The Thanksgiving Appetizers I Make While the Turkey Roasts

Thanksgiving appetizers have one job: buy time while the turkey finishes and keep everyone out of the kitchen. These are quick, mostly hands off bites, split into no cook, slow cooker and air fryer, and quick oven bites that do not fight the turkey for space.

Collage of Thanksgiving appetizers with the text “Thanksgiving Appetizer Ideas.”

Most of these can be made ahead or assembled in ten minutes flat, which matters most on a day when the oven is already busy.

No-Cook and Ready in Minutes

Nothing here needs the stove or the oven at all.

Easy Holiday Charcuterie Board

A build it yourself board of cheese, crackers, fruit and nuts, ready the moment it is arranged.

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5-Minute Creamy Avocado Dip (Not Guacamole)

A quick blended avocado dip that comes together in the time it takes to open a bag of chips.

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Hummus (No Tahini)

A smooth hummus made without tahini, using pantry staples you likely already have.

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10-Minute Roasted Pepper Hummus

Roasted red pepper blended into hummus for a smoky, slightly sweet dip that takes ten minutes.

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Jalapeno Pimento Cheese Recipe

A Southern style pimento cheese spread, stir together and serve with crackers or celery.

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Jalapeno Pimento Cheese in bowl with jalapenos

3 Ingredient Taco Dip With Cream Cheese

A three ingredient taco dip layered over cream cheese, no cooking involved.

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Quick Pickled Radishes and Onions

Quick pickled radishes and onions that only need a jar and twenty minutes to sit.

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Mexican Fresh Corn Salsa

A fresh, spicy corn salsa that comes together in one bowl with no cooking at all.

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Mexican fresh corn salsa served with tortilla chips for dipping.

Spicy Deviled Eggs

Classic deviled eggs with a spicy kick, easy to make the morning of and keep chilled until guests arrive.

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spicy deviled eggs with pickles hot sauce and paprika

Gazpacho Soup Recipe

A chilled tomato soup served in small cups as a light, no cook starter before the big meal.

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Marinated Cheese

Blocks of cheddar and cream cheese marinated in an herby, garlicky oil, made a day ahead so all the flavor has time to soak in.

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Photo credit: mybakingaddiction.com

Slow Cooker and Air Fryer

Frees up the oven completely while the turkey is in there.

Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip

Buffalo chicken dip made in the crock pot, so it stays warm on the counter without taking up oven space.

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Creamy Buffalo Chicken Dip in Slow Cooker.

Crock Pot Jalapeno Popper Dip

All the flavor of a jalapeno popper in a warm, creamy crock pot dip.

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How To Make Kale Chips

Crispy kale chips made in the air fryer, a lighter bite to balance out the richer dips.

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Air Fryer Parmesan Fries with Truffle Oil (No Garlic)

Parmesan fries made in the air fryer, a fun finger food that never touches the oven.

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air fryer parmesan fries with truffle oil.

Quick Oven Bites

These need a short bake, but the prep is fast and several can be made a day ahead.

Bacon Wrapped Smokies With Brown Sugar and Butter

Little smokies wrapped in bacon with a brown sugar glaze, assembled fast and baked in one batch.

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a bowl of ready to serve bacon wrapped smokies.

Pigs In A Blanket Recipe

Mini sausages wrapped in puff pastry, an easy party classic that always disappears fast.

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Easy Chicken Sliders Recipe

Shredded barbecue chicken piled onto sweet Hawaiian rolls, ready with mostly cooked ingredients.

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Mini Tacos Recipe

Crispy wonton cups filled with seasoned taco meat, a fun handheld bite that bakes in one tray.

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Baked Cream Cheese Dip With Jalapenos

A baked jalapeno cream cheese dip that only needs a quick stir together before it goes in.

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baked golden brown jalapeno dip in casserole.

Caramelized Onion Tart With Puff Pastry

A caramelized onion tart built on store bought puff pastry, more impressive than it is effort.

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Sourdough Discard Crackers

Homemade sourdough crackers you can bake a day or two ahead to serve with any of the dips above.

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Cranberry Brie Bites in Puff Pastry

Mini puff pastry cups filled with brie and cranberry sauce, assembled ahead and baked until golden right before guests arrive.

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Photo credit: littlespicejar.com

Easy Stuffed Mushrooms

Cheesy stuffed mushroom caps that can be assembled unbaked and frozen up to three months ahead, then baked straight from frozen.

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Photo credit: inspiredtaste.net

Tips for Thanksgiving Appetizers

Pick two or three, not all of them – too many appetizers means guests fill up before the main meal even starts.
Lean on the no-cook options if your oven is already full – a board, a dip and a pickled side cover a lot of ground with zero oven time.
Assemble what you can the night before – dips, boards and pickled vegetables all hold well overnight in the fridge.
Use the slow cooker on warm to hold a dip through the afternoon – it frees up counter space and keeps the dip from going cold.
Set appetizers out earlier than you think – guests tend to arrive before the food is officially ready, so a spread on the counter keeps everyone happy while you finish cooking.

Thanksgiving Appetizer Questions

How many appetizers do I need for a Thanksgiving crowd?

Two or three options is usually enough for most gatherings. For a bigger crowd, add one more no-cook option rather than doubling everything, since the main meal is still coming.

Can I make these the day before?

Most of the no-cook dips, the board, and the pickled vegetables can be fully made the day before. The slow cooker dips and oven bites are best made the morning of or reheated just before serving.

What if my oven is full with the turkey and sides?

Lean on the no-cook section and the slow cooker and air fryer group. Between a board, a couple of dips and something from the air fryer, you can skip the oven completely for appetizers.

If you want the full spread, my 100+ Best Thanksgiving Appetizers roundup has the complete list.