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Here is a collection of our best appetizer recipes! You can find all kinds of delicious appetizers including vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free. These are easy appetizer recipes that are perfect for gatherings and parties but also a good choice for a casual family dinner.
Table of Contents
What makes a good appetizer?
- Easy to make: A good appetizer should be easy to make. You don’t want to spend more time on the appetizer than you would for the main dish.
- Delicious: It’s the start of a meal, it should make people want more of whatever you’re cooking!
- Not too filling: It should be a good nibble, but not too heavy that your guests would be too stuffed to eat the main dish.
How many appetizers should I make for a party?
This really depends on the size of the party and what you’re planning to serve as the main dish. Usually one appetizer is enough, especially if you’re not hosting many people. If you’d like to serve more and you have 10+ guests, then you can serve up to 4 types of appetizers.
Easy Appetizer Recipes
Best Whipped Feta Dip Recipe
Ready in 10 minutes, this creamy whipped feta dip is super easy and tasty. Top with walnuts and serve with pita for a unique mezze at any gathering! Follow along to learn about which feta to select and how to make the best feta dip ever!
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Ful Medames Recipe (Egyptian fava beans)
Ful Medames Recipe (Egyptian fava beans)
Ful medames is a fava bean stew flavored with olive oil, lemon juice and spices. Usually served for breakfast, this Egyptian classic is so easy to make and is ready in less than 30 minutes. Follow along to learn how to make ful medames at home.
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Mutabal Recipe (Middle Eastern Eggplant Dip)
Mutabal Recipe (Middle Eastern Eggplant Dip)
Mutabal is a Middle Eastern eggplant dip with a nice smoky flavor. It's different from baba ganoush and can be served with fresh pita bread as an appetizer or on a mezze platter for a tasty feast!
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Fried Halloumi with Honey
Fried halloumi is tasty, easy and ready in 5 minutes. Once fried, crispy halloumi is paired with spicy honey to make a tasty appetizer in no time.
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Best Cucumber Sandwich Recipe
Light, refreshing, and full of flavor, these cucumber tea sandwiches are the perfect balance of creamy feta, crunchy cucumbers, and soft bread. Whether you're hosting a tea party or just craving a simple yet elegant snack, this recipe is a must-try!
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Creamy Whipped Ricotta Recipe
Whipped ricotta is creamy, light and ready in 10 minutes. Topped with herbs, olives and nuts, you can serve it as a dip or spread with some fresh bread.
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Baked Brie With Honey And Nuts
Baked Brie With Honey And Nuts
Baked brie is ready in 15 minutes and is one of the best party appetizers. Creamy wheel of brie is topped with honey, nuts and dried fruit then baked until it's melty, making the perfect appetizer served with crackers or toasted baguette slices.
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Burrata with Tomatoes and Peach
Burrata with Tomatoes and Peach
Creamy burrata with tomatoes and peaches present a delightful combination of flavors, ready in just 10 minutes. I drizzle it with balsamic glaze and serve it with crusty toasted bread as a salad or an appetizer. This dish is the perfect addition to any table!
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Caprese Skewers Appetizer
These caprese skewers are super easy, ready in 10 minutes and perfect for entertaining. Made with 4 ingredients including mozzarella, tomatoes and basil, this appetizer is crowd pleasing and tasty.
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Turkish Smoky Eggplant Salad
This Turkish eggplant salad is uniquely delicious. Charred eggplant and bell peppers are combined with tomatoes, herbs and spices for a delightful convergence of flavors. Like other Mediterranean salads, key ingredients include olive oil, lemon juice and sumac.
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GOZLEME RECIPE (TURKISH STUFFED FLATBREAD)
Gozleme recipe (Turkish Stuffed Flatbread)
Gozleme is a delicious Turkish flatbread stuffed with different fillings such as potatoes and spinach. Watch the video to learn how to make this classic Turkish recipe.
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Green Goddess Salad Recipe
This viral TikTok green goddess salad is delicious! Ready in 15 minutes, this salad can be served as a side, dip or sandwich topping.
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Easy Persian Appetizer Platter
Persian Appetizer Platter
Persian Appetizer Platter is a great choice for gatherings and parties. This platter is ready in 10 minutes and can be served as an afternoon snack too, it'll be great with a cup of tea!
