credit: Jerrelle Guy
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Add zing to convenient frozen edamame with easy homemade seasoning. You'll have leftover ginger salt—try a sprinkle on steamed or roasted veggies.

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Chive Cheese Crackers

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These can't-stop-at-one healthy crackers are like cheesy shortbread cookies. The texture is slightly crisp on the edges and a bit tender in the center.

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Oysters au Gratin with Spinach & Breadcrumbs

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These succulent baked oysters thrill with spicy spinach and a crispy cheese topping. 

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3-Ingredient Cheddar & Apple Bites

3-ingredient Cheddar Apple Bites
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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.

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Crab Wontons with Brie

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In this riff on crab Rangoon, we bake this wonton recipe instead of frying to lighten things up. Preheating the pan and coating the bites with cooking spray ensures they still get crispy.

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Chicken Parmesan Dip

Chicken Parmesan Dip
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No breading and frying here! Layer on the cheese and tomatoes using leftover chicken (or turkey) in this healthy dip recipe. Pair with soft Italian bread and a salad for an easy dinner or serve it as an appetizer for your next party.

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Air-Fryer Jalapeño Poppers

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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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3-Ingredient Blue Cheese & Fig Bites

3-ingredient blue cheese & fig bites
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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.

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Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms

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This crab-stuffed mushroom recipe is perfect for Christmas, New Year's Eve and other holiday parties or any other time you need a quick and easy appetizer. The filling is light and fresh thanks to hearts of palm, a tender vegetable with a mild flavor (similar to artichokes) that doesn't mask the rich, sweet flavor of fresh crabmeat.

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Mini Sandwiches with Fig & Brie

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Turn the basics of a cheese board into adorable mini grilled cheese sandwiches for a satisfying appetizer.

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Garlic Hummus

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This classic hummus recipe couldn't be easier--just toss a few ingredients in the food processor and whir away! Aquafaba (the liquid from a can of chickpeas) makes this healthy dip extra smooth and creamy. Serve with veggie chips, pita chips or crudités.

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Air-Fryer Buffalo Wings

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A sports bar favorite comes home with these deliciously crispy chicken wings, which require just 10 minutes of active prep time, thanks to the air fryer. In fact, one of EatingWell's recipe testers declared this air-fryer Buffalo wing recipe "a reason to buy an air fryer." Add a spicy sauce, carrot sticks, celery sticks and ranch dressing for dipping and you have a healthy take on wings that's sure to score.

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Homemade Multi-Seed Crackers

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Turn leftover brown rice and quinoa from dinner or meal-prepping into these delicious crispy crackers that are loaded with three good-for-you seeds--and create an everything-bagel flavor, without the bagel. The whole grains that make up this copycat cracker recipe add lots of fiber for a healthy snack that pairs perfectly with hummus or cheese.

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Ultimate Summer Fruit & Cheese Board

Ultimate Summer Fruit & Cheese Board
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This easy cheese board features a bounty of seasonal vegetables and fresh fruits, which add color and complement the variety of cheeses. We've made cheese suggestions, but feel free to mix and match with your favorites. For the fresh produce, improvise based on what's available at your market and what's in season.

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Almost Chipotle's Guacamole

Almost Chipotle's Guacamole
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Make guacamole at home that tastes just like it came from Chipotle--but don't worry, our version won't be extra! This deliciously fresh guac is perfect for topping burrito bowls or tacos, or serve as an appetizer or healthy snack with tortilla chips and veggies.

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    1 of 22 Canapés with Peach, Sage & Prosciutto
    2 of 22 Loaded Black Bean Dip
    3 of 22 Cauliflower Chicken Nachos
    4 of 22 Avocado Hummus
    5 of 22 Vegan Cauliflower Buffalo Wings
    6 of 22 Easy Scallion-Salmon Dip
    7 of 22 Lumpiang Sariwa (Fresh Spring Rolls)
    8 of 22 Edamame with Ginger Salt
    9 of 22 Chive Cheese Crackers
    10 of 22 Oysters au Gratin with Spinach & Breadcrumbs
    11 of 22 3-Ingredient Cheddar & Apple Bites
    12 of 22 Crab Wontons with Brie
    13 of 22 Chicken Parmesan Dip
    14 of 22 Air-Fryer Jalapeño Poppers
    15 of 22 3-Ingredient Blue Cheese & Fig Bites
    16 of 22 Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms
    17 of 22 Mini Sandwiches with Fig & Brie
    18 of 22 Garlic Hummus
    19 of 22 Air-Fryer Buffalo Wings
    20 of 22 Homemade Multi-Seed Crackers
    21 of 22 Ultimate Summer Fruit & Cheese Board
    22 of 22 Almost Chipotle's Guacamole

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    22 Low-Calorie Appetizers So Delicious, You'll Want to Eat Them for Dinner
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