These four- and five-star apps are so good, you'll be tempted to serve them as the main course. Get in your veggies with spicy cauliflower bites and cheesy Brussels sprouts or please a crowd with a spread of flavorful dips—either way, you'll want to build your meal around these recipes. Recipes like our Zucchini Pizza Bites and Loaded Smashed Brussels Sprouts are healthy, delicious bites that will have everyone cleaning their plates.
01of 22
Sriracha-Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/3749878-dff4534be6114176845f61e0fd0f1c5d.jpg "Our 22 Best Appetizer Recipes to Make for Dinner (1)")
This recipe for spicy Buffalo cauliflower bites is a great vegetarian alternative to Buffalo wings. Roasted cauliflower stands in for chicken and provides more fiber and fewer calories. Serve this easy appetizer with carrot sticks, celery and your favorite ranch or blue cheese dressing.
02of 22
Baked Broccoli-Cheddar Quinoa Bites
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/baked-broccoli-cheddar-quinoa-bites-b6788e13b0614dd6a58917cd39ebd052.jpg "Our 22 Best Appetizer Recipes to Make for Dinner (2)")
These savory muffin-like quinoa bites are low in carbs and a good source of protein--plus we love their cheesy flavor.
03of 22
Zucchini Pizza Bites
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/8054551-2199559b2cc64046af197b5af66f9643.jpg "Our 22 Best Appetizer Recipes to Make for Dinner (3)")
Think of these zucchini pizza bites as a fun gluten-free alternative to bagel bites. Be sure not to overcook the zucchini or the bites may become soggy. We like the classic pepperoni topping, but feel free to experiment with your own favorites.
04of 22
Loaded Smashed Brussels Sprouts
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/loaded-smashed-brussels-sprouts-4f5ab837d61d40c8a5bf27a398ca29eb.jpg "Our 22 Best Appetizer Recipes to Make for Dinner (4)")
The sprouts in this loaded smashed Brussels sprouts recipe are cooked to crisp-tender, then crushed and baked in the oven and smothered in melted Cheddar cheese, bacon and a dollop of sour cream. Serve them as a fun side dish or a party appetizer.
05of 22
Chicken Parmesan Dip
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/3879387-02a66c1156964f88bde9c0b3dea7937f.jpg "Our 22 Best Appetizer Recipes to Make for Dinner (5)")
No breading and frying here! Layer on the cheese and tomatoes using leftover chicken (or turkey) in this healthy dip recipe. Pair with soft Italian bread and a salad for an easy dinner or serve it as an appetizer for your next party.
06of 22
Loaded Sweet Potato Nacho Fries
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Loaded-Sweet-Potato-Nacho-Fries-95a0913555d44989a0ba550b4f8bead4.jpg "Our 22 Best Appetizer Recipes to Make for Dinner (6)")
Bump up the vitamin A and fiber when you swap tortilla chips for sweet potatoes in this healthy recipe. Serve as an appetizer at your next party or turn it into dinner by adding chicken, tofu, shrimp or more beans for protein.
07of 22
Loaded Black Bean Dip
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/7947087-305293f23233424aa96ad21213d43b6f.jpg "Our 22 Best Appetizer Recipes to Make for Dinner (7)")
This is 7-layer black bean dip simplified: just heat and season refried beans, then top with fresh vegetables for a texturally exciting dip.
08of 22
Potato-Leek Tart with Gochujang & Honey
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/potato-leek-tart-with-gochujang-and-honey-05587fd46ae94b58802916b12d501d11.jpg "Our 22 Best Appetizer Recipes to Make for Dinner (8)")
Puff pastry is the perfect balance of crunchy and buttery for tarts like this one. Serve this potato-leek tart as a first course or alongside roast turkey instead of mashed potatoes.
09of 22
Caprese Skewers
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/tomato-basil-skewers-420789552e2245429d62ae1e22306787.jpg "Our 22 Best Appetizer Recipes to Make for Dinner (9)")
We take all the ingredients of a classic caprese salad and layer them onto skewers for a quick appetizer. These tomato-mozzarella-basil skewers are easy to assemble and perfect for a party.
10of 22
Baked Buffalo Chicken Wings
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/baked-chicken-wings-1244-f2bafd3d91cd4bd09d182027747e45c7.jpg "Our 22 Best Appetizer Recipes to Make for Dinner (10)")
These baked Buffalo chicken wings hit the oven, not the fryer, saving on fat and calories. Just like the original Buffalo wings, these baked Buffalo wings are coated in a tangy, spicy sauce and served with carrots, celery and your favorite creamy dipping sauce.
11of 22
Garlic Hummus
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/4326219-596af84519e948fe8c3765e57ce02b39.jpg "Our 22 Best Appetizer Recipes to Make for Dinner (11)")
This classic hummus recipe couldn't be easier--just toss a few ingredients in the food processor and whir away! Aquafaba (the liquid from a can of chickpeas) makes this healthy dip extra smooth and creamy. Serve with veggie chips, pita chips or crudités.