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Turkish Ezme Recipe
Ezme is a classic Turkish sauce, condiment and appetizer that’s usually served on the side of kebabs with some fresh bread. It’s ready in 10 minutes and is so delicious thanks to tomatoes, peppers and herbs.
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Mediterranean Mezze Platter
A tasty mezze platter is a cornerstone of any Mediterranean party. Learn how easy it is to build a Mediterranean mezze platter in just 10 minutes that will impress your guests and delight your taste buds!
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Melitzanosalata (Greek Eggplant Dip)
Spanish Tortilla Recipe (Easy Tutorial)
Spanish Tortilla Recipe
This Spanish tortilla recipe is a classic. Also known as tortilla espanola, this easy Spanish potato omelette is so easy yet very satisfying. You're only four ingredients and a skillet away from one of the most popular Spanish dishes!
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Hummus Recipe
This is the ultimate homemade hummus recipe. It’s smooth and creamy with a bright flavor, and pairs perfectly with bread! Follow along for tip and tricks, a video tutorial and complete details!
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Skordalia Greek Potato and Garlic Dip
Skordalia is a popular Greek potato and garlic dip that's creamy and full of flavor. Watch the video to learn how to make this traditional dip with just a few simple ingredients.
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Eggplant Caponata Recipe
Eggplant caponata is an easy recipe that’s full of flavor. This vegetarian eggplant recipe is made with fresh vegetables and is very simple to make.
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The Best Traditional Greek Salad Recipe
Traditional Greek Salad Recipe
Here is a traditional Greek salad recipe, requiring just a few ingredients. It's the perfect starter or side dish for a Mediterranean meal.
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Salmon Croquette Recipe Mediterranean Style
Salmon croquettes may sound fancy but they're so easy to make. This salmon croquettes recipe is an easy way to use up leftover salmon and make it into a delicious appetizer or light dinner.
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Turkish White Bean Salad
This Turkish white bean salad is ready in just 10 minutes. It's an easy and tasty side dish that pairs nicely with many Mediterranean flavors.
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Lebanese Kibbeh Recipe (Video Tutorial)
Kibbeh (Baked and Fried)
Kibbeh is a Middle Eastern meatball dish containing bulgur, ground beef and warm spices. A great kibbeh is characterized by a tender shell stuffed with delicious spiced filling. Learn how to perfect this classic of Middle Eastern cuisine with our step-by-step tutorial and video.
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Tirokafteri (Greek Spicy Feta Dip)
Tirokafteri is a classic spicy Greek feta dip that's ready in 5 minutes. Made with creamy feta and roasted red peppers, you can enjoy this dip as part of a mezze platter with some pita bread.
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Turkish Vegan Lentil Balls (Mercimek Köftesi)
These vegan lentil meatballs are a Turkish classic. Made with red lentils and bulgur, these meatballs are usually served with lettuce and herbs.
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Homemade Falafel Recipe (Step-By-Step)
Homemade Falafel Recipe
This homemade falafel recipe is easy to follow and makes delicious falafels that are crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. Learn how to make this staple of Middle Eastern cuisine at home and ditch the take out.
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Easy Greek Meatballs Recipe (Keftedes)
Easy Greek Meatballs Recipe (Keftedes)
Keftedes are Greek meatballs that are juicy, delicious and easy to make. Serve them with some pita, salad and tzatziki for a complete Mediterranean meal!
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Muhammara Roasted Red Peppers and Walnut Dip
Muhammara Recipe (Syrian Red Pepper Dip)
Muhammara is a tasty roasted red pepper dip from Aleppo, Syria. This classic Muhammara recipe is made with roasted red peppers, walnuts and olive oil.
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Lebanese Fattoush Salad Recipe
Fattoush Salad Recipe
This authentic Lebanese fattoush salad is a Middle Eastern classic. Fresh chopped salad is flavored with crispy toasted pita and a bright, zesty dressing.
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Greek Potatoes Recipe
These Greek potatoes are probably going to be the best roasted potatoes you've ever had. Give roasted potatoes a Mediterranean twist by making them Greek style with garlic, herbs and lots of lemon!
