Close

Baked Spaghetti Squash Fritters

These appetizers are the ultimate comfort food. From tasty bites made with seasonal veggies like beets, broccoli and sweet potatoes to loaded, cheesy dips that are too delicious to put down, these recipes are so good, you’ll want to eat them for dinner. Make our Whipped Feta with Cranberries & Walnuts or Baked Spaghetti Squash Fritters for a flavorful appetizer you’ll want to make again and again.

01of 15Easy Stuffed MushroomsThis healthy stuffed mushroom appetizer is a nice balance of soft mushrooms, creamy filling and crunchy topping. This combination tastes downright decadent, but these easy stuffed mushrooms are actually good for you.View Recipe

01of 15

Easy Stuffed Mushrooms

Easy Stuffed Mushrooms

This healthy stuffed mushroom appetizer is a nice balance of soft mushrooms, creamy filling and crunchy topping. This combination tastes downright decadent, but these easy stuffed mushrooms are actually good for you.

View Recipe

02of 15Yogurt with Beets (Borani Chogondar)Borani, a Middle Eastern yogurt dip, can be made with anything from spinach to eggplant to carrots. This recipe gets its shockingly pink color from grated beets. Make it ahead–the longer it sits, the better it tastes.Read more about this recipe.View Recipe

02of 15

Yogurt with Beets (Borani Chogondar)

5678292.jpg

Borani, a Middle Eastern yogurt dip, can be made with anything from spinach to eggplant to carrots. This recipe gets its shockingly pink color from grated beets. Make it ahead–the longer it sits, the better it tastes.Read more about this recipe.

03of 15

Whipped Feta with Cranberries & Walnuts

a recipe photo of the Whipped Feta with Cranberries & Walnuts

This festive whipped feta dip is the perfect appetizer for any gathering. If the feta seems too thick, add 1 teaspoon water at a time until loosened. Walnuts provide a nice crunchiness, but you could easily swap in another nut like pecans or pistachios. If you have leftover cranberry sauce, try a dollop in some yogurt or oatmeal for an easy breakfast.

04of 15Baked Spaghetti Squash FrittersThese crispy loaded fritters are perfect for parties. Baking them instead of frying cuts down on labor (and oil splatters). Be sure to squeeze as much of the liquid out of the spaghetti squash and onion mixture as possible–moisture is the enemy of crispiness.View Recipe

04of 15

Baked Spaghetti Squash Fritters

Baked Spaghetti Squash Fritters

These crispy loaded fritters are perfect for parties. Baking them instead of frying cuts down on labor (and oil splatters). Be sure to squeeze as much of the liquid out of the spaghetti squash and onion mixture as possible–moisture is the enemy of crispiness.

05of 15Baked Broccoli-Cheddar Quinoa BitesPhotography / Fred Hardy, Styling / Jennifer Wendorf / Kay ClarkeThese savory muffin-like quinoa bites are low in carbs and a good source of protein–plus we love their cheesy flavor.View Recipe

05of 15

Baked Broccoli-Cheddar Quinoa Bites

Photography / Fred Hardy, Styling / Jennifer Wendorf / Kay Clarke

Baked Broccoli-Cheddar Quinoa Bites

These savory muffin-like quinoa bites are low in carbs and a good source of protein–plus we love their cheesy flavor.

06of 15Pumpkin Kibbeh (Kebbet Laa’tin)“Kibbeh” describes dishes made with bulgur, onions and spices. That mixture is combined with everything from tomatoes to goat. It’s layered and baked, shaped into balls or footballs, stuffed, deep-fried or eaten raw. This vegetarian kibbeh recipe is made with pumpkin and stuffed with seasoned greens. Sorrel adds a lemony flavor, but you can use chard or kale and add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to the filling. Use fine bulgur or the texture of the dough will be gritty.View Recipe

06of 15

Pumpkin Kibbeh (Kebbet Laa’tin)

Pumpkin Kibbeh (Kebbet Laa’tin)

“Kibbeh” describes dishes made with bulgur, onions and spices. That mixture is combined with everything from tomatoes to goat. It’s layered and baked, shaped into balls or footballs, stuffed, deep-fried or eaten raw. This vegetarian kibbeh recipe is made with pumpkin and stuffed with seasoned greens. Sorrel adds a lemony flavor, but you can use chard or kale and add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to the filling. Use fine bulgur or the texture of the dough will be gritty.