12of 22
Crispy Eggplant Parmesan Fries
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/8328259-8c0a5fbb5d6d4b2cb9ded4bd19ec2ceb.jpg "Our 22 Best Appetizer Recipes to Make for Dinner (12)")
The cheesy flavor and crispy crust on these eggplant "fries" is just like fried eggplant Parmesan, but with a fraction of the oil. They're the perfect appetizer for Italian night! Dip these crispy fries into a big hot bowl of your favorite marinara.
13of 22
Easy Scallion-Salmon Dip
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/7124997-4254af3723e1419ab01154d23e09972c.jpg "Our 22 Best Appetizer Recipes to Make for Dinner (13)")
Inspired by the classic combination of smoked salmon and cream cheese, this spread is perfect for slathering on a bagel or serving as a dip with bagel chips. This salmon dip recipe is a great way to use up leftovers from Miso-Maple Salmon (see Associated Recipes).
14of 22
Easy Stuffed Mushrooms
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/7032138-3b643290901d4283963338d37a5e557e.jpg "Our 22 Best Appetizer Recipes to Make for Dinner (14)")
This healthy stuffed mushroom appetizer is a nice balance of soft mushrooms, creamy filling and crunchy topping. This combination tastes downright decadent, but it's actually good for you. Be sure to get all of the moisture out of the chopped mushrooms before moving on to the next step; if not, the filling will be soggy and make the mushroom caps watery.
15of 22
Air-Fryer Cauliflower Gnocchi with Marinara Dipping Sauce
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/7615415-d8aba4f3e4d14234b97b18716821f9ba.jpg "Our 22 Best Appetizer Recipes to Make for Dinner (15)")
These tasty bites are perfect for anytime you need an easy appetizer or side dish. Cauliflower gnocchi get a crispy, cheesy coating on the outside and a tender middle in an air fryer. Marinara is the perfect complement for dipping.
16of 22
Cauliflower Chicken Nachos
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/7499732-1c6b7ea65d1f4a65b8f4ab03bcc75cc6.jpg "Our 22 Best Appetizer Recipes to Make for Dinner (16)")
Swapping in tender-crisp cauliflower slices for chips in these cauliflower nachos ups your veggie servings for the day.
17of 22
Almost Chipotle's Guacamole
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/4620269-02147393f2dc4a7a942ea5f913803491.jpg "Our 22 Best Appetizer Recipes to Make for Dinner (17)")
Make guacamole at home that tastes just like it came from Chipotle--but don't worry, our version won't be extra! This deliciously fresh guac is perfect for topping burrito bowls or tacos, or serve as an appetizer or healthy snack with tortilla chips and veggies.
18of 22
Cheesy Jalapeño Corn Dip
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/8097416-7c1dbdc553504e6db7592d7a59bbe401.jpg "Our 22 Best Appetizer Recipes to Make for Dinner (18)")
Creamy melted cheese brings sweet corn and spicy jalapeño together with a nice pop of brightness from lime juice and cilantro in this tasty dip inspired by Mexican elote and esquites. This creamy and satisfying dish can be served with tortilla chips and veggies for dipping.
19of 22
Baked Brie with Jam in Puff Pastry
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Baked-Brie-with-Jam-in-Puff-Pastry-038af3f43a7e47b69863df0419df40c6.jpg "Our 22 Best Appetizer Recipes to Make for Dinner (19)")
Serve this decadent yet easy appetizer with apple wedges and crackers and watch it disappear in seconds! It's bound to be your new party go-to.
20of 22
Butternut Squash Queso Fundido
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Butternut-Squash-Queso-Fundido-d00b84acdd5d4fe28ad238e58670ec0b.jpg "Our 22 Best Appetizer Recipes to Make for Dinner (20)")
This cheesy dip recipe is lightened up by subbing mashed butternut squash for some of the melted cheese. We also loaded it with chili-spiced caramelized onions. Serve this healthy makeover with tortilla chips or sliced jicama for dipping.
21of 22
Classic Greek Spanakopita
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/7903477-a973bcce4bd0483a99e61c71c51c3547.jpg "Our 22 Best Appetizer Recipes to Make for Dinner (21)")
This savory Greek "pie" has a creamy spinach and feta cheese filling layered between sheets of crispy phyllo dough. While phyllo dough seems intimidating, it's very easy to work with when you get the hang of it! This recipe would make a welcome addition to any party or potluck.
22of 22
Marinated Yogurt Cheese
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/8527736-bf98729065254ea999ea7745c520b153.jpg "Our 22 Best Appetizer Recipes to Make for Dinner (22)")
By draining the liquid whey out of yogurt, you can make a "cheese" with the texture of soft cream cheese. Here it's turned into a savory spread with dried herbs. Avoid using regular yogurt containing additives like modified food starch, vegetable gums or gelatin; these thickeners inhibit the release of the whey. Serve this with crusty French bread or crackers.
