My 29 Thanksgiving Appetizer Recipes Always Run Out First

ByMandy

Thanksgiving gatherings have a way of turning small bites into the main attraction. With 29 appetizer recipes on the table, there’s always a scramble for the last piece. Guests may not remember who brought what, but they’ll remember what disappeared first.

Close-up of a fork lifting a beef sandwich topped with sesame seeds on a soft bun, with more sandwiches in the background.
Roast Beef Sliders. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Shrimp Ceviche

A close-up of shrimp ceviche with sliced red onions and chopped cilantro, served in a decorative green bowl.
Shrimp Ceviche. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Fresh bowls disappear as soon as hands reach for chips during family gatherings. Shrimp Ceviche sparks questions from guests who end up sharing the last bite. Its sharp flavor stands out from the usual starters. Every time it’s made, people wish there was another bowl ready.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Ceviche

Cheddar Bay Sausage Balls

A plate of golden-brown, cheesy sausage balls stacked on top of each other, with one ball partially broken to show the inside texture.
Cheddar Bay Sausage Balls. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Trays empty fast once these little bites make their rounds on the appetizer table. Cheddar Bay Sausage Balls become the first dish families look for at parties. Everyone asks for them each year without fail. No batch ever needs to be stored as leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Cheddar Bay Sausage Balls

Mini Hasselback Potatoes

A plate of sliced, roasted baby potatoes is garnished with herbs. A small bowl of creamy sauce is placed in the center.
Mini Hasselback Potatoes. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Snack trays look extra fun stacked with these cute bites on the plate. Mini Hasselback Potatoes call for seconds from kids and grown-ups alike. Guests reach for them every time a new tray shows up. By dessert, there’s nothing left but crumbs.
Get the Recipe: Mini Hasselback Potatoes

Ultimate Bacon and Jalapeño Cheese Balls

Close-up of several Bacon Jalapeno Popper Cheese Balls wrapped in bacon, stuffed with cheese, and seasoned with herbs and spices, placed on crumpled parchment paper.
Ultimate Bacon and Jalapeño Cheese Balls. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Balls disappear before dinner starts because every guest loves something with a little heat. Ultimate Bacon and Jalapeño Cheese Balls hold their place as party favorites at any event. The snack table looks empty after half an hour. People keep asking to see this as an appetizer.
Get the Recipe: Ultimate Bacon and Jalapeño Cheese Balls

Loaded Potato Skins

Close-up of loaded potato skins topped with melted cheese, bacon bits, and sliced green onions on a white background.
Loaded Potato Skins. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Crisp bites land on plates as fast as hungry faces help themselves early. Loaded Potato Skins are the dish that vanishes quickest at big events. Kids save some for later but leftovers are rare. Plates circle back for seconds every time.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Potato Skins

Vegan Roasted Pumpkin Hummus

A wooden bowl of hummus garnished with chickpeas, pumpkin seeds, and herbs, drizzled with olive oil and paprika.
Vegan Roasted Pumpkin Hummus. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Dips are refilled often as vegetables and chips wipe the bowl clean. Vegan Roasted Pumpkin Hummus brings a unique twist to the spread that guests remember. Those serving healthy snacks love that this one always clears out. Hosts count on it as a fresh starter.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Roasted Pumpkin Hummus

Pigs in a Blanket

Pigs in a Blanket, small sausages wrapped in puff pastry, baked until golden brown, and sprinkled with coarse salt are displayed on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Pigs in a Blanket. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Warm bites stack high but never last long after everyone finds their favorite dip. Pigs in a Blanket stay in high demand at family and friend get-togethers. Extra servings always get packed for kids. Snacking slows down only once these are gone.
Get the Recipe: Pigs in a Blanket

Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs with cranberry sauce on a platter.
Deviled Eggs. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Platters never last more than ten minutes with hands reaching from all sides. Deviled Eggs lead every appetizer lineup year after year. Even the youngest guests claim at least two. There are never enough for the crowd.
Get the Recipe: Deviled Eggs

