Looking for some great make-ahead Thanksgiving appetizers? With these holiday appetizer recipes for Thanksgiving, you’ll host a party that your friends and family will not forget!
Kick off your Thanksgiving feast with minimal hassle using these effortless ideas for appetizers. You can prepare them well in advance—from several hours to even months ahead of time. Our selection features options suitable for kids, like warm dips and cheese twists, as well as more refined choices like marinated cheese, filled dates, toasts, and small quiches.
23. Crispy Baked Apple Chips
Baked apple chips made with just a single ingredient are not only nutritious but also delightfully light and crunchy. They’re absolutely addictive, and unlike the majority of store-bought options, they contain no added sugars. The best part is how simple they are to prepare, leaving you wondering why you haven’t been making them from the start.
22. Cranberry Baked Brie
I’ve found the perfect sweet and savory appetizer for the holiday season – cranberry baked brie! It’s seriously the quickest and easiest dip you’ll ever make. Just bake the buttery brie until it’s all melty and gooey, then top it with sweet cranberry sauce and chopped pecans. You can serve it with crackers, bread, or fruit for some serious dipping action. It looks stunning and tastes amazing, and it only takes like 10 minutes to whip up. You’ve got to give it a try this fall and winter!
21. Parmesan Baked Squash Rounds Recipe
Hey, I found this amazing snack idea using fresh summer squash that you’ve got to try! It’s salty, slightly sweet, crispy, and cheesy – think of it like a handheld squash casserole. Plus, it’s a fantastic low-carb option when you’re craving something like potato chips or other salty treats. Trust me, you’re gonna love it!
20. Spicy Pecans Recipe
I found this awesome snack idea that’s just the right mix of spicy and sweet. These nuts are perfect for topping a warm cheese-and-spicy pecan dip, but they’re also great as a standalone snack right from the bowl. If you’re serving them on their own, don’t chop the pecans – just keep them whole so they’re easier to grab and mix with the spices and oil.
19. Cranberry Brie Bites
I found this amazing appetizer that’s perfect for any party or holiday gathering. It’s got tangy cranberry, creamy brie, and crunchy walnuts all in a buttery little pastry shell. They taste incredible, trust me!
The best part? Either way, your guests will be seriously impressed!
18. Savory Pumpkin Hummus
You know that pumpkin flavor everyone loves? Well, I found this recipe that gives you that taste, but in a savory way that won’t spoil your appetite for pumpkin pie later. I got the idea from a home cook named TABLESPOON who served it with crudités for a light Thanksgiving appetizer. When you freeze the hummus, leave some space in the container because it expands while freezing. Just thaw it in the fridge the day before you need it.
I played around with some other recipes and came up with my own twist. I added a small handful of tamari-flavored pumpkin seeds right before serving (I couldn’t find plain ones) and sprinkled some paprika on top to make it look extra fancy. Trust me, it’s super tasty!
17. Marinated Cheese
You’ve got to try these bite-sized, make-ahead holiday appetizers! They’re super tasty with a tart, creamy center. The best part? You can put them together up to a week before Thanksgiving and just keep them in the fridge until the big day.
All you need to do is mix some garlic, lemon juice, peppercorns, and Monterey Jack cheese for an effortless and delicious appetizer. Trust me, they’re gonna be a hit!
16. Make-Ahead Mini Cheese Balls
You’ve gotta try this super creamy cheese spread that you can make ahead of time! Just roll it in parsley, bacon, crushed crackers, or seeds – honestly, there are tons of options. It’s perfect for Thanksgiving or any other gathering, and you can prep it up to 24 hours in advance. You can even freeze it, so you’re always ready for surprise guests.
Once you know how to make these customizable cheese balls and find out they can be frozen for up to three months, you’ll never want to host a party without them! Plus, you can switch up the cheese ball seasoning to match any season or theme. Trust me, it’s a game-changer!
15. The Greatest Thanksgiving Centerpiece
A little patience as you thread all of those skewers is the most important thing that’s needed for this show-stopping gobbler!
14. Oreo Turkey Cookies On A Stick
Oreo turkey cookies on a stick make the perfect Thanksgiving craft that the whole family can enjoy. Festive turkey cookie pops are tasty, adorable and easy for kids to make while you cook the Thanksgiving feast.
13. Thanksgiving Turkey-Shaped Cheese Platter Appetizer Recipe
What could be a better Thanksgiving appetizer than a turkey-shaped cheese platter? See how quickly this turkey will be dismantled and only crumbs left.
12. Deviled Egg Turkeys
Deviled Eggs are just one of those things that have to make an appearance at nearly every family function.
11. Turkey Donut Holes
Easy peasy pudgy little TURKEY DONUT HOLES so cute, you’ll almost hate to gobble them up!
10. Apple Turkey
Whether you make them on Thanksgiving as a fun family activity or have your children make them beforehand to display for a Thanksgiving decoration,
9. Thanksgiving Turkey Veggie Platter
This veggie platter turkey is a perfect thanksgiving appetizer! Skip the boring crudite and opt for purposefully places veggies to create this adorable turkey out of veggies and ranch dip.
8. Easy Cucumber Appetizer
This Easy Cucumber Appetizer is perfect to serve at any party since it’s colorful, delicious, and festive!
7. Bacon Ricotta Crostini
This make-ahead appetizer is simple yet show-stopping. Store-bought ricotta is topped with crispy bacon and drizzled with a touch of honey.
6. Cheese Ball
This is not your grandmother’s cheese ball. The medley of flavors with the onion, cranberry, pecans and cheese are simply mouth watering.
5. Pumpkin Cranberry Bites
Cranberry week continues with another awesome {and easy} appetizer recipe for you. These Pumpkin Cranberry Bites are a perfect holiday party appetizer and they are ridiculously easy to make too!
4. Cranberry Japaleño – Easy Make-Ahead Appetizer for Thanksgiving Table!
This cranberry jalapeño cream cheese appetizer is the perfect easy addition to your Thanksgiving table! It’s no-cook and can be ready in 10 minutes.
3. Dried Apricot Blue Cheese Canapes
Dried Apricot Blue Cheese Canapes with Walnuts. A simple, elegant and delicious hors-d’oeuvres recipe perfect for any holiday party.
2. Avocado Dip – Easy Thanksgiving Appetizer
Avocado dip is packed full with chunky avocados, corn, black beans, red onion and then drizzled with easy & convenient canned salsa verde. So much flavor with very little effort.
1. Easy Make-Ahead Harvest Cheese Ball
This Harvest Cheese Ball is jeweled with the gorgeous colors of the season and inside has the surprise of craisins mixed with the cheese that gives it a pop of color.
23 Easy Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Appetizers to Host a Party

Looking for some great make-ahead Thanksgiving appetizers? With these holiday appetizer recipes for Thanksgiving, you'll host a party that your friends and family will not forget!
Ingredients
- The Greatest Thanksgiving Centerpiece
- Oreo Turkey Cookies On A Stick
- Thanksgiving Turkey-Shaped Cheese Platter Appetizer Recipe
- Deviled Egg Turkeys
- Turkey Donut Holes
Instructions
- Choose any Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Appetizers from the post that you like
- Click on the link below the photo to get the full recipes and instructions.
- Try the best Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Appetizers and share your photo under my pin on Pinterest!