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Photo: Photography / Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling / Ruth Blackburn
If you’re in the mood to snack your way through dinner, these fresh and healthy appetizer recipes are the way to go. We bring lots of seasonal flavor to the table with produce like peas, asparagus, broccoli and avocado, then pair it with some of our favorite ingredients, like frozen puff pastry, goat cheese and simple sauces. Recipes like our Crispy Asparagus with Creamy Tarragon Sauce and Crab-Artichoke Dip are crowd-pleasing dishes you’ll want to dig into all spring.
01of 26Fig & 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.
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Fig & Goat Cheese Puff Pastry Roll
View Recipe
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.
02of 26Pea, Pancetta & Tarragon CrostiniUp your healthy appetizer game and make this veggie-topped crostini recipe instead of go-to bruschetta. If you can’t find tarragon, any soft herb, such as basil or dill, works well too.
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Pea, Pancetta & Tarragon Crostini
Up your healthy appetizer game and make this veggie-topped crostini recipe instead of go-to bruschetta. If you can’t find tarragon, any soft herb, such as basil or dill, works well too.
03of 26Crispy Asparagus with Creamy Tarragon SauceThese crispy asparagus sticks are a fantastic side dish, but are also a great hand-held appetizer. They’re served with a creamy lemon-tarragon dipping sauce. Consider passing them around at your next party!
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Crispy Asparagus with Creamy Tarragon Sauce
These crispy asparagus sticks are a fantastic side dish, but are also a great hand-held appetizer. They’re served with a creamy lemon-tarragon dipping sauce. Consider passing them around at your next party!
04of 26Baked Broccoli-Cheddar Quinoa BitesView RecipePhotography / 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.
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Baked Broccoli-Cheddar Quinoa Bites
Photography / Fred Hardy, Styling / Jennifer Wendorf / Kay Clarke
These savory muffin-like quinoa bites are low in carbs and a good source of protein—plus we love their cheesy flavor.
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Crab-Artichoke Dip
Photography / Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling / Ruth Blackburn
06of 26Crispy Parmesan Mushroom Fries with Ranch SauceView RecipeIf you’re looking for a new way to enjoy portobello mushrooms, look no further. These meaty mushrooms are sliced, then coated in crispy breadcrumb topping. Hot out of the oven, they’re served with a creamy ranch sauce. They’re a perfect lower-carb alternative to regular french fries!
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Crispy Parmesan Mushroom Fries with Ranch Sauce
If you’re looking for a new way to enjoy portobello mushrooms, look no further. These meaty mushrooms are sliced, then coated in crispy breadcrumb topping. Hot out of the oven, they’re served with a creamy ranch sauce. They’re a perfect lower-carb alternative to regular french fries!
07of 26Goat Cheese & Chive GuacamoleIn this easy guacamole recipe, we mix in a little creamy goat cheese for a tangy version of a classic favorite. Serve it with tortilla chips and crunchy vegetables like kohlrabi and carrots.
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Goat Cheese & Chive Guacamole
In this easy guacamole recipe, we mix in a little creamy goat cheese for a tangy version of a classic favorite. Serve it with tortilla chips and crunchy vegetables like kohlrabi and carrots.
08of 26Baked Feta Spinach-Artichoke DipView RecipeGreg DuPreeThis take on classic warm artichoke dip features tangy feta cheese. If you can find frozen artichokes, swap them in for the canned version to cut back on sodium. Serve with tortilla chips and crudités for dipping.
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Baked Feta Spinach-Artichoke Dip
Greg DuPree
This take on classic warm artichoke dip features tangy feta cheese. If you can find frozen artichokes, swap them in for the canned version to cut back on sodium. Serve with tortilla chips and crudités for dipping.
09of 26Crispy Smashed Broccoli with Za’atarView RecipeJason DonnellyZa’atar spice coats broccoli florets that crisp up under the broiler. A dollop of yogurt adds a creamy finish. Serve as an easy side paired with grilled kebabs or as a light appetizer.
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Crispy Smashed Broccoli with Za’atar
Jason Donnelly
Za’atar spice coats broccoli florets that crisp up under the broiler. A dollop of yogurt adds a creamy finish. Serve as an easy side paired with grilled kebabs or as a light appetizer.
10of 26Crab-Stuffed MushroomsView RecipeThis 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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Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms
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.
11of 26Vegan Spinach-Artichoke DipView RecipePhotography / Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling / Ruth BlackburnThis vegan spinach-artichoke dip gets its umami flavor from miso and nutritional yeast, and gets creamy texture from cashews. This vegan dip is rich without feeling heavy. Serve with chips or sliced fresh vegetables for dipping.
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Vegan Spinach-Artichoke Dip
This vegan spinach-artichoke dip gets its umami flavor from miso and nutritional yeast, and gets creamy texture from cashews. This vegan dip is rich without feeling heavy. Serve with chips or sliced fresh vegetables for dipping.
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Steamed Artichokes with Herb Aioli
13of 26Tiny Broccoli QuichesPiecrust mix helps cut the preparation time for these tiny cheese-and-broccoli tarts. Substituting liquid egg product for the whole eggs means less fat and cholesterol.
