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Fall: the season of pumpkin spice lattes, changing leaves, and returning to a more scheduled routine. But it's also a season that's full of activity! Sure, you might have hosted your last backyard cookout of the year, but autumn is when your calendar gets booked up with fall parties of every kind: tailgating, book club meetings, and the annual Halloween celebrations. For those upcoming occasions, browse through our favorite fall appetizers.
Whether you're looking for buffalo chicken recipes to serve up on game day or a charcuterie board that's perfect to display for Thanksgiving, this list has something for every autumn occasion. Everyone will be thrilled to fend off the colder weather with a few warming comfort foods and cheesy delights. Try the ooey gooey arancini or the cheese-stuffed jalapeño poppers to name a few. Or feature harvest produce like squash, Brussels sprouts, and apple recipes.
We've even included some seasonal fall soups like the butternut squash soup with bacon that's a perfect starter for an elegant sit-down celebration and a few creepy twists on classics for your Halloween menu. Break out those slow cookers and air fryers to make life easier, and there's plenty of ideas to prep ahead to save time entertaining guests. Whatever you choose, you really can't go wrong serving these easy fall appetizer recipes at your next cozy gathering!
1
Sheet Pan Nachos
This is an endlessly flexible recipe, where you can add as many (or as few!) topping as you wish. Bonus: You can serve them right on the sheet pan so you don't have to clean another dish.
Get Ree's Sheet Pan Nachos recipe.
2
Bacon Cheddar Ranch Dip
Serve in individual cups for game day or in a big bowl for any day, really. Who can resist three things everyone loves together piled high on potato chips?
Get Ree's Bacon Cheddar Ranch Dip recipe.
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3
Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
Hot, crispy mozzarella sticks coming right up! And in this case, you don't have to worry about hot oil splattering all over the place. Let your air fryer do the work for you.
Get the Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks recipe.
4
Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
Picture these spicy little meatballs served with toothpicks and a side of ranch or blue cheese dressing... or both! Or make them more elegant with a cucumber salad. Either way, they'll surely be a hit.
Get Ree's Buffalo Chicken Meatballs recipe.
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5
Pepper Jack Queso
Ree calls queso "an essential part of every get-together." And when it's spiced up with green chilis and jalapeños, it becomes absolutely irresistible! Make it on the stovetop or in your slow cooker.
Get Ree's Pepper Jack Queso recipe.
6
Gougères
Gougères sound fancy and taste just as fancy, but really they're just tasty cheese puffs. They're made just like cream puffs and freeze beautifully if you want to make them in advance.
Get the Gougères recipe.
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7
Sausage Balls
With just a 15 minutes of prep, you'll have a tray full of salty, cheesy sausage balls on the table for everyone to enjoy. Serve with honey mustard dipping sauce and watch them disappear!
Get the Sausage Balls recipe.
8
Apple Butter Cheese Twists
Part sweet, part savory and entirely delicious, these elegant party snacks are super simple to make thanks to frozen puff pastry dough. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Get the Apple Butter Cheese Twists recipe.
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9
Shrimp Dip
Shrimp dip is an easy appetizer to make in advance and a classic worth making again and again. This version is extra tasty because it uses fresh shrimp and lots of fresh herbs. Top with cocktail sauce just before serving!
Get the Shrimp Dip recipe.
10
Fall Charcuterie Board
Assembling a charcuterie board makes appetizers easy and appealing. Artfully arranged ahead of time, a selection of seasonal meats, cheeses, and dips will have them satisfied without you having to run back and forth to the kitchen.
Get the Fall Charcuterie Board recipe.
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11
Ham and Cheese Pinwheels
Pop open a few packages of crescent roll dough and get rollin' on this crowd pleaser. Kids and adults alike will love snacking on these. Plus, you can easily swap out the fillings for turkey and various cheeses, too.
Get the Ham and Cheese Pinwheels recipe.
12
Pot Stickers
Pot stickers have been popular on restaurant appetizer menus for years, so why not make your own? You'll impress everyone! And once assembled, they cook up in mere minutes.
Get the Pot Stickers recipe.
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13
Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Thingies
Sometimes known as poppers, these cheese-stuffed jalapeño thingies are a party food favorite. "They’re absolutely addictive," says Ree. Isn't anything wrapped in bacon?
Get Ree's Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Thingies recipe.
14
Million Dollar Dip
A dip that's loaded with cheese and bacon? Sign us up! This one is so easy to whip up that you'll want to put it on repeat all season. Try swapping out the cheeses for different flavor profiles.
Get the Million Dollar Dip recipe.
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15
Pigs in a Blanket
Making pigs in a blanket from scratch is easier than you might think. All you need is refrigerated crescent roll dough, cocktail-sized smoked sausages, and an egg. The everything bagel seasoning is optional, but a tasty twist!
Get the Pigs in a Blanket recipe.
16
Halloween Deviled Eggs
To give these deviled eggs their beautiful crackled web design, you'll need a black tea marinade to naturally dye the egg whites. Then, top them off with a spooky olive spider.
Get the Halloween Deviled Eggs recipe.
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17
Beer Cheese Dip
This gooey, melty cheese dip has a subtle hint of hoppy flavor. Use an IPA for stronger beer flavor or a pilsner or a lager for something milder.
Get the Beer Cheese Dip recipe.
18
Lemon-Pepper Wings
Wings are the ultimate appetizer during football season so it only makes sense that they'd land on this list. Plus, this baked version with lemon-pepper seasoning is something you'll definitely want to try.
Get the Lemon-Pepper Wings recipe.
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19
Cowboy Caviar
If you love salsa or pico de gallo, then cowboy caviar is the next recipe to try! It's heartier due to the addition of black eyed peas and beans, but it's just as delicious when scooped up with chips!
Get the Cowboy Caviar recipe.
20
Air Fryer Pickles
Making fried pickles has never been easier thanks to the handy dandy air fryer. It's also a healthier alternative that you can feel good about snacking on.
Get the Air Fryer Pickles recipe.