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Our 54 Best Hot Appetizer and Hors d'Oeuvre Recipes

Get things off to a tasty start with these hors d'oeuvres.
One of our favorite hors d'ouevres are these Turkish spice meatballs. This hot appetizer is perfect for your next party
Photo by Chelsea Kyle

Want to whet your guests' appetites with delicious hot appetizers and hors d'oeuvres? These tasty starters are a great way to kick off a game night, cocktail party, intimate dinner, or holiday feast. Here, discover 54 top-shelf recipes including cheesy dips, saucy meatballs, chicken wings, savory tarts, zesty poppers, and more.

  • One of our favorite hors d'ouevres are these Turkish spice meatballs. This hot appetizer is perfect for your next party
    Photo by Chelsea Kyle
    1/54

    Turkish Spiced Meatballs with Pomegranate Yogurt Sauce

    These Turkish meatballs are so juicy, light, and flavorful—not to mention easy—they'll be the star of any cocktail party you host. The yogurt sauce is extra pretty, thanks to a cup of tart pomegranate juice and a sprinkle of fresh pomegranate arils.

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  • Easy Vegetarian Appetizer Figs in a Blanket with Goat Cheese.
    Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Ali Nardi
    2/54

    Figs-in-a-Blanket With Goat Cheese

    Spicy, honey-glazed figs and creamy goat cheese are baked in puff pastry in this fun vegetarian play on pigs-in-a-blanket.

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  • Vegetarian Buffalo Meatballs with Blue Cheese Dip and Celery
    Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Ali Nardi
    5/54

    Vegetarian Buffalo “Meatballs” With Blue Cheese Dip

    Forget about hot wings—these spicy "meatballs" combine white beans and mushrooms for a meatless take on your favorite party snack. Serve blue cheese dip and celery sticks alongside. 

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  • A plate of crispy polenta bites with wild mushroom ragout surrounded by ornaments jammy eggs and crostini—classic New...
    Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Billingskog
    6/54

    Polenta Bites With Wild Mushrooms and Fontina

    Store-bought tubes of polenta are the ultimate appetizer shortcut: just slice and toast in the oven, top with sautéed wild mushrooms and a sprinkling of grated Fontina, then bake again until melty and irresistible.

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  • Image may contain Food Dish Meal Plant Platter Produce Fruit and Bread
    Photo by Keirnan Monaghan and Theo Vamvounakis
    7/54

    Goat Cheese Croquettes With Spiced Membrillo

    Quince paste, sherry vinegar, Aleppo pepper, and fresh lemon juice come together to create the spicy filling in these flavorful croquettes that are also loaded with fresh goat cheese.

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  • One of the best carrot recipes Carrot Tart with Ricotta and Almond Filling
    Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Jerri Joy, Food Styling by Anna Hampton
    8/54

    Carrot Tart With Ricotta and Almond Filling

    Arranging the carrots in a geometric pattern transforms this savory tart into a truly show-stopping appetizer.

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  • Meatballs with Coriander
    Photo by Chelsie Craig, Styling by Molly Baz
    11/54

    Fried Meatballs with Tahini Sauce

    Be sure to roll the meatballs firmly into the millet so that the tiny grains don't fall off during frying. When they're ready, sprinkle with salt and serve with tahini sauce. 

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  • Cheesy cauliflower tater tots
    Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Ali Nardi
    12/54

    Cauliflower-Carrot Cheesy Tots

    Cauliflower and carrot—in place of the usual potato—add sweet, vegetal flavor to this fun play on tater tots. Serve this hot appetizer with ketchup, sweet Thai chile sauce, or honey mustard. 

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  • Photo of a bowl of olives with glasses of white wine on the side.
    Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Megan Hedgpeth, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich
    13/54

    Warmed Spiced Olives

    Got ten minutes to make hors d'oeuvres? Then you can pull together this warm, richly-spiced bowl of olives mixed with lemon zest, bay leaves, oil, and Aleppo pepper.

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  • Image may contain Food Dish and Meal
    Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson
    14/54

    Crab Rangoon (Cream Cheese Crab Wonton)

    Shatteringly crisp wontons filled with cream cheese, fresh onion, tarragon, and crab are even better when you make them in the comfort of your own home. 

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