Party Crostini

Slices of toasted bread stacked together.
Party Crostini. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Slices get topped in every way, so no one eats just one piece. Party Crostini allows guests to be creative and keeps conversations moving. Kids always find the toppings they like best. Serving platters come back empty every time.
Get the Recipe: Party Crostini

Bacon Wrapped Smokies

A close-up of Bacon Wrapped Sugar Smokies, held together with toothpicks and cooked to a crispy finish.
Bacon Wrapped Smokies. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Sticky bites draw crowds seconds after trays hit the table during gatherings. Bacon Wrapped Smokies make napkins a must-have with everyone grabbing extras. Party guests hope there’s more in the oven. Zero leftovers head back to the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Smokies

Potato Skins

Potato skins with sour cream and sliced scallions.
Potato Skins. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Scooping up crispy shells feels like tradition as party plates get filled early. Potato Skins start disappearing during the first round of snacks. Bringing out a second tray becomes common. Clean platters prove their popularity at holiday parties.
Get the Recipe: Potato Skins

Charcuterie Board

A charcuterie board featuring prosciutto, pickles, green olives, blue cheese, breadsticks, baguette slices, grapes, a jar of honey, and a round cheese topped with a dollop of jam.
Charcuterie Board. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Boards keep crowds busy picking between snacks, cheese, and crackers. Charcuterie Board gets friends talking while everyone reaches for something different. No two plates look the same. Things slow down only once everything has been tried.
Get the Recipe: Charcuterie Board

Antipasto Skewers

A plate of antipasto skewers with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, olives, artichoke hearts, cured meats, and a drizzle of green pesto.
Antipasto Skewers. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Skewers stack high and drop even faster as hands pick up one after another. Antipasto Skewers make snack breaks easy at full gatherings. Guests enjoy customizing each bite. Refilling the platter becomes part of the routine.
Get the Recipe: Antipasto Skewers

Turkey Sliders

Close-up of a seasoned bagel sandwich with melted cheese and turkey slider filling, topped with seeds.
Turkey Sliders. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Mini sandwiches fly off the tray long before the main meal is ready. Turkey Sliders keep both kids and adults content at the appetizer table. Friends want to add them to their next party menu. No one ever has any left for lunch the next day.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Sliders

Sausage Balls

Plate of crispy fried dumplings with chopped herbs, served with a bowl of brown dipping sauce.
Sausage Balls. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Bowls fill up quickly, but they’re gone even quicker thanks to little hands sneaking extras. Sausage Balls get eaten up before drinks are finished. People mention them long after dinner. Running out is more common than leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Balls

Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rattlesnake Bites

A bowl of golden-brown, crispy fried arancini served in a white dish on a plain background.
Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rattlesnake Bites. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Plates empty as soon as these appear because there’s always a line for heat and crunch. Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rattlesnake Bites turn every gathering into something fun. Even first-timers ask for the recipe. More batches often get made in the same night.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rattlesnake Bites

Rotel Dip

A skillet filled with creamy cheese dip topped with chopped tomatoes, green onions, cilantro, and sliced jalapeños, surrounded by triangular tortilla chips.
Rotel Dip. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Slow cookers work overtime as this cheesy mix runs out at every family event. Rotel Dip keeps chips moving until every last bite is gone. Nobody walks past the table without reaching for just a bit more. Sharing the recipe is standard practice at these parties.
Get the Recipe: Rotel Dip

Shrimp Cocktail

Shrimp cocktail with peeled shrimp arranged on the rim of a glass filled with cocktail sauce, garnished with parsley.
Shrimp Cocktail. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Bowls cool on ice while everyone lines up for a dip before dinner. Shrimp Cocktail never sits untouched at any gathering. Guests talk about bringing it again next year. Saucers look spotless by the end of the hour.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Cocktail

Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers

A plate of bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers filled with cheese, secured with toothpicks, next to a small dish of dipping sauce.
Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Hot trays move fast when these bites come out with just enough spice. Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers, please anyone looking for a kick at big gatherings. They’re gone before most have sat down. Refills are almost always needed.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers

