68 Of The Best Appetizers For Dinner
Are you ever in the mood for something other than a full meal? Something small and easy to prepare that won’t leave you feeling stuffed?
Well, I’ve got just the thing: appetizers for dinner!
Not only are they quick and easy to make, but they’re also a great way to mix things up. Plus, there’s no need to worry about having enough food—appetizers are perfect for those smaller gatherings.
So why not give them a try? I guarantee you won’t be disappointed in these recipe ideas.
Easy Starters For Dinner
Appetizers For Dinner
Twice Baked Potato Recipe
Twice baked potatoes are loaded with delicious ingredients, including crispy bacon, cheese, and sour cream for a filling and tasty dish. It might just be the best way to eat potatoes.
Tex Mex Egg Rolls
These taco egg rolls are a copycat recipe from one of your favorite restaurants. A crispy, golden brown egg roll wrapper surrounds your favorite Tex-Mex flavors. The recipe definitely has a ton of great flavor.
Mini Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Peppers
Don’t let the “mini” part fool you–these bite-size peppers are packed with tons of flavor! The recipe includes instructions for four large Philly cheesesteak stuffed peppers.
Chicken Fajita Nachos
Sheet pan chicken fajita nachos can be served as an appetizer or for dinner. They are simple to prepare and loaded with all the best toppings.
Easy Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe
Cheesy buffalo chicken dip is the perfect addition to your next gathering. The chicken cheese dip is a crowd pleaser. The recipe calls for cooked shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, cream cheese, blue cheese, and more for a taste you won't soon forget. It's one of our favorite crunchy and creamy dips.
Air Fryer Southwestern Egg Rolls
Southwest egg rolls are perfect as an appetizer or a vegetarian dinner. Crispy on the outside with a flavorful filling, they’re amazing dipped into ranch!
Cream Cheese Sausage Balls with Bacon
Cream cheese sausage balls are great finger foods that are next-level delicious. They are a great appetizer with some tasty dipping sauce and are perfect any time of year.
Lazy Hot Dog Pull Apart
Lazy hot dog pull apart snacks are the perfect party appetizer or meal. And the best part? The recipe only calls for two ingredients. Grab a basic dip and start dipping. You will love this recipe.
Tex Mex Flautas
Tex Mex flautas are a favorite family appetizer, snack, or even main dish when served with your favorite sides. These crispy roll-ups are filled with beans, peppers, and corn, making them both flavorful and filling. One bite, and you’ll be able to satisfy your cravings for this restaurant-style dish right at home!
Asian Pork Tacos
Asian pork tacos start with crispy wonton shells filled with flavorful shredded pork, then topped with fresh slaw and spicy chili mayo. They work great as an appetizer or for dinner.
Easy Crock Pot Meatball Recipe
Grab a hoagie and slide some meatballs on for a tasty hot sandwich. Sprinkle a little parmesan cheese on top, layer with mozzarella, maybe some caramelized onions, and you've got a great way to end the day.
Cold Marinated Shrimp Appetizer
Zesty and simple to make, this marinated shrimp appetizer gets a boost of flavor from lemon, herbs, and onion! It's an easy make-ahead shrimp dish that could be served as an entree too.
Air Fryer Chicken Wings
These deliciously sweet and sticky air fryer chicken wings are whipped up with everyday ingredients and are the perfect appetizer or family-friendly dinner.
Baked Brie With Puff Pastry
Grab some crusty bread and spread the baked brie right on top for a wonderfully flavorful and delicious meal. Brie wrapped in puff pastry with brown sugar, cranberries, and pecans is a welcome addition to any table.
Buffalo Chicken Potato Nachos
Buffalo chicken potato nachos are a hearty and easy appetizer that tastes great as dinner too.
An Authentic New England Clam Chowder Recipe
Typically consumed as an appetizer, this classic hearty soup can easily be served as a full meal as well.
BBQ Pizza Bagel Bites Recipe
These aren't the bagel bites you grew up on as a kid. Drum up these easy BBQ Pizza Bagel Bites that are chock full of flavor and filling enough for a meal.
30-Minute Buffalo Chicken Crescents Recipe
Delicious buffalo chicken crescent rolls are stuffed with chicken, cheese, hot sauce, and more and cooked until golden brown and perfectly flaky. Serve as an appetizer or double for a meal.
Easy Sausage Crescent Rolls
Sausage crescent rolls are great for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The quick appetizer has a touch of a spicy flavor along with cheddar cheese for a wonderful dish.
Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
Love buffalo wings? These buffalo chicken meatballs deliver the buffalo sauce flavor you crave in delicious meatball form. This easy-to-make, flavorful dish does double-duty; serve it up as a tasty main for weeknight dinners, or an easy appetizer for parties and game day.
Kala Chana Chaat
Kala chana chaat is a savory and spicy Indian appetizer. It is nutritious and filling and can be served as a meal.
Bacon wrapped water chestnuts
Bacon wrapped water chestnuts are the perfect combination of sweet and salty. This delicious appetizer is one your guests won’t be able to resist.
