Find easy and incredibly delicious Thanksgiving appetizers for even the pickiest of guests on your invite list!

You’ll find something for everyone in this round up, including the very BEST make ahead Thanksgiving Appetizers, and even healthy Thanksgiving appetizers to accommodate every guest.

A graphic image with a variety of Thanksgiving appetizers.
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With the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it can get overwhelming to know what to make for gatherings! Whether you’re traveling to and from the homes of friend and family, or hosting and making your own array of dishes, I thought you’d enjoy these easy Thanksgiving appetizers.

Thanksgiving Appetizers

Tried and true, there are Thanksgiving appetizer ideas for even the pickiest palates!

From handheld appetizers, to dips and spreads, there’s a recipe for every occasion. I love the delicious flavors of fall!

I’ve been rounding up my favorite holiday treats, eats and projects to give you some inspiration for your celebrations. Be sure to check out 20 Thanksgiving table settings, 20 Easy hors d’oeuvres, 12 Thanksgiving Cocktails, Baking with Apples and Pumpkin Desserts.

My ultimate Thanksgiving Guide is also filled with printable organization and planning ideas – it’s a can’t miss read if you’re hosting this year!

A pear wrapped in crescent rolls for a Thanksgiving appetizer.

Make Ahead Thanksgiving Appetizers 

Dips are the easiest make ahead appetizers for any time of the year. These are great Thanksgiving appetizers to make ahead, even the day before! 

Veggie Dip

This is the best veggie dip recipe that will have everyone begging for the recipe! It’s an incredibly easy vegetable dip that makes a large batch, so it’s perfect for get-togethers.

A white bowl full of veggie dip, surrounded by cut vegetables.

Blue Cheese Dip

This blue cheese dip recipe is made with just five ingredients in less than five minutes. It’s got an incredible texture and flavor you’re going to love.

blue cheese dip in a white bowl, on a platter of potato chips.

Cheesy Corn Dip 

Creamy corn casserole made with cream cheese – this cheesy corn doubles as a dip! It’s a classic side dish that is perfect for parties as a dip or a family-friendly side dish.

cream cheese corn with ham

Onion Dip 

This recipe is foolproof. It requires a little more hands on time than my other dip recipes, but it’s so worth it! I can’t keep my hands to myself when it comes to this dip with a kick.

A bowl full of homemade french onion dip, surrounded by potato chips.

Baked Artichoke Dip

This easy baked Artichoke Dip Recipe is a hot artichoke dip with cream cheese and mayo that pairs well with beer bread, sourdough, veggies and more. One bite and you’ll know why this is a classic favorite!

dipping into artichoke dip in bread bowl

Creamy Spinach Dip 

This is such an amazing cream cheese spinach dip that is full of flavor! Perfect for pairing with tortilla chips, flatbread, veggies or crostini.

A white bowl full of spinach dip with cream cheese, gold spoon in the bowl and tortilla chips to the side.

Bacon and Gruyere Dip 

This is an easy bacon cheese dip that’s always a favorite for game day or get togethers! This creamy mix of bacon, cheddar, cream cheese and sour cream topped with green onion is irresistible!

A white bowl full of bacon and cheese dip for a Thanksgiving appetizer

Dill Dip 

This recipe is one of our family staples. It’s not the holidays without it and no store bought version will ever do. This make ahead dip is always a win.

Dill dip in a bread bowl.

Roasted Shrimp Cocktail

If you love shrimp, don’t skip my and Homemade Cocktail Sauce for the holidays or any time of year!

An oval platter of roasted shrimp cocktail with a homemade cocktail sauce in a white bowl.

Easy Thanksgiving Appetizers

Spreads and dips are a perfect appetizer option that can often be made ahead. They are not only delicious, but they can also accommodate your guests who are living lower carb lifestyles, because you can serve them with such a variety of items.

Simply serve these spreads with fresh veggies for an easy way to make your low carb guests feel welcome! 

Whipped Goat Cheese Spread

This recipe is so easy it’s hard to call a recipe, but it’s pretty, delicious, and can be made last minute or or ahead.

Whipped goat cheese surrounded by crostini for a Thanksgiving appetizer

Pesto Cheese Ball Wreath

This pretty wreath cheeseball is beautiful when served in the wreath form, but equally delicious in any shape and for any time of year! 

pesto cheeseball wreath on a white plate

Easy Baked Goat Cheese and Honey Appetizer 

This puff pastry recipe is so easy I even made you a video! It presents beautifully, too!

Baked goat cheese topped with honey with sliced pears and crackers for serving.

Spicy Cheese Ball 

This simple cheese ball is a classic, and it takes just a few minutes hands on time and refrigerated until serving. You’ll wonder why you’ve ever purchased a mix.

A spicy cheese ball on a white plate surrounded by crackers.

Almond Cheese Ball

This cute cheese ball is made into the shape of a hedgehog in the images, but you can make it into a more traditional shape if you’d like! Delicious any way you slice it.

cheese spread with almonds on a platter for a Thanksgiving appetizer, shaped like a hedgehog

Baked Brie 

This brie wrapped in puff pastry was one of my most popular recipes when I started creating recipes. It’s so incredibly, buttery brie goodness smothered on a cracker is hard to resist!

baked brie puff pastry with fruit and crackers

Marinated Cream Cheese

and Marinated Goat Cheese– these are the easiest appetizers ever! Anyone can make them and they are a classic for a reason. 

