12 Healthy Make-Ahead Appetizers to Always Keep on Hand

Best Hummus
Photo: France C

Make-ahead appetizers tend to be full of heavy ingredients like cream cheese and puff pastry (not that there's anything wrong with that!). But, if you're looking for something on the lighter side, it can be difficult to find healthy alternatives. That's why we rounded up our very best healthy appetizers you can prep ahead of time. From nutritious and delicious dips to fresh takes on classic ideas, you'll find something you love in this collection of healthy make-ahead appetizers.

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Ants on a Log

Ants on a Log
Melissa Goff

Make this kid-friendly, make-ahead appetizer with just three ingredients (celery, peanut butter, and raisins) in five minutes. "Sometimes the simplest things are the best," raves reviewer Jillian.

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Baked Tortilla Chips

closeup of corn tortilla triangles
House of Aqua

This healthier, homemade alternative to store-bought tortilla chips will work perfectly with all your favorite make-ahead dips.

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Best Hummus

Best Hummus
France C

When it comes to healthy apps, you can't go wrong with a basic hummus. You can blend the ingredients a few days before you plan to serve it, so it's the perfect make-ahead appetizer. "A simple recipe to follow that yields great results," says reviewer Angela C.

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Marinated Olives

two jars of marinated olives
Lela

These marinated olives keep well in the fridge, so they're great to keep on hand for unexpected company. Serve them on toothpicks for an elegant, healthy make-ahead appetizer.

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Roasted Green Beans

Roasted Green Beans with tomatoes on a white plate
Pictured: Roasted Green Beans. KGora

Looking for a healthier alternative to French fries? Try these roasted green beans that are simply seasoned with just olive oil, salt, and pepper.

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Guilt-Free Snack Mix

Snack Mix with cereal and bananas and nuts
Tammy Lynn

This make-ahead appetizer — made with crispy corn cereal squares, dried fruit, yogurt-covered raisins, mixed nuts, and banana chips — doesn't contain chocolate or salty snacks, so it's the perfect party mix for your next shindig.

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Low-Fat Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip

Ranch dressing in ramekin next to carrot sticks
Lee Crowell

"This Greek yogurt ranch dip is super quick and easy and low-fat or fat-free," according to recipe creator Lee Crowell. "Tailor it to your needs by choosing your favorite plain yogurt and dressing mix."

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Basic Keto Cheese Crisps

Basic Keto Cheese Crisps
pchow98

Following the keto diet? You'll love this healthy make-ahead appetizer made with just one low-carb ingredient. All you need to do is bake shredded Cheddar cheese in heaps for less than 10 minutes.

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Gluten-Free Turkey Meatballs

Gluten-Free Turkey Meatballs
Photo by Buckwheat Queen.

"My mom developed this recipe after many attempts at gluten-free meatballs," recipe creator Olivia says of this healthy make-ahead appetizer. "We now have a delicious and healthy way to eat a food we love!"

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Fruit Skewers with Apple Cinnamon Dipping Sauce

1874336-Fruit-Skewers-with-Apple-Cinnamon-Dipping-Sauce-photo-by-lutzflcat.jpg

Skewered grapes, apples, strawberries, and pineapples are served with a sweet dipping sauce made by mixing yogurt, applesauce, almond extract, and cinnamon.

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Egg White Breakfast Bites

Egg White Breakfast Bites
France C

If you're looking for a healthy make-ahead appetizer for brunch, your search ends here. Recipe creator and Allrecipes Allstar France C says cottage cheese keeps these bites creamy instead of rubbery.

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Vegan Edamame

Vegan Edamame
Photo by Allrecipes.

Boiled edamame is served with a simple sauce made with rice vinegar, fresh ginger root, and soy sauce in this healthy appetizer that can be prepped in advance.

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More Inspiration

a piece of parchment paper under about 11 Fig and Brie Crostini
Allrecipes Magazine

Try one of Our Fanciest Appetizers for Entertaining at Home. Plus, explore our entire collections of Appetizer Recipes and Make-Ahead Recipes.

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