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20 Last Minute Thanksgiving Appetizers Easy Recipes

BySusan Buonpane

These 20 last-minute Easy Thanksgiving Appetizers are simple to make and still the classic appetizers for the holiday season, and some new ones that everyone will love.

A collage of 8 colorful, tasty dishes with a bold red banner in the center reading "20 Last Minute Thanksgiving Appetizers." The dishes include 7 layer taco dip, cocktail meatballs, bacon-wrapped bites, spinach dip in a bread bowl, homemade Chex Mix, roasted spiced nuts, guacamole with chips, and green hummus topped with lemon slices and peppers. Each dish is photographed from a top-down or angled view, styled on rustic white or neutral backdrops, perfect for holiday snacking. this …

While I always recommend planning for the Thanksgiving feast, if you’re pulling together your Thanksgiving menu last minute, don’t worry, these easy Thanksgiving appetizers are just what you need. Each one is a crowd pleasing party appetizer with minimal prep time.

From the classic 7-layer taco dip and hot artichoke to a fun cheese fondue, these easy appetizers are the perfect way to kick off the big day. Serve them while the turkey cooks and keep everyone happy on Thanksgiving Day.


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1. 7-Layer Taco Dip Appetizer

7 layer taco dip Cover page GWS (1)

This 7 Layer Taco Dip is a colorful and flavorful Thanksgiving appetizer that adds a fun twist to your holiday menu. With creamy, cheesy, and zesty layers, it’s easy to prep ahead and serve with chips for a laid-back snack before Thanksgiving dinner. It’s a festive and tasty way to kick off the holiday season.

2. Ranch Seasoned Movie Pretzels with Popcorn Oil

movie pretzels in a round pink bowl on a green table cloth.

These ranch seasoned movie pretzels are a salty and flavorful Thanksgiving appetizer that’s quick to make and perfect for holiday snacking. With just a few ingredients, they’re an easy addition to your Thanksgiving menu and a fun twist for the holiday season. Serve them in a big bowl for a simple snack everyone can munch on while dinner is cooking.

3. Original Oven Baked Homemade Chex Mix

Original Oven Baked Homemade Chex Mix

Homemade Chex™ Mix is a salty, crunchy snack that’s perfect for a Thanksgiving appetizer table. Full of classic flavor and easy to make ahead, it’s a fun addition to your Thanksgiving menu that both kids and adults will snack on while waiting for dinner. Set out a big bowl during the holiday season and watch it disappear before the turkey is even carved.

4. Crockpot Meatballs in Grape Jelly and Chili Sauce

meatballs in grape jelly and chilli sauce in a white bowl on a green tablecloth and a white candle on the table.

Crockpot meatballs in grape jelly and chili sauce are a sweet and tangy Thanksgiving appetizer that brings a retro touch to your holiday spread. They’re simple to make with just a few ingredients, and the slow cooker does all the work while you prep the rest of your Thanksgiving dinner. Add them to your Thanksgiving menu for a warm and flavorful bite guests can enjoy as they gather. If you need a new Crockpot/Slow cooker, check out these deals!

5. Knorr Vegetable Spinach Dip In A Classic Bread Bowl

spinach dip in a bread bowl with cracker and carrots on the platter scooping a dip out with a hand

Classic Knorr spinach dip iin a pumpernickel bread bowl is a creamy and nostalgic Thanksgiving appetizer that brings back all the holiday memories. With simple ingredients and bold flavor, it’s a comforting addition to your Thanksgiving menu. Serve it in a bread bowl for a festive touch that’s easy to make and perfect for snacking before dinner.

6. Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts with Pre-Cooked Bacon (Rumaki)

Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts with Pre-Cooked Bacon (Rumaki) top down view of the cooked water chestnuts on a white ruffle plate with a gold edge.

Bacon-wrapped water chestnuts make a bold and flavorful Thanksgiving appetizer that’s always a hit on the snack table. The crispy bacon and sweet glaze paired with that satisfying crunch fit perfectly into your Thanksgiving menu. They’re easy to prep ahead and quick to bake, making them a tasty addition to your holiday season lineup without adding stress to the big day.

7. Candied Spiced Mixed Nuts 

spiced nuts in a blue green bowl on a white counter.

These sweet, salty, and spicy roasted nuts are a festive Thanksgiving appetizer that’s easy to make ahead. Full of warm holiday flavor, they’re perfect for setting out while everyone gathers for Thanksgiving dinner. This simple snack adds a cozy touch to your Thanksgiving menu and disappears fast once you set out the bowl.

8. Easy Beer Cheese Fondue

cheese sauce in white bowl on green table with bread and veggies, bread dipped in cheese on fork

This easy beer cheese fondue is a warm and creamy Thanksgiving appetizer that adds a fun, cozy touch to your holiday season spread. With just a few simple ingredients, it’s quick to make and perfect for dipping bread, pretzels, or veggies. A great last minute Thanksgiving appetizer, it’s simple to serve and sure to be a favorite at the table.Make sure you have a fondue kit!

9. Best Butter Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

roasted pumpkin seeds on gray plate with a small yellow pumpkin and seeds on white counter

Roasted pumpkin seeds are a salty and crunchy Thanksgiving appetizer that’s full of fall flavor and fun to snack on. They’re a great make-ahead option for your Thanksgiving menu and a perfect way to use up those leftover pumpkin seeds. This easy appetizer is a healthy, crowd pleasing party snack that fits right into the holiday season.