Marinated cheese surrounded by crostini on a white platter.

Cheese and Crackers

Yes, I know this is the simplest of all appetizers! But a few simple tips and tricks can elevate this crowd-pleasing classic to a whole new level.

Cheese and crackers on a white platter, with an apple slice and fresh herbs.

Thanksgiving Hors d’oeuvres

The Best Beer Bread 

This recipe takes just five minutes to make. Serve with honey butter for an out of this world combo!

Sliced beer bread on a white platter.

Bacon Wrapped Dates

These bacon wrapped dates are stuffed with decadent cream cheese… it’s the ultimate combination of sweet and savory flavors. 

A fig wrapped in bacon on a white plate for a Thanksgiving appetizer.

Boursin Stuffed Mushrooms

Boursin Stuffed Mushrooms are one of the easiest hors d’oeuvres. They taste so amazing guests would never guess that they only take minutes to make! There’s a classic bacon stuffed mushrooms recipe you can’t miss, too.

A white platter full of Boursin stuffed mushrooms.

Baked Cheese, Pear and Prosciutto Crescent Rolls

These are a fluffy, warm and cheesy appetizer that is filling, comforting and a total crowd pleaser! 

Pear crescent roll appetizers in a white basket lined with a pink linen towel.

Gnocco Fritto 

This is the easiest appetizer made with puff pastry, a thin slice of proscuitto, drizzle of olive oil and crack of sea salt. They’re little bites of heaven!

Gnocco fritto on a white plate with bowls of olive oil and sea salt to the side

Mac and Cheese Cups

These are everyone’s favorite comfort food in the perfect bite-sized portion! Easy to make and even easier to eat, I dare you to try and stop at just one mac and cheese cup!

A white oval platter full of mini mac and cheese cups for an appetizer.

Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies

Little Smokies are the easiest appetizer! They’re made with just three ingredients in minutes! This recipe is the perfect party food to serve a crowd.

A white baking dish lined with bacon wrapped brown sugar little smokies.

Deviled Eggs

These are a family favorite! Every time we make them someone asks for the recipe. In fact, they’ve become expected at all of our holiday gatherings!

A white deviled egg platter featuring the world's best deviled egg recipe.

Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Tart

These are delicious little hand-held appetizers that can even be made in the shape of fall leaves. So cute, and beyond delicious! 

Shallot tarts on a white platter for a Thanksgiving appetizer

Healthy Thanksgiving Appetizers

While many of these Thanksgiving appetizers could be categorized in the hand held or make-ahead groups, they are also super healthy! I know how helpful it is to have some options for keeping moderation in mind.

These healthy Thanksgiving appetizers can also be helpful for guests with dietary restrictions – always be sure to ask to ensure they are comfortable with the options!

Baked Artichokes

These are a low carb, deliciously savory appetizer idea your guests will love. 

roasted artichoke

Handheld Endive Salad

This easy endive appetizer is everything you crave for entertaining! It’s healthy, gorgeous, and simply bursting with fresh flavor. Bonus? Endive lettuce is naturally so easy to hold… your guests will keep coming back for more!

An endive salad laid out on a white platter.

Pear and Walnut Bites 

These make a healthy Thanksgiving appetizer. Bite sized, incredibly easy and gluten free, you’ll love this pairing!

A pear thanksgiving appetizer on a white plate

Fiesta Ranch Baked Cauliflower

Baked cauliflower becomes the perfect crunchy little bite. These are flavorful veggies that can accommodate a variety of dietary restrictions. 

fiesta ranch roasted cauliflower on a white plate, topped with grated parmesan cheese.

Roasted Mushrooms

These are an easy, low carb snack as well. When an appetizer is this tasty AND healthy, who can argue? 

roasted mushrooms in a white baking dish

Baked Sweet Potato Fries

These are an easy healthy snack, and especially when baked! 

healthy Thanksgiving appetizer of sweet potato fries in a white bowl

More Thanksgiving Inspiration

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A plate with easy Thanksgiving appetizers, including bread and dip on it.
5 from 1 vote

Thanksgiving Appetizers: Whipped Goat Cheese

Find easy and incredibly delicious Thanksgiving appetizers for even the pickiest of guests on your invite list! You’ll find something for everyone in this collection, and we're sharing our favorite easy whipped goat cheese recipe, too.
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 0 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Servings: 8
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Ingredients  

  • 8 ounces goat cheese softened to room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon rosemary chopped
  • cracked pepper to taste

Instructions 

  • Whip goat cheese with your whisk attachment on your stand mixer. Start on the lowest setting, gradually increasing speed to 3 until silky and smooth.
    8 ounces goat cheese
  • Swirl goat cheese into a bowl.
  • Drizzle honey over the top of the whipped goat cheese.
    1 tablespoon honey
  • Top with chopped rosemary and cracks of pepper.
    1 tablespoon rosemary, cracked pepper

Julie’s Tips

  • Adjust honey to taste
  • Sub the rosemary for your favorite herbs, like chives or basil 
  • For best results, use fresh herbs instead of dried
Calories: 84kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 105mg | Potassium: 11mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 301IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 1mg

Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.

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