Air Fryer Frozen Potstickers
Air fryer frozen potstickers are an appetizer that’s filling enough for a light meal. They are hot and crispy in just minutes and ready to eat.
Surf and Turf Nachos
These surf and turf nachos will be a huge hit at your next get-together. Perfectly marinated steak, succulent shrimp, and all your favorite fixings sit atop a bed of crispy tortilla chips.
Greek Vegetarian Phyllo Pizza
This Vegetarian Greek-style phyllo pizza or filo pastry pizza with feta, basil and tomatoes is healthier than your typical game-day food, but you'd never know it. The butter and cheese between the phyllo/filo dough layers, and the fresh herbs and veggie toppings make it magically delicious. It's the perfect game-day snack or potluck dish. Kid and adult-friendly.
Sourdough Sausage Balls (NO Bisquick)
Sourdough sausage balls are a great healthier alternative to Bisquick sausage balls. They are meaty, cheesy, tangy, and savory bites everyone will adore.
Perfect Potato Skins Recipe
Perfect potato skins are hearty enough to make a meal or serve as a heavy appetizer with your favorite toppings.
Giant Meatballs w. Herbed Ricotta
Often served as an appetizer, giant meatballs are a fabulous and filling dinner idea. Serve with some freshly toasted bread and perhaps a salad for a knock-it-out-of-the-park dinner!
Easy Sausage Cream Cheese Dip
Who says dinner has to be traditional? Easy cream cheese dip with sausage can make a great meal. Grab the chips and start dipping.
Pizza Crescent Ring
This pizza crescent ring is easy to make and tastes amazing. It is great to serve as an appetizer at parties or for a fun entrée at dinner.
Crab Stuffed Shrimp
Crab stuffed shrimp makes a spectacular appetizer or main meal. They are elegant and sophisticated yet casual enough for any day of the week.
Baked Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe
Oven-baked buffalo cauliflower bites are a fun and easy appetizer or snack made with just a few simple ingredients. Fully loaded with all the awesome flavor of chicken wings, these low-carb and vegetarian buffalo cauliflower bites have a soft and tender inside and crispy outside.
Hummus Crostini Appetizer
These hummus crostini make a great appetizer, but they're also perfect for eating as a lighter meal. The best part is how few ingredients you need to make them!
Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp with Cream Cheese
Stuffed bacon-wrapped shrimp is a hearty appetizer. But, served over grits or pasta, it becomes a fancy main dish.
Traditional Mandu (Korean Dumplings)
Mandu, or Korean dumplings, are great as an appetizer but even better for dinner--serve with rice and a vegetable or drop them into soup. So satisfying. Make a lot and keep them in the freezer for an easy meal.
Mexican Bean Dip
With a base of refried beans and yogurt and topped with cheese and fresh veggies, this layered bean dip is so filling it could easily be a full meal. It's a classic appetizer that is always welcome by all.
Pizza Monkey Bread Recipe
This pull-apart game day recipe is simple to make in a bundt pan. Crescent roll dough, pepperoni, and mozzarella cheese are combined to make the most delicious Italian-style appetizer. Serve with some pizza sauce for easy dipping!
How to Make a Charcuterie Board {Meat and Cheese Board}
Learn how to make a charcuterie board full of meats, cheeses, and other nibbles to give your guests the finest grazing experience. Or, make it as a dinner for a more intimate group.
Roast Beef Sliders
You won't need to fix dinner when you serve these roast beef sliders, which are a great make-ahead appetizer that doubles as dinner. Filled with tender roast beef, caramelized onions, and drippy cheese. These are the best!
Easy Cheeseburger Sliders
There’s a TRICK to these sliders. Instead of making a ton of little bitty burgers to try and build 12 little sliders. You bake the ground beef in a rectangle, the size of the rolls, so then you can simply place it on the rolls and cut later just before serving! Perfect "mini's" as an appetizer or for a full meal.
Sweet & Spicy Grilled Buffalo Wings
Perfectly charred and slightly sweet and savory. The easy-to-make grilled buffalo wings pack a nice little kick and a big, bold flavor.
Saucy Baked Chicken Meatballs
Tender, sticky, sweet, spicy, saucy baked chicken meatballs are a perfect appetizer or easy weeknight meal over fluffy rice. Impressive, but so quick and easy.
Fresh Cherry Tomato Tart
Fresh cherry tomatoes nest is a bed of nutty pesto, jammy caramelized onions, and salty feta in this delicious savory tart. Perfect as a hearty appetizer or a light meal.
Loaded Nachos -- Salt & Baker
These loaded nachos are just that, LOADED! The recipe is topped with ground beef, cheese, beans, salsa, Pico de Gallo, tomatoes, avocado, and sour cream. This is the perfect appetizer that can be used as an actual dinner recipe because it's so filling.
Air fryer Bang Bang Shrimp
These delicious and elegant breaded shrimp served with a punchy Bang Bang sauce is a satisfying appetizer. Just add a side of salad, and you have a fantastic meal.
