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These savory appetizers are so tasty, you might forget about the rest of your meal. Whether you’re in the mood to have dips for dinner or just looking for game day grub, this mix of bites has something for you. It’s no surprise that recipes like our Baked Parmesan Zucchini Curly Fries and Crispy Smashed Beets with Goat Cheese were the appetizers folks clicked on most in 2021.
01of 20Baked Parmesan Zucchini Curly FriesView RecipeThis healthy recipe combines two bar food favorites–fried zucchini and curly fries–into one tempting package. Serve these baked zucchini fries with a simple dipping sauce made with ranch dressing and marinara sauce for a crowd-pleasing appetizer or a side dish for burgers, chicken or pizza. No matter what you serve them with, they’re a fun way to eat more vegetables for kids and adults alike.
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Baked Parmesan Zucchini Curly Fries
View Recipe
This healthy recipe combines two bar food favorites–fried zucchini and curly fries–into one tempting package. Serve these baked zucchini fries with a simple dipping sauce made with ranch dressing and marinara sauce for a crowd-pleasing appetizer or a side dish for burgers, chicken or pizza. No matter what you serve them with, they’re a fun way to eat more vegetables for kids and adults alike.
02of 20Sriracha-Buffalo Cauliflower BitesView RecipeThis recipe for spicy Buffalo cauliflower bites is a great vegetarian alternative to Buffalo wings. Roasted cauliflower stands in for chicken and provides more fiber and fewer calories. Serve this easy appetizer with carrot sticks, celery and your favorite ranch or blue cheese dressing.
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Sriracha-Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
This recipe for spicy Buffalo cauliflower bites is a great vegetarian alternative to Buffalo wings. Roasted cauliflower stands in for chicken and provides more fiber and fewer calories. Serve this easy appetizer with carrot sticks, celery and your favorite ranch or blue cheese dressing.
03of 20Crispy Smashed Beets with Goat CheeseView RecipeCooked beets are lightly pressed and pan-fried for a charred, crispy outer crust–similar to that of smashed potatoes. The herbed goat cheese dip makes this healthy appetizer or easy side dish even more delicious.
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Crispy Smashed Beets with Goat Cheese
Cooked beets are lightly pressed and pan-fried for a charred, crispy outer crust–similar to that of smashed potatoes. The herbed goat cheese dip makes this healthy appetizer or easy side dish even more delicious.
04of 20Cheesy Pull-Apart Cauliflower with PestoView RecipeBrie PassanoA combination of pesto and mozzarella cheese is tucked into a whole head of cauliflower. The florets “pull away” revealing the ooey-gooey cheese beneath for a fun and festive appetizer or side dish.
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Cheesy Pull-Apart Cauliflower with Pesto
Brie Passano
A combination of pesto and mozzarella cheese is tucked into a whole head of cauliflower. The florets “pull away” revealing the ooey-gooey cheese beneath for a fun and festive appetizer or side dish.
05of 20Cheesy French Onion CauliflowerView RecipeJacob FoxIf you like French onion soup, you’ll love this baked cauliflower coated in melted Gruyère cheese and sweet caramelized onions. Enjoy this as a side dish alongside roast chicken or steak, or as a healthy appetizer. We called for vegetarian Worcestershire sauce in this recipe to keep the recipe vegetarian, but if you don’t care about it being vegetarian, feel free to use regular Worcestershire.
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Cheesy French Onion Cauliflower
Jacob Fox
If you like French onion soup, you’ll love this baked cauliflower coated in melted Gruyère cheese and sweet caramelized onions. Enjoy this as a side dish alongside roast chicken or steak, or as a healthy appetizer. We called for vegetarian Worcestershire sauce in this recipe to keep the recipe vegetarian, but if you don’t care about it being vegetarian, feel free to use regular Worcestershire.
06of 20Fig & Goat Cheese Puff Pastry RollView RecipeJamie Vespa, M.S., R.D.Buttery puff pastry is a tasty shortcut ingredient that can be used in many delicious ways. Here we roll out a pastry sheet and cover it with fig jam and crumbled goat cheese, then roll it up into a log and bake it. The end result is a sweet-and-savory appetizer that looks and tastes impressive, especially considering it has just three ingredients.
