374 appetizer recipes

Fun gwau: Cantonese steamed dumplings stuffed with pork, shrimp, shiitake mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and water chestnuts, all wrapped in translucent wheat-starch wrappers. A dim sum classic.

Homemade Cajun chicken nuggets coated in onion soup mix, breadcrumbs, chili powder, cumin, and thyme. Pan-fried or microwaved. Makes about 5 dozen bite-sized pieces for a crowd.

A chilled Hungarian-style cherry soup made with Bing cherries, claret wine, cinnamon, and lemon, thickened with egg yolk. Served cold as an elegant starter or light meal.

Flour tortillas brushed with herb-infused olive oil, topped with diced turkey breast, bell pepper, tomatoes, and melted mozzarella. Crispy personal pizzas baked in 8 minutes flat for the quickest dinner or appetizer ever.

Stuffed green olives wrapped in a sharp cheddar dough with paprika and cayenne, then baked until golden and puffy. Bite-sized, salty, cheesy, and gone in seconds at any party.

Vegetarian shao mai dumplings with hand-rolled hot-water dough and two filling options: mashed tofu or minced water chestnut and mushroom. Bamboo steamer classic, freezer-friendly.

Homemade siopao steamed dumplings stuffed with a savory shrimp, ground pork, and water chestnut filling. Makes 30 pillowy buns from scratch, street-food style.

Creamy shrimp and pistachio spread made with blended cottage cheese, lemon juice, and onion powder. A no-cook appetizer for crackers or chips that chills in an hour.

Tender sweetbreads poached in milk, cubed, and served in a classic béchamel sauce. A refined old-world appetizer for adventurous cooks who appreciate offal done right.

Panjaria Salata, the classic Greek beetroot salad: whole beets boiled with tops intact, then sliced and served with Skorthalia garlic sauce or an olive oil, vinegar, and coriander dressing.

Polenta Toscana with rosemary and toasted walnuts sauteed in olive oil, stirred into creamy polenta. Serve it soft or cool it and slice into crostini. A simple Tuscan vegetarian side or appetizer.

Golden baked calzones stuffed with smoked turkey, ricotta, spinach, Parmesan and fresh tomato slices. Ready in 30 minutes using store-bought pizza dough. Freezer-friendly for easy meal prep.

Candied spiced walnuts or pecans coated in orange zest, cinnamon, cloves, and powdered sugar, then baked until dry and crunchy. A festive holiday snack or handmade gift.

Baked chicken fingers coated in yogurt and herb-seasoned cracker crumbs with a hint of curry. Crispy, low-calorie, and kid-approved with no deep frying required.

Australian savoury choux pastry puffs filled with a béchamel-style mixture and salmon, chicken, shrimp or asparagus. Elegant French-inspired party appetizer.

Moroccan eggplant salad with fried eggplant, garlic, cumin, and red pepper dressed in olive oil and lemon juice. A warm-spiced appetizer served at room temperature.