10. Easy Guacamole Recipe for a Crowd

fresh guacamole in a gray bowl, on a gray plate with chips on the plate. onion tomatoes and jalapeños on top as garnish

Guacamole is a creamy and fresh Thanksgiving appetizer that’s quick to make and always a hit with guests. It’s the perfect way to add a simple, crowd pleasing party appetizer to your Thanksgiving menu. Serve it with chips or veggie sticks for a light and tasty option before the big meal.

11. Riced Cauliflower Vegetarian Buffalo Chicken Dip

vegetarian cauliflower buffalo dip in a blue green bowl on a white table with some dippers.

This easy vegetarian buffalo dip is a spicy and creamy Thanksgiving appetizer that brings bold flavor without the meat. Made with cauliflower rice, it’s a great plant-based option for your Thanksgiving menu and fits right in with the holiday season. Quick to make and full of heat, it’s a crowd pleasing party appetizer that pairs perfectly with chips or veggies for dipping.

12. Cheesy Jalapeno Popper Dip

a white oval casserole with Jalapeno popper dip on a white counter with chips on the counter and a green towel and a spoon, topped with bread crumbs and 4 diced jalapenos top down view

This easy Jalapeño Popper Dip is a warm and cheesy Thanksgiving appetizer with just the right kick. The crispy panko topping adds texture and makes it a standout on your Thanksgiving menu. It’s the perfect way to add a little spice to the holiday season and a crowd pleasing party appetizer that’s simple to make last minute. Check out the beautiful white ceramic oblong baking dishes.

13. Baked Brie with Walnuts and Honey

close up of honey being poured onto brie cheese in cast iron skillet with walnuts dried cranberries and walnuts on a white counter

Baked brie with walnuts and honey is a warm and creamy Thanksgiving appetizer that feels festive and fancy without the fuss. The sweet honey and crunchy walnuts make it a perfect way to add something special to your Thanksgiving menu. Quick to prep and always a hit, this easy appetizer is a crowd pleasing party appetizer that brings a cozy touch to your holiday season. You will love these smaller cast iron skillets.

14. Artichoke Dip Hot & Cheesy

Cheesy Hot Artichoke Dip with crackers is perfect in the for any dinner party appetizer in a white baking dish.

This hot, cheesy artichoke dip s a rich and comforting Thanksgiving appetizer that guests will dig into the second it hits the table. Creamy and savory, it’s a classic appetizer that fits right in with your Thanksgiving dinner lineup. Serve it warm with crackers, bread, or veggies for a crowd pleasing party appetizer that’s easy to make last minute and perfect for the holiday season.

15. Easy Creamy Pumpkin Hummus with Savory Spices

top down view pumpkin hummus on a black plate with pumpkin seed on top parsley on side of the plate top of image a black bowl with little bread dippers a 2 orange mini pumpkin and one white mini pumpkin and buckeye nuts on the white counter and a green towel.

Pumpkin hummus is creamy, savory, and full of fall flavor, making it a perfect Thanksgiving appetizer. It’s a healthy twist on a classic dip that fits right into your Thanksgiving menu and adds a cozy touch to the holiday season. Quick to make and easy to serve with pita chips or veggies, it’s a last minute Thanksgiving appetizer your guests will love.

16. Caprese Mozzarella Grape Tomato Skewers

caprese mozzarella grape tomato skewers in a green tray with pumkins on the table.

Caprese mozzarella, grape tomato skewers are fresh, simple, and always a hit. With just three ingredients, they make an easy finger food for Super Bowl, tailgate food trays, or football food appetizers everyone can enjoy. They’re also a great option for your vegetarian guests.

17. Super Simple Salsa

Super Simple Salsa Recipe in a blue green bowl.

This super simple salsa is a bright and flavorful Thanksgiving appetizer that adds a pop of color to your holiday table. It’s quick to make, easy to prep ahead, and pairs perfectly with chips for a simple start to your Thanksgiving menu. This easy appetizer is a perfect way to keep guests happy while the big meal finishes cooking, and always turns out to be a crowd pleasing party appetizer.

18. Roasted Poblano Hummus Vegan Appetizer

roasted poblano hummus on with pita in a green bowl with lemon and pepper slices on top.

Roasted poblano hummus is a smooth and smoky dip that’s perfect as a Thanksgiving appetizer. It brings bold flavor to your holiday season snack table and is a lighter option to balance your Thanksgiving menu. This easy appetizer can be made ahead of time and served with veggies or pita chips, making it a crowd pleasing party appetizer that fits right in on Thanksgiving Day.

19. Classic Easy Deviled Eggs

3 deviled eggs on a white platter with parsley.

Deviled eggs are a classic appetizer that fits right in with any Thanksgiving menu. They’re creamy, simple, and easy to make ahead, making them a go-to for Thanksgiving dinner or any holiday season gathering. This version skips the relish and sticks to the basic ingredients for that rich, smooth filling everyone loves. Deviled eggs are the perfect way to start the big day and are always a crowd pleasing party appetizer that disappears fast.

20. Healthy Grilled Pizza on a Pizza Stone

a slice of pizza that was cooked on an outdoor grill. olives, peppers, onions, mushrooms and cheese on a white plate and in the background half of the pizza.

This healthy vegetable grilled pizza is a fresh and colorful option that works great as a Thanksgiving appetizer when you want something lighter on the table. Packed with flavor and loaded with pre-cooked veggies, it’s easy to prep and makes a fun addition to your Thanksgiving menu. The crisp dough and vibrant toppings make it a crowd pleasing party appetizer that’s perfect for grazing before the big meal. Grab a Pizza Stone and Pizza Peel.

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