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Tabouli Salad Recipe (Tabbouleh)
Tabouli Salad
Tabouli, also known as tabbouleh, is a beautiful Middle Eastern salad that's very simple to make. Fresh tomatoes, and finely chopped herbs, mixed with bulgur, lemon juice, and olive oil, are the ingredients of this simple yet delicious salad. This salad is ready in 20 minutes.
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Baked Feta Recipe with Honey And Zaatar
Baked Feta Recipe with Honey And Zaatar
This 20-minute baked feta recipe is easy and makes a delicious appetizer. It's made with only five ingredients and is topped with honey and zaatar.
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Mediterranean Deviled Eggs
These Mediterranean deviled eggs will be your favorite! They’re very delicious and light thanks to Greek yogurt, feta and spices. I’ve included instructions on how to prepare the eggs and variations of this delicious appetizer.
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Tzatziki (Greek yogurt and cucumber sauce)
Tzatziki Recipe (Greek Cucumber Sauce)
This classic tzatziki recipe is made with just a few ingredients and will be ready in only 10 minutes. It's perfect for vegetables, meat, or simply as a dip. Check out our video and step-by-step tutorial.
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Mediterranean Roasted Cauliflower Salad
Mediterranean Roasted Cauliflower Salad
Roasted cauliflower salad with Mediterranean spices is so flavorful and easy to make. The cauliflower is seasoned with warm spices and roasted to perfection, then topped with a zesty yogurt dressing, making every bite extra delicious.
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Chicken Walnut Puff Pastry
This Chicken Walnut Puff Pastry is a great appetizer as it’s very easy and can be made ahead of time. The creamy and crunchy texture of this dish satisfies every appetite!
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The Best Middle Eastern Eggplant Recipe
Middle Eastern Eggplant Recipe
This is a great Middle Eastern eggplant recipe to always keep on hand. Perfectly roasted eggplant is served with a stunning tahini yogurt sauce and pomegranate arils. It's perfect as a side dish or an impressive appetizer!
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The Best Baba Ganoush Recipe
Baba ganoush is a classic middle eastern eggplant recipe. Charred eggplant mixed with tahini makes a delicious dip that you can make in 30 minutes!
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Turkish zucchini fritters (mucver)
Mücver – Turkish Zucchini Fritters
Mucver or zucchini fritters is a classic Turkish dish that's ready in 30 minutes. This recipe calls for fresh zucchini and herbs and it's very simple to make.
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Kashke Bademjan (Persian eggplant dip)
Kashke Bademjan (Persian Eggplant Dip)
Kashke bademjan is a simple Persian eggplant dip that is made with a handful of ingredients. This tasty vegetarian dip is full of amazing flavors and makes for a perfect appetizer!
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Light Summer Appetizer Board
With just a few quality ingredients, you can put together a nice and light appetizer board that will satisfy all your cravings.
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Easy Homemade Labneh Recipe
Labneh is a rich and creamy yogurt cheese from the Middle East. This easy recipe results in a tangy spread that you can top with extra virgin olive oil and serve with warm pita.
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Fried Eggplant Recipe with Tomatoes
Fried eggplant with tomatoes are the easiest side dish. Fresh eggplant and tomatoes fried to perfection and are topped with crispy garlic.
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Turkish Borek Recipe (Sigara Borek)
Borek is a Turkish savory crunchy pastry filled with different fillings such as cheese or potatoes. Learn how to make Turkish borek recipe by watching our step-by-step video and tutorial. They are perfect as a midday snack or for breakfast and you can make them in advance and freeze them for later.
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Blistered Shishito Peppers Recipe (5 minutes!)
This easy blistered shishito peppers recipe is so easy to make. These little mild peppers are perfect to snack on as an appetizer. Make sure your skillet is hot to have the perfect char on each pepper.
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Spicy Alaska Crab Stuffed Mushrooms
Spicy crab stuffed mushrooms are the perfect appetizer! Juicy mushrooms filled with a spicy crab filling are so delicious and easy to make.
