48 Fall Appetizers for Your Next Celebration
Updated: Apr. 12, 2024
From Jalapeno Popper Spread to Sweet Potato Tartlets, these fall appetizers make it the most fun time of year for snacking. Party on!
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Meatball Sliders
These meatball sliders feature pesto-filled meatballs, pasta sauce and two types of cheese, all baked inside Hawaiian sweet rolls. They're a pleasure to eat!
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Cream Cheese Ham Roll-Ups
Green onions and ripe olives give lively flavor to these bite-size appetizers from Kathleen Green of Republic, Missouri. “They’re quick to assemble and can be made the day before they’re needed,” she notes. “They’re very popular with my friends and family.”
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Crab Cake Stuffed Mushrooms
These tender crab-stuffed mushrooms with their crispy golden topping are always popular at parties! The crab filling is a delicious special occasion treat. Serve them while they're warm. —Nancy Aiello, Bloomery, West Virginia
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Beer & Cheddar Fondue
This great-tasting beer cheese fondue is my mom's favorite, so I make it for her birthday every year. I like to serve this cheddar cheese fondue recipe with apple slices, rye bread cubes, and chunks of carrots, mushrooms, celery, zucchini, squash and broccoli. —Amanda Wentz, Virginia Beach, Virginia
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Garlic Pizza Wedges
Our pastor made this for a get-together, and my husband and i just couldn't stay away from the hors d'oeuvres table. The cheesy slices taste great served warm, but they're still wonderful when they've cooled slightly. —Krysten Johnson, Simi Valley, California
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Spicy Honey Sriracha Game-Day Dip
You can easily whip up this creamy, spicy, salty dip. For parties, I love dips in the slow cooker—just turn it to low once the dip is cooked and let your guests help themselves. No need to worry about the dip getting cold and having to reheat it. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
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Sun-Dried Tomato Goat Cheese Empanadas
I created this appetizer because I entertain a lot and wanted something simple but special. People like these empanadas so much! I always make extra. —Lynn Scully, Rancho Santa Fe, California
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Tomato Apple Chutney
During the fall and winter, I love to make different kinds of chutney to give as hostess gifts. Cook this chutney in a slow cooker, and you don't have to fuss with it until you are ready to serve it. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
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Baby Swiss Appetizer Cheesecake
This beautiful cheesecake appetizer can be refrigerated up to 24 hours before serving, so it's the perfect make-ahead recipe for holidays, game days or special occasions. —Marilyn Edelman, Sabetha, Kansas
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Shredded Lamb Sliders
I made about 1,500 of these easy, tasty sliders for the Great American Beer Fest. Everyone—right down to the last customer—thought the bites were delish. —Craig Kuczek, Aurora, Colorado
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Mushroom and Smoked Gouda Puff
It's so very easy, but it looks and tastes gourmet. Dinner party guests will be impressed with this perfect starter course. Serve with a spicy mustard for dipping if desired. —Christina Singer, Bellefontaine, Ohio
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Dijon-Bacon Dip for Pretzels
With just four ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry or fridge, this quick appetizer comes together in a snap. If you like the zip of horseradish, start with a teaspoon or two and add more to taste. —Isabelle Rooney, Summerville, South Carolina
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Beef Wellington Fried Wontons
These tasty appetizers scale down classic beef Wellington to an ideal party size. They feel fancy and fun! —Dianne Phillips, Tallapoosa, Georgia
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Cheeseburger Dip
Our cozy, creamy, comforting cheeseburger dip is a crowd-pleasing appetizer. A slow cooker keeps things simple for you!
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Mediterranean Hummus Nachos
My husband once piled all the Middle Eastern dishes I'd made on top of pita chips. It was delicious and fun, so we've kept doing it! We love this combination with ground lamb, too. I am half Lebanese, so we usually call these Lebanese nachos. Whatever you call them, you can't help but like them! —Gina Fensler, Cincinnati, Ohio
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Cranberry Brie Pecan Pinwheels
This recipe is a twist on baked Brie. My family always requests these during the holidays. They are delicious and make the kitchen smell amazing! —Jacquie Franklin, Hot Springs, Montana
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Mini Beef Tourtieres
Here's a twist on the traditional tourtiere recipe. Ground beef replaces pork, and cream cheese pastry takes the place of pie pastry. The filled mini cups make a melt-in-your-mouth addition to a buffet. —Cheryl Bruneau, Winnipeg, Manitoba
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Maple Pulled Pork Buns
Maple syrup is the sweet secret to these irresistible buns. Slow-cooking the flavorful pork couldn’t be easier, and the buns are quick to roll up. We love them for parties because they serve a packed house. —Rashanda Cobbins, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Thyme and Fig Goat Cheese Spread
When I started growing herbs in my garden it took me a while to find a good way to use thyme, but this easy appetizer spread lets it shine. I usually garnish it with a sprig of thyme, slivered almonds and chopped figs. —Laura Cox, Columbia, Missouri
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Apple-Gouda Pigs in a Blanket
For New Year’s, I used to make pigs in a blanket with beef and cheddar. But now I like apple and Gouda for an even better flavor celebration. —Megan Weiss, Menomonie, Wisconsin
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Mushroom Palmiers
I found this recipe while working at a small-town museum in West Texas. It was the appetizer for a fundraiser a long, long time ago, and it’s still a huge hit at parties. Frozen puff pastry helps make it easy and impressive. The palmiers also freeze well. —Judy Lock, Panhandle, Texas
