10 Cute Thanksgiving Appetizers To Kick Off the Feast

cheese ball shaped like a turkey with crackers in background
Photo: AllrecipesPhoto

Keep your guests content while they wait for the main event. For fun themed Thanksgiving appetizers, check out our turkey or pine cone cheese balls. Or find adorable bite-sized hors d'oeuvres like cranberry Brie bites and roasted pumpkin crostini. These cute Thanksgiving appetizers will make your guests say "awww."

01 of 11

Pumpkin Fluff Dip

Pumpkin Fluff Dip
Photo by Miracle1997.

'Tis the season for all things pumpkin! This whipped dip is made with just four ingredients: frozen whipped topping, vanilla pudding mix, canned pumpkin, and pumpkin pie spice. Serve in a hollowed-out mini pumpkin with graham crackers.

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02 of 11

Blue Cheese and Pear Tartlets

tartlets on an orange serving dish
Mackenzie Schieck

Using store-bought phyllo shells means all you need to do is fill them and bake! Reviewer northern exposure suggests adding a little chopped walnuts to the tarts before baking and drizzling with honey afterwards.

03 of 11

Turkey Cheese Ball for Thanksgiving

cheese ball shaped like a turkey with crackers in background
AllrecipesPhoto

This adorable turkey-shaped cheese ball doubles as a fun, kid-friendly activity: "This was really fun and I am not even remotely good at crafty things," says reviewer Emily Jones Frandsen.

04 of 11

Mini Cheeseball Pumpkins with Caramelized Garlic

Mini Cheeseball Pumpkins with Caramelized Garlic
Soup Loving Nicole

These festive pumpkins get their orange hue from Cheddar cheese and crushed cheese-flavored crackers (such as Goldfish). "Everyone at the Church potluck loved these. They were eye-catching and they taste great!" says reviewer Dawn Kline.

05 of 11

Cranberry Brie Bites

cranberry brie bites on white plate
AllrecipesPhoto

Cranberry sauce, creamy Brie, and chopped walnuts are combined in a buttery pastry shell and baked until golden brown and bubbly. It's so many rich flavors in one bite!

06 of 11

Pine Cone Cheese Ball

cheese ball shaped like a pine cone with almonds
Chef John

"Any cheese ball is a welcome addition to a holiday party spread, but when you bring one that looks like a pine cone, you're talking about a real showstopper," says Chef John. A rich mixture of cream cheese, goat cheese, fresh herbs, garlic, and cayenne is molded into a tapered oval shape and layered with almonds to resemble a pine cone. Use fresh rosemary sprigs as pine needles.

07 of 11

Roasted Pumpkin and Goat Cheese Crostini

Roasted Pumpkin and Goat Cheese Crostinis on white plate
Kim's Cooking Now

Sliced baguettes are lightly oiled, grilled, and topped with goat cheese, roasted pumpkin, caramelized leeks, and drizzled with balsamic glaze to make an elegant autumn hors d'oeuvre.

08 of 11

Pumpkin Cheese Ball

pumpkin shaped cheeseball with crackers
Melissa Goff

This show stopping pumpkin cheese ball is sweetened up with canned pumpkin, pineapple preserves, allspice, and nutmeg. "I've taken it to several gatherings and everyone raves about how yummy it is!" says reviewer Elli Martin.

09 of 11

Bacon Rosemary Stuffed Mushrooms

Bacon Rosemary Stuffed Mushrooms on white platter with rosemary garnish
nt_bella

Mushroom caps are stuffed with a mixture of onion, mushroom stems, bacon, Edam cheese, and rosemary, and baked until browned. "I added shredded aged Cheddar to finish and it became an easy 5 star," says reviewer Aaron.

10 of 11

Mandarin Pumpkins

Mandarin oranges decorated with celery
AllrecipesPhoto

Mandarin oranges with celery stems make a fun addition to the kid's table — although adults will want in on the fun too!

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