Pull Apart Sliders Recipe
This pull-apart slider recipe on King’s Hawaiian rolls is truly an easy recipe that’s become a family favorite. If you love take-out style cheeseburger sliders made with ground beef, slices of cheese, and topped with crispy pickles, then this recipe is for you!
Air fryer Chicken Nuggets
These chicken nuggets are air-fried to a delicious crunch while using very little oil. Have them as a main by adding a side of rice or salad.
Three Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms Recipe
This delicious three cheese stuffed mushrooms appetizer recipe is paired with a blend of ricotta, parmesan, mozzarella cheese, aromatic garlic, onion, and herbs. It’s easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser.
Parmesan and Garlic White Bean Patties {Gluten-Free}
Gluten-free parmesan and garlic white bean patties feature the flavors of white beans, garlic, rosemary, and olive oil in little nibbles that are perfect for a party or picnic.
Baked Crispy Chicken Wings Recipe
Baking wings in the oven instead of frying them is so simple and easy. They turn out delightfully crispy and tender every time. My entire family enjoys their wings and asks for them often.
Mini Lasagna Cups Bolognese
Lasagna bolognese cups are a “no fork needed” appetizer, or serve them for dinner with a salad!
The Easiest Mexican Sopes Recipe Ever
Simple to put together Mexican Sopes is a great recipe for any day of the week. Eat them as an app or as a meal.
How To Make Gordon Ramsays Mushroom Soup At Home
Everybody wants to have a comforting bowl of creamy soup in winter, and Gordon Ramsay’s mushroom soup is just that. This healthy soup recipe has no rocket science involved and is really simple to make.
Spring Rolls! Authentic Vegetarian Thai Spring Rolls Recipe You'll Love
These authentic Thai spring rolls are meatless, simple to make, and taste amazing. Make your very own spring rolls today. Easy and amazing.
Focaccia Recipe Easy Authentic with Olives, Tomatoes & Rosemary!
This focaccia recipe is easy to make, authentic, and tastes amazing. The perfect flavor-filled bread you can make at home.
Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowl
Skip the rice, set out some tortilla chips, and call this a hearty appetizer (yes, it's a terrific dip!). This slow cooker chicken burrito bowl is such an easy way to enjoy a Mexican fiesta. So simple to throw together and terrific for potlucks, tailgating, and casual parties.
Baked Spiral “Hawaiian Roll” Sliders
A fun riff on the always-popular baked party sandwiches, these cute Spiral Hawaiian Roll Sliders are easy to make and super adaptable! With three different flavor variations to try, you can mix and match your favorites for party appetizers, tailgates, make-ahead dinners, or even grab-and-go snacks and lunches.
Easy Cheeseburger Sliders
Who doesn't love a cheeseburger? Well, whip up a platter super quick with this easy cheeseburger sliders recipe. Then serve them up as an almost effortless main dish or as the perfect party and game-day snack.
Lemon Garlic Chicken Bites
Lemon garlic chicken bites are a quick, simple, crowd-pleasing recipe. Serve it as an appetizer or as a main dish along with side dishes.
Thai Shrimp Cakes with Chili Aioli
Pan-seared, tender Thai Shrimp Cakes with a golden panko crust served with creamy Chili Aioli. Simple yet wildly flavorful. Enjoy this 30-minute recipe as an appetizer or entree.
Sausage and cheese turnovers
These delicious and filling turnovers are easy to make using store-bought biscuit dough. These tasty turnovers can also be frozen and re-heated.
Crispy Meatball Parmesan Tacos
Crispy meatball parmesan tacos are a tasty appetizer or easy dinner that will become everyone's favorite. Parmesan cheese forms a crispy, cheesy taco that is filled with a meatball, your favorite pasta sauce, and a topping of mozzarella cheese.
Cheesy Skillet Meatballs in Marinara Sauce
Cheesy skillet meatballs in marinara sauce are pan-fried meatballs drenched in rich saucy marinara topped with gooey melted cheese. This is quick to put together and full of Italian flavor.
Buffalo Wild Wings Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings Crockpot
These Garlic Parmesan Buffalo Wild Wings make a delicious and easy dinner. Only two ingredients and cooked in the Crock Pot for a simple meal. Serve with veggies, and dinner is done.
Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs
Cranberry meatballs are known for being a favorite appetizer, but they also make a delicious dinner. Serve over rice or mashed potatoes for a filling and easy meal.
Crispy Baked Potato Skins with Kimchi and Gochujang
Croque-Monsieur Egg Roll Recipe
Croque-monsieur egg roll has all the delicious flavors of ham, gruyere, and béchamel in an egg roll wrapper. Serve warm and crispy as the perfect appetizer or game-time snack.
Who doesn’t love easy appetizers for dinner? These easy recipes will have you whipping up some delicious and fun snacks in no time, whether it’s for dinner or your next party.
Whether you’re looking for something new to try or need a quick and easy meal, these recipes are sure to satisfy.
So what are you waiting for? Get cooking!