Close
Photo: Charlotte and Johnny Autry
These meatless starters are perfect for evenings when you want to snack around. There’s a little something for everyone in this mix, and no main dish is necessary when you can whip up a batch or two of savory dips, crispy veggie fries and cheesy bites. Recipes like our Red Lentil Fritters with Ginger-Yogurt Sauce and Crispy Eggplant Parmesan Fries are so tasty, entrées will be the farthest thing from your mind.
01of 14Red Lentil Fritters with Ginger-Yogurt SauceView RecipeCharlotte and Johnny AutryHere we soak lentils instead of fully cooking them, which gives them just enough added moisture to be whirred up into a fritter without being too wet. Serve these curry-spiced fritters on top of a green salad or tucked into a pita.
01of 14
Red Lentil Fritters with Ginger-Yogurt Sauce
View Recipe
Charlotte and Johnny Autry
Here we soak lentils instead of fully cooking them, which gives them just enough added moisture to be whirred up into a fritter without being too wet. Serve these curry-spiced fritters on top of a green salad or tucked into a pita.
02of 14Fig & Goat Cheese Puff Pastry RollView RecipeJamie Vespa, M.S., R.D.Buttery puff pastry is a tasty shortcut ingredient that can be used in many delicious ways. Here we roll out a pastry sheet and cover it with fig jam and crumbled goat cheese, then roll it up into a log and bake it. The end result is a sweet-and-savory appetizer that looks and tastes impressive, especially considering it has just three ingredients.
02of 14
Fig & Goat Cheese Puff Pastry Roll
Jamie Vespa, M.S., R.D.
Buttery puff pastry is a tasty shortcut ingredient that can be used in many delicious ways. Here we roll out a pastry sheet and cover it with fig jam and crumbled goat cheese, then roll it up into a log and bake it. The end result is a sweet-and-savory appetizer that looks and tastes impressive, especially considering it has just three ingredients.
03of 14Crispy Eggplant Parmesan FriesView RecipeThe cheesy flavor and crispy crust on these eggplant “fries” is just like fried eggplant Parmesan, but with a fraction of the oil. They’re the perfect appetizer for Italian night! Dip these crispy fries into a big hot bowl of your favorite marinara.
03of 14
Crispy Eggplant Parmesan Fries
The cheesy flavor and crispy crust on these eggplant “fries” is just like fried eggplant Parmesan, but with a fraction of the oil. They’re the perfect appetizer for Italian night! Dip these crispy fries into a big hot bowl of your favorite marinara.
04of 14Cheesy Zucchini TotsView RecipeCasey BarberNot one, not two, but three cheeses make these low-carb cheesy zucchini tots live up to their name. Bake them in the oven or fry them in your air fryer for a crisp exterior and a gooey, melted center. Don’t use pre-shredded cheese here; shred it fresh for the best and creamiest results. Serve with ketchup, marinara, ranch or your favorite dipping sauce.
04of 14
Cheesy Zucchini Tots
Casey Barber
Not one, not two, but three cheeses make these low-carb cheesy zucchini tots live up to their name. Bake them in the oven or fry them in your air fryer for a crisp exterior and a gooey, melted center. Don’t use pre-shredded cheese here; shred it fresh for the best and creamiest results. Serve with ketchup, marinara, ranch or your favorite dipping sauce.
05of 14Air-Fryer Zucchini ChipsView RecipeThese crispy air-fryer zucchini chips are delicious paired with the creamy dill dipping sauce–or any sauce you have on hand. And the best part? The air fryer delivers a crispy crunch without having to pile on the oil like traditional fryers do.
05of 14
Air-Fryer Zucchini Chips
These crispy air-fryer zucchini chips are delicious paired with the creamy dill dipping sauce–or any sauce you have on hand. And the best part? The air fryer delivers a crispy crunch without having to pile on the oil like traditional fryers do.
06of 14
Cheesy Jalapeño Corn Dip
07of 143-Ingredient Cheddar & Apple BitesView RecipeCreamy 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.
07of 14
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.
08of 14Avocado Fries with Sriracha AioliView RecipeCreamy avocados are a delicious foil to crunchy breading in this healthy oven-fried avocado fries recipe. Dip into spicy Sriracha dipping sauce for a flavor explosion. Save your ripe avocados for guacamole or toast–only firm ones will do when making these fries.
08of 14
Avocado Fries with Sriracha Aioli
Creamy avocados are a delicious foil to crunchy breading in this healthy oven-fried avocado fries recipe. Dip into spicy Sriracha dipping sauce for a flavor explosion. Save your ripe avocados for guacamole or toast–only firm ones will do when making these fries.
09of 14Almost Chipotle’s GuacamoleView RecipeMake 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.
09of 14
Almost Chipotle’s Guacamole
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.
10of 14
Butternut Squash Queso Fundido
11of 14
Loaded Sweet Potato Nacho Fries
12of 14Classic HummusView RecipeIt’s easy to make hummus at home with just a few pantry items. Serve drizzled with your best-quality extra-virgin olive oil and chopped parsley. Mop it up with warm whole-wheat pita bread or cut-up vegetables.
12of 14
Classic Hummus
It’s easy to make hummus at home with just a few pantry items. Serve drizzled with your best-quality extra-virgin olive oil and chopped parsley. Mop it up with warm whole-wheat pita bread or cut-up vegetables.
13of 14Caprese SkewersView RecipePhotographer / Jen Causey, Food Stylist / Emily Nabors HallWe take all the ingredients of a classic caprese salad and layer them onto skewers for a quick appetizer. These tomato-mozzarella-basil skewers are easy to assemble and perfect for a party.
13of 14
Caprese Skewers
Photographer / Jen Causey, Food Stylist / Emily Nabors Hall
We take all the ingredients of a classic caprese salad and layer them onto skewers for a quick appetizer. These tomato-mozzarella-basil skewers are easy to assemble and perfect for a party.
14of 14Fresh Tomato SalsaView RecipeJason DonnellyThis easy fresh tomato salsa recipe yields about 5 cups of salsa—plenty to serve a crowd. If you like spicy salsa, use the full amount of jalapeños and add more cayenne pepper. Serve with chips, tacos and more.
14of 14
Fresh Tomato Salsa
Jason Donnelly
This easy fresh tomato salsa recipe yields about 5 cups of salsa—plenty to serve a crowd. If you like spicy salsa, use the full amount of jalapeños and add more cayenne pepper. Serve with chips, tacos and more.
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Tell us why!
