Appetizer Recipes

Garlic-parsley finger sandwiches blend fresh garlic, chopped parsley, and mayonnaise into a tea-time spread on thinly sliced white bread. Four-ingredient party appetizer cut on the diagonal.

Silky, chilled crab mousse with Neufchatel cheese, yogurt, and a horseradish zing. A lighter take on the classic seafood spread that's elegant enough for any gathering.

Chinese steamed translucent dumplings (fun gor) filled with shrimp, ground pork, dried mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and water chestnuts in a wheat starch wrapper.

Baked artichoke hearts au gratin with just four ingredients: canned artichokes in Italian dressing, melty mozzarella, and a crunchy french fried onion topping. A fast, cheesy appetizer or side.

Homemade duck sauce from peach preserves, white vinegar, fresh ginger, and scallions. Four ingredients, 20 minutes, and far better than the takeout packets.

Classic ginger snap cookies with molasses, cinnamon, and cloves. Crispy edges with signature crinkled tops. Big batch recipe makes about 10 dozen small cookies.

Lemony leek and mushroom soup: a bright vegan vegetable soup with turnips, tomatoes, dill, and a finishing squeeze of lemon. A Passover-friendly first course with deep, herbal flavor.

Cheesy sausage balls roll bulk sausage, sharp cheddar and biscuit mix into walnut-size bites baked golden. The 3-ingredient Southern appetizer for parties and brunches.

Creamy microwaved spinach blends frozen spinach with sauteed onion, butter, cream cheese, and a pinch of nutmeg into a rich, no-bake side dish in 20 minutes. A microwave shortcut to creamed spinach.

Baked Brie with cranberry chutney made from fresh cranberries, brown sugar, lime juice, and pickled jalapeno, spooned over the wheel and baked until melting. A holiday appetizer that's ready in 30 minutes.

Cheese puffs made from choux pastry, light and airy bites packed with sharp cheddar, baked golden and crisp outside, tender within. A French gougere-style appetizer for any party.

Easy horseradish crab dip blends sweet lump crab with cream cheese, sharp horseradish, and a touch of onion, then bakes until bubbly and golden. A 7-ingredient party appetizer that goes from bowl to oven in 15 minutes.

Low-fat marinated vegetable platter with crisp broccoli, carrots, celery, red pepper, olives, and artichoke hearts in tangy Italian dressing. Make-ahead appetizer that gets better as it chills.

Layered shrimp appetizer with a cream cheese and sour cream base, spiced chili-horseradish cocktail sauce, and fresh shrimp on top. A retro party dip that always disappears first.

Cocktail franks in a tangy barbecue sauce with curry, mustard, and brown sugar. A retro party appetizer served in a chafing dish with toothpicks for easy snacking.

Homemade whole wheat crackers: a nutty, crisp copycat-style cracker with wheat germ, brown sugar, and butter. Rolled thin on the sheet pan, scored into squares, and baked in 8 minutes flat.