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Fig & Goat Cheese Puff Pastry Roll
Jamie Vespa, M.S., R.D.
Buttery puff pastry is a tasty shortcut ingredient that can be used in many delicious ways. Here we roll out a pastry sheet and cover it with fig jam and crumbled goat cheese, then roll it up into a log and bake it. The end result is a sweet-and-savory appetizer that looks and tastes impressive, especially considering it has just three ingredients.
07of 20Garlic HummusView RecipeThis classic hummus recipe couldn’t be easier–just toss a few ingredients in the food processor and whir away! Aquafaba (the liquid from a can of chickpeas) makes this healthy dip extra smooth and creamy. Serve with veggie chips, pita chips or crudités.
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Garlic Hummus
This classic hummus recipe couldn’t be easier–just toss a few ingredients in the food processor and whir away! Aquafaba (the liquid from a can of chickpeas) makes this healthy dip extra smooth and creamy. Serve with veggie chips, pita chips or crudités.
08of 20Roasted Spaghetti Squash SeedsView RecipeWhen you prepare spaghetti squash, don’t throw away the seeds! You can roast them into a crunchy, healthy snack–just like roasting pumpkin seeds. The seasoning mix in this recipe is a mix of spicy, salty and sweet, but feel free to experiment with your own flavor combinations.
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Roasted Spaghetti Squash Seeds
When you prepare spaghetti squash, don’t throw away the seeds! You can roast them into a crunchy, healthy snack–just like roasting pumpkin seeds. The seasoning mix in this recipe is a mix of spicy, salty and sweet, but feel free to experiment with your own flavor combinations.
09of 20Easy Stuffed MushroomsView RecipeThis healthy stuffed mushroom appetizer is a nice balance of soft mushrooms, creamy filling and crunchy topping. This combination tastes downright decadent, but it’s actually good for you. Be sure to get all of the moisture out of the chopped mushrooms before moving on to the next step; if not, the filling will be soggy and make the mushroom caps watery.
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Easy Stuffed Mushrooms
This healthy stuffed mushroom appetizer is a nice balance of soft mushrooms, creamy filling and crunchy topping. This combination tastes downright decadent, but it’s actually good for you. Be sure to get all of the moisture out of the chopped mushrooms before moving on to the next step; if not, the filling will be soggy and make the mushroom caps watery.
10of 20Mushroom PateView RecipeServe this vegetarian pâté recipe as an appetizer with crackers and pickled onions or try it as a sandwich spread. Nutritional yeast, rich in vitamin B12, adds a cheesy flavor without any dairy. Look for the yellow yeast powder or flakes in natural-foods stores.
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Mushroom Pate
Serve this vegetarian pâté recipe as an appetizer with crackers and pickled onions or try it as a sandwich spread. Nutritional yeast, rich in vitamin B12, adds a cheesy flavor without any dairy. Look for the yellow yeast powder or flakes in natural-foods stores.
11of 20Cheesy Zucchini TotsView RecipeCasey BarberNot one, not two, but three cheeses make these low-carb cheesy zucchini tots live up to their name. Bake them in the oven or fry them in your air fryer for a crisp exterior and a gooey, melted center. Don’t use pre-shredded cheese here; shred it fresh for the best and creamiest results. Serve with ketchup, marinara, ranch or your favorite dipping sauce.
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Cheesy Zucchini Tots
Casey Barber
Not one, not two, but three cheeses make these low-carb cheesy zucchini tots live up to their name. Bake them in the oven or fry them in your air fryer for a crisp exterior and a gooey, melted center. Don’t use pre-shredded cheese here; shred it fresh for the best and creamiest results. Serve with ketchup, marinara, ranch or your favorite dipping sauce.
12of 203-Ingredient Cranberry-Brie BitesView RecipeBaked Brie is a perennially popular appetizer. Here, we complement the Brie with tart cranberry sauce and bake it in pretty individual tartlets using premade pie crust for an ultra-easy crowd-pleasing appetizer.
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3-Ingredient Cranberry-Brie Bites
Baked Brie is a perennially popular appetizer. Here, we complement the Brie with tart cranberry sauce and bake it in pretty individual tartlets using premade pie crust for an ultra-easy crowd-pleasing appetizer.
