12 Easy Thanksgiving Appetizers (Dips, Bites, and More)

These Thanksgiving appetizers keep everyone happy while the turkey finishes cooking, and they’re all made with simple ingredients. You’ll find creamy dips, deviled eggs, potato bites, crescent rolls, and crockpot meatballs, plus a way to turn stuffing into a snack.

Turkey and stuffing balls, French onion dip, spinach artichoke dip, mini twice baked potatoes, deviled eggs, and grape jelly meatballs. Overlay text: Thanksgiving Appetizers.

The oven is already spoken for on Thanksgiving, so appetizers need to be easy. Ten of these 12 take 10 minutes or less to prep, and three cook in the crockpot.

If you love planning a full holiday spread as much as I do, you’ll also want my Thanksgiving sides, these Thanksgiving dessert recipes, and my Christmas appetizers for the next holiday on the calendar.

Here are 12 easy Thanksgiving appetizer ideas to start the holiday off right.

Tips for the Best Thanksgiving Appetizer Spread

Make the dips ahead. French Onion Dip, Cream Cheese Dill Dip, and 7 Layer Taco Dip all need time to chill in the fridge, so they’re ideal for making the night before.
Let the crockpot do the work. Spinach Artichoke Dip, Grape Jelly Meatballs, and Little Smokies all cook in the slow cooker, so the oven stays free for the turkey and sides.
Offer a variety of dippers. Set out a mix of crackers, chips, bread cubes, and cut veggies with the dips. Having a few options means there’s something for everyone.
Keep it simple. Pick 2 or 3 appetizers instead of making them all, so your guests will still have room for dinner.

12 Easy Thanksgiving Appetizers

Click on any photo or button to take you to the individual recipe instructions.

creamy crockpot spinach and artichoke dip in white bowl served with small pieces of bread for dipping

Crockpot Spinach Artichoke Dip

A creamy dip made with cream cheese, spinach, artichoke hearts, parmesan, and garlic. It cooks in the crockpot, so your oven stays free for the main meal.

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A close-up of a glazed meatball covered in thick barbecue and grape jelly sauce, held by a wooden toothpick. More crockpot meatballs are visible in the background, coated in the glossy sauce.

Crockpot Grape Jelly Meatballs

Frozen meatballs cook in the crockpot with barbecue sauce and grape jelly. They're made with three ingredients and 5 minutes of prep.

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Spinach Artichoke Crescent Rolls

Crescent rolls filled with spinach, artichoke hearts, cream cheese, parmesan, and garlic. It's all the flavor of spinach artichoke dip in a roll.

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French Onion Dip

A homemade dip with sweet onions cooked in olive oil with a little sugar, then mixed with mayonnaise, cream cheese, sour cream, and garlic. Serve it with chips or cut veggies.

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Bite-sized mini loaded potatoes arranged on a wooden serving board as an appetizer.

Mini Twice Baked Potatoes

Baby golden potatoes loaded with sour cream, bacon, cheddar, chives, and fresh dill. All the flavor of a loaded baked potato in one bite.

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Jalapeño popper deviled eggs with bacon arranged neatly on a white serving plate.

Jalapeno Popper Deviled Eggs

Classic deviled eggs mixed with cream cheese, pickled jalapeños, and crispy bacon. Make them ahead and keep them in the fridge until guests arrive.

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Mini hasselback potato garnished with parsley and dipped in creamy dill dip.

Mini Hasselback Potatoes

Mini potatoes cut in the hasselback style and seasoned with olive oil and salt, with a creamy sour cream and dill dip made with lemon juice. Pass them around with the dip on the side.

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Partially scooped 7 layer dip, highlighting colorful layers of bean dip, sour cream, and guacamole, and garnished with fresh tomatoes, olives, and green onions

7 Layer Taco Dip

Bean dip, guacamole, seasoned sour cream, cheddar, tomatoes, black olives, and green onions layered in one dish. It takes 5 minutes to put together and can be made the day before.

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Little smokies in a slow cooker with a wooden spoon.

Crockpot Little Smokies

Little smokies cook in the crockpot with barbecue sauce and grape jelly. Three ingredients and 2 minutes of prep make this the easiest one on the list.

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