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Best Loaded Hummus Recipe
This loaded hummus recipe with all the fixings is ready in 15 minutes! Creamy hummus is topped with delicious toppings and served with pita!
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Spanish Garlic Shrimp Recipe (Gambas Al Ajillo)
Spanish Garlic Shrimp Recipe (Gambas Al Ajillo)
Gambas al ajillo, also known as garlic shrimp, is a classic Spanish tapa that's ready in 10 minutes. Delicious shrimp cooked in olive oil with a lot of garlic, it can’t get any better!
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Easy Patatas Bravas Recipe
Patatas bravas is a classic Spanish tapas dish. Crispy potatoes topped with spicy tomato sauce and garlic aioli makes a simple but tasty recipe!
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Dolma Recipe (Stuffed Grape Leaves)
An easy recipe for dolma or stuffed grape leaves that's healthy and hearty. Check out the video and tutorial on how to make stuffed grape leaves.
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Italian Caprese Salad Recipe
This caprese salad recipe is an Italian classic made with fresh mozzarella and juicy tomatoes. It takes only 10 minutes to make this salad and fresh and quality ingredients is the key to its great flavor.
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Making appetizers ahead of time
Depending on the recipe, there are many appetizers on this list that you can make in advance, or at least prepare the ingredients ahead of time. You can choose the right appetizer for your menu by considering the amount of time you’re going to spend on doing the other tasks such as making the main dish, dessert, salad, etc.
BURRATA WITH TOMATOES AND PEACH
Burrata with Tomatoes and Peach
Creamy burrata with tomatoes and peaches present a delightful combination of flavors, ready in just 10 minutes. I drizzle it with balsamic glaze and serve it with crusty toasted bread as a salad or an appetizer. This dish is the perfect addition to any table!
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AJVAR ROASTED RED PEPPER RELISH
Ajvar Roasted Red Pepper Relish
Ajvar is a delicious relish made with roasted red bell peppers and eggplants. It's perfect as a topping for meat and vegetables or as a spread on fresh bread.
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Pan Con Tomate (Spanish Tomato Bread)
Pan Con Tomate (Spanish Tomato Bread)
Pan con tomate is a Spanish tomato bread from Catalonia. It calls for 4 ingredients and is ready in 15 minutes. Crusty bread and fresh tomatoes make this Spanish tapa very delicious.
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40+ Easy Appetizer Recipes
Here is a collection of our best appetizer recipes! You can find all kinds of delicious appetizers including vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free. These are easy appetizer recipes that are perfect for gatherings and parties but also a good choice for a casual family dinner. Here is a recipe for spicy crab stuffed mushrooms. Check out all the other recipes above.
Ingredients
- 20 white button mushrooms, cleaned
- 8 oz crab meat
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp old bay seasoning
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup Monterey cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup cheddar cheese , shredded
- 4 tbsp panko bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup green onions , sliced
- 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 375F and coat a cast iron skillet using olive oil. Set aside.
- Remove the stems of the mushrooms and place them in a cast iron skillet.
- Pour 1 tablespoon olive oil in another pan and heat it over medium heat. Sauté onion and garlic in the pan until golden brown. Add in the crab meat and cook for a few minutes.
- Add in bay seasoning, paprika and salt to the crab and stir. Add in the cheeses and half of the bread crumb. Mix well until all incorporated.
- Turn the heat off and stuff the mushroom caps with the filling. Top with some more bread crumbs.
- Bake in the oven for 25 minutes until the mushrooms are cooked.
- Top with green onions and parsley. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Store the leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
- Adjust the old bay seasoning to your liking if you’d like the filling less or more spicy.
- You can use fresh crab or canned crab meat, but imitation crab might not work as well.
- Add a squeeze of lemon juice right before serving for more flavor.
- You can make large appetizer by using Portobello mushrooms. The cooking time would be about the same.
Nutrition
Calories: 242kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 44mg | Sodium: 968mg | Potassium: 571mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 708IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 231mg | Iron: 2mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like this recipe? Leave a comment below!
This list was a lifesaver when I was planning my last party! We especially enjoyed these crab stuffed mushrooms and the baba ganoush!
Such a great list of appetizers! I am always looking for something new to add to my rotation. This will keep me going for a while!