The holiday season is a favorite for many! The last two months of the year provide lots of excuses to gather with beloved family and friends. Before we get too caught up in the madness December brings, Thanksgiving is a great time to take a step back and reflect on all the blessings for which we are most thankful. When celebrating this day with loved ones, most people get together to enjoy a Thanksgiving feast. While the turkey is usually the main attraction, let’s not forget about all the other great foods too that grace our table! Making some simple appetizers to serve throughout the day is key to making the celebration last longer than one meal.
According to Delish.com, there are many easy and delicious appetizers you can prepare for Thanksgiving. Here are just a few of my recommended recipes from the list:
Cranberry Brie Bites
Almost everyone loves crescent rolls, cheese and cranberries! So why not combine them into one spectacular treat?! These cranberry brie bites can take any Thanksgiving celebration to the next level.
Ingredients:
- 1 (8-oz.) tube crescent dough
- Cooking spray, for pan
- Flour, for surface
- 1 (8-oz.) wheel of brie
- 1/2 c. whole berry cranberry sauce
- 1/4 c. chopped pecans
- 6 sprigs of rosemary, cut into 1″ pieces
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 375° and grease a mini muffin tin with cooking spray. On a lightly floured surface, roll out crescent dough, and pinch together seams. Cut into 24 squares. Place squares into muffin tin slots.
- Cut brie into small pieces and place inside the crescent dough. Top with a spoonful of cranberry sauce, some chopped pecans, and one little sprig of rosemary.
- Bake until the crescent pastry is golden, about 15 minutes.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yields: 24
Fried Mashed Potato Balls
Mashed potatoes are a dinner staple at Thanksgiving and year-round for that matter. Whether you’re cooking fresh or have a lot of leftovers, there are many creative ways to prepare them. These fried mashed potato balls incorporate a bit of fun into a traditional Thanksgiving dish.
Ingredients:
- 3 c. leftover mashed potatoes
- 3 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 2/3 c. shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp. thinly sliced chives
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 2 egg, beaten
- 1 1/3 c. panko bread crumbs
Directions:
- In a large bowl, combine mashed potatoes with cooked bacon, cheddar, chives, and garlic powder, and season with salt and pepper. Stir until all ingredients are incorporated.
- Place eggs and panko in separate shallow bowls. Use a small cookie scoop to scoop 1” to 2” balls of mashed potato mixture. Roll into a ball in your hands, then dredge first in egg and then in panko. Repeat until all mashed potatoes are used.
- Heat 3” of oil in a large cast iron skillet until candy thermometer reads 375°. Fry potato balls in batches until golden on all sides, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain on a paper towel lined plate and season immediately with more salt.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yields: 5 servings
Veggie Dip
If you’re searching for a lighter or healthier option, a veggie dip is a tasty choice. Pair it with your favorite vegetables, crackers or breads, and you’ve made something that can be served all Thanksgiving long.
Ingredients:
- 1 c. whole milk greek yogurt
- 1/4 c. mayonnaise
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. onion powder
- 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper, plus more for serving
- Crackers, for serving
- Bread, for serving
- Assorted crudite, for serving
Directions:
- Mix all ingredients in a medium bowl, chill until ready to serve.
- Top with more black pepper and serve with crackers, bread, and crudite.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yields: 1 cup
Hopefully these simple recipes bring an added joy to your home this Thanksgiving. Don’t worry if you enjoy them too much. They’ll taste just as good at other times of the year as they do on Thanksgiving Day!