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Tiny Broccoli Quiches
Piecrust mix helps cut the preparation time for these tiny cheese-and-broccoli tarts. Substituting liquid egg product for the whole eggs means less fat and cholesterol.
14of 26Goat Cheese Crostini with Mushrooms & Brown ButterView RecipeServe 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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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.
15of 26Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus with Spiced Honey GlazeThis delicious bacon and asparagus appetizer is ready in under 30 minutes!
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Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus with Spiced Honey Glaze
This delicious bacon and asparagus appetizer is ready in under 30 minutes!
16of 26Smoked Salmon & Spinach RouladeView RecipeThis colorful roulade starts with a quick spinach cake that’s rolled around a creamy filling and smoked salmon. It can be made ahead, so it’s perfect for entertaining.
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Smoked Salmon & Spinach Roulade
This colorful roulade starts with a quick spinach cake that’s rolled around a creamy filling and smoked salmon. It can be made ahead, so it’s perfect for entertaining.
17of 26Grilled Asparagus-Onion CrostiniTry this sophisticated asparagus appetizer at your next dinner party.
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Grilled Asparagus-Onion Crostini
Try this sophisticated asparagus appetizer at your next dinner party.
18of 26Soft Eggs with Green Goddess Dressing & Brown-Butter BreadcrumbsFor this showstopper of an appetizer, the custardy yolks of soft-cooked eggs are magically balanced with an amazing green goddess dressing and a crunchy brown-butter breadcrumb topping.
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Soft Eggs with Green Goddess Dressing & Brown-Butter Breadcrumbs
For this showstopper of an appetizer, the custardy yolks of soft-cooked eggs are magically balanced with an amazing green goddess dressing and a crunchy brown-butter breadcrumb topping.
19of 26Panko-&-Parmesan-Crusted MushroomsView RecipeServe these rich and tender mushrooms filled with panko breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese alone as an appetizer or alongside anything from pork to fish. To ensure even cooking, look for mushrooms that are similar in size.
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Panko-&-Parmesan-Crusted Mushrooms
Serve these rich and tender mushrooms filled with panko breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese alone as an appetizer or alongside anything from pork to fish. To ensure even cooking, look for mushrooms that are similar in size.
20of 26Almost 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.
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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.
21of 26Easy Stuffed MushroomsView RecipeThis healthy stuffed mushroom appetizer is a nice balance of soft mushrooms, creamy filling and crunchy topping. This combination tastes downright decadent, but it’s actually good for you. Be sure to get all of the moisture out of the chopped mushrooms before moving on to the next step; if not, the filling will be soggy and make the mushroom caps watery.
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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 it’s actually good for you. Be sure to get all of the moisture out of the chopped mushrooms before moving on to the next step; if not, the filling will be soggy and make the mushroom caps watery.
22of 26Avocado 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.
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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.
23of 26Carrot Dog Pigs in a BlanketView RecipeCarrots replace cocktail wieners in this healthy update of pigs in a blanket. Soaking the carrot “dogs” in a smoky marinade is the key to giving them that hot dog flavor, for a vegan app meat-eaters will love too. Serve with dipping sauces like honey mustard or ranch dressing to take these to the next level.
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Carrot Dog Pigs in a Blanket
Carrots replace cocktail wieners in this healthy update of pigs in a blanket. Soaking the carrot “dogs” in a smoky marinade is the key to giving them that hot dog flavor, for a vegan app meat-eaters will love too. Serve with dipping sauces like honey mustard or ranch dressing to take these to the next level.
24of 26Instant-Pot ArtichokesView RecipePhotography / Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling / Ruth BlackburnThese Instant Pot artichokes are gently infused with thyme during cooking. Melted butter and a squeeze of fresh lemon is classic for dipping, but you don’t have to stop there. Try dipping the tender leaves in homemade or store-bought pesto or one of the dipping sauces below.
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Instant-Pot Artichokes
These Instant Pot artichokes are gently infused with thyme during cooking. Melted butter and a squeeze of fresh lemon is classic for dipping, but you don’t have to stop there. Try dipping the tender leaves in homemade or store-bought pesto or one of the dipping sauces below.
25of 26Oysters au Gratin with Spinach & BreadcrumbsView RecipeThese succulent baked oysters thrill with spicy spinach and a crispy cheese topping.
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Oysters au Gratin with Spinach & Breadcrumbs
These succulent baked oysters thrill with spicy spinach and a crispy cheese topping.
26of 26Classic Greek SpanakopitaView RecipeThis savory Greek “pie” has a creamy spinach and feta cheese filling layered between sheets of crispy phyllo dough. While phyllo dough seems intimidating, it’s very easy to work with when you get the hang of it! This recipe would make a welcome addition to any party or potluck.
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Classic Greek Spanakopita
This savory Greek “pie” has a creamy spinach and feta cheese filling layered between sheets of crispy phyllo dough. While phyllo dough seems intimidating, it’s very easy to work with when you get the hang of it! This recipe would make a welcome addition to any party or potluck.
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