222 appetizer recipes

Lemon orzo pilaf is a five-ingredient one-pot side of rice-shaped pasta simmered in chicken broth with basil and lemon zest. Ready in 30 minutes. Bright, simple weeknight starch.

Crisp-fried pasta nibbles boiled until almost tender, then deep fried until golden and crunchy. Sprinkled with garlic salt for an addictive party snack.

Moroccan fava bean puree (bessara): dried favas simmered with garlic and cumin, blended with olive oil, served with Arab bread and a cumin-cayenne spice dip.

Eggplant relish with baked eggplant, hard-boiled egg, green pepper, and onion ground together with vinegar and garlic. A cold Eastern European-style spread for bread and crackers.

Crispy fried won tons filled with chopped dates and walnuts. A sweet three-ingredient appetizer or dessert with a crunchy shell and sticky fruit-nut center.

Garlic broth made with two whole heads of garlic, saffron, curry powder, and sage. A pureed vegetarian soup with deep, aromatic flavor from simmered garlic and warm spices.

Crispy Chinese-American shrimp toast: golden-fried bread triangles topped with seasoned shrimp paste, fresh ginger, water chestnuts, and toasted sesame seeds. A classic dim sum starter.

Cucumbers in yogurt with fresh basil, mint, scallion, and garlic. Cool Mediterranean-style cucumber salad or dip for grilled meats and warm flatbreads.

Sauteed mushrooms with tarragon, garlic, and a splash of soy sauce. A simple vegetarian side dish or appetizer with just 5 ingredients and 10 minutes of active cooking.

Scandinavian raspberry soup blends puréed berries with chablis, orange juice, and lemon for a chilled Nordic fruit soup. Whole raspberries and a sour-cream swirl finish each bowl.

Asian-style stuffed mushrooms with crispy bacon, soy sauce, sesame seeds, and garlic in a savory bread crumb filling. Blanched caps keep their shape, and they're make-ahead friendly.

Microwave steamed lobster cooked in salted lemon water in just 12 minutes. A fast, no-fuss method for whole live lobster with tender, sweet meat.

Steamed sui mai pork dumplings with dried mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and sesame oil wrapped in wonton skins. This classic dim sum recipe makes 30 bite-sized dumplings that rival your favorite Chinese restaurant.

Crispy deep-fried tofu triangles stuffed with curried tofu, mushrooms, and ginger in wonton wrappers. A fusion appetizer that's part samosa, part wonton, and totally addictive. Makes 30.

Homemade chicken nuggets fried golden in a Parmesan, paprika, and oregano coating. Crispy outside, juicy inside, and miles ahead of frozen. Makes 48 nuggets in just 30 minutes.

Crispy cheddar cheese wafers with Rice Krispies for extra crunch. Just 5 pantry ingredients, 30 minutes, and you've got 30 savory, buttery bite-sized snacks.