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Sweet Potato Crostini
For party time, I turn this sweet potato side dish into an appetizer by serving it on slices of a French baguette. — Steve Westphal, Wind Lake, Wisconsin
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Mushroom & Leek Strudel
This elegant hors d'oeuvre is almost effortless. Use fresh herbs if possible, and feel free to sub in whole wheat phyllo. —Lisa Diehl, Edina, Minnesota
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Brat & Bacon Appetizer Pizza
Chopped bratwurst and maple bacon are a fabulous way to start a pizza. I jazz up this treat even more with apricot preserves and honey mustard. The snack-sized slices win over even the toughest critics. —Colleen Vrooman, Waukesha, Wisconsin
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Buffalo Chicken Deviled Eggs
My daughter Sara loves spicy Buffalo chicken and deviled eggs, so I combined the two. Make and chill a day ahead so the flavors mingle. —Robin Spires, Tampa, Florida
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Crab Crescent Triangles
When friends who love crab were planning a party, I created this recipe just for them. These comforting baked bundles wrap up a cheesy seafood filling in convenient crescent roll dough. —Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota
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Parmesan-Pretzel Crisps
I love this recipe because I usually have the ingredients on hand and it is so easy to prepare. It's one of those snacks that makes guests think you've gone the extra mile. —Pauline Porterfield, Roxboro, North Carolina
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Best Ever Stuffed Mushrooms
At party time, I bring out a platter of my easy stuffed mushrooms. I like to make mine with reduced-fat sausage, but you can use regular for an indulgent treat. —Debby Beard, Eagle, Colorado
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Bacon, Cheddar and Swiss Cheese Ball
When it’s time for a party, everyone always requests this ultimate cheese ball—it’s such an impressive appetizer. And if you’re a party guest, it makes a fabulous gift for your hosts.—Sue Franklin, Lake St. Louis, Missouri
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Mac and Cheese Bites
Our mac and cheese bites are everything you love about your favorite mac and cheese recipe in a hand-held, bite-sized appetizer.
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Baked Brie with Apples
A whole wheel of Brie baked to oozy perfection with a cranberry-apple spice mixture sounds too good to be true. Lucky for you, baked Brie with apples is real, and this recipe will make it happen.
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Mushroom Bundles
My guests rely on me to come up with yummy starters like these crispy mushroom appetizers made for a New Year's party. They vanish before your eyes. —Tina Coopman, Toronto, Ontario
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Sweet Potato Tartlets
My family can't resist sweet potatoes when they're mashed, placed in crunchy phyllo shells and topped with marshmallows. The bite-size tarts are fun to eat, too! —Marla Clark, Moriarty, New Mexico
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Mini Teriyaki Turkey Sandwiches
Preparing the pulled turkey in a delicious teriyaki sauce for these snack-size sandwiches is a breeze using a slow cooker. Serving them on lightly-toasted sweet dinner rolls is perfection made easy.—Amanda Hoop, Seaman, Ohio
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Roasted Pumpkin Nachos
I had previously made this dish with black beans and corn off the cob in the summer. Wanting to try it with fresh fall ingredients, I replaced the corn with roasted pumpkin—yum! It's also good with butternut squash. —Lesle Harwood, Douglassville, Pennsylvania
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Blue Cheese & Bacon Stuffed Peppers
Whenever I put out a plate of these cute little appetizers, people come flocking. Good thing there are lots of peppers in each bag. —Tara Cruz, Kersey, Colorado
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Barbecue Glazed Meatballs
Stock your freezer with these meatballs and you'll always have a tasty appetizer on hand. We even like to eat them as a main dish with rice or noodles on busy weeknights. —Anna Finley, Columbia, Missouri
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27 Recipes for Anyone Who Loves Pesto
Whether you bought a jar of prepared pesto or have some fresh herbs laying around, enjoy our favorite recipes using pesto. We found delicious ways to include it in appetizers, dinners and even pizza!
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Parmesan Mushroom Tartlets
My easy tartlets loaded with a cheesy mushroom filling take advantage of refrigerated crescent roll dough. I think they’re best warm from the oven with a sprinkling of green onion.—Betsy King, Duluth, Minnesota
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German Beer Cheese Spread
We love recipes inspired by our German heritage. This tangy spread is fantastic served alongside everything, including pretzels and pumpernickel or crackers and sausage. Choose your favorite beer—the flavor really comes through. —Angela Spengler, Tampa, Florida
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Jalapeno Popper & Sausage Dip
My workplace had an appetizer contest, and I won it with my jalapeno and cheese dip. Every time I take it anywhere, folks empty the slow cooker. —Bev Slabik, Dilworth, Minnesota
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Roasted Chickpeas
Crispy chickpeas will become a favorite when you need something crunchy on your salads and bowls. An added bonus? They're vegan!
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Jalapeno Popper Spread
I've been told by fellow partygoers that this recipe tastes exactly like a jalapeno popper. I like that it can be made without much fuss. —Ariane McAlpine, Penticton, British Columbia
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Mini Phyllo Tacos
For a winning appetizer, serve crispy phyllo cups filled with taco-seasoned ground beef and shredded cheese. These handheld bites will be a surefire hit with a hungry crowd. —Roseann Weston, Philipsburg, Pennsylvania
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Party Shrimp
The marinade for this dish makes the shrimp so flavorful, you won't even need a dipping sauce. Even those who claim they don’t like shellfish really dig this appetizer. —Kendra Doss, Colorado Springs, Colorado
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