Brats in a Blanket

Sliced sausage wrapped in golden-brown pastry, sprinkled with sesame and poppy seeds.
Brats in a Blanket. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Cozy wraps get stacked and taken quickly as soon as they join the table of snacks. Brats in a Blanket turn appetizer time into something extra fun. Kids grab them with a smile every time. You rarely ever see any left behind.
Get the Recipe: Brats in a Blanket

Stuffed Mushrooms

Stuffed mushrooms with crispy shallots and parsley.
Stuffed Mushrooms. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Platters arrive hot and vanish even hotter, as hands keep reaching for just one more. Stuffed Mushrooms pull in both veggie fans and meat lovers. Trays come back to the kitchen, wiped clean. Everyone agrees these should be at every gathering.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Mushrooms

Italian Sliders

Close-up of sesame seed-topped sliders filled with sliced meat and melted cheese.
Italian Sliders. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Mini sandwiches mean guests make room for more appetizers, no matter how full they feel. Italian Sliders bring a familiar comfort that always gets noticed. Batches run short after ten minutes. People check the kitchen for another round.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sliders

Smoky Bacon Pig Shots

Close-up of bacon-wrapped scallops secured with toothpicks, seasoned with spices, and cooked until golden and crispy.
Smoky Bacon Pig Shots. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Smoky rounds stand tall on platters before dropping into hands for quick snacking. Smoky Bacon Pig Shots collect compliments at every turn. New faces at the party ask for the recipe too. Clearing the tray takes no time at all.
Get the Recipe: Smoky Bacon Pig Shots

Caprese Appetizer

Image shows an overhead shot of Caprese Bites on a wooden board.
Caprese Appetizer. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Bright bites land on small plates first since everyone wants to start light. Caprese Appetizer gets passed down the line for those waiting on something fresh. Sometimes it feels like the appetizers are finished too soon. Even kids look for more skewers.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Appetizer

Cheeseburger Sliders

Close-up of a partially eaten burger with cheese in a bun, showing the meat patty's texture.
Cheeseburger Sliders. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Small bites stack high and end up as a quick win amongst other snacks. Cheeseburger Sliders match every craving at the start of the meal. People hope there is more than just one tray. Not a crumb stays behind once the line starts moving.
Get the Recipe: Cheeseburger Sliders

Crostini Appetizers

Toasted bread topped with smoked salmon, capers, cheese, walnuts, and herbs on a decorative silver tray.
Crostini Appetizers. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Slices with toppings make snack time simple for guests who want a bit of everything. Crostini Appetizers spark new conversation about favorite combos. Offering a tray means it will empty fast. Refills always get requested.
Get the Recipe: Crostini Appetizers

Salmon Deviled Eggs

Close-up of Deviled Eggs topped with a red currant and garnished with fried leeks. Fresh red currants are in the background.
Salmon Deviled Eggs. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Guests crowd the table for these with a hint of something new at the center. Salmon Deviled Eggs quickly became the topic of conversation. Every tray is wiped clean. People mention them in group texts after leaving.
Get the Recipe: Salmon Deviled Eggs

Festive Turkey Charcuterie Board

A turkey charcuterie board features a playful face design with sliced meats, cheeses, pretzels, grapes, olives, breadsticks, and two candy eyes on an apple.
Festive Turkey Charcuterie Board. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Kids and grown-ups gather around to try something from every corner of this board. Festive Turkey Charcuterie Board doubles as a centerpiece and a snack. Platter leftovers are rare. People talk about how creative it looks each year.
Get the Recipe: Festive Turkey Charcuterie Board

Roast Beef Sliders

Close-up of a fork lifting a beef sandwich topped with sesame seeds on a soft bun, with more sandwiches in the background.
Roast Beef Sliders. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Hearty minis stack up on plates for those wanting something filling to start. Roast Beef Sliders always bring requests for an extra tray. People tend to save one for later but never make it to the fridge. Everyone counts them as a must for future holidays.
Get the Recipe: Roast Beef Sliders

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