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Cheesy Jalapeño Corn Dip
14of 20Cauliflower ChipsView RecipeCaitlin BenselThese crisp cauliflower chips are low in carbs and can be made in either the oven or your air fryer. Plus, they require just cauliflower, Parmesan cheese and seasonings to make! Swap out the Italian seasoning for ranch seasoning or your favorite spice blend for a different flavor profile.
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Cauliflower Chips
Caitlin Bensel
These crisp cauliflower chips are low in carbs and can be made in either the oven or your air fryer. Plus, they require just cauliflower, Parmesan cheese and seasonings to make! Swap out the Italian seasoning for ranch seasoning or your favorite spice blend for a different flavor profile.
15of 20Cured or Smoked Salmon Appetizer PlatterView RecipeThis smoked salmon platter requires little effort but the spread makes a big impression. Served with all the fixings–capers, hard-boiled eggs, cucumber and more–a smoked salmon platter is the ultimate make-ahead appetizer. Lay out everything listed in the ingredients below or just a few of the elements along with an assortment of crackers, cocktail bread and/or sliced baguette.
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Cured or Smoked Salmon Appetizer Platter
This smoked salmon platter requires little effort but the spread makes a big impression. Served with all the fixings–capers, hard-boiled eggs, cucumber and more–a smoked salmon platter is the ultimate make-ahead appetizer. Lay out everything listed in the ingredients below or just a few of the elements along with an assortment of crackers, cocktail bread and/or sliced baguette.
16of 20Mushroom JerkyView RecipeThis vegan version of beef jerky has the same level of smoky spice you’d expect from the real thing. It can be enjoyed as a snack or on top of a salad for a jolt of meaty, umami goodness. It’s also a great snack to take camping! The mushrooms stay pretty chewy (no crunch except for some of the crispy ends); this method is a great option if you don’t have a dehydrator.
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Mushroom Jerky
This vegan version of beef jerky has the same level of smoky spice you’d expect from the real thing. It can be enjoyed as a snack or on top of a salad for a jolt of meaty, umami goodness. It’s also a great snack to take camping! The mushrooms stay pretty chewy (no crunch except for some of the crispy ends); this method is a great option if you don’t have a dehydrator.
17of 20Loaded Cauliflower BitesView RecipeCrispy slices of roasted cauliflower topped with cheese, sour cream and bacon make a tasty low-carb alternative to classic loaded potato skins.
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Loaded Cauliflower Bites
Crispy slices of roasted cauliflower topped with cheese, sour cream and bacon make a tasty low-carb alternative to classic loaded potato skins.
18of 20Skillet Sun-Dried Tomato DipView RecipePhotography / Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling / Ruth BlackburnThis skillet sun-dried tomato dip is creamy, but also gets a hit of sweetness from roasted bell peppers to complement the sun-dried tomatoes. It’s cooked and served all in the same skillet, cutting down on dishes. Serve it with crackers, toasted bread or fresh-cut veggies.
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Skillet Sun-Dried Tomato Dip
Photography / Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling / Ruth Blackburn
This skillet sun-dried tomato dip is creamy, but also gets a hit of sweetness from roasted bell peppers to complement the sun-dried tomatoes. It’s cooked and served all in the same skillet, cutting down on dishes. Serve it with crackers, toasted bread or fresh-cut veggies.
19of 20Air-Fryer Buffalo WingsView RecipeA sports bar favorite comes home with these deliciously crispy chicken wings, which require just 10 minutes of active prep time, thanks to the air fryer. In fact, one of EatingWell’s recipe testers declared this air-fryer Buffalo wing recipe “a reason to buy an air fryer.” Add a spicy sauce, carrot sticks, celery sticks and ranch dressing for dipping and you have a healthy take on wings that’s sure to score.
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Air-Fryer Buffalo Wings
A sports bar favorite comes home with these deliciously crispy chicken wings, which require just 10 minutes of active prep time, thanks to the air fryer. In fact, one of EatingWell’s recipe testers declared this air-fryer Buffalo wing recipe “a reason to buy an air fryer.” Add a spicy sauce, carrot sticks, celery sticks and ranch dressing for dipping and you have a healthy take on wings that’s sure to score.
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Loaded Sweet Potato Nacho Fries
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