07of 15Copycat Trader Joe’s Caramelized Onion DipPhotographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Ruth BlackburnThis savory caramelized onion dip features fresh sweet onion, cooked until sweet and golden and combined with Greek-style yogurt, sour cream and cream cheese for added body. Serve this copycat dip with fresh, crispy veggies, pretzel chips or classic potato chips to please a crowd.View Recipe

07of 15

Copycat Trader Joe’s Caramelized Onion Dip

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

a recipe photo of the Copycat Trader Joe’s Caramelized Onion Dip served with vegetables and potato chips

This savory caramelized onion dip features fresh sweet onion, cooked until sweet and golden and combined with Greek-style yogurt, sour cream and cream cheese for added body. Serve this copycat dip with fresh, crispy veggies, pretzel chips or classic potato chips to please a crowd.

08of 15

Loaded Sweet Potato Nacho Fries

a cast iron skillet with sweet potatoes and various toppings

09of 15Slow-Cooker Spinach Artichoke DipThis creamy, crowd-pleasing dip comes together with ease in your crock pot. Leave it in the slow cooker all party long to keep it warm for serving with perfect, melty cheese in every bite.View Recipe

09of 15

Slow-Cooker Spinach Artichoke Dip

Slow-Cooker Spinach & Artichoke Dip

This creamy, crowd-pleasing dip comes together with ease in your crock pot. Leave it in the slow cooker all party long to keep it warm for serving with perfect, melty cheese in every bite.

10of 15Pomegranate, Cranberry & Brie BruschettaMake this simple festive appetizer for your holiday guests. Toasted baguette slices with creamy, melted brie are topped with an orange-cranberry-pomegranate mixture–each bite delivers an explosion of flavor and texture!View Recipe

10of 15

Pomegranate, Cranberry & Brie Bruschetta

Pomegranate, Cranberry & Brie Bruschetta

Make this simple festive appetizer for your holiday guests. Toasted baguette slices with creamy, melted brie are topped with an orange-cranberry-pomegranate mixture–each bite delivers an explosion of flavor and texture!

11of 15Crispy Smashed Loaded PotatoesVictor ProtasioThese crispy smashed loaded potatoes have all the features of your favorite baked potatoes but with an extra-crispy texture. Serve this easy appetizer at your next potluck or game-day gathering.View Recipe

11of 15

Crispy Smashed Loaded Potatoes

Victor Protasio

crispy smashed loaded potatoes

These crispy smashed loaded potatoes have all the features of your favorite baked potatoes but with an extra-crispy texture. Serve this easy appetizer at your next potluck or game-day gathering.

12of 15

Butternut Squash Queso Fundido

a cast iron skillet with a cheesy dip

13of 15Winter Charcuterie BoardA cheeseboard is an ideal stationary hors d’oeuvre for holiday entertaining. Select a variety of cheeses, making sure to include an aged variety, a creamy cheese, a blue cheese and perhaps a smoked cheese. Round out the platter with cold cuts, bread, an abundance of seasonal fruits, dried fruit, crudité, nuts and olives. We even included some dark chocolate to cap it off!View Recipe

13of 15

Winter Charcuterie Board

Winter Charcuterie Board

A cheeseboard is an ideal stationary hors d’oeuvre for holiday entertaining. Select a variety of cheeses, making sure to include an aged variety, a creamy cheese, a blue cheese and perhaps a smoked cheese. Round out the platter with cold cuts, bread, an abundance of seasonal fruits, dried fruit, crudité, nuts and olives. We even included some dark chocolate to cap it off!

14of 15Cranberry-Brie Bites with Puff PastrySara HaasFestive for any holiday gathering, yet simple enough for a weeknight dinner party, these cranberry-Brie bites are the perfect appetizer. Made with just three ingredients, these bites come together quickly and present beautifully.View Recipe

14of 15

Cranberry-Brie Bites with Puff Pastry

Sara Haas

a recipe photo of the Cranberry-Brie Bites with Puff Pastry

Festive for any holiday gathering, yet simple enough for a weeknight dinner party, these cranberry-Brie bites are the perfect appetizer. Made with just three ingredients, these bites come together quickly and present beautifully.

15of 15Baked Brie with Jam in Puff PastryThis best baked Brie recipe is also the easiest. Serve this simple appetizer with apple wedges and crackers and watch it disappear in seconds! It’s bound to be your new party go-to.View Recipe

15of 15

Baked Brie with Jam in Puff Pastry

brie and apples on a plate

This best baked Brie recipe is also the easiest. Serve this simple appetizer with apple wedges and crackers and watch it disappear in seconds! It’s bound to